We Are Soccer Central

This week host Robert Kerr is joined by Hudsonville native, Spring Arbor University graduate, Seattle Reign, and U.S. Women's National Team forward Bethany Balcer. The two discuss Balcer's family passion for soccer and how she went from being a little known player in the NAIA collegiate level all the way to making her debut for the USWNT last month.

The Grand Valley State women's soccer team won their second consecutive, and seventh overall, Division II National Championship last weekend and Rob Kerr has defender Cecelia Steinwascher and head coach Jim Conlon on to relive the experience. Also, Muskegon Risers Director of Operations and women's outdoor head coach Matthew Schmitt comes on to talk about his club, specifically their men's and women's arena soccer teams as they get their season underway over on the west coast.

Boxing Day, one of the biggest days of Premier League action is just weeks away and Robert Kerr is joined by the host of We Are Soccer Craig Hearn to talk some English soccer and discuss the Detroit City FC Fieldhouse's annual Boxing Day celebration. After that, Robert welcomes Michigan Mr. Soccer Jack Guggemos of Okemos High School to the pod to talk about his high school career and what comes next after winning a state title and the highest individual award in the state.

The Grand Haven Admirals are the latest Michigan club to join a different league this winter and the club's founder Kody Harrell joins Robert Kerr to talk about his jump to the Midwest Premier League. Then, Michigan Stars owner George Juncaj talks to Robert about the Michigan Stars, their relationship with soccer in the Detroit area, and the vision he has for his club's future.

Two guests join Robert Kerr to talk about the moving and shaking going on at the senior level in Michigan. First, Midwest United director of coaching Lewis Robinson is excited to talk about his club forming a senior men's side for the first time. Then, veteran sports writer Sean Spence comes on to discuss Detroit City's exit from NISA, the drama that caused it, and how different things will be in the USL Championship.

Professional scout and Friend of the Show Brooks Laimbeer joins Robert Kerr to take stock of the college season throughout the state of Michigan before Rachel Hock from Ally Financial and Jay Alexander of Detroit Public Schools Community District comes on to talk about their new indoor soccer league for high school students in the city of Detroit.

A soccer news bomb went off right before Robert started recording, so Detroit City FC play-by-play man Neal Ruhl had to rush onto the pod to talk about the club's much discussed move to the USL Championship for the 2022 season. But there were also high school state championship games. First, Potter's House won the school's first ever state title and their own Jonathan Stout is on to discuss the surreal experience of scoring in a massive game. Then, Grand Rapids Christian's Nick Cassidy comes on to talk about his school's state championship run.

Detroit City FC can add another trophy to their already stocked cabinet and their press box jack-of-all-trades Mitch Gatzke joins Robert Kerr to talk about the club and how it has dominated under manager Trevor James. Also, Michigan State student broadcaster Luca Melloni comes on to talk about the Spartans and their season as they prepare for postseason action.

Josh Hakala joins Robert Kerr to talk about current events in Michigan soccer before looking back on the Michigan State Cup. Robert and Josh were on the call for all 12 cup finals between the two of them, so there's a lot to get to.

Robert Kerr welcomes in Doug Steinard, who, among other accomplishments, coached the Michigan Jaguars' 2003 Girls Team to a Michigan Cup title. After that, University of Michigan midfielder Kevin Buca to discuss the Wolverines' season and his lofty ambitions in life and soccer.