Urban Pitch Podcast - The Beautiful Game of Life

By Urban PitchSociety & Culture Sports Soccer

Urban Pitch Podcast - The Beautiful Game of Life episodes

November 25, 2025 223. World Cup Qualifying Surprises and a Resurgent USMNT
As World Cup qualifying nears its end, the field of 48 teams at next summer's tournament is starting to come into focus. So far, we've seen some surprise qualifiers including the likes of Cape Verde and Curaçao, who will both be making their debuts, while other nations like Italy and Nigeria are either out of the running completely, or will have to win a playoff to get in.
On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the crew gets into some of the best moments from World Cup qualifying, while also looking at the USMNT's dominant November window in which it defeated Paraguay and Uruguay handily.
Timestamps
(00:41) What the crew has been up to
(12:20) World Cup qualifiers: Surprises, disappointments, and everything in between
(27:20) The USMNT's hot streak
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.
44 min
November 11, 2025 222. The adidas World Cup Home Kits: What Worked, What Didn't?
You know the World Cup is coming soon when we start to see kits release -- and adidas was first to the party with its release of 22 national team home jerseys. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, we discuss the best and worst from the bunch, as well as what we're looking forward to from upcoming releases.
Timestamps
(02:19) The adidas World Cup home kits -- what worked, what didn't?
(26:57) Hot takes: jerseys and crest design
(36:40) Wild card shoutouts: Korean fried chicken and getting named to Forty-One Magazine's 41 List!
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.
41 min
November 04, 2025 221. The Sports Gambling Problem. Plus: Ex-MLS Goalkeeper Spencer Richey's Thriving New Career
Most athletes retire after their peak playing days, but they are still in the primes of their lives. Some transition into coaching, while others may find themselves on TV as analysts or commentators. But Spencer Richey has taken a different path after his 10-year MLS career.
The former Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, FC Cincinnati, and Chicago Fire goalkeeper has carved a new career for himself in the real estate industry, managing several properties including Missing Hotel, a boutique experiential resort in Marble Falls, Texas.
He joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss his post-soccer pivot, what he misses from the game, and how he got into the world of real estate.
But first -- Julio and Ramsey discuss the ongoing infiltration of gambling in the world of sports, and how its prevalence has led to several scandals both in and out of soccer.
Timestamps
(02:02) Has sports gambling gone too far?
(21:47) Spencer Richey joins the Urban Pitch Podcast
Check out Spencer's Missing Hotel property here.
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.
56 min
October 28, 2025 220. Toronto FC Midfielder Malik Henry
We catch up with Toronto FC's Malik Henry, who's fresh off his rookie season in MLS, to discuss his atypical journey to the league, what he's working on in the offseason, and how he got into making beats.
Timestamps
(00:30) What he's been up to so far in the offseason
(02:40) The highs and lows of his rookie pro season and his overall soccer journey
(16:00) Getting acclimated to Toronto both on and off the pitch
(20:28) The budding LA-Toronto rivalry
(22:39) Athletes turning to music for a creative outlet and his journey making beats
(40:00) Goals for the offseason and outlook for next year
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.
46 min
October 21, 2025 219. The MLS End-of-Year Superlatives with Favian Renkel
MLS expert and Urban Pitch contributor Favian Renkel joins the squad to talk all things MLS, including his pick for MVP, MLS Cup favorites, and biggest surprises of the year!
(00:15) Balling with Justin Bieber
(02:08) Christen Press' retirement
(05:15) LAFC's hot streak heading into the MLS Cup Playoffs
(12:20) Favian Renkel joins the show to discuss the MLS end-of-year superlatives

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
41 min
October 14, 2025 218. Fans Getting Priced Out of the Game ft. Matt Marshall
As prices continue to rise on everything from kits to tickets, we discuss how it's becoming harder for fans to experience the game with EatPrayBall's Matt Marshall!
(00:01:47) The new format of the Urban Pitch Podcast and Matt Marshall's soccer background
(00:13:50) Today's main topic: Fans getting priced out of the game
(00:37:50) The hot take round

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
1 hr 1 min
October 07, 2025 217. North Carolina Courage Midfielder Brianna Pinto
Whether it's on the pitch with the North Carolina Courage, or off the pitch through her work with her foundation and the NWSL BWPC, Brianna Pinto is an extremely high achiever. We were able to sit down with the talented midfielder to discuss her family's athletic pedigree, how growing up in Durham, North Carolina shaped her as a player, and the upcoming Black high school player showcase she's helping put together alongside Black Star and the BWPC.
Timestamps
(02:30) Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min: The best duo in MLS?
(09:10) Should Carlos Vela get a statue for LAFC?
(13:53) Brianna Pinto joins the show!
(22:00) Her college career at UNC and how growing up in North Carolina shaped her
(30:28) The Black high school players showcase she's helping put together with Black Star and the BWPC
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.
39 min
September 30, 2025 216. Angel City FC Rookie Sensation Riley Tiernan
We're back! After our end-of-summer sabbatical, we had to do things big in our return -- so we headed to the Angel City FC training facility to do our first on-the-road podcast recording, with special guest Riley Tiernan.
From getting a non-roster training camp invite to becoming one of the top goal scorers in the entire NWSL, Tiernan has burst onto the scene in her rookie season with Angel City FC. We discuss her stellar work ethic, how growing up in an athletic family helped shape her playing style, and what her experience with Angel City has been like so far in her young career.
(01:11) Getting acclimated to Los Angeles after growing up on the East Coast
(04:19) Growing up in an athletic family and having a sister that also played in the NWSL
(08:00) Her experience with Angel City FC
(22:20) How she developed her style of play
(27:55) Who's on AUX duty in the Angel City FC
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.
32 min
August 19, 2025 215. More USMNT Drama?
The summer may be winding down, but the heat around the United States men's national team keeps going up. A longstanding feud between current and former stars was reignited when Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah addressed comments from former US players in the nine-part 'Pulisic' docu-series.
We address the controversy (again) and see if the USMNT can get through the strife ahead of next summer's World Cup.
(03:10) How summer 2025 has panned out
(18:00) Christian Pulisic's USMNT drama
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.
43 min
August 12, 2025 214. Puerto Rico national team forward Sky Rodriguez
Growing up in Southern California, Sky Rodriguez was more in touch with her Mexican side than her Puerto Rican side. But that all changed in college, when she got the opportunity to play with the Puerto Rican women's national team. Since then, she's been an ambassador to help grow the sport in the country, and continues to spread the love for the game across the island. She joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss her journey with the national team, the various club teams she's played for, and the increased opportunities for professional women's soccer across North America.
01:36 Playing in the same rec league as Brigitte
08:36 Her experience with the Puerto Rican national team and soccer culture in the country
25:10 Her current training regimen and her search for a club team
31:42 Playing with Cruz Azul
43:33 Growing up in a soccer and sports family
49:03 The growing opportunities for women's soccer in North America
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.
56 min