Urban Pitch Podcast - The Beautiful Game of Life

By Urban PitchSociety & Culture Sports Soccer

Urban Pitch Podcast - The Beautiful Game of Life episodes

February 18, 2025 193. Brooklyn FC's Samantha Rosette & Allison Pantuso
Holding down the back line for Brooklyn FC in the USL Super League, Allison Pantuso and Samantha Rosette have been valuable veteran presences for the new club in the startup league. Currently sitting in first place heading into the spring half of the 2024-25 season, Brooklyn has emerged as one of the strongest clubs both on and off the pitch in the Super League.
They drop by the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the experience of joining a first-year club, their midseason trip to Italy, and the vibes of playing in the heart of New York City.
(01:13) Brooklyn FC's midseason trip to Italy
(07:20) Coming together as a new team and the vibes in the locker room
(17:47) The process of joining Brooklyn FC after lengthy careers playing overseas
(23:30) What it's like playing in New York, and the differences between each neighborhood
(31:10) The Player's Network and connecting pro soccer players from all around the world
(37:20) Pre-game rituals and what's on their playlist
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
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42 min
February 11, 2025 192. FC Dallas Defender Marco Farfan
Since making his debut with the Portland Timbers at 18 in 2017, Marco Farfan has become a staple in MLS, and has found a solid role with FC Dallas. He joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss turning pro while he was still in high school, his thoughts on the 2025 season, and the challenges of playing for a new coach.
Timestamps
(00:55) Preseason vibes and the hype for the 2025 season
(05:02) The nature of being traded and Luka Doncic's impact on Dallas
(13:20) Growing up in Portland and signing with the Timbers while he was still in high school
(26:30) MLS fans and the differences in fan bases between Portland, LA, and Dallas
(32:39) FC Dallas' outlook for 2025
(39:30) Differences between Portland, LA, and Dallas
(41:20) His style and getting into fashion
(44:23) The music on his playlist
(46:33) Julio's hot seat
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
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51 min
February 04, 2025 191. Mega Transfers, Bigger Tournaments, and Cobi Jones' Statue
The winter transfer window has heated up, with big moves on both the men's and women's side of things. After an injury-filled spell at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Neymar is making his return to Brazil and his childhood club, Santos. Elsewhere, Naomi Girma became the first million-dollar transfer in women's soccer, joining Chelsea and bolstering a super-team that also features fellow USWNT stars Catarina Macario and Mia Fishel.
We get into all of this and more on the latest Urban Pitch Podcast episode, in addition to discussing the jam-packed league phase of the Champions League, Cobi Jones' statue for LA Galaxy, and more moves across the world of football.
Timestamps
(01:02) Neymar's return to Santos
(16:10) Naomi Girma: Women's soccer's first million-dollar transfer
(27:33) The new Champions League format and the expanding nature of major tournaments
(38:32) Cobi Jones' statue for LA Galaxy
(48:32) Mateusz Bogusz leaving LAFC for Cruz Azul
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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52 min
January 28, 2025 190. Ambiente Central DJ Henrry Rza
A founding member of Ambiente Central, one of LA's hottest events, Henrry Rza has become a sought after DJ and expert vibe curator over the past few years. He's also a passionate footy fan with supreme ball knowledge, and he joins the squad to discuss some of his favorite soccer moments, controversial VAR calls, and his love for Arsenal, in addition to starting Ambiente Central and uniting LA's vibrant Central American community.
Timestamps
(00:03:05) The art of being a good DJ and the various styles of DJing
(00:11:15) Growing up in LA and his soccer background
(00:16:44) How his love for hip-hop got him into DJing
(00:22:37) His Ambiente Central event, and uniting LA's Central American community
(00:31:39) Liga MX vs. MLS
(00:38:50) Becoming an Arsenal fan and the fall of Manchester United
(00:44:30) VAR and its implementation across various leagues
(00:52:37) The music-sports crossover
(00:57:08) The music in his rotation
Cast
Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores
Producer: Roy Cho
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1 hr 3 min
January 21, 2025 189. Katie Johnson Returns!
Fresh off her retirement announcement, Katie Johnson returns to the Urban Pitch Podcast! The last time we spoke to her, she was on the San Diego Wave, but shortly after our discussion she returned to her hometown and joined Angel City FC. We discuss her two-year stint in Los Angeles, in addition to what went into her decision to retire, her new journey in pilates, and what she is currently listening to.
Timestamps
(01:56) The impact of the LA fires on Katie's family
(03:10) Retiring from pro soccer and making the adjustment to post-playing days
(17:10) Her experience with Angel City FC for the past two seasons
(33:17) Getting certified as a pilates instructor and new avenues moving forward
(42:00) Navigating the highs and lows of a career as a pro athlete
(52:25) The USC experience
(56:58) Her music playlist and favorite artists
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
January 14, 2025 188. What We're Hyped for in 2025, and the "Tweaker" Phenomenon
From major tournaments to surprising league title races, 2025 has plenty in store for the world of football. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, we break down what we're most hyped for, before getting into the Ball Brothers' hit "Tweaker," and the athlete-musician crossover.
Timestamps
(00:10) The wildfires in Los Angeles
(02:06) What we're looking forward to in 2025
(15:23) The 2025 Women's EUROs and the streaming wars in live sports
(26:46) The "Tweaker'" phenomenon and the athlete-artist crossover
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
January 07, 2025 187. Pro Baller Darielle O'Brien
Making her professional debut at 26, Darielle O'Brien's pathway to the professional ranks was far from typical.
After playing collegiately at UC Riverside, she spent the next few years playing semi-professionally with United City FC in Southern California, still searching for an opportunity to play at the pro level. In 2024, she'd get her shot. With the Summer Olympics enlisting numerous players across the NWSL to national team duty, O'Brien signed with the Utah Royals as a replacement player. She'd eventually sign to the club through the rest of the year, although her contract wasn't renewed come the end of the season.
Now a free agent, she understands that this is still the beginning of her journey, and she's eager to make an impact with whichever team signs her next. She joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss her atypical journey, the grind of making it out of a smaller school, and her overall experience in the NWSL.
Timestamps
(01:32) Her experience in the NWSL and her unorthodox journey getting there
(18:29) Signing with the Utah Royals and finding her footing at a new level
(28:53) Upcoming goals and her options in the offseason
(40:12) Her off-pitch hobbies and love for coffee
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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54 min
December 26, 2024 186. Pro Center Back Robert Castellanos
From moving to Mexico as a teenager to play for the Xolos academy to making his MLS breakthrough with Sporting Kansas City, it was never a straightforward path to the pro ranks for Robert Castellanos.
Now a free agent with multiple options in front of him as he's proven his value on the pitch, Caste joins the crew to discuss the lessons he's learned, the adversity he's faced, and how that's prepared him for whatever lies ahead. In addition, he touches on his Rooted foundation, which is providing youth players in Palmdale and the Antelope Valley with proper infrastructure to develop their talents.
Timestamps
(01:50) Growing up in Palmdale and going to Mexico with Xolos' academy
(20:10) Going to Atlas and getting advice from first team veterans
(33:17) The funniest trash talk he's ever heard
(37:51) The difficulties of coming back to the US after his time in Mexico
(50:50) His Rooted foundation and giving back to the community he grew up in
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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56 min
December 17, 2024 185. The Galaxy's Return to the Top, Angel City's Big Moves, and the Pulisic Documentary
After a decade in the doldrums, the LA Galaxy are finally MLS champions once more. Their record sixth Cup was the product of a front office turnaround, a trove of dynamic attacking players, and a grit that allowed the club to grind to a white-knuckle final victory over the New York Red Bulls. We discuss what went into the Galaxy's return to the top, in addition to other LA team moves, and the Christian Pulisic documentary.
Timestamps
(00:30) The wild MLS Cup Final
(15:54) Angel City FC's big moves
(23:52) San Diego FC's rollout
(28:37) Steve Cherundolo's job security
(32:50) The Christian Pulisic documentary and anti-American bias in soccer
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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40 min
December 11, 2024 184. Wrapping up 2024, and Brigitte's Colombian Adventure
2024 was a fantastic year for soccer, and now that we're reaching its conclusion we wrap up some of our favorite memories from the jam-packed calendar. In addition, Brigitte recounts her recent trip to Colombia, where she took in a fierce derby match between Atletico Nacional and Independiente Medellin.
Timestamps
(01:08) Brigitte's Colombian excursion
(26:09) Looking back at 2024: Our favorite moments and music
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.
45 min