Rooster and the Devil

USL League One spreading out West is an essential part of the plan over the next few years (“Manifest Destiny for L1”). Forming a Western Division would cut down on travel costs and make a 3rd tier professional club more affordable to operate. It is cities like Boise that are the perfect fit for joining the USL Western Front. The intrigue for the city as a potential soccer hotbed piqued after two friendlies produced sell-out results in the recent history. There was an Athletic Bilbao vs Liga MX Club Tijuana in 2015 that drew nearly 22k people into Boise State (where the infamous blue turf was covered with grass for the event…). Then there was a very unique event - where a USL Championship regular season league game took place (Portland Timbers II vs Swope Park Rangers) in 2016 at a High School in Boise and sold out the field at 4,350 people. The feeling of it being a good fit for USL is proving to be true as the club have already sold 3,500 season tickets for their USL League One Inaugural year. That is even without the branding in place (which is set to be released on June 27th). There was a brief period where the local Minor League Ownership group (of Boise Hawks) was speaking with USL to get a USL Championship squad. But Covid changed the narrative there. Now the timing is right and an All Star Front Office composed of four individuals - each with a different, unique specialty, are the ones backing this new project. There's NBA Executive experience, US Soccer Experience, Idaho Youth Soccer, and Real Estate Development experience all coming together to give this project legs. The Stadium project is perhaps one of the best stadium projects in the Country at the moment as well. They are converting an old horse racing track into a 6,000 fan soccer-specific stadium that has an incredible mountain backdrop. Phase 2 of the stadium project, which will hopefully be necessary as USL institutes promotion/relegation, would add an additional 5,000 seats for a capacity of 11,000 people. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to watching how things unfold in Boise, Idaho and I appreciate Bill Taylor for taking the time to speak with me. Here's a snippet of our conversation. If you want the full videos, visit our YouTube channel here.

Jake attempts a solo-dolo episode and gets a little help from someone special to him.

Sorry folks, we've been taking a personal break lately. This "new" show is more discussion based, and we leave more room for how we feel about our favorite league in the world. So come welcome us back and listen to us wax poetically about Cal Jennings, the Locomotive attack, and what's gone wrong with Tampa Bay. Also, Jake says nice things about New Mexico United!

In late 2024, USL Dallas announced their intention to add Dallas to their list of USL Championship clubs for 2027. Led by co-founders and long time friends, Matt Valentine and Sam Morton, the club is poised to enter a market that is also occupied by Major League Soccer. I was fortunate enough to have Matt on the podcast to discuss this exciting USL project. We talk about Matt's personal history with the beautiful game, the Ownership group behind the club, the vision of the next few years as they work towards their goal of playing in 2027, why Dallas makes sense, and more.

Just wanted to get the word out on the USL Adventure Show on the R&V channel. If you haven't yet, go check it out on Beyond the 90!

Hello out there. Just getting something out there to explain my inaction.

Sean McGee has spent his life hustling to make it in the business of sports. His journey has taken him from minor league baseball, to NPSL soccer with Kingston Stockade, to coaching College basketball, to business development with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and finally, to the Sarasota Paradise in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.  For those keeping track at home, Sarasota Paradise will be moving up to USL League One for the 2026 season and is busy gearing up for USL League Two play this Summer. We talk to Sean about what it will take to build the project up to the professional level for next Summer.

Eight years ago, a 19 year old Jimmy Filerman had his first experience in the US Open Cup as a player for the South Florida Surf in USL League Two. A team of mostly amateur players in their schools' offseasons came together to face Miami FC, who at the time was spending big money to put together a competitive roster in the NASL with Manager Alessandro Nesta (of Italian National Team Fame). The team of kids tied the game in the 76' before Miami put the go-ahead goal away in the 80'. It was the type of game that makes this tournament so special. It gives young players the opportunity to test themselves against seasoned professionals. It puts David up against Goliath in a winner-take-all one match battle. It gives players that have given their youth to the game an experience they won't forget. Lastly, it is truly the only open thing that exists in our world of soccer with a closed pyramid. Jimmy would return back to Old Dominion for two more seasons after that and end his college career in 2019. Despite Covid doing its best to kill off parts of the fragile US Soccer Lower Leagues, he found a home in Detroit City in 2020 and 2021. He was part of those DCFC teams that completely dominated NISA. With Covid putting a pause on the Open Cup due to travel restrictions, there were no opportunities for him to play the tournament while playing for the club. But 2021 would take Filerman down to Greenville Triumph for his first experience playing in the professional ranks of USL. It was here that he'd see US Open Cup action for the second time. Greenville triumphed (dad joke) over Oakland Roots for a first round cupset and that set up a home game for them against MLS' Charlotte FC. The 4,000 person capacity stadium witnessed their 3rd Division squad take Charlotte to extra time where they eventually succumbed 2-1. “They subbed in guys like Christian Fuchs” says Jimmy on the pod. “Just being on the field with guys you grew up watching, and those big entities where you know how much money they're bringing in and how much money has gone into the roster is just different.” After a broken leg ended his time at Greenville, Jimmy joined up with the Maryland Bobcats in 2023 and was part of a roster that took down the Ocean City Nor'easters on a last second winner before succumbing on the road to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on a cold, wet night along the Monongahela River. Fast forward to Jimmy in 2025 and a lot has changed. The 19 year old kid that admittedly loved him some College is now a 28 year old man that has had a lasting career in the 3rd and 4th divisions of the US Soccer Pyramid. A lot has happened in those eight years. Things have come full circle for Jimmy as he returned to the Open Cup as an amateur 8 years after being there with South Florida Surf. Jimmy linked back up with his DC United Academy running mate, Lucas Mendes, who is the creative force and visionary behind Virginia Dream FC. For those that do not know, the Dream have been quickly building up accommodates as one of the best Amateur sides in the country. The club won the NPSL Mid-Atlantic last year, the Spring and Fall 2024 UPSL Seasons, and the 2024 Virginia Super Soccer League. Then they qualified for the 2025 US Open Cup by beating Alexandria Reds and the Aegean Hawks FC of the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA). The Dream came into City Stadium with a chip on their shoulders. A squad full of players that had been there before and players that know they should still be there (special shout out to Elijah Amo who absolutely needs a call from a pro side…). After an 8' minute penalty kick was calmly slotted into the corner by former Bobcat Nicolas Likulia, it was clear Richmond was in for a fight from the pesky amateur side. After a banger from the Kickers' James Vaughn drew them equal in the 36', the Dream held on to head into the locker room at 1-1. After taking some abuse in front of their goal at the end of the first half, the Dream became the aggressors and put home two more goals. One from Suchecki in the 53' and another from former Bobcat Mike Akinkoye in the 61'. With the lead in hand and the armband on, Jimmy came alive and showed he still has what it takes to compete on this level. Making tackles and shouting instructions. The cupset was on. When the final whistle blew, it was the Dream marching on to the next round of the 2025 US Open Cup. On Wednesday, April 2nd, the Dream head to Segra Field to take on its next Goliath; the USL Championships' Loudoun United. While it will be another uphill battle, I wouldn't count them out.

My Instagram algorithm led me to one of the more fascinating projects that I've seen in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. Ben Chehebar is working to bring a DC-based, independent cleat (boot!) company to market later this year and is taking his Instagram followers on the journey with him. Ben's path into the Soccer industry has been via the scenic route. After a quick stop at Adidas on the West Coast post-University of Michigan back around 2011, he built a successful waste management company (Compology) that developed monitoring software to gauge whether haulers should empty full dumpsters or whether they could wait until more trash accumulated. When the company sold in October 2022, Ben stayed on with the new company during the transition for a bit and then in December 2023, found himself with time on his hands and a desire to build something different and new. But he didn't quite know what to do. That is until a conversation with a friend un-earthered the comment, “you know, Ben, I always thought you'd get into shoes." This planted a seed that is currently taking root and sprouting in Washington, DC. In January 2024, Eleven Football began. After being out of the industry since his first job out of College, and even then only spending about a year in it, the journey has been filled with navigating choppy seas en route to get the product to market. After finding a kindred spirit in Tom Rushbrook, a designer who has spent time at Puma and Nike, Eleven Football aims to have its first product to market in Fall 2025. With its first product; Eleven Football will be launching an indoor turf shoe. Ben has been traveling back and forth to a manufacturing facility in China perfecting the design to go from digital design to something you can confidently play in on turf fields.

I recently solicited my Instagram followers for some interviewees and Baltimore City FC responded to the request. BCFC plays in the American Premier Soccer League in America's 4th tier of the pyramid. They are new-ish to the Baltimore soccer scene but have big goals in mind. Nick Siler, the Director of Club Management and Head Coach, Joe Nixon jumped on to talk about their personal soccer history, the club's history, and the goals of the club for the upcoming year. 

Well, the fellas are contemplating moving away from premier league "coverage' and into the USL Championship coverage as we all fall down the rabbit hole of lower division soccer in the country. But for now; how about another Prem Show episode? The fellas talk about "Top 5 Underrated", quick hits on Brighton, Spurs, and Villa, and enjoy chatting about soccer. Enjoy. 

Erik has been in and around the beautiful game since his days as the Operations Director for Giants Stadium around year 2000. In that role, he got his first taste of professional soccer through the NY/NJ Metrostars, and the international teams that rolled through that area. Around 2008, he became the Managing Director for Red Bull NY and oversaw the development, opening, and operation of one of the US's best soccer-specific stadiums; Red Bull Arena. In 2012, he moved on to be the CEO in the successful reboot of the New York Cosmos in 2013. He oversaw international tours, championship teams, US Open Cup wins, and more. Around September of 2018, Stover Management and Consulting, LLC started up and Erik was involved in projects from Fox Soccer Academy (of Christian Fuchs fame), to consulting for Bundesliga teams, and something that is near and dear to my heart as a native Northern Jersey guy, the redevelopment of Hinchcliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ.  Erik was kind enough to carve out time in his day to jump on this humble production to talk about his journey in soccer and the recently announced "USL to Jersey" campaign. There are so many reasons to be excited about this project, and the announcement of USL's intention to go D1 only adds to it.   

Jake and Mike get together to discuss the latest updates on their clubs, and then we talk about the state of USL and soccer in America.

Forrest Tucker is currently a Sports Reporter and Anchor for WTVQ based out of Lexington, Kentucky. He shoots, writes, and edits short and long form feature stories, and has gained experience in covering College and Professional teams and covering events like March Madness, Triple Crown Horse Racing, PGA Tour, and MLS Cup.  He's also covered American soccer through his podcast, "The Cleared Off the Line Podcast" as well as covering the Charleston Battery, and even provided Color Commentating for my beloved Maryland Bobcats. Originally from the Annapolis area, we discussed local soccer in the DMV, and his personal journey in the game. From there, we talk extensively about the United Soccer League, which currently operates in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th tier of the US pyramid and which recently announced ambitions of joining the 1st tier of the pyramid.

The Maryland Bobcats' starting right back came on the podcast to discuss his journey from High School soccer player in Maryland to professional journeyman in the US's 3rd Division. Travis has played for Greenville Triumph of the USL-L1, Michigan Stars, Stumptown, Chattanooga and Bobcats of NISA, and is currently on the hunt for his next job in professional soccer. Travis talks about each stop of his soccer journey, beating USL-Championship squad Memphis 901 in the Open Cup and taking on Atlanta United in the next round, and more. If you're looking for an experienced professional player, give him a shout!

Scott has been in the event space surrounding the game since the late 1980s. He has fascinating insights on the game before MLS existed, the 1994 world cup, MISL, and more. We could have talked for another few hours about the beautiful game. Fun conversation and fun person to talk to. Enjoy!

Jake and Mike ramble about Brighton, Spurs, and Champions League. Then, some terrible 37 year old white rapping. 

Jim and Jake dive headfirst into Brighton and Villa coverage, as well as who they want to see join or leave their clubs.

Devin joins the podcast to give an update on the Annapolis Blues project in Naptown. It's been a busy offseason for the club as they switched the Men's team from NPSL to USL League Two and added a Women's team to USL-W.   

I met Abe back in 2022 as we prepared for the World Cup Pop Up party at SoFive Columbia. Abe and his brothers, Alex and Alberto, brought infectious enthusiasm to the project and a connection to growing community of ballers in the Baltimore area.  Abe and his brothers started A.n Pickups as a way to bring together high level ballers for pick up games. Their "Moose Mondays" has turned into a soccer phenomenon, with hundreds of ballers coming out to the Moose Athletic Facility to work on their skills in a friendly, but competitive environment. Additionally, Abe works as a City Manager for Street FC for the city of Baltimore. Street FC started by former USMNT player, Kyle Martino, is a pick-up Futsal/Soccer app that offers pick-up games daily in the Baltimore area.  We talk about Abe's current projects, a bit about his beloved Arsenal (boo!), and what the future has in store for Abe. Great guy!

Jake and Mike welcome Iain back on the show to discuss Spurs. Jake gives us a Brighton update and we talk a little about personal histories with the FA Cup. Then we give our Dynamic Duos Top 5. Enjoy!

Brad Tindall makes his triumphant return to the podcast to discuss his beloved Hotspur with Jake and Mike. We talk Seagulls and Spurs and some other American soccer stuff. Enjoy!

Jimmy and Jake return to discuss the fallout from the Villa and Brighton 2-2 draw. Plus - a little easter egg audio from Jake and Mike from halftime of the game. Then a throwback outtro. 

Tyler Gabarra, last seen controlling the midfield for our Maryland Bobcats, jumped on the podcast to discuss his career thus far in the professional ranks of the US. We talk about his academy experience, NC State, USL Championship, NISA, having famous soccer parents, and then I give him a hard time for liking Chelsea. Enjoy!

A little afternoon delight for the boys as they discuss Villa, Spurs, and Brighton. Plus, some fun talk about City's current slide, Liverpool's staying power, and other Premier League wonderings. Then, we give our Top 5 Christmas movies. Enjoy! 

Jake and Mike get together to talk about the spanking the Seagulls gave the old cockerals. Then we wax poetic about soccer for a long time. Enter.

Jimmy and Jake get together to talk about Brighton and Villa, Brighton's high line, social media abuse, and Cole Palmer. Get into lads.

The boys are back in town. We discuss the very successful season. The chaos of the league. Our hopes and dreams for the playoffs. 

Jake and Jimmy talk about their squads, Arsenal vs City, Ter Stagen Injury, Top Five Current Managers and more. Get in. 

Kelvin Mwape joins the Bobcast to talk about his career in American Professional Soccer, including stops at Charlotte Independence, Richmond Kickers, South Georgia Tormenta, Chattanooga, and Maryland Bobcats. Check it out!

Jake, Jimmy, and Mike get together to talk about Spurs, Villa, and Brighton in the early part of the season.  Then we all laugh at Everton's misfortunes, discuss the first week of Champion League, and give our top 5 hype up songs. Enjoy.

Jake and Mike get together to discuss their clubs, prem happenings, USMNT roster moves, and more. Dig in. 

Mike and Jake got a little afternoon delight in to talk about the previous week and look forward to next week.

We've been discussing the Champions League format via WhatsApp and I wanted to let all you know how it's going to work this season. 

The Bobcats' Owner, "Jay" Saba comes on the Bobcast to discuss the Bobcats' season, keeping calm among broader league issues, the youth academy, and more. 

The lads get together to talk Week 1. Mike brings on a guest with an English accent, which only increases the credibility of the pod, to talk about Moco Spurs and our predictable start to the season. Then we head to the South coast to talk about Brighton. No Jimbo for today so the Villa talk is on the light end. Jake and Mike also wax poetic about lower league soccer and the Bobcats. Then we also shit on Chelsea, per usual. Get in. 

Mike, Jake, and Jimmy are back this week to give you club updates, Prem Predictions and some Delicious Rants. Come hang with us.

The lads get back together to talk about the Bobcats' brilliance over the course of the season in the midst of the ineptitude of other clubs in NISA. We talk about the season thus far and beg Bobcats faithful to come out and support the club.

Jake and Jim return to bring us news from the world of Soccer. The fellas talk big storylines from Euro 2024, Copa 2024, USMNT and Canadian Successes, and Prem Transfer silly szn. Enjoy.

The lads talk recent results, game day experience, and muse about lower league soccer for a full hour.

After spending a season with Tormenta FC in USL-League 1, Davey Mason returns to the Bobcats for another season and joins the podcast to talk about his Soccer journey thus far. We chat about his experience with the Bobcats initially, the trialist process with Tormenta, his return back to Maryland, his youth playing experience, love of Chelsea (boo!), and the recent game with the Michigan Stars. Nice to have him back flying up the left side!

New Bobcat, Cameron McDonald joins the podcast to talk about his Soccer journey and how he became a Maryland Bobcat this year. Cameron, originally from Florida, played collegiate soccer at Barry University and was part of NC Fusion's USL-L2 squad in the offseason.  He's looking for an opportunity to break into the Bobcats Midfield in the #10 role but has experience on the wing and as a wingback. He also talks through the tryout process in the offseason and landing his first professional roster spot.

Luis Almeida - one of the Bobcats new starting Center Backs - joins us after a season spent with Albion San Diego of NISA. Born in Takoma Park and raised in Olney (shoutout Magruder High School), Luis is back to his roots here with the Bobcats Luis is a big dude at 6'4" and brings talent and experience to the Bobcats' back line. He's had a fascinating journey since leaving Magruder, spending a few years in Spain and in Mallorca (looks gorgeous) before landing with Albion San Diego. We talk about his journey, then find out which teams he follows personally, his favorite Center Backs, and some of his favorite soccer memories.  

Manny Gonzalez is back in his 3rd season for the Maryland Bobcats. Manny has been in the professional game in the US for a while at this point. Manny has played professionally in the NASL, USL-Championship, and NISA and brings us through his journey from South Florida to Maryland. We also talk about some a fun Open Cup run where Manny talks about his club taking down 2 MLS sides on a deep run.  Manny is an essential part of the Bobcats project and brings professionalism as a seasoned veteran and has the unique ability to be a deep lying playmaker with the club. 

Elijah is a baller on the Right Wing for the Bobcats. After 4 years at Louisville (including an ACC Championship) he was drafted 34th overall by Real Salt Lake. Then he landed at Bobcats, scored a bunch and looked dynamic on the right wing and earned a spot with Davey Fuckin' Mason at South Georgia Tormenta in USL-L1 for a season. Now he's back on the club after the Gaffer visited him this offseason and convinced him to re-join the project. It also helps that he now gets to live close to home and represent his home state as a Silver Spring native. We have a fun soccer conversation that covers local Maryland Youth Soccer, the College recruiting proess and playing experience, and some of the hurdles that come along with being a professional soccer player. Then we recap the Open Cup quickly and look forward to an awesome match-up in Richmond against the Kickers for the next round. Can we dream a dream and make it through another round?

We're excited to have returning midfielder and Bobcats' marketing man, Abdul "Dook" Kooistra back on the podcast to talk about his soccer journey and the upcoming season with the Maryland Bobcats. 

We are excited to have Dennis Crowley on the podcast to talk about the NPSL squad he founded, called Kingston Stockade FC.  Dennis is someone that likes to build things. Things that bring people together and build communities. Whether that's building Foursquare – which currently has 50 million active users – or Street FC – which connects people that are interested in playing pick-up street soccer – or building Kingston Stockade FC – which is an NPSL team that plays in the North Atlantic Conference that has been around since 2016 and is the reason we have him on today. We talk about Dennis' method of "Open Source Soccer", the beginnings of the club, and the future of the club. 

The boys gather to discuss Tottenham, Villa, Brighton, Top 4, Title Race, Europe and their Top 5 ShitHouser lists. Get into it!

Tunde is a Bowie, Maryland native. He's spent time on two USL League 1 rosters, the 2021 Maryland Bobcats, and even had a stint in Lower League Bundesliga in Germany. Great to have him back for the Season. He is a player that excels in carrying the ball and orchestrating creative link-up play and is a hard worker on defense. Exciting signing for the Bobcats heading into the season.

The Gaffer comes on to talk about the pro combine that Maryland just held. Then we talk about the next step in this process. Excited for the season to come!