The Stepover

Ottawa Rapid FC made its formal introduction to the world at a launch event on August 15, introducing the clubs brand, logo, and some members of the staff. One person who was at the event, is Tom Gilbert, who leads the cub as CEO. Tom has been involved in the new Northern Super League since its inception, and we wanted to get to know Tom a bit, and ask him about Rapid FC and the league as a whole. Where will players come from? How many games will be at TD Place in 2025? What does the legendary Kristina Kiss bring to the table? We ask it all!

This episode we're joined by the pride of Russell, Ontario, Atletico Ottawa's Tyr Walker!   Tyr is one of the rising young stars of the Canadian Premier League. Formerly of Ottawa's Futuro Academy, Tyr signed his first pro contract this season. We talk to him about his journey to get there, home-cooked meals, and who he thinks is the GOAT.

**tumbleweed rolls by**   Yup, pretty quiet in the soccer world these days   **record scratch** OR IS IT??? Olympics, dronegate, NSL Ottawa, we had to have one of Canada's best voices in women's sports, Michaela Schreiter, on the show to talk about **waving arms** EVERYTHING THAT'S HAPPENING.   Don't miss an episode of She's Got Game, which Michaela co-hosts with Vanessa Sanchez every week on TSN1200, also available on all your favourite podcast platforms.

One of the brightest young prospects out of Ottawa of late is Maya Hindson. An incredibly versatile player, she's been ranked #1 in Canada by FTF among players in her graduating year, and now plays for Arsenal's academy in London, UK. We find out about her journey to London, being at THAT GAME at the 2012 Olympics, and what life is like for a player in one of the worlds great football academies. Maya is one to watch for the future. Hope you enjoy this interview!

At just 20 years old, Ottawa's Sofia Iaderosa has already had an eventful career. Leaving the NCAA early for a chance to play professional, she's already played in professionally in Malta, Georgia (not the state) and Turkey, and even has UEFA Champions League action under her belt. A forward with huge potential and a bright future, we caught up with Sofia during her holiday break to talk about growing up in Ottawa, her already fascinating career, and her dreams for the future. This is her podcast debut, and she absolutely nails it. Enjoy!

This episode we're joined by the new Head of Soccer Operations for the Carleton Ravens mens and womens teams, Marcelo Plada. He takes over from Kwesi Loney, who was promoted to Assistant Director of High Performance Sport. Marcelo has coached around the world, and comes to Carleton from Canada's Military National Team, holding a Canadian A National Licence. We talk about the wealth of experience he brings to the program, the preparations for the new season, and the high expectations he has for both the mens and womens sides this OUA season. Enjoy!

Twitch icon and Canadian floorball star Jasmine McKnight is back on the pod to talk all things Gee-Gee's! As uOttawa kicks off their 2023 OUA campaign with the goal of heading back to the USports National Championships, Jasmine gives her takes on new players to watch, important returning players, and how she expects the team will fare this season. Then we turn our focus to Project8, and what Gee-Gee's players, past and present, could hypothetically form a Gee-Gee's-only starting XI. How to Josh and Jasmine's lists compare? Listen and find out!

We're chatting with Ottawa's own Christine Eiblmeier! Christine is a 17 year old defender currently playing for Eintracht Frankfurt's U19 squad. Christine talks about the move to Germany, the difference in the culture of women's soccer between Germany and Canada, and meeting Alphonso Davies. Oh, and ditch the caesar dressing, Christine will talk you into a proper salad. Don't miss this chat with a rising young Canadian star!

This episode we're chatting with Atlético Ottawa CEO Fernando López ahead of the 2023 home opener. We ask Fernando about the preseason, player recruitment, where the trophy is at for winning the 2022 regular season, and whether the club is considering starting a women's side for the upcoming Project8 league. Can't miss this one!

This episode, we're chatting with CPL player Gaby Bitar, currently playing for expansion franchise Vancouver FC. Gaby is an Ottawa native and former Carleton standout, and can claim the title of first ever CPL USports draft pick. Bitar is looking to build on what was a bit of a breakout season in 2022 when he played for FC Edmonton (RIP), and he tells us all about how things are going in Vancouver, what it was like playing under difficult circumstances in Edmonton, and the benefits of the USports draft. Gaby might be our most requested guest ever, so enjoy!

It's not often we have a hall-of-famer on this podcast, but this episode we chat with former uOttawa Gee-Gee forward Victoria Marchand, a World Indigenous Games gold medal winner, and recent inductee into the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame! We chat about the HOF honour, the support of her family throughout her career, and her lifelong passion to grow soccer in indigenous communities. 

One more episode for 2022, we're chatting with former pro Ndzemdzela "Zela" Langwa. You might know him better as "Zoom" Langwa, he's played professionally in multiple European countries, and was an inaugural member of HFX Wanderers. Recently retired, he's now working on a new project called Ottawa Selects, helping bridge gaps for local players looking to trial overseas.

He's one of the faces of Capital City Supporters Group, and if you've ever been to an Atletico Ottawa match, he's one of the guys leading the rabid fans of section W in song and chants. He's Brandon Adibe! Ahead of the biggest match in franchise history, the fan support, and culture created by CCSG, has gained nationwide attention. Josh chats with Brandon about how he got involved with CCSG, how the culture has grown, and even a bit about the university footy scene.

This episode, we're joined by Cornwall native and former player for both West Ottawa and Ottawa South United player, Taylor Beitz!   Beitz is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, having spent 4 years as a Razorback in the NCAA, and is now playing professionally for FC Nantes in France's D1Arkema. Josh asks Taylor all about her journey, from Cornwall and her long drives to her clubs in Ottawa, to playing professionally in Europe. Taylor is a player to watch!

With university sports getting underway for another year, we ask The Charlatan's Sports Editor, Jayden Dill, to preview the Ravens upcoming MSOC and WSOC seasons. With the women's roster gaining experience, and the men's roster experiencing massive turnover, how will the teams fare? Don't worry, Jayden has you covered!!

The defending World Champs are back! Always one of the top programs in the country, the University of Ottawa women's soccer team is back in action, looking to make their way to the National Championships. Jasmine McKnight from The Fulcrum returns to the pod to preview the Gee-Gee's season, tell us who to watch, why we should be excited, and key games for 2022.

Two legends in one episode! Carl Haworth and Drew Beckie were kind of enough to join The Stepover and talk about a wide range of topics. From the heights that Fury FC reached in 2015, to what they're helping build now with Atletico Ottawa, their roles as Assistant Technical Directors with Gloucester Hornets, and who sends the better cross: Carl or Janine.

Arguably one of the best collegiate soccer programs in the world, a lot of great players have come through the University of Ottawa. One of the all-time greats is Hailey Walsh. A member of the 2019 squad that won the FISU World Cup, Hailey recently graduated and spent the summer playing in League 1 Ontario with Electric City FC. We ask all about the World Cup win, playing with the exciting new club in Peterborough, and her goal of signing a fully professional contract.

Ottawa-born keeper Luka Vujičić is 19 years old and recently committed to playing for Queen's University in the OUA. He's currently practicing with Atletico Ottawa's new Development Program, but it's been quite the road for him to get to this point. Luka's career was turned on its head when he was convinced to go to Serbia to seek playing opportunities. It's quite a story! Get to know up-and-comer Luka on this episode.

College soccer returns to Canada's capital in September when the Algonquin Wolves men's and women's sides take to the field for the first time in two years. HC of the women's program, Basil Phillips, talks to The Stepover to talk about, essentially, starting the program over from scratch. We learn a bit about coach Phillips, his influences, and expectations of the coming OCAA season. If you are going to be an Algonquin student in 2022-23, you can sign up for the Wolves' training camp which kicks off August 15!   Timestamps: 0:27 - talking Gaby Bitar and the USports draft 6:25 - chat with Basil Phillips

Who's The Drake?? This episode we chat with Ottawa's Zak Drake, a fullback currently playing for League 1 Ontario side Electric City FC in Peterborough. ECFC has CPL ambitions, and Zak gives us some details on the organization, what it's like to play for Electric City, as well as talking about his own career. Where was his favourite place to play? What's it like living in a cottage in the Kawarthas with your teammates? And did he really play against Neymar?? Chat with Zak begins at 3:08

As Ottawa South United kicks of its 2022 PLSQ campaigns, we chat with program head coach Peter Mapendere to talk about the upcoming season, the goals of the program, and some players to watch. We also chat a bit about Peter's journey, growing up in Zimbabwe, idolizing Bruce Grobbelaar (and then being mentored by him!!), and the fundamental reason he wants to coach youth players.

We're chatting with Ottawa native Jay Bhindi, now an assistant head coach with Valour FC. Jay's career has taken him from Ottawa South United, to Fury FC, to Austin, Edmonton and now Winnipeg. Jay is one of the great young coaching minds in Canada, and in this wide-ranging interview we touch on: -the developing soccer pyramid in Canada -Jay's love of Turkish footy -learning from Phil Dos Santos -favourite slushie flavours -and lots more!

Our guest this week is a fantastic player, he's a champion in Finland, and he's also a businessman. He's Ottawa's own, Jeff Addai! Jeff plays for PEPO Lappeenranta in Finland, which he recently helped earn promotion to the Finnish second tier. He's also co-founder of the Ottawa-based One Performance Sports Management (OPSM Pro) which represents players around the world, and helps provide pathways for players to pursue pro careers. We ask Jeff about his career, how his friendship with Julian de Guzman helped get him to Europe, and all about OPSM. This is a must-listen!

Welcome to your González years In late February, 36 year old Spaniard Carlos González was named the new head coach of Atlético Ottawa. Now, barely two and a half months later, after an intense training camp in Madrid, his Ottleti squad will kick off the 2022 CPL campaign at home against Cavalry FC. Ahead of the opener, Josh talks with Carlos about cheering for Atlético as a kid, what kind of coach he is now, and his expectations for the season. Also, the important question on supporters minds: is Ottawa massive???   0:55 - Brandon Adibe breaks Canadian soccer social media 2:20 - plugging the Apt613.ca 2022 season preview for Atletico Ottawa 3:35 - chat with Carlos González

Forging a professional career in Europe as a Canadian is hard, but Ottawa's Kayla Adamek is doing it. Having spent time training with Orlando Pride in the NWSL before playing pro in Serbia and Spain, Adamek recently signed for Vittsjö GIK in Sweden's top division. Kayla provides her insight into what she'd like to see from a professional women's league in Canada, as well as her road-to-pro, sneaking onto the field at Algonquin, and what it was like training with the legendary Marta.   2:18 - updates on local players 6:15 - chat with Kayla Adamek

Whether you're a casual fan or a die-hard, there's no better way to stay connected to Atletico Ottawa than by following Capital City Supporters Group. Founded shortly after 'Ottleti' was born, CCSG has been a creative and supportive force for Ottawa's pro club, from creating content online, to hosting events, and of course helping create the unbelievable atmosphere at TD Place. Josh chats with CCSG founder Daniel Duff, as well as key members Eddie Benhin and Thomas Stockting to find out what's coming up for the group, especially as the days count down to Atletico Ottawa's home opener on April 9.

This episode Josh chats with the Technical Director for West Ottawa Soccer Club, Kwame Telemaque! Kwame is hugely accomplished, having played professionally in Belgium, Ireland and Portugal, and has coached teams across the city, eventually landing at West Ottawa, where he took over as Technical Director in the summer of 2021. We touch on his unique playing career, why Ottawa was the only place he wanted to land as a coach, League1 Ontario, and what it's like as an aspiring pro today versus when he was starting.   Also, Josh touches on the CanWNT Arnold Clark Cup roster update, Sadie Sider-Echenberg's NWSL call, and Antoine Coupland's new European contract.   Chat with Kwame starts at 5:15

In this episode, Jessie Porter-MacLennan of 613 Sports takes on co-hosting duties as she and Josh discuss the recent CPL x USports draft, as well as the 6 new signings that were announced in ONE DAY. PLUS -Draft surprises -Should Ottleti draft local? -Most important new signing -What comes next? -Should Ottleti have a mascot?

In this episode we're chatting with the Executive Director of the Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association, Vicki Lowe! If you're like me, you might not know much about your own district soccer association. For Ottawa, that's the EODSA. We're fixing that by chatting with Vicki to learn the ins and outs of the association. Vicki provides a great perspective as well on the state of the sport in the area, her dream for the CPL (and future women's league), and the challenge for adults looking to keep playing, or get back into soccer.   Chat with Vicki starts at 2:54 CCSG Draft Preview teaser at 26:09

*ahem* ONCE AGAIN, A VERY GOOD EPISODE IF YOU ARE A CPL TEAM   On this episode we're chatting with Jessie Porter-MacLennan, someone who knows the Carleton University men's soccer team better than anyone. Josh chats with Jessie about the Ravens' run in November's USports Men's National Championships, and who are the players you (and CPL teams) need to know about as we look ahead to the 2022 CPL-USports draft and the next Canadian Premier League season.   Chat with Jessie starts at 2:47

THIS EPISODE IS EXCELLENT FOR ANY CPL TEAM THAT CAN'T AFFORD SCOUTS   After a wee break, we visit this chat with 613 Sports' Eddie Benhin, who put on his scouting hat during the USports Mens National Championships (hosted by Carleton in late November), and he gives us his take on the players who impressed him, the "overagers" who should be straight-up signed by CPL teams, and who he thinks might be drafted in the upcoming CPL-USports draft.    1:42 - coach Mista leaves Ottleti, who is rumoured to replace him? 5:42 - chat with Eddie Benhin

The best university MSOC teams in Canada converge this week at Carleton for the 2021 National Championships. On this episode we have Jayden Dill, writer for Carleton newspaper The Charlatan, to chat about the Ravens 2021 regular season, who are the favourites heading into the tournament, and what the Ravens chances are.   Chat with Jayden starts at 2:26

The uOttawa Gee-Gee's 2021 season came to an end on November 6 at the hands of rivals Queen's in their OUA Semi-Final. The Fulcrum's Jasmine McKnight covered the Gee-Gee's season and joins Josh to talk about the highs and lows for the team in 2021, the future of leader Emma Lefebvre, and looking ahead to 2022.   Chat with Jasmine starts at 5:26

Dylon Powley is the starting goalie for Atletico Ottawa, and he's also the guest for this episode! Josh asks Dylon how he went from wanting to be a striker to becoming a goalie, how talks are going regarding #RecognizePFACan, and what kind of cake he had for his birthday (he just turned 25!)

It's end-of-summer tournament time for all the kiddos, so we're chatting with the Executive Director of the Gloucester Dragons, Bill Coleman! You may know the Dragons as the program where Jonathan David got his start. We talk about their Soccer Days weekend tournament coming up on the last weekend of August, as well as all things Dragons, and the challenges of keeping soccer affordable and accessible to all families.   Also, Josh has calmed down after Atletico Ottawa's 4-0 loss to Forge FC on Wednesday. Should head coach Mista be canned? Listen to hear Josh's take.   Interview with Bill starts at 6:02

In this episode we chatted with Ottawa's Miranda Smith as she started her second professional season, this year playing in Akureyri, Iceland. We get to know her a bit, and talk about her university career, which took her from the University of Memphis to uOttawa, with whom she won a University World Cup!   Josh also talks a bit of Atletico Ottawa's first two home games. Who does he think made a brave call on Wednesday?   Chat with Miranda starts at 6:22 mark

Ottawa South United is one of Canada's largest regional soccer clubs, and they recently announced they'll be building a new clubhouse at George Nelms Park in Manotick. Josh took the occasion to learn more about OSU itself from club president Bill Michalopoulos. Bill and Josh chat about OSU's mantra, what a new clubhouse means, return-to-play, and the clubs ambitions for the future.   *Interview with Bill starts at 5:35*

Back from nine weeks training in Spain, Atletico Ottawa midfielders Chris Manella and Antoine Coupland are both former Fury FC teammates, and are now roommates in the Canadian Premier League's Winnipeg-based bubble, dubbed "The Kickoff". Each team will play 8 games there before returning to their home markets.   Among other things, Josh asks Chris and Antoine about their experiences in Spain, Chris' commitment to the 'Playing for Pride' initiative, and Antoine graduating from high school! Did one of his teammates play the role of his principal while in Spain? Find out!

What do you do as a brand new supporters group for a club that has yet to play a single game at home? Start creating content, for fans, by fans. That's been the mantra for the new Capital City Supporters Group, which hopes to cheer on Atletico Ottawa in person for the first time later this year. We chat with group founder Daniel Duff, as well as prominent members Eddie Benhin and Thomas Stockting, about the club, their goals and their recent 2021 Atletico Ottawa Season Preview show, available to watch on YouTube. We even squeak in some season predictions at the end!

We're back! On this episode, Josh chats with former uOttawa Gee-Gee goalkeeper Margot Shore, who now plays professionally with Lecce in Italy. They chat about moving from the NCAA to uSports, winning the first ever FISU Women's World Cup, and her experience so far living and playing professionally in southern Italy.   Reviewing new CPL kits - starts at 2:49 Interview with Margot Shore - starts at 8:59

We'll, Ontario is under a stay-at-home order, and even playgrounds are now closed, but should they?   Dr. Tracy Vaillancourt, also a prominent coach for Ontario Soccer, wrote an op-ed for the Globe and Mail advocating that kids need to be able to play and be physically active. It's an important read, and a great chat!   Interview starts at 2:45

This week we have the pride of Stittsville, Ontario, Clarissa Larisey! Clarissa plays forward for the University of Memphis and has been tearing it up in the NCAA. Josh chats with her about pizza toppings, good bridges and TikTok dances.   Prior to that chat, Josh lists 10 cities near Ottawa he hopes get pro soccer, for road trip purposes.   3:07 - Josh's nearby CPL expansion wishlist 9:30 - chat with Clarissa Larisey

Packed episode featuring chats with Eddie Benhin, co-founder of 613 Sports, and Nic Ryan, Director of Ticketing with Atletico Ottawa!   Eddie talks about founding 613 Sports and the growth of the website; pro soccer in Ottawa; and he and Josh solve the Hans Island Dispute.   Then, Nic joins the show to talk about the new "Powered by Atletico" program, open to all regional clubs in Ottawa, and then we get into a bit of talk about Atletico's roster for the upcoming season.   Eddie starts at - 2:22 Nic starts at - 29:17

In the debut of The Stepover Podcast, Josh chats with Atlético Ottawa's first ever USports draft pick Cris Malekos, as well as Cris' coach at Carleton University, Kwesi Loney. They chat about why fans should get excited to see Cris in action, pathways available to players in Ottawa, and most importantly, what's in Kwesi's cup?   Points of interest: 3:38 - What is a CPL developmental contract? 5:56 - Start of interview with Cris and Kwesi  

A new soccer podcast for Canada's capital! We'll talk all things soccer in Ottawa, chat with players and people building the sport in this city.