We Are Soccer Central

With renewed interest in the U.S. Open Cup thanks, in large part, to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami playing in the 2023 Final, Josh Hakala joins Robert Kerr the pod to talk about this year's tournament, how Messi bumps the popularity of anything he touches, and look ahead to the 2024 edition. The qualifying for that tournament has already begun and it includes a team called FC Sharktopus, so you know it's worth a listen.

Robert Kerr returns from a vacation/day job/music festival induced hiatus with Detroit City FC co-founder, DCFC women's head coach, University Ligget High School coach, and math teacher, David Dwaihy. David talks about how he balances all those commitments, what is in store for Detroit City on both the men's and women's side, how his high school boys team is looking early in the season, and much more.

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Although her reappearance on the podcast is premature for most listeners, University of Michigan head coach Jen Klein comes back into the show to join Robert Kerr in a discussion about the U.S. Women's National Team's exit from the Women's World Cup after the Round of 16.They talk about what led to their demise, what they could have done better, and what the future holds for the American ladies. They also look at the rest of the tournament and what the quarterfinals onward hold for us.

Robert Kerr brings Nolan Bianchi back to get the latest on Detroit City FC. Le Rouge is beginning to find their stride after the addition of Dario Suarez. The team is scoring more goals while keeping their excellent defensive record in tact. Nolan offers his thoughts on what has led to the revival and what City can do do earn a spot in the USL Championship playoffs this fall.

The Women's World Cup started in the wee hours of Thursday morning with New Zealand upsetting Norway, which calls for a special bonus episode of Michigan Soccer Central! Robert Kerr brings on University of Michigan women's head coach Jennifer Klein to talk about the tournament, the U.S. Women's National Team's chances, her experiences coaching some of the players involved in the tournament, and much more.

Host Robert Kerr is joined by fellow Oakland County FC supporter to relive the final weekend of USL2 regular season. Oakland County FC came back to win on the final day via a Mike Melaragni second half hat-trick.

Host Robert Kerr opens with his excitement for USL2's final week with Oakland County FC & AFC Ann Arbor vying for the final playoff birth. The two clubs are set to go head-to-head on both 7/12 & 7/16.

In this week's feature segment, Robert speaks with Michigan Jaguars MLS Next Academy Director Pete Pososki. Pete explains MLS Next's place in the youth soccer landscape as well as his U16 side that recently made it to the competitions national semi.

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Robert Kerr sits down with childhood best friends, Stoney Creek High School graduates, and current Oakland County FC players Bobby Harris, Kevin Buca, and Mike Melaragni to talk about their life growing up together as soccer players, best friends, and so much more. The trio are all playing together on the same team at the same time this season as they look to get OCFC into the playoffs before going their separate ways after successful college and amateur club soccer careers.

This week's episode is produced with the help of NZ Multimedia Productions.

Robert Kerr reviews the weekend then has Michigan Girls' Division 1 State champions Stony Creek High School. Head Coach Bryan Mittelstadt comes onto the show along with senior players Lily Solek, Kaeli Butcher, and Lilley Bosley to celebrate their victory, which included a Gatorade bath, familial connection to Stony's first state title, and a special police escort for the team bus along with much more.

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Robert Kerr brings on Scott Rezendes, CEO and co-founder of The Soccer Syndicate, to discuss the group's recent partnership with the United Soccer League. The Soccer Syndicate is an independent scouting network that identifies players at all levels with the aim to help amateur players make the jump into the professional ranks. Scott talks about the difficulties in scouting a nation as large as the United States, how they often find unexpected talent in unexpected places, what it takes to be a scout, and much, much more.