Urban Pitch Podcast - The Beautiful Game of Life

By Urban PitchSociety & Culture Sports Soccer

Urban Pitch Podcast - The Beautiful Game of Life episodes

September 10, 2024 173. Ballon d'Or Hype and Alex Morgan's Farewell to Soccer
The Ballon d'Or shortlists are out, and the debates on who should win football's most prestigious award are raging. From our picks to win it to egregious snubs left off the lists, we get into it all in the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast. In addition, we also discuss the legendary career of Alex Morgan, who just announced her retirement and played in her final match last Sunday.
Timestamps
(00:30) The Overtime FC x Kappa x Klarna kits we're rocking
(07:20) The Ballon d'Or shortlist and our picks to win it
(19:17) Kylian Mbappe's early struggles with Real Madrid
(29:46) The women's Ballon d'Or
(36:56) Alex Morgan's retirement from soccer
(44:08) Don Kennedy's LA concert and our favorite LA artists
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
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53 min
September 03, 2024 172. Pochettino to USMNT, Nike's New Third Kits, and CR7's YouTube Channel
The summer's coming to a close, and that means a wild stretch of footy is now behind us. But the soccer world doesn't rest, and we're already into a new European season, while MLS and the NWSL sprint to the finish of their respective seasons as well.
On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the crew discusses the potential announcement of Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT manager, in addition to the polarizing new slate of third kits from Nike and CR7's venture into content creation.
Timestamps
(02:19) Thoughts on the summer of footy
(09:32) Mauricio Pochettino's potential USMNT manager position
(26:14) The new Nike third kits
(34:35) Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube channel
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

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43 min
August 27, 2024 171. A New NWSL CBA, the Start of the EPL Season, and Our Fav New Kits ft. Jessica Black!
We've got new season fever. With every new year comes a fresh wave of optimism and hope, and with a new EPL campaign underway, there wasn't anyone else we'd rather chat with than Jessica Black! The SheKnowsArsenal star discusses her thoughts on the 2024-25 season, and where the Gunners' priorities should lie after two straight second-place finishes.
But first, we dig into the new collective bargaining agreement in the NWSL, and the historic implications that it could bring across American sports.
Timestamps
(00:01:25) The new NWSL collective bargaining agreement
(00:13:50) The return of the NWSL and Angel City FC's strong Summer Cup
(00:23:58) The start of the English Premier League season
(00:38:20) Our favorite kits across Europe for the 2024-25. season
(00:55:34) Puppy corner
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

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1 hr 4 min
August 20, 2024 170. Host and Creator Megan Reyes
Over the past few years, Megan Reyes has emerged as one of the most engaging voices in sports, covering everything from women's soccer and basketball to the X Games and Olympics. A first generation Filipino-American, her four-part audio documentary "Between Two Worlds" covered the Philippines women's national soccer team's journey to the 2023 World Cup, and she is currently the host of "The Good Follow Show" on DraftKings Network.
From her love of the beautiful game to her passion for the culture that surrounds it, Megan was a perfect fit for the Urban Pitch Podcast, and our conversation ranged from how she found her love for sports, to her Filipino background, to the growth of women's sports in recent years. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!
Timestamps
(00:02:04) Megan's background in sports and her journey into working in the sports industry
(00:09:30) Fashion's growth in sport, specifically soccer
(00:12:00) Her Filipino background and covering Filipino athletes
(00:31:35) The growth of women's sports
(00:42:45) Staying up to date with various different sports without getting burnt out
(00:56:54) The music in Megan's playlist lately
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

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1 hr 4 min
August 13, 2024 169. A Wild Olympics and Giroud's Aura
Every four years, we're treated to the Summer Olympics — a three-week span of pomp, circumstance, and national pride. This year's games in Paris were among the best in recent memory, and featured countless jaw-dropping moments, including on the football pitch. From a USWNT gold medal to another crash out from a United States men's team, we recap the footy that took place across France over the past few weeks, in addition to a few of our other favorite moments from other sports. We also get into Olivier Giroud's arrival in Los Angeles, and how both LA MLS teams are looking dangerous as the season ramps up for its final quarter.
(02:37) The Olympics and soccer's history at the games
(27:06) How concerned should U.S. men's soccer be after a disappointing summer?
(36:37) Olivier Giroud's aura and the final stretch to the MLS season
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

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44 min
August 06, 2024 168. Colorado Rapids Midfielder Cole Bassett
After finishing last in the Western Conference last season, the Colorado Rapids have made a major turnaround in 2024, and find themselves comfortably in the playoff hunt three quarters through the season.
A major part of the turnaround has been the stellar play of midfielder Cole Bassett, a homegrown product and one of the bright young talents across MLS. The 23-year-old playmaker already has hit career high marks in goals and assists this season, and will be key if the team wants to make a deep playoff run.
He drops by the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the Rapids' newfound success in 2024, the team's dynamic, as well as his loan spell to Feyenoord and Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Timestamps
(01:40) The Rapids' massive turnaround from last season to this season
(06:50) The attacking quality across MLS, and how Djordje Mihailovic and Zack Steffen have affected the locker room
(12:11) Coming up through the Rapids Academy as a homegrown player
(16:31) Getting an opportunity to play for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie
(22:02) Leagues Cup and the intensity of the mid-season tournament
(23:20) Growing up with athlete parents
(26:00) His experience playing with the USMNT
(27:56) The Colorado vs. RSL rivalry
(33:04) The fashion atmosphere within Colorado Rapids and his style
(38:50) The Rapids' dynamic both on and off the pitch
(41:26) The music Cole has been listening to
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

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47 min
July 30, 2024 167. Max Ornstil
Most sports fans grow up rooting for their hometown teams. But few ever get to actually play for them. Max Ornstil is part of that select few.
The Oakland, California native got a chance to play for the Oakland Roots, and ended his eight-year professional career with the club in 2022. In the two years since, he's been busy establishing his brand, Neighborhood Sports Club.
In addition to some of the coolest merch and apparel out there, Neighborhood Sports Club is about building community through the beautiful game and various art forms. The latest NSC project was 'Dare to Dream,' a short film recounting Ornstil's journey through pro soccer, visualized in a letter to his younger self. We sit down with Ornstil to discuss his love for the game, life after retirement, and all the things he's working on with Neighborhood Sports Club.
Timestamps
(01:33) Max's journey over the past two years after retiring from pro soccer
(16:30) What it's like growing up playing soccer in the Bay Area, and the personal connection to his short film
(22:25) Getting to play for his hometown club, the Oakland Roots
(32:12) Neighborhood Sports Club
(45:54) The music in Max's rotation
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

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53 min
July 23, 2024 166. Copa America Chaos, USMNT Manager Developments, & Mbappe's Madrid Intro
With the Copa America and EUROs now over, we're in the backside of the summer of footy — but that doesn't mean things are slowing down. From all the chaos that took place both before and after the Copa America final in Miami to potential USMNT managers coming out of the woodwork, there's been plenty to discuss in the football universe. We get into it all on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!
Timestamps
(01:30) The chaotic conclusions to the EUROs and Copa America
(19:45) Argentina's controversial post-match celebrations
(28:34) The USMNT manager situation
(41:00) The state of El Tri
(43:32) Kylian Mbappe's introduction to Real Madrid
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
54 min
July 16, 2024 165. A Post-Berhalter USMNT Era: How Much Will Actually Change?
The 2024 Copa America saw yet another disappointing performance from the USMNT, not making it out of a favorable group draw. Getting grouped out of the tournament led to the team parting ways with head coach Gregg Berhalter, something a staunch group of fans have been calling for for years now. But how much will actually change with a new coach?
We also dive into Cristiano Ronaldo's tough EURO 2024, and examine how much he was holding back the team he has carried for so long. In addition, we got outfitted by our friends at Icarus Football, who held their annual 2024 Icarus Cup in Philadelphia over the weekend. The new kits might just be our favorite yet.
Timestamps
00:44 The Icarus Cup and the fire Urban Pitch Icarus kits we're wearing
06:54 The USMNT's disappointing run at Copa America and finding a replacement for Gregg Berhalter 32:30 Cristiano Ronaldo's miserable EUROs and the youth movement in the tournament
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
48 min
July 02, 2024 164. The Summer of Footy: EUROs vs. Copa America
Footy fever has fully hit, and we're waist deep in a summer chock full of international goodness. As the EUROs and Copa America continue to unfold, we break down the vibes in each tournament, and pick a winner for each competition that has its own specific brand of chaos!
Timestamps
(00:30) The PUMA x Neymar 'Forever Brasilero' event
(06:05) Does Neymar have enough juice in the tank to make a return?
(12:52) The vibes around Copa America and EURO 2024
(18:53) Why have there been empty stadiums in Copa America?
(31:40) Our picks to win each tournament

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43 min