We Are Soccer

Some players are born into the game — Tommy McCabe is one of them. Raised in New Jersey by a father who coached at the legendary St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, Tommy grew up with soccer in his blood. But it wasn't just local fields that shaped him. A stint living in London, time spent playing for a Portuguese club outside Newark, and years at PDA Academy gave Tommy a cultural richness and soccer education that most players never experience. That foundation carried him to the U.S. U17 Residency Academy, then to Notre Dame under the legendary Bobby Clark, and eventually to the professional ranks — selected 29th overall by FC Cincinnati in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. The road since hasn't always been smooth. Bouncing between clubs, navigating adversity, and finding his footing at the pro level has tested him. But today, Tommy is thriving as a key midfielder for the Oakland Roots in USL Championship under head coach Ryan Martin.

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X

Brooks Laimbeer sits down with Skip Gilbert, former CEO of US Youth Soccer, for a candid and thought-provoking conversation about the state of youth soccer in America — and what needs to change. Skip recently authored a bold 5-page document titled "The Future of Youth Soccer: A Call for Structural Change," and in this episode, he breaks it all down. From the fragmented landscape of youth soccer organizations to the urgent need for unification under a single governing body — whether that's U.S. Soccer or MLS — Skip makes a compelling case for why structural reform isn't just helpful, it's necessary. The conversation also dives into the value of multi-sport athletes, why specializing too early may be doing more harm than good, and how the soccer ecosystem needs to create meaningful pathways for players who don't reach the elite 11v11 level — because the game should have a place for everyone. Whether you're a parent, coach, club director, or simply passionate about the growth of the game in America, this is a must-listen episode.

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X

Stan Anderson, founder of Camp Shutout, joins Brooks for a wide-ranging conversation about his lifelong journey in soccer. From his early days as a player to becoming an accomplished coach, Stan shares the story behind Camp Shutout — how it started, and how far it has come. The two also dig into the evolution of the goalkeeper position and how the role has transformed at every level of the game. With experience as both a player and coach across all levels, Stan brings sharp insight and a wealth of knowledge that any goalkeeper or soccer enthusiast won't want to miss.

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X

Kevin Robson is stepping into his first head coaching role — and he's bringing serious pedigree with him. After 12 years as an assistant coach at Indiana University — where he also played from 2003 to 2006 — Robson has made the move to Loyola Chicago to take the reins of the Ramblers men's soccer program. Brooks sits down with Kevin to talk about what this new chapter looks like, why tapping into the talent-rich Chicago market will be critical to building his roster, and what it will take to get Loyola back to the NCAA Tournament and competing at the top of the Atlantic 10. With a deep connection to the game as both a player and a longtime assistant, Robson brings a clear vision — and the experience to back it up.

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X

We Are Soccer sits down with Noah Toumert, Executive Director of the Cleveland Sports Group Foundation, for an exciting conversation about the future of professional soccer in Cleveland. Noah and Brooks dive into what this means for the city, covering both the Men's and Women's sides of this landmark announcement. From the buzz surrounding the new soccer-specific stadium and where it will be built, to the overwhelming excitement from the Cleveland community, this is a conversation every soccer fan in Northeast Ohio needs to hear. Cleveland is ready. Pro soccer is coming. Don't miss this one.

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X

The 2026 USL League Two season is almost here — and the Flint City Bucks are ready to go! 🦌⚽ We sat down with head coach Paul Doroh for an exclusive interview covering everything you need to know heading into the new season — including a full recap of the Bucks' exciting U.S. Open Cup run, a look at the 2026 roster, and what to expect as the campaign gets underway. Don't miss a moment of the action this season. Grab your season tickets or single-match tickets now at www.flintcitybucks.com

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X

Karen Scholl, author of Surviving Soccer, joins We Are Soccer to talk about the hilarious — and sometimes chaotic — reality of life as a soccer parent. From logging endless miles on the road to soccer tournaments, to hunting down a decent dinner after late-night practices, to doing a last-minute gear check before the big match, Karen gets it. She's lived it — and she wrote the book on it. Literally. Surviving Soccer is a witty, relatable read packed with fun quizzes to help you figure out exactly what kind of soccer parent you are. Whether you're the sideline screamer, the carpool hero, or the snack-bag legend, this book will have you laughing out loud and nodding along. 📖 Grab your copy of Surviving Soccer on Amazon

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X

We’re LIVE at 9PM EST breaking down everything happening in the world of soccer 🌍⚽ English Football League — promotion battles & playoff drama Premier League — the title race is heating up… who’s taking it? UEFA Champions League — biggest storylines and what’s next United States men's national soccer team — latest news and reactions Major League Soccer — key matches and takeaways Local Detroit soccer — matches and news you need to know 🎙️ Expect banter, opinions, and plenty of fun as we break it all down. 💬 This is YOUR show — jump in the chat, share your takes, and we’ll react LIVE 👍 Like, 🔔 Subscribe, and don’t miss it

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X

We’re breaking down everything happening in the world of soccer 🌍⚽ FA Cup — biggest moments and storylines Premier League — title race, top 5, and who’s under pressure UEFA Champions League — key takeaways and what’s next Local Detroit soccer — matches and news you need to know And MUCH MORE! 🎙️ Join us LIVE as we react, debate, and take your comments in real time. 💬 Jump in the chat and be part of the show 👍 Like, 🔔 Subscribe, and don’t miss a moment

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X

We’re tonight breaking down the biggest stories in the game 🌍⚽ Manchester City vs Arsenal — is this the Premier League title decider?! UEFA Champions League & UEFA Europa League — key takeaways and what’s next Local Detroit soccer — matches you need to know about Lionel Messi doing Messi things… again ✨ And MUCH MORE! 🎙️ Join us as we react, debate, and take your comments. 👍 Like, 🔔 Subscribe, and jump in the chat to be part of the show!

If you loved this episode, drop us a review and rating — it genuinely helps us grow! ⚽🙏

Join 80,000+ soccer fans who read our twice-weekly Substack newsletter. Real soccer content, straight to your inbox.

Come hang with us on social! 👇 🎥 YouTube 📸 Instagram 📘 Facebook 📧 Substack 🌐 Website 🐦 X