Blueprint Soccer Conversations with Clint

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former Columbus Crew, Nyköpongs BIS, and GIF Sundsvall winger, currently signed with Malmö FF the biggest club in Sweden and on loan with Örebro SK - Romain Gall. We discuss some early highs and lows in his career from signing a professional contract at 19 and being released a year later and then signing in the 3rd Tier in Sweden and what life is like in a foreign country. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former, US Youth National Team player who competed in the 2009 U-17 World Cup, A top 5 recruit in the High School class of 2011, he was a student-athlete at the University of Maryland and captained the team his senior year winning the BIG 10 tournament, drafted by Chicago Fire and played for Arizona United in the USL, former assistant coach at Army and current assistant coach at Temple University - Alex Shinsky. We discuss the opportunities he had after the U17 World Cup and why he chose the University of Maryland. Some misconceptions about the college recruitment process and what a team of the combined military academies (Army, Navy & Air Force) would look like. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by - 2005 All-American at the University of Akron, former professional soccer player for Rennes in France, Winner of the French Cup, current professor at Northern Kentucky University, has earned his Ph.d in Organizational Behavior and is founder of Hive Skills IQ - Dr. Yohann Mauger. We discuss communication, his player and coach assessment and how to aid in player/ coach relations. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by - one of the youngest players to ever sign a professional contract in Major League Soccer with D.C. United at 16 years old, former player with the LA Galaxy, New York Red Bull and the United States National team - 2004 MLS Cup Champion and 2005 Gold Cup Champion current Founder and Technial Director of Pipeline Soccer Club - Santino Quaranta We discuss Santino growing up in Maryland and some of his early experiences in the game. Signing a professional contract at 16 years old, and his transition as a professional. We also discuss player development and challenging players.

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by - former NCAA National Champion with the Akron Zips, 4th overall draft pick in 2011 by Chivas USA, former defender with Montral Impact, FK Bodø/Glimt in Norway, and Portland Timbers - now playing with Houston Dynamo - Zarek Valentin. We discuss growing up in rural central Pennsylvania and how he earned opportunities for exposure, the decision to attend The University of Akron and why he left school early. His transition as a student-athlete to a professional and life in Norway. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by - United Soccer League appearance leader, 2014 USL All League - First Team - former, Dayton Dutch Lions, Los Angeles Blues and Richmond Kickers, currently with Louisville City FC where he won USL Championships in 2017 & 2018 - George Davis IV We discuss the growth of the league, opportunities for players, how to make a successful transition into the league and what it was like being a player manager. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former New York Gatorade Player of the Year, St. John’s University Alumni, former Vancouver Whitecaps defender - currently with New York Red Bull - Tim Parker. We discuss what mentality means, demands in college, establishing himself as a professional and what makes a good center back partnership and how to develop that relationship. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by Columbia University graduate - Ivy League offensive player of the year, former player with FC Eintracht Bamberg in the 4th tier of Bavarian Football Association, 2016 USL Champion with New York Red Bull 2, former Tampa Bay Rowdies, currently playing with New Mexico United and representing the Afganistan National Team - David Najem. We discuss player development and longevity in a top academy, attending Columbia University, what’s life like in lower tiers in Europe and recovering from Injury. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by New York native, former Chivas USA and New York City FC player and current midfielder for the Houston Dynamo - Tommy McNamara. On this episode of the podcast we discuss Tommy’s decision to pursue college even with holding an Irish passport and not pushing to head overseas to a professional team. Struggles in his first year as a professional in Major League Soccer and what he learned from Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo. I really enjoyed this episode and I hope you do too, so much valuable information. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by a member of the 2010 University of Akron National Championship Team and was named as the NCAA Tournmanent most outstanding player, 2012 First Team All-American, and has appeared in over 200 games for the New England Revolution - Scott Caldwell. We discuss Scott’s upbringing in the youth soccer landscape, how to focus on your strengths as a player and not dwell on the weaknesses and what players need to focus on when transitioning to the next level and scoring a goal in a big time game.

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by a very special guest - a coach who has amassed 723 wins in 43 years, the most wins in college soccer - 2 time - Divison 3 national champion, 2020 United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame Inductee - the current head coach of Ohio Wesleyan University - Doctor Jay Martin. We discuss longevity in coaching, why he has stayed at Ohio Wesleyan for 43 years and where we need to shift our focus in this country to develop players. I really enjoyed this conversation and I hope you do as well, so much to take away and think about. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by the 2008 Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year, 2011 & 2012 MLs Cup Champion with the Los Angeles Galaxy, also played with D.C. United and the Vancouver Whitecaps and has recently retired - Sean Franklin

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former professional soccer player for New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire, 2010 MLS Cup Champion and current co-host of The Shift Podcast - Wells Thompson. We discuss his background, where his mentality comes from, ultra-marathoning for charity and about his new podcast talking to athletes about transitions in sport and in life; check it out. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-shift-podcast/id1517114232 Wells also asked me to share his email and number to reach out if you have any questions or need advice - 336-575-3324 
wells@wellsthompsonsoccer.com Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by head coach and educator at The Groton School - a private High School in Massachusetts and coach at FC Stars a youth soccer club also located in Massachusetts - David Pedreschi. We discuss different issues in the youth soccer landscape and bounce around ideas on how we need and can be better as coaches and clubs. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former Wake Forest University & FC Cincinnati assistant coach, former D.C. United Academy Director and current head coach of Loudoun United FC - Ryan Martin. We discuss what it’s like to build a profession team from scratch and how they evaluated players when building the roster and the biggest differences between the collegiate and professional level. Must listen for up and coming players. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by my best friend, New York Red Bulls Midfielder and Captain - Sean Davis. This episode has a bit of a twist! Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former New York Red Bull Academy product, St Benedict’s Prep and University of Akron student-athlete, current coach, scout and now podcaster - Clint Caso... I talk about who I am the host of the podcast, why I started the podcast and my background, some of my experiences and where my perspective comes from. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former midfielder for the Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL, MSV Duisburg in the German Bundesliga 2, currently playing for Go Ahead Eagles in the Eerste Divisie the second tier in the Netherlands - Mael Corboz. We discuss transferring colleges, competitive environments and what life is like in Europe. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by the former Head Coach at The Unversity of Denver, 4-time Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the year, current Head Coach at Wake Forest University - Bobby Muuss. We discuss the sheer numbers the staff work through each recruiting class, the importance of college soccer and the growth of players he has worked with. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by the Captain of the Puerto Rico National Team, he played in the top professional league in Vietnam for Than Quảng Ninh, he is currently playing in the Bangladesh Premier League for Bangladesh Premier Football Club, New York/ New Jersey native - Sidney Rivera. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former standout goal keeper for Portadown FC in the Northern Ireland Football League Championship, he now plays for FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer - Bobby Edwards. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former Head Coach for Southern New Hampshire University, 2019 America East Coach of the Year, current Head Coach for The University of New Hampshire - Marc Hubbard. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by a player who has played in English League One, English Championship and the English Premier League, he also represented the Welsh National Team at Euro 2016 where they reached the semi finals - David Cotterill. Enjoy! ••• We talk about his career, Euro 2016 but most importantly mental health and starting a foundation - David Cotterill Foundation please share and check out a webinar David is doing with Dr. Dean Allen on Monday (5/18), all proceeds go toward the foundation. https://courses.crystalmatrixmethod.com/

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former Hannover 96, Austria Wien & FC Midtjylland winger, he has also represented the Austrian National team, currently playing with New York Red Bull - Danny Royer. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by one of my roommates at the Univeristy of Akron, former outside back for Sporting Kansas City, New York City FC and Seattle Sounders. Currently with FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer - Saad Abdul Salaam. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former assistant coach at Wake Forest University, UC Santa Barbara, University of Akron, and former head coach at Columbia University. He’s one of a handful of coaches who has competed in multiple NCAA College Cups with different programs - Leo Chappel. There’s even a new bonus part on this podcast, Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former Maryland Terrapin National Champion, NCAA First Team All-American, former midfielder for New York Red Bull, Philadelphia Union, Pittsburgh Riverhounds & Arizona United, now working with Relevant Sports Group - Matt Kassel. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by one of the brightest soccer minds I’ve had the opportunity to work with, current Head Coach at The University of Akron - Jared Embick. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by current goal keeper for the New England Revolution and is also part of the US Men’s National goal keeping pool - Matt Turner. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by my sister in-law, former stand out for East Carolina University, currently playing for Real Zaragoza - Lana Spitler. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former member of the Columbus Crew, Racing Santander, Brescia and The United States National Team; now has solidified himself as one of the great New York Cosmos - Danny Szetela. Enjoy!

On this episode we are joined by my center back partner at The University of Akron, former North Carolina FC player, current mechanical engineer - Brad Ruhaak. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former Major League Soccer Player, former Head Coach for Jersey Express in the Premier Development League and current Assistant Coach at Seton Hall University - Jeff Matteo. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by historian, professor at Rutgers University - Newark and an executive producer of SOCCERTOWN, USA currently on YouTube - Tom McCabe. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by licensed realtor, former German Bundesliga midfielder for Hoffenheim, currently playing for D.C. United - Russell Canouse. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by a former college teammate, NCAA Division 1 First Team All-American, 2018 USL First Team All League, player for USL Championship side Orange County Soccer Club - Aodhan Quinn. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by another former college teammate, one of the most talented players I’ve played with, New Jersey Native, former Philadelphia Union player and currently in Poland with Wigry Suwalki in Polish 1 Liga - Adam Najem. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by one of my former college teammates from the University of Akron, Canadian National Team & Toronto FC member Richie Layera. He has a great story about his time in Orlando with Kaka. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by former USL & MLS Defender of the Year, current US Mens National Team & New York Red Bull’s center back; and someone who’s become a good friend over the last few years Aaron Long. Enjoy!

On this episode of the podcast we are joined by my long time friend, US Mens National Team & Inter Miami Forward - Juan Agudelo. We talk about his early days as a professional. Pursuing his goals and dreams of playing in the Premier League. I appreciate him coming on as we continue to get this podcast going. Enjoy!

We kick off the podcast with my best friend - New York Red Bull’s Academy product and current team captain - Sean Davis. We reflect on his youth development through club to college. Hurdles throughout the process and continuing to persevere through the unknown. Travel & Costco. I appreciate him helping to get the podcast off the ground. It’s a start, not the final product, I will continue to work out the kinks. Enjoy!