SoccerNation

We catch up with Jack McGrory and Landon Donovan for a quick chat about the redevelopment of the SDCCU Stadium site in San Diego's Mission Valley. Landon Donovan is a household name in American soccer, and together with his partners have developed a project called SoccerCity that aims to bring Major League Soccer to San Diego. In a few weeks, voters will decide between SoccerCity, which will appear as Measure E on the ballot, and Measure G which is supported by Jack McGrory and others who have their own ideas for what to do with that same property where SoccerCity would be built. Have a listen!

On the latest SoccerNation Podcast - powered by soccerloco, Mike McNeill and Ramon Estevez call in to preview the upcoming derby between SF Glens and SF City. The conversation includes a brief history of the Glens as a club and also examines the range of opportunities on offer to the youth players who are part of the Glens organization.

On the latest SoccerNation Podcast - powered by soccerloco, Jacques Pelham, the President and CEO of San Francisco City Football Club jumps on to preview the upcoming derby between SF City and the newly arrived SF Glens. We chat about the formation of SF City and the progress the club has made in recent years as they traverse the American soccer pyramid.

Steve Brockhoff and Daryl Biggs jump on the latest SoccerNation Podcast - powered by soccerloco to talk about the recent news that the SoccerCity San Diego Original Supporters Group is spinning off and becoming member-run. The OSG was actually first started by the SoccerCity team last year as a way to validate interest in their plan. In short order, the group grew to nearly 2,000 members. Those members are now taking over the leadership of their own group and Daryl and Steve have stepped up to steer the ship and manage the transition. The conversation runs all over the place, starting with how Daryl and Steve got into soccer in the first place and touching on what led them to their new roles with OSG, what sort of challenges they face and what sort of tasks they are taking up. We discuss what it means to be a San Diegan and how the activation of this group can build bridges and strengthen the foundation of the soccer community and the greater San Diego community at large. You can learn more about the Original Supporters Group on Twitter at @OSG_SanDiego and on Facebook. Be sure to get involved in the conversation when you follow @Soccer_Nation on Twitter. Please do leave a rating/review if you enjoy this program and share it with your friends! Special thanks to Stevie McGlynn from Viewpoint Brewing for the hospitality!

ASC striker Amani Walker returns for his second stint on the SoccerNation Podcast - powered by soccerloco. This episode recaps the last few weeks of the ASC season, before transitioning into a recap of the European club seasons. Amani's beloved Arsenal bid farewell to its long-suffering/serving manager Arsene Wenger and the two have a wide discussion about where Arsenal goes from here. The conversation then concludes with a bit more local coverage with updates regarding SoccerCity San Diego's MLS expansion bid. Please be sure to leave a rating and review on whatever platform you consume your podcasts from! Also, be sure to check out ASC San Diego! The team currently sits atop the NPSL Southwest Division standings following a statement victory against FC Arizona and is lining up a monumental match against Orange County FC on May 19th. You can find tickets here: http://asc-sandiego.com/tickets/

On the latest edition of the SoccerNation Podcast - powered by soccerloco, Jason Barbato drops by to talk about literally everything. We talk about the origins of the North County Battalion who played in the NPSL for one glorious year before pivoting to PDL and adding a youth component to their first team with San Diego Surf Soccer Club and then folding into the operations of Orange County Soccer Club for the 2018 season. We talk about the philosophy of developing players and what pathways exist today for players who aspire to ply their trade at the next level. We also have a really good discussion regarding fan/supporters culture. All that and more on the latest SoccerNation Podcast - powered by soccerloco!

On the latest episode of the SoccerNation Podcast - Powered by soccerloco, Keith Miller drops by to have a wide-ranging conversation about youth soccer in America, professional soccer, growth, development, infrastructure, what constitutes "good football" and so much more.

Welcome to the SoccerNation podcast, powered by soccerloco. On today’s episode I’m joined by Amani Walker to preview ASC San Diego’s home opener in the National Premier Soccer League on Saturday March 24th at Mission Bay High School. The conversation includes Amani’s story as a local kid who grew up in San Diego and went on to enjoy a career as a professional. Originally drafted by the Chicago Fire, Walker’s career includes stints in both NASL and USL with clubs like Minnesota United, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Orange County Blues (now OC SC). If you have questions, comments, concerns or any other feedback be sure to get in touch with us on Twitter at @soccer_nation or send us an email at news@soccernation.com. If you like what you hear, be sure to drop us a nice rating/review on whatever platform you find this podcast on!

Welcome back to the SoccerNation Podcast – powered by soccerloco! On today’s episode I’m joined by Shannon Mac Millan, Executive Director of the Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks youth soccer club in San Diego, California for a conversation about youth soccer in San Diego. We go deep on the details of the DMCV Sharks and the culture of a community based club, and talk about how the values Mac Millan has instilled in her club could one day potentially translate to an MLS or NWSL team in San Diego. Enjoy!

Welcome back to the latest edition of the SoccerNation Podcast powered by soccerloco! Today I caught up with Nick Merrit and Will Griffith to talk about the Aztecs for SoccerCity movement that they kicked off along with another student on the Mesa. These young men feel strongly about the SoccerCity San Diego expansion bid and have mobilized on campus to support the process. We discuss a number of topics including allegations that the kids have been paid by FS Investors, the communications that have come from leadership on campus, the plans that the Aztecs for SoccerCity have in the coming months and much more! Enjoy the show! Be sure to leave a review on iTunes/Stitcher/GooglePlay or wherever else you listen to podcasts.  Send questions, comments, concerns and any other feedback to news@soccernation.com

Welcome back to the latest edition of the SoccerNation Podcast! As always, my name is Dike Anyiwo and on today’s episode I’m joined by USWNT striker Christen Press. Before I go any further I need to say thank you to the good people at Hydrive Energy Water for making Christen available to me. You can learn all about the drink and the company in the article that’s published on SoccerNation.com: https://www.soccernation.com/one-on-one-christen-press/ In the clip I’m about to play for you, Christen talks specifically about the importance of high profile players like herself engaging with the generation that is coming up today. We also talk a bit about where women’s soccer is in the United States today and some of the challenges ahead in the next year or so, both on and off the field for NWSL and USWNT players alike. So without further adieu, enjoy this conversation with Christen Press!

On the latest edition of the SoccerNation Podcast, Director of Business Development for the United Soccer League's PDL and SYL Joel Nash drops by studioloco for a brief but insightful chat about the USL's Super Y League expansion into Southern California. Joel outlines the place that the Super Y holds with the larger USL organization and speaks about what makes his league desirable for your clubs across the country, including some of the perks that come with being affiliated with a professional league. He also talks a bit about the recruiting process for new clubs interested in the Super Y League in SoCal, and outlines what interested clubs can do to learn more. Stay tuned to SoccerNation.com and sylsoccer.com for more updates on the Super Y in Region IV. Background Reading: https://www.soccernation.com/the-united-soccer-leagues-super-y-open-southern-california-division/

Oh hey guys… Long time no talk. Apologies for disappearing into oblivion at the back end 2017, but rest assured SoccerNation is still alive and well. On the first episode of 2018 of the SoccerNation Podcast, I’m joined by Mike McNeill. Mike is the Executive Director of the "Olders" for San Francisco Glens Evolution, and we have a frank discussion of the state of soccer in the United States. This wide ranging conversation touches on the availability of coaches education programs, the pay to play system in youth soccer, The United States Soccer Development Academy, the history of Mike’s club in San Francisco, the Great Age of Expansion of the professional game in this country, and so much more. Carve out some time and listen to this engaging and candid chat between two people utterly immersed in the game and we. It’s shotgun style and the conversation flows from topic to topic, but it’s probably a very accurate reflection of our SoccerNation today. As always, you can connect with me on Twitter and @DikeNatsai and you can find Mike @MUFCred_USA. Learn more about SF Glens youth club at http://www.sfglensevolution.org/ and PDL team at http://www.sfglens.com/ Send us an email at news@soccernation.com with any questions, comments, or other feedback. As always, thanks to Alexandar Bang for the music!

Dike and Nate return for the latest edition of the SoccerNation Podcast - [powered by soccerloco] to break down the most recent two international fixtures of the United States Men's National Team against Costa Rica and Honduras. It wasn't pretty, nor was it fun to watch, but the USA still has a chance of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia thanks to a solitary point from two matches. The talk shifts then to the other big news of the week that the North American Soccer League has had it's application for Division 2 sanctioning denied by the United States Soccer Federation. The guys discuss what this means in the context of San Diego's forthcoming expansion team and the league at large as the American soccer pyramid's foundations are rocked once again. Things get more happy when the conversation shifts back to club football. With the Premier League, Champions League, Liga MX and the rest of the world's domestic competitions picking back up, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Dike and Nate return for the 41st episode of the SoccerNation Podcast - powered by soccerloco. In this episode the guys cover the latest round of Premier League action, touch on the Phoenix Rising incident with their unofficial supporters club Los Bandidos, recap the latest Club Tijuana match and preview the World Cup Qualifiers for the United States Men's National Team. Enjoy!

Nate and Dike are back for the landmark 40th episode of the SoccerNation Podcast - Powered by soccerloco. In this episode, the guys kick off with Manchester United's 4-0 "thumping" of Swansea City FC, Liverpool's scrappy victory over Crystal Palace, and Antonio Conte's Chelsea situation. There was plenty to celebrate for the Italian after his side triumphed at Tottenham's temporary home at Wembley and Nate recounts his experience at the Harp in Ocean Beach, watching last season's top two teams go at it with the SD Spurs supporters group under the roof of a couple of Chelsea fans. Read about that here: https://www.soccernation.com/soccernation-supporter-special-hanging-at-the-harp-with-san-diego-spurs/ The conversation eventually shifts to south of the border with some mixed news from Club Tijuana. The club without borders has recently bid farewell to rising USMNT star Paul Arriola and there may be more departures to come in the weeks to come. Love the episode? Hate the episode? Leave us a review on iTunes! Send us your tweets @Soccer_Nation @DikeNatsai and @NateAbaurrea! Email us at news@soccernation.com!

Nate and Dike are back for the latest SoccerNation Podcast - Powered by soccerloco to talk about the Premier League's opening weekend. A slew of games yielded all sorts of results, with Arsenal and Leicester kicking off on Friday and playing out a thrilling 4-3 match that ended in favor of the North London side. The frantic pace set by the Gunners and Foxes carried on throughout a weekend that saw Liverpool score 3 and concede 3 against Watford, Chelsea lose two players to red cards and drop three points at home to a Burnley side many have tipped for relegation, and Manchester United turn in the kind of performance fans have been craving since the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson. In other news, hometown hero Paul Arriola has completed a permanent transfer from Club Tijuana to D.C. United. Nate and Dike assess the merits of the move and come to a conclusion that many others have as well. Follow us on Twitter at @DikeNatsai, @NateAbaurrea, and @soccer_nation. Email us at news@soccernation.com Leave a review - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernation/id1164173801?mt=2 Enjoy!

Special Edition: Todd Beane Interviewed by Edwin Lee by SoccerNation

Nate and Dike return on the latest episode of the SoccerNation Podcast to break down the weekend that was in soccer and cast an eye forward to what is around the corner. The conversation kicks off with a brief recap of the Community Shield on Sunday which Arsenal won using the new ABBA format for kicks from the mark, before spinning into Premier League predictions. Who stays up? Who finishes in the top 4? Who takes home the crown? Listen and learn. Talk then shifts to Club Tijuana's 3-0 loss to Monterrey in the third week of Liga MX 2017 Apertura action. Chacho Coudet's men have looked meek and mild under the Argentine's guidance with each defeat leaking more and more goals. The bright side? There are more games coming thick and fast, giving Los Xolos ample opportunity to get back on track. The guys then shift gears and dive into what is easily the most polarizing conversation in American soccer. Promotion and Relegation. On August 3rd, two American teams, Kingston Stockade of the NPSL and Miami FC of the NASL filed a suit with the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA for failing to impose their rules regarding pro/rel on US Soccer. We examine what the landscape looks like today and take a look at where things could go with this lawsuit in play. Stay tuned to SoccerNation.com for the latest news from all around!

Brian Havenner from the Soccer Unity Project joins Dike Anyiwo to chat about his organization and their upcoming footgolf tournament at Mission Bay Golf Course on August 19th at 5:00pm. - REGISTER HERE: http://www.footgolfsandiego.com/sup Brian and Dike chat about the nonprofit's origin and mission to cultivate a soccer community accessible to all socio-economic levels where empathy, gratitude, and happiness is embraced through exposing youth to unique community service and leadership experiences. You can learn more about SUP at their website http://www.soccerunityproject.com/ Stay tuned to SoccerNation.com for more on this great organization

Nate and Dike jump back into the summer of soccer with a recollection of Sunday's epic 4-3 comeback victory over Brazil in the Tournament of Nations at Qualcomm on Sunday in sunny San Diego. The conversation includes a chance encounter with Women of the Match Megan Rapinoe, freshly showered after registering a goal and 2.5 assists. The talk then shifts to the SoccerCity #WaitForSD movement that officially kicked off on Sunday. Spoiler Alert: This MLS process is exhausting. Club Tijuana has finally scored a goal, albeit in Copa MX play and not Liga MX, but Paul Arriola's header gave Eduardo Coudet's men their first victory under the Argentine and could be just the thing needed to kickstart this Apertura campaign. The lads go local-ish with a few housekeeping notes relating to the US Soccer Development Academy planting their playoffs in San Diego for the next two years, and Bob Bradley's appointment as LAFC's first coach on the same day Sigi Schmid was announced as LA Galaxy gaffer. Enjoy!

Dike and Nate break down the USA's uncomfortable 2-0 victory over El Salvador before transitioning to a preview of Club Tijuana's home opener against Cruz Azul on Friday.

Dike and Nate drop in to recap the events of the weekend past with a deep dive into the Mexico v El Salvador and USA v Panama Gold Cup games. The guys examine the carnival atmosphere around Qualcomm Stadium in the build up to Mexico's 3-1 win on Sunday, how the community has come together for good causes entirely outside of the game on the field, and what actually happened during the game before turning their attention to the previous day's 1-1 draw between the USMNT and Panama. The second half of the show focuses on the big international news of the weekend. Wayne Rooney has left Manchester United after 13 glittering years and in his place now stands Romelu Lukaku. Hooray. After(or before) a spirited analysis of United and Liverpool's transfer windows, the talk turns to Tijuana where Los Xolos are gearing up for a Liga MX campaign that kicks off in less than two weeks. Enjoy! - https://www.soccernation.com/the-yanks-and-les-matinino-usa-vs-martinique-gold-cup-preview/ - https://www.soccernation.com/mexico-3-1-el-salvador-el-tri-starts-gold-cup-dominant-victory/ - https://www.soccernation.com/club-tijuana-offseason-check-in-a-new-era-begins-for-xolos/

Dike Anyiwo was joined by Duarte Andrade and Josh Katz for an impromptu pod from the touchline of Orange County SC's home field in Irvine Great Park to discuss the 1-1 draw between OCSC and the visiting Phoenix Rising FC. The hero of the day was a certain Didier Drogba who buried a freekick deep in stoppage time to rescue a point for Phoenix after a hard-fought game had looked to be ending with victory for the hosts.

Nate Abaurrea and Dike Anyiwo are joined by San Francisco City Football Club President Jacques Pelham for a quick chat about soccer in the great great great city that has emerged as the battleground for the latest iteration of the American SoccerWarz. The story that has emerged in recent days regarding the potential USL expansion into San Francisco has turned a few heads and there are few more authoritative sources than Pelham when it comes to the happenings in the great great great city of SF. Upon conclusion of the interview with Jacques the guys dive into the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup that kicked off Friday with detailed previews of the USMNT's match against Panama on Saturday and Mexico's contest against El Salvador right here in sunny San Diego on Sunday. Enjoy! Gold Cup Preview: https://www.soccernation.com/team-glory-personal-motivation-usmnt-gold-cup-preview/ USMNT v Panama Preview: https://www.soccernation.com/usa-v-panama-preview-yanks-look-to-take-down-los-canaleros-in-gold-cup-opener/ Xolos Update: https://www.soccernation.com/club-tijuana-offseason-check-in-a-new-era-begins-for-xolos/

Demba Ba, an international soccer star and leader of San Diego’s NASL expansion team, joins Katy Temple and SoccerNation’s Dike Anyiwo in Voice of San Diego’s podcast studio to discuss what sparked his passion project. Learn about Demba’s upbringing, his competitive spirit, his values and ultimately how he aims to infuse his new club in San Diego with a culture that reflects both the ownership and the community. “I know that down the road you want to develop an Academy and complete this passion project – not only build a team but develop these players,” Temple says to Ba. “What is it that you would like them most to know about soccer and passion?” “We are going to build the Academy down the road. It’s going to take a few years probably, but we don’t have a problem with that. We’re going to be here for a long time,” Ba says. “And what we want to develop, what we want to give them is – before they are football players, they are men. They need to grow and they need to have values…We want to teach them how to play soccer, for sure, but how to be a good man as well. This is one of the most important things, at least for me and for the group of guys who are behind me, because football is 15, 20 years. And your life is way longer than that.” The announcement was just the beginning. Stay tuned, San Diego. #SDNASL

On Monday, the news that first broke in January was finally confirmed when the North American Soccer League announced it has granted an expansion franchise to Mind Soccer Group - an organization that includes international soccer icons Eden Hazard, Demba Ba, Moussa Sow and Yohan Cabaye. Nate and Dike break down what this new development means at large and how it impacts SoccerCity and the existing soccer community. The guys then turn the talk to the Gold Cup roster that was released over the weekend and identify the players to watch as the tournament gets underway.

In the latest episode of the #SNPod, Nate and Dike discuss the inevitable "doom" of SoccerCity, San Diego City Council meeting meanings, the characters in the larger San Diego narrative and what comes next for professional soccer in America's Finest City. The guys then turn their talk to the soccer we currently have here in sunny San Diego with highlights of Albion PROS and SoCal Surf as each team continues their NPSL and PDL seasons. The episode concludes with a stirring tribute to American soccer legend Tony DiCicco who sadly passed form this earth late Monday night. Never let that summer of 99 die, and never let DiCicco's spirit die.

Landon Donovan on SoccerCity San Diego and why it matters for the community.

Three time Olympic gold medalist,Heather Mitts. We talk about overcoming adversity, being coachable & life after sport. She talks about her companies, heathermittsempoweredpregnancy.com and ceresplatinumgroup.com as well. Don't miss this interview!

Dike and Nate are joined by the Johnny Appleseed of American soccer, Peter Wilt to discuss the forthcoming National Independent Soccer Association, or NISA as Peter calls it. This new league is set to launch in 2018 and the guys pick Peter's brain about the origin and impetus for launching this new Division III enterprise that will fill the void between NASL in Division II and NPSL/PDL/UPSL and all the other USASA Elite leagues. We chat briefly about the Open Cup and the underlying changes happening in American soccer before letting Peter go, and then transition the conversation back to jolly old San Diego where the MLS expansion push by FS Investors is now in the hands of City Council as the elected officials of San Diego weigh in on whether or not to schedule an election that will enable FS Investors to move forward with their planned redevelopment of the Qualcomm property in Mission Valley. The guys wrap up with talk of actual local soccer with updates from SoCal Surf and Albion PROS' weekend action. Enjoy! Follow us on Twitter at @DikeNatsai, @NateAbaurrea, and @soccer_nation. Email us at news@soccernation.com Special thanks to Patrick Erhard (ashwilliamstheband.bandcamp.com) and Alexandar Bang.

Dike and Nate come together once again for a conversation regarding Major League Soccer in San Diego. Can soccer replace the NFL? Can SDSU and FS Investors coexist? These existential questions are asked and answered in this episode. The guys also chitchat about the closing stages of the European club season, spending some time recapping the FA Cup and Copa Del Rey Finals, before touching on the Liga MX playoffs and culminating in a discussion about this weekend's UEFA Champions League Final. Who do you think takes home the prize?? Get at us on Twitter @DikeNatsai, @NateAbaurrea, @Soccer_Nation and use the hashtag #SNPod! Feel free to email us at news@soccernation.com and/or leave us a review on iTunes! Every star counts!

Nate and Dike step back into the SoccerCity conversation with a broad recap of the narrative up until this past week, and the statements that came out first from SDSU, then FS Investors, then Mayor Kevin Faulconer, then the tea lady, then the Captain of the USS Midway, then the kit man, and so on. Can MLS in San Diego still survive? What is SDSU's real motivation in attempting to kill off SoccerCity? All this and more in this latest episode of the #SNPod! Following the MLSinSD conversation, the guy swing south of the border to lament the season of our beloved Club Tijuana who fell over two legs to Tigres by a combined score of 4-0. Quick shout outs to various champions of European leagues and a very happy birthday to Georgie Best!

The famed Arsenal Soccer Schools are returning to the west coast for the summer of 2017! This exciting opportunity to “Learn to Play the Arsenal Way” comes to you directly from the Arsenal Football Club and gives hundreds of children the chance to build on their existing skills and strengthen their love of the beautiful game, all while learning in a similar format to Premier League academies. The day camps run from 8:45 to 3:00 pm and are chock full of Gooner goodness. Lead by Official Arsenal Soccer Schools coaches from England, attendees will have access inside Arsenal FC’s training methods, with an emphasis in technical development using proven drills direct from the Arsenal youth academy at Hale End. The camp session dates and locations are as follows: PALO ALTO - Cubberly Field – June 19 – 23, 2017 – Ages: Boys and Girls 5-16 SAN JOSE - Downtown San Jose – June 26 – 30, 2017 – Ages: Boys and Girls 5-12 SAN JOSE – Advanced Day Camp - Los Gatos Creekside – 4pm – 7pm, June 26 – 30, 2017 – Ages: Boys and Girls 13-18 LOS ANGELES - St Jeannes High School in Tustin, California – July 3 – 7, 2017 – Ages: Boys and Girls 5-16 SAN DIEGO - San Diego Jewish Academy – July 10 – 14, 2017 – Ages: Boys and Girls 5-16 The Arsenal Soccer Schools Camps are designed to build a supportive environment where players will be challenged to improve all aspects of their game while building confidence in individual abilities. All attendees will receive an official Arsenal kit, and there will be an athletic trainer on site for medical concerns, health and safety. Space is limited, so it is advised to register early. To learn more or register now, please visit: www.arsenalsoccerschoolsusa.com

Nate and Dike are back with the latest edition of the SoccerNation Podcast! This one is all about Club Tijuana's remarkable comeback victory in the second leg of the Liguilla quarter finals as they overcame a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to win 2-0 at Estadio Caliente on Mother's Day. The talk then shifts to the Premier League where Chelsea finally clinched the title over a strange weekend that saw the Londoners play Friday and Monday, before wrapping up with a recap of the local team's results since the time of last recording. Enjoy!

Southwestern University head coach and World Cup winner & Olympic Gold Medalist, Linda Hamilton joins the #WTF show to talk about social impact through soccer, college recruiting and a bit about her experience as Carrie Taylor's former coach. #womentalkingfootball #soccernation #strongwomen

Dike and Nate break down the weekend's Premier League action, focusing heavily on Manchester United's 2-0 loss away at Arsenal. The conversation then shifts to Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Southampton before turning local with a recap of the PDL season opener between SoCal Surf and San Diego Zest FC before landing on Albion PROS who defeated City of Angels FC over the weekend by a score of 7-3. The PROS are also in U.S. Open Cup action on Wednesday May 10th when they host Chula Vista FC at Mission Bay High School.

Well known researcher and advocate for women in sports, Dr. Nicole LaVoi. Co-Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota.

Nate and Dike break down the weekend's Premier League action from the vantage points of Manchester United and Liverpool. The two discuss whether Emre Can's overhead kick from *Lucas Leiva's* pass was the goal of the season, and what the run in looks like at the top of the table. Talk then turns to Cristiano Ronaldo's umpteenth hat trick, this time in the Champions League semi final first leg against Atelico Madrid. The greatest player in the world? Pretty much. If you haven't seen Conejo Perez's headed goal from the past weekend go find it and watch it. A 5'8" goalkeeper shouldn't be capable of such things. Has the era of possession based football and the cult of tiki-taka destroyed the long ball? The guys break down the beauty of big balls from deep and tip the cap to birthday boy David Beckham and soon to be retiree Xabi Alonso, before wrapping up with a preview of upcoming local action as the PDL season kicks off with the first competitive meeting between SoCal Surf and San Diego Zest. Next on the horizon? Another all San Diego affair as Albion PROS host Chula Vista FC in the US Open Cup.

Dike and Nate recount the most epic of all recently epic el Clasicos and debate whether or not this is Lionel Messi's finest ever moment as a footballer. The talk then turns to the Premier League where squeaky bum time is in full force. Manchester United could potentially turn a laughable season into a pretty decent one, whereas formerly high-flying Liverpool are in real danger of falling out of the Champions League places. Taking a turn for the local, the conversation lands on Albion PROS and the disappointing season that last year's runaway standout is having this year. Second season syndrome? The guys wrap up with talk of Club Tijuana's 2-0 victory over Toluca on Friday as Los Xolos aim to hit top gear approaching the Liguilla.

Olympic Gold Medalist & former US Women's National team player, Angela Hucles. We will be discussing women in leadership and her new company Ceres Platinum, that was co-founded with her USWNT teammate Heather Mitts.

Dike Anyiwo and Nate Abaurrea are joined on this Special Edition of the SoccerNation Podcast by USL's Premier Development League Director Todd Eason for a discussion about the amateur league with professional pedigree. The conversation covers a variety of topics including Eason's role with the PDL, the value of the league itself, the player identification platform known as the USL Scouting Network, benefits of elite summer competition for some of the nation's most potent young players and the direction of soccer in this country. Eason divulges the initiatives at the forefront of the league's agenda at a point in time when American soccer is booming, and casts an eye towards the upcoming 2017 season kicking off in early May. Enjoy!

Nate and Dike are joined on this 24th edition of THE SoccerNation Podcast by none other than Duarte Andrade to discuss Manchester United's recent victory over Premier League leaders Chelsea. The conversation then shifts to Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich and the guys make a comprehensive case for the implementation of Video Assistant Referees as soon as possible. Enjoy!

The Boca Juniors OC boys 2002 team coached by Boca DOC and Santiago Canyon Men’s Soccer Coach, Jimmy Obleda, wrote their own “Hollywood ending” recently by winning the last three games in the National League season this March and punched their ticket to the USYS National Championship. A new team, from a new club that is less than 8 months old will be representing Cal South this July under the guidance of Coach Obleda. Jimmy cites the growth of the team over the past few months as a key thing in getting them through the challenge of having to win three games in a row. “They grew as men, and showed a level of professionalism that I had not seen in them before.” “Right now, we are looking to adapt our training cycle so that we will peak again in July for the National Championships in Frisco, TX. Each player is going to have to improve individually as well as a unit for us to be successful at nationals.” Coach Obleda is no stranger to success, as a player he signed his first professional contract at the age of 17 for Danubio Futbol Club of the Uruguayan First Division. He continued his professional career for eight years playing in South America, Europe and the United States. Past success include his time as the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Fullerton Rangers for 13 years. While there, he helped produce some of the top players in the country for the US youth national teams, professional teams and universities. He has managed to send over 200 student-athletes to play at the university or college level. Jimmy, who holds an A coaching License, has won numerous league, state and regional titles but no title is more triumphant than the 2011, 2012 back to back USYSA National and Dallas Cup titles. To this day, he is the only coach to lead a team to this feat. In 2011, Jimmy garnered the honors of the Regional Youth Coach of the Year, as well as the National Youth Coach of the Year presented by the NSCAA. In 2012, he was named the Cal-South Nike Coach of the Year. His newest challenge includes working as the Head Men’s Coach at Santiago Canyon College. This season he guided the Hawks to a respectable 5-8-7, with some very close games and is looking forward to his first recruiting class coming in. Jimmy, in addition to being a father to three kids, and a husband, also serves as a Cal South licensing clinician and in his “spare time” is working on his second masters’ degree. Recently, SoccerNations’ Carrie Taylor sat down with Coach Obleda over lunch and discussed the state of the youth game in the US to chat about what helps makes players and coaches successful. When you sit with Coach Obleda, his energy rubs off, one can see why he is able to motivate young players and make them better. Have a listen:

Nate Abaurrea and Dike Anyiwo reunite for the latest edition of the SoccerNation Podcast: Powered by soccerloco. In this episode the boys discuss the results of the Generation Adidas Cup group stage from the weekend. Why is it that MLS clubs appear to be so far behind the rest of the world when it comes to developing world class soccer players? Is it a question of mentality? The talk then turns to the big news of the day with the United States jointly bidding to host the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and Canada. Nate then tells the story of his experience in Tijuana as Los Xolos hosted Club America in Liga MX action on Friday. Full steam ahead!

Deafness is a hidden ‘disability’. In sports such as soccer, players face certain hidden disadvantages, such as not being able to hear their coach’s instructions during a game, a referee’s decision or even the roar of the crowd. Oftentimes deaf soccer players compete regularly against their hearing peers and these aspects of the game, which many of us take for granted, can make a difference during the course of a match. Players must have an average hearing loss of 55 Decibels or more in the best ear. All players competing in deaf matches must remove all hearing aids before playing which creates another obstacle to overcome, balance – another important advantage for a hearing player. The women are the reigning 2005, 2009, and 2013 Deaflympics Gold Medal winners. They are also the two time 2012 and 2016 Deaf World Cup Champions. SoccerNation’s Carrie Taylor spoke with the Head Coach of the Deaf Women’s National Team, Amy Griffin, who is a former USWNT player and also the Associate Head Coach of the University of Washington.

Landon Donovan, the reigning all time leader in both goals scored and assists created, the man who Major League Soccer's MVP Trophy is named after, recent San Diego transplant and even more recent FS Investor joins Dike Anyiwo for a candid discussion regarding the current status of youth soccer in San Diego and how that status may or may not change with the arrival of an MLS team. Thursday's news that the lawsuit against the MLS Player's Union by youth clubs Crossfire Premier, the Dallas Texans and the Chicago Sockers has been dismissed is just the latest data-point in an ongoing struggle for American youth clubs to be allowed to receive reimbursement for the development of players in the form of Solidarity Payments and Training Compensation fees. Donovan and Dike wade into the weeds on the subject of monetary compensation for youth clubs for developing youth players who go on to become professionals, and examine whether or not the widely accepted practice around the world has a place in the United States. The two then wrap up with a summary of where the SoccerCitySD project stands at present, including a frank discussion of why San Diego State and FS Investors appear to be at an impasse when it comes to negotiations over the development of Mission Valley, the merits of the Public Land, Public Vote campaign and concluding with a preview of what citizens of San Diego can expect to see from FS Investors in the weeks and months to come now that the signature gathering process is complete. Don't miss this episode of the SoccerNation Podcast - Powered by soccerloco! - https://www.soccernation.com/youth-club-lawsuit-dismissed-by-u-s-district-court/ - https://www.soccernation.com/battle-over-san-diego-soccercity-site-heats-up-in-public-arena/ - https://www.soccernation.com/usl-announce-plan-to-launch-third-division-pro-league-in-2019/

Dike Anyiwo and Nate Abaurrea are reunited in San Diego for the latest edition of the SoccerNation Podcast! The guys dissect the United States Men's National Team performance against Panama and drill into why a point on the road isn't the worst thing in the world. Is Jozy Altidore deserving of his place in the starting XI? The conversation then shifts to the recent news that the SoccerCity San Diego signature gathering initiative is done. In just two weeks. Apparently San Diego wants soccer. or at least 108,000 registered voters do. Check out some of the stories coming out of the mothership: - https://www.soccernation.com/just-a-kid-from-vista-heron-martinezs-journey-to-club-america/ - https://www.soccernation.com/3-things-deltas-debut-in-nasl-ochoas-revenge-in-seattle-and-more/ - https://www.soccernation.com/mixed-bag-toronto-fc-ii-1-phoenix-rising-fc-0/ - https://www.soccernation.com/generations-intertwined-dempsey-and-pulisic-lead-us-to-historic-rout-of-honduras/ - https://www.soccernation.com/orange-county-scs-logan-pause-talks-motivation-systems-and-goals-for-2017-season/

Nate Abaurrea and Charles Wollin come at you live from Avaya Stadium in the immediate aftermath of the USMNT's 6-0 victory over Honduras. Is this the best performance an American team has ever put together? Is Michael Bradley best as a #6? Is 18 year old Christian Pulisic already the best player on this team? What should we expect against Panama on Tuesday? The answers to these questions and more on the latest #SNPod! - https://www.soccernation.com/generations-intertwined-dempsey-and-pulisic-lead-us-to-historic-rout-of-honduras/

In the build up to the massive USA vs. Honduras World Cup Qualifier in San Jose, our own Nate Abaurrea was joined by the one and only Alexi Lalas for a very special podcast edition of the SoccerNation Sitdown. Abaurrea and Lalas did not hold back in the 25 minute conversation, recorded inside Avaya Stadium. The two cover a wide range of intriguing topics, starting with the changing of the guard in US Soccer, the Americans reverting to old leadership in the wake of Jurgen Klinsmann's sacking. Are things really any better today than they were in the latter days of 2016? Is the match against Honduras a "must win"? Abaurrea and Lalas discuss the city of San Jose's rocky history with MLS, and take a trip back to 1997, the last time the United States played a World Cup Qualifier in the Bay Area. Lalas gives his take on MLS expansion, saying that San Diego, in his opinion, currently has "the second best bid of the 12 cities in the running. Abaurrea and Lalas also discuss the recent national anthem ruling from US Soccer, touching on Megan Rapinoe's protest, and what Lalas meant with his comments regarding Rapinoe, as well as the Black Lives Matter movement. All this, plus some glorious trips down USMNT memory lane. You won't want to miss this special podcast edition of the SoccerNation Sitdown. Follow us on Twitter at @DikeNatsai, @NateAbaurrea, and @soccer_nation. Email us at news@soccernation.com Special thanks to Patrick Erhard (ashwilliamstheband.bandcamp.com) and Alexandar Bang.

United States Men's National Team all time goal scorer, assist leader and second highest appearance maker Landon Donovan joins SoccerNation Citizen Carrie Taylor's Women Talking Football program to talk about his role with FS Investors in the SoccerCity SD plan. Donovan also talks at length about his childhood and what he'd like to see in San Diego's MLS franchise in the event the city of San Diego adopts the proposal advanced by FS Investors.