Dan Raben has done pretty much every job that exists in youth soccer — coach, director of player development, director of operations, coaching educator, you name it. In this episode, he sits down with Brooks to talk about something coaches don't discuss nearly enough: taking care of yourself while you're busy taking care of everyone else's kids. They get into how to handle the tough situations that come up on the sideline and behind the scenes, why communication makes or breaks a coaching career, and how to find some actual balance in a job that tends to swallow people whole. If you coach youth soccer — or any youth sport, really — there's a lot here worth taking notes on.

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Quorum Sports agents Eddie Hudson and Kal Kieren sit down with Brooks to pull back the curtain on the world of sports representation. From building a client base from scratch to navigating the demanding day-to-day grind of the season and the slower pace of the offseason, Eddie and Kal give an honest look at what life as a sports agent is really like. They also break down what it takes to break into the industry — including just how tough the agency exam really is. Whether you're an aspiring agent or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes, this is a conversation you won't want to miss!

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The World Cup is delivering chaos we didn't see coming, and we're breaking it all down LIVE! Tonight we talk all things USMNT, react to some of the craziest games of the tournament so far, and dig into the headlines you can't make up — including England getting a pool table, a player allegedly swiping a referee's watch, and some questionable commentary from the announcers. Grab a seat, this one's wild. Drop your thoughts in the comments — what's been the craziest World Cup moment so far for you? 🏙️ Local Detroit Soccer News & Updates 🎙️ Plus all the banter, hot takes, predictions, laughs, and random soccer conversations you've come to expect from We Are Soccer. 💬 Join the conversation! 👍 Like the stream 🔔 Subscribe to We Are Soccer 💬 Jump into the live chat

#USMNT #WorldCup2026 #WeAreSoccer #USAParaguay #USAvAustralia #VAR #England #Scotland #Brazil #DetroitSoccer

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Our good friend Rich Nassif is back! Rich spent 17 years as a Division I collegiate soccer coach and was around when the idea of a two-semester college soccer schedule was first floated, so he's got a front-row perspective on how we got here. The timing couldn't be better: on June 23-24, the NCAA Division I Cabinet meets to decide the fate of men's college soccer's playing schedule. The Division I Men's Soccer Oversight Committee has already adopted legislation to split the season across fall and spring semesters starting in 2027-28, but the Cabinet still has to sign off before it becomes official. If approved, teams would play up to 18 matches in a fall window (late August through the Saturday before Thanksgiving) and up to 10 more in a spring window starting mid-February, with the College Cup moving to the spring. If it's rejected, the current compressed fall-only season stays put. Rich sits down with Brooks to discuss how college coaches really feel about the two-semester schedule, and the positives and negatives it could bring to programs across the country.

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In this episode, Brooks sits down with Brian Bunk, Senior Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts and author of The Shortest History of Soccer: From Ancient Kicking Games to the World's Most Popular Sport. Brian takes us on a fascinating journey through the history of the world's most popular sport — from its ancient roots to the multi-billion dollar global industry it has become today. Along the way, he dives into the rise of pay-to-play culture, the darker side of the beautiful game, and how soccer has transformed into one of the most powerful businesses on the planet. In this conversation, Brian opens up about:

• 📖 What inspired him to write the book
• ⚽ The moment he truly fell in love with soccer
• 🔍 The research process behind compiling a complete history of the sport

📚 Pick up Brian's book at bookshop.org


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Join Craig, Brooks, and Luke of the We Are Soccer crew LIVE at 9 PM EST as we break down the biggest stories from around the world and right here in Detroit. Tonight's Topics: 🇺🇸 USMNT 4-1 Paraguay -Was this the perfect start to the World Cup? -Who impressed the most? -Can the USA keep the momentum going? 🌎 World Cup Headlines -Celebrities spotted at matches -England's gear gets stolen 😳 -Scotland earns its first World Cup win since 1990 -Brazil held to a draw -VAR outage... coincidence or conspiracy? 👀 🏙️ Local Detroit Soccer News & Updates 🎙️ Plus all the banter, hot takes, predictions, laughs, and random soccer conversations you've come to expect from We Are Soccer. 💬 Join the conversation! -Who impressed you most for the USMNT? -Can the USA make a deep run? -What's the craziest World Cup story so far? 👍 Like the stream 🔔 Subscribe to We Are Soccer 💬 Jump into the live chat LIVE TONIGHT • 9 PM EST #USMNT #WorldCup2026 #WeAreSoccer #USAParaguay #USAvAustralia #VAR #England #Scotland #Brazil #DetroitSoccer

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It all started with a church league in St. Louis. Now, Daniel Munie is shaking up MLS. From his first touch of a soccer ball at age 5, Munie was destined for something bigger. His path took him through St. Louis Scott Gallagher — one of the nation's elite youth programs — and onto the field at Indiana University, where he sharpened the skills that would catch the attention of the entire league. But soccer wasn't his only calling. A multi-sport athlete from the start, Munie brings an athletic versatility to the game that sets him apart — something the San Jose Earthquakes recognized when they made him the 10th overall pick in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft.

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In this episode, we sit down with Chicago Fire FC left back Andrew Gutman for an honest and inspiring conversation about what it truly takes to make it as a professional soccer player. Andrew's journey is anything but ordinary. From facing humbling challenges at the Chicago Fire Academy to betting on himself as a walk-on at Indiana University, he has spent his entire career proving the doubters wrong. At Indiana, he started 90 matches, racked up 20 goals and 17 assists, and earned college soccer's highest individual honor — the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2018. But the road to the pros brought a new set of challenges. From a stint at Celtic FC across the Atlantic to bouncing between clubs stateside, Andrew's path was winding, uncertain, and at times, brutally difficult.

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Join Brooks, Craig, and the We Are Soccer crew LIVE at 9 PM EST as we break down the biggest stories from around the soccer world and get ready for the biggest sporting event on the planet. 🔥 Tonight's Topics: 🌎 World Cup kicks off in 5 days! 🇺🇸 USA vs Germany reaction and World Cup friendlies roundup 💪 Is the USMNT finally ready for a deep World Cup run? 🏴 England discussion: favorites, squad selections, the heat factor, and those hilarious England player names appearing on stadium board ⚽ TST 7v7 Tournament in Cary, NC — Luke was there and has stories to share 🏙️ Local Detroit soccer news and updates 🎙️ Plus all the banter, opinions, hot takes, and random soccer conversations you've come to expect from We Are Soccer 💬 We want to hear from YOU! Join the live chat and let us know: -How far will the USA go? -Who are your World Cup favorites? -Did England pick the right squad? -What's your biggest prediction for the tournament? 👍 Like the stream 🔔 Subscribe to We Are Soccer 💬 Comment live throughout the show LIVE TONIGHT at 9 PM EST #WeAreSoccer #WorldCup2026 #USMNT #England #USAvsGermany #TST7v7 #DetroitSoccer #WorldCupCountdown #SoccerPodcast #LiveSoccerShow #FootballTalk #SoccerNews #WorldCupLive

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Robbie Mertz never had the typical path to professional soccer. No academy. No guarantees. Just hard work and an unwillingness to quit. The Pittsburgh native sits down with Brooks to share the real story behind his journey — from Pittsburgh to Ann Arbor to Atlanta and back — and why adversity might just be the best thing that ever happened to him.

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