Podcasts about usl

On this episode of the Breakaway Podcast, Republic Midfielder Memo Rodriguez joins Connor in talking about his recent move to Sacramento and his career so far, in and out of the USL.

Rhode Island FC heads to South Carolina to take on the Charleston Battery in USL Championship action. Can they repeat the earlier success this season in a place they've found relative success or will the sins of last week's result haunt this team as they attempt to regain form and fight for the right to a USL playoff berth. Beyond the preview, we take a look at the schedule toughness ahead for the amber and blue, plus new players arriving and is another football team coming to Centreville Bank Stadium?

OC zieht die Reißleine  So kurz vor den Playoffs, muss jede Entscheidung sitzen. Um den Sprung in die Top 4 zu schaffen, entließ Orange County den Trainer. Anne und Wulf geben dazu ihre Meinung ab Acht Tore, drei Startelfen  Bei Birmingham vs New Mexico gab es acht Tore und drei Startelfen. Wie es dazu kam, fassen Anne und Wulf zusammen. Traumhaftes Sarasota  Sarasota Paradise war wohl DER Überraschungssieger am vergangenen Wochenende. Wie es dazu kam, erzählen Anne und Wulf. Um den USL Podcast noch besser und interessanter zu machen, freuen wir uns natürlich sehr über Rückmeldungen, Meinungen, Feedback oder Kritik. Auch Themenvorschläge, die ihr in künftigen Folgen ... Dieser Podcast wird vermarktet von der Podcastbude.www.podcastbu.de - Full-Service-Podcast-Agentur - Konzeption, Produktion, Vermarktung, Distribution und Hosting.Du möchtest deinen Podcast auch kostenlos hosten und damit Geld verdienen?Dann schaue auf www.kostenlos-hosten.de und informiere dich.Dort erhältst du alle Informationen zu unseren kostenlosen Podcast-Hosting-Angeboten. kostenlos-hosten.de ist ein Produkt der Podcastbude.

Send us Fan Mail                           Welcome to the GP Soccer Podcast!  (S15 E3)Proud member of the Sports History Network and endorsed by the National                                                  Soccer Coaches Association of Canada.     Host Giovanni Pacini welcomes his worldwide audience to yet another exciting episode of the GP Soccer Podcast! Season 15 is underway...let's go!This week's "Conversation with the Coach" is with Steve DeBenedictis, Head of Scouting for the Las Vegas Lights of the USL. "Coaches Corner" features Geno Auriemma, Head Women's Basketball Coach at the University of Connecticut where he talks about "how success happens". "News and Analysis" will feature Giovanni Pacini with news from the AP and Ralph Ferrigno checks in with commentary about early American pioneers in English football. The "American Soccer Revolution" features audio from Coerver Soccer regarding the importance of players getting a lot of touches.  The GP Soccer Podcast features new shows every Wednesday and can be found anywhere you listen to your podcasts. Listeners are encouraged to "Like" and "Subscribe" the GP Soccer Podcast and share the show amongst those within their social media network! Those interested in advertising on the show can contact host Giovanni Pacini at gp4soccer@yahoo.com. And be sure to check out the show website at www.gpsoccerpodcast.com.                     GP Soccer Podcast enjoys continued support from-United Goalkeeping Alliance - Music Meets Sports - National Soccer Coaches Association of Canada - The Sports History Network - Feedspot.com - GP Voice Over Services Be sure to pick up Giovanni Pacini's new book- "The Importance of Unstructured Free Play: Coaching with a Street Soccer Mentality". Available on Amazon.Enjoy the show!Support the show

Last night's defeat to Detroit was definitely disappointing and has pretty substantial implications for our home playoff aspirations. Let's discuss it and see if it impacts how we feel about the #Riverhounds playing in FNB during the #USL postseason. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's next for oil, gold and copper as geopolitical risks reshape commodity markets? (1:00) - What Impact Does The War Have On Crude Prices? (5:30) - How Do Contago And Backwardation Impact Performance? (8:40) - USCF Oil ETF Suite: USO, USL, BNO (12:30) - How Is The War Impacting Refined Products? (15:35) - Breaking Down The Recent Copper Supply Constraints (18:50) - USCF Investments Copper ETF Suite: CPER, CPXR (20:25) - Breaking Down Gold's Recent Performance (22:45) - USCF Gold Strategy Plus Income ETF: USG (24:40) - Should Investors Consider Commodity ETFs For Their Portfolio? (27:45) - Episode Roundup: UGA, GLDM, IAUM         Podcast@Zacks.com

Die USL macht wichtige Schritte  In der USL gab es zwei größere Bekanntgaben, welche die Stabilität der Ligen erhöhen sollten, Welche das sind, fassen Anne und Wulf zusammen. Das selbe Tor nochmal  Bei Loudoun vs Colorado Springs gab es viele Tore und seltsamerweise das selbe Tor gleich mehrmals. Wie es dazu kam, erzählen Anne und Wulf. Charlotte trabt davon  Im Duell von Charlotte und Westchester mangelte es nicht an Toren, dafür aber an guten Verteidigern. Wie viele Tore für die 650 Zuschauer herabregneten, berichten Anne und Wulf. Um den USL Podcast noch besser und interessanter zu machen, freuen wir uns natürlich sehr über Rückmeldungen, Meinungen, Feedback oder ... Dieser Podcast wird vermarktet von der Podcastbude.www.podcastbu.de - Full-Service-Podcast-Agentur - Konzeption, Produktion, Vermarktung, Distribution und Hosting.Du möchtest deinen Podcast auch kostenlos hosten und damit Geld verdienen?Dann schaue auf www.kostenlos-hosten.de und informiere dich.Dort erhältst du alle Informationen zu unseren kostenlosen Podcast-Hosting-Angeboten. kostenlos-hosten.de ist ein Produkt der Podcastbude.

In this episode of State of the Republic, we talk about Sacramento Republic FC's 1–0 win over Detroit City FC! After three consecutive ties, Republic finally gets back in the win column and picks up three much-needed points. We break down the Detroit City match, talk about the result, and look at what this win means for Sacramento as the regular season continues to wind down. Next up, it's another matchup with San Antonio FC — or, as we call them on the podcast, Uncle Ruckus. We preview the upcoming game and talk about what Republic will need to do to come away with another result. We also discuss VAR coming to the USL Cup and what it could mean for the competition, plus more Sacramento Republic FC and USL news! Intro/Outro Music: "The Descent" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Podcast Winner Dinner Music: The following music was used for this media project: Fliegen by Sascha Ende Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2936-fliegen License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Golazos of Gratitude Music: The following music was used for this media project: Music: Nice Light Of Happiness by MusicLFiles Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7421-nice-light-of-happiness License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Image: Sac Republic Support State of the Republic by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/state-of-the-republic

I sit down with Rhode Island and Ipswich Town owner Brett Johnson to discuss the translantic growth of the game.We discuss the joys of promotion and relegation with Ipswich, Ed Sheeran's authentic love of the club and spending to stay up.He tells us about taking Rhode Island to an Eastern Conference crown, the growth of the game in America and why the USL has got the model right.Brett also talks about the World Cup, developing young players and his favourite games to watch.

We sit down with Neil McNab—President and Executive Director at Georgia Soccer and Executive Director for Rush Union. Drawing on his experience as a former professional player (Manchester City youth, Portsmouth F.C., USL), state association leader, and club director, Neil offers a unique perspective on the massive changes reshaping American youth soccer.In this episode, we explore U.S. Soccer's landmark integration of U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) into a unified national framework starting September 1, 2026. Neil breaks down how state associations and local clubs are navigating the transition through 2028, the impact on player identification, and how streamlined governance can lower costs for families while clearing pathways for college-bound athletes.Discussion HighlightsGuest Background: Neil's journey from English professional football to leading state and club soccer in Georgia.The Big News: Reactions to the U.S. Soccer and USYS integration starting September 1, 2026.State Association Impact: How 54 State Associations, including Georgia Soccer, fit into the new single-governance framework.College Recruitment & Pathways: How unifying 2.7 million registered players streamlines scouting, reduces league fragmentation, and clarifies player progression.Cost & Accessibility: Practical ways aligned governance cuts administrative overhead to make club soccer more affordable.Looking Ahead to 2028: What leaders, directors, and coaches need to prioritize during the two-year rollout window.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Rainy Day Nostalgia00:24 The Influence of Jack Handy and SNL01:35 High School Season and Recruitment Challenges02:45 College Coach Perspective on High School Season07:34 Integration of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer08:04 Implications of Integration for Youth Sports10:04 Fragmentation in Youth Soccer Governance13:19 Unified System and Talent Identification21:12 US Soccer's Influence and Collaboration23:39 Understanding AYSO and Its Role23:43 Soccer Organizations and Governance25:04 Consolidation and Standardization30:53 Soccer in Schools Initiative33:26 Youth Soccer Participation and Governance40:15 Cost and Value Perceptions in Elite Leagues45:01 Collaboration and Local Impact47:00 Preparing for Integration

It's a threesome this week as Jason is joined by old friend of the show Jonathan Tannenwald (The Philadelphia Inquirer) and new friend of the show Alex Shephard (The New Republic, Golden Goal) to talk about the upcoming USMNT camp. As always, there's plenty of discussion about how Pochettino goes about his job and what that means for the future of the USMNT. If you like the show, give TBSS a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts. It helps the show grow. You can get bonus content, like Jason's playthrough of FIFA 18: The Journey by signing up for The Best Soccer Show on Patreon. For much more on the USL news that we opened the show with, be sure to check out Jason's other project, Morning Kickaround on YouTube or podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rhode Island FC head to Florida to take on Sporting Jacksonville in USL Championship action on the weekend. We unpack what has happened between these two teams at the beginning of the season and examine what 20 games in between has done for both sides. Can RIFC flip the script and close the gap on a home playoff berth against a team that has allowed 60 goals this year or will Sporting Jax have other ideas arriving to the game in their best form ever? Plus we've got USL news, USLPA news, and everything in between.

With the USL proposing to implement promotion and relegation by 2028, there's been plenty talk of whether the country is ready for such a massive change to the soccer landscape. To help us discuss the topic, we bring back one of our favorite soccer creators in the game, Adi Azran! (02:57) Adi's post-World Cup experience (12:09) Daejon Love and scammers across sports (19:42) Will pro/rel move the needle in American soccer? (46:08) What's next for Adi Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producers: Roy Cho & Allen Paez Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook. #ad For any personal injuries ranging from car and truck accidents to wrongful death or property damage, call David Sandoval (tag social media account) from the Law Offices of Kim, Au, and Associates at 323-793-2122. Be sure to tell him Urban Pitch sent you!#adventure For any personal injuries ranging from car and truck accidents to wrongful death or property damage, call David Sandoval (tag social media account) from the Law Offices of Kim, Au, and Associates at 323-793-2122. Be sure to tell him Urban Pitch sent you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alyson Habetz: Coming Home to Lead Louisiana Softball with Faith, Purpose and Heart Alyson Habetz, head coach of Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball, joins Discover Lafayette to share the remarkable journey that brought her from the baseball fields of Crowley to collegiate and professional competition, a 25-year coaching career at the University of Alabama, and ultimately back home to lead the program where her softball story began. We were honored to have legendary coach Yvette Girouard join us for this conversation. Girouard founded the Ragin' Cajuns softball program and coached Alyson during her years as a student-athlete at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Their affection for one another, their competitive spirit, and their deep love for Louisiana softball shone throughout the interview. A Childhood Built Around Baseball Alyson grew up in Crowley as the youngest of eight children. With four older brothers who played baseball and a father who coached the sport, the ballpark felt like home from her earliest years. “It was the sport in the house. I just fell in love with it at a very early age.” She began playing T-ball at age seven as the only girl on an otherwise all-boys team. Because she had grown up playing alongside the same boys, Alyson recalls that her teammates accepted her based on the things that mattered to them: “Can she hit? Can she throw? All right, let's go.” At age ten, Alyson met Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda at Blackham Coliseum. She asked him to autograph her glove, and despite members of the media pressing him to move along, Lasorda stayed, signed the glove, spoke with her, and gave her his business card. Alyson wrote to him, and he answered every letter. The two became lifelong friends, with Lasorda signing his letters, “Love, your adopted uncle Tom Lasorda.” He also saw something in Alyson that she did not yet see in herself. “He told me a long time ago I was going to be a coach,” she recalls. “I'm like, no, I'm going to law school. I'll be an attorney.” Fighting for the Right to Play When Alyson entered Notre Dame High School in Crowley, the school did not have a softball team. She expected to continue playing baseball with the boys she had competed alongside for years, but she was told Louisiana rules did not permit girls to play on boys' teams. Her coach and principal sought an exception, but the request was denied. On the ride home from Baton Rouge, Alyson's father told her the family would support her if she wanted to challenge the rule in court. She agreed, beginning a legal battle that lasted roughly two years. The original ruling went against her, but her attorneys appealed. Alyson was sitting in class near the end of her sophomore year when her coach received the news: “Aly, by the way, they changed the rule. You can play.” Alyson went on to play baseball during her junior and senior years, becoming the first female in Louisiana to play high school baseball and earning all-district honors as a pitcher and first baseman. She was also an all-state basketball player and the salutatorian of Notre Dame's 1990 graduating class. Discovering Softball at USL Alyson came to USL on a basketball scholarship and eventually became a member of the 1,000-point club. One day, while walking across campus, she noticed what looked to her like “this miniature baseball field” and learned that walk-on tryouts were being held for fast-pitch softball. With her basketball coach's permission, she showed up and met head coach Yvette Girouard and assistant coach Patrick Murphy. Alyson told them she played first base, then positioned herself behind the bag as she would have in baseball. Girouard quickly corrected her: “This isn't baseball, girl. You’ve got to play way up here for the slappers.” The larger ball, underhand delivery, different release point, and defensive positioning required an adjustment. Still, Girouard immediately recognized Alyson's ability. “She was a natural,” Girouard says. “We knew she was making the team.” Alyson competed in both basketball and softball, at times traveling extraordinary distances to meet the obligations of both teams. She also excelled academically, earning Academic All-America recognition while majoring in communications. Her softball career included third-team All-America honors and a place on the 1993 team that made the program's first appearance in the Women's College World Series. Alyson vividly remembers walking onto the field in Oklahoma City and seeing a sea of Ragin' Cajuns fans. “There are no fans like the Ragin' Cajun fans.” As other teams were eliminated, many of their supporters became Cajun fans, drawn to the warmth of the Louisiana contingent, the food shared in the parking lot, and the Mardi Gras beads handed out by supporters. Girouard remembers that first World Series appearance just as clearly: “Till the day I die, even if I have Alzheimer's, I think I will remember that.” For Alyson, reaching the World Series also meant helping Girouard realize the dream she had built from the ground up. “You just wanted it for her because she was a Louisiana girl. She's a Cajun and she built the program.” Professional Baseball and 25 Years at Alabama After college, Alyson returned to baseball. She pitched for the Colorado Silver Bullets, an all-women's professional baseball team managed by Hall of Famer Phil Niekro. Alyson spent three years with the Silver Bullets, barnstorming across the country and playing in major league parks, before joining the Long Beach Aces as a pitcher and first baseman, for which Tommy Lasorda helped open the door for her tryout. When Patrick Murphy became head coach at the University of Alabama, he called Alyson and asked her to help build the young softball program. She planned to stay only a couple of years before returning home for law school. Instead, she remained for 25 years. “I never thought coaching would fill me so much. They're away from home for the first time, you're just a part of their journey. And I love the game. Having an impact on college athletes, it was special.” Alabama had no softball stadium when Alyson arrived. The team played at a city park, set up portable outfield fences, and even sprayed ant piles before games. Alyson and Murphy helped build the program into a national power. Their Alabama teams won six SEC regular-season titles, five SEC Tournament championships, advanced to 14 Women's College World Series, and captured the 2012 national championship, the first in SEC history. The Call to Come Home Alyson stepped away from coaching after the 2023 season following her father's death. Her parents had been married for 65 years, and she felt called to return home and care for her mother. Although leaving Alabama was difficult, she found purpose in spending that time with her mom. When the Louisiana head coaching position opened in 2024 with the departure of Coach Gerry Glasco, her phone starting ringing. Alyson's answer was repeatedl ‘no.’ She had retired for a reason, and she had never aspired to become a head coach. While driving across the Atchafalaya Basin one day, however, she began to wonder whether the job might actually be good for her mother, giving her games to attend and something joyful to anticipate. Still anxious about the decision, Alyson drove directly to the Adoration Chapel at St. Michael's in Crowley to pray. She ultimately felt that God was making the answer unmistakable. “I realized that faith is whenever you go out into the deep, into the scary stuff that you don't really think you can do, that you really trust Him.” Once she accepted, the anxiety gave way to peace. Louisiana officially named Alyson the fifth head coach in program history on June 25, 2024. Her return also created a beautiful gift for her family. The University opened a viewing panel in a suite at Lamson Park so Alyson's mother could sit in her recliner and watch her daughter coach. Building a Team with Equal Value and Equal Love Alyson is fiercely competitive and deeply aware of the standard established by Coach Girouard and sustained by generations of Cajun players and fans. Yet she does not want winning to come at the expense of the people entrusted to her. “I didn't want being a head coach to change me.” Her players are her “why.” She wants each young woman to leave the program as a better version of herself, whether she becomes an All-American or serves the team in other ways. With only nine athletes on the field, every team has more players waiting than playing. Alyson calls the willingness of those role players to put the team first a “death to self.” Their energy, observation, encouragement, and ability to help from the dugout can determine whether a team wins. “I will love and value and appreciate you, whether you're the pinch runner or you're the four-time All-American. It's equal value, equal love.” She begins with each player's fingerprint, a reminder that no one else who has ever lived has precisely the same one. If God is that intentional about a fingerprint, Alyson tells them, He is equally intentional about their gifts, talents, and opportunities. “If you're not here, guess what? The world misses out on a purpose and a greatness that only you can have.” That belief also helps young women resist the destructive comparison encouraged by social media. “Compare leads to despair,” Alyson says. When players become secure in their own gifts, they can experience genuine joy in a teammate's success. “That's when the magic happens.” Character is also central to recruiting. “If I make a mistake on a kid, I always want it to be on talent and not character,” Alyson says. She looks for versatile athletes, strong pitching, speed that can create chaos for a defense, and powerful hitters, but never apart from the character required to strengthen the entire team. Facing Breast Cancer with Faith In one of the interview's most personal moments, Alyson speaks candidly about her breast cancer diagnosis. She noticed something did not feel right during the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in May and promptly arranged a mammogram. An ultrasound and biopsy confirmed cancer. Even as she met with physicians and began treatment, Alyson remained focused on caring for her mother, protecting her players, and managing the critical transfer portal recruiting period. She initially told only a small circle of family members and colleagues because she did not want her mother, whom she describes as a worrier, to carry that fear. Alyson shares that her prognosis is good and that she has benefited from major advances in treatment. At the time of this interview, she had completed four of six planned chemotherapy treatments, with surgery and possible radiation to follow. She expressed profound gratitude for the patients and researchers whose journeys helped make today's treatments possible, as well as for the support of her physicians, family, friends, staff, and her dedicated “cold cap pit crew.” “There was no part of me that feels like I'm not getting through this and that anything's going to change.” Her faith remains the foundation beneath that confidence. Alyson finds peace in prayer, adoration, and daily Mass whenever possible. As she tells her players, “You don't want me without Jesus, I promise you.” A Cajun Story of Courage, Calling and Home Alyson's life has rarely followed the script she once imagined. She planned to play for the Dodgers and later attend law school. Instead, she helped change the rules for girls in Louisiana sports, became a two-sport college athlete, played professional baseball, helped build an SEC softball dynasty, and returned to Acadiana to lead a program that helped shape her. “None of my life has been my plan. But again, I could not have written the script any more beautifully and any more fulfilling.” We thank Coach Alyson Habetz for sharing her inspiring story with such openness, faith, and humor, and Coach Yvette Girouard for adding her priceless memories and perspective to this conversation. We wish Alyson continued healing and every success as she leads Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Softball into its next chapter. Learn more about Louisiana Softball, its coaches, schedule, tickets, and program news at RaginCajuns.com. Discover Lafayette is recorded at Rader Solutions Studios. Special thanks to our producer, Jason Sikora.

Charlotte FC has hit a fantastic stride ahead of a massive cross-conference showdown with the big orange machine. We welcome back another old friend, Mr. Lloyd Sam, who returns to CLT after a few years away to call this one for Apple. Danny and Lloyd break down the dominant win vs Atlanta, and dive into the matchup with Houston. Plus we've got a special shoutout to the Independence who are crushing it in USL and ignited the SportsPlex with 2 goals in stoppage time vs Portland Hearts of Pine. Soccer is Ascending!

Santa Barbara Sky verschwindet?  Anne und Wulf reden über die News der vergangenen Woche und müssen dabei über ein Team reden, dass man lange nicht mehr gehört hat. Doppeltes Glück für Jax  Sporting Jax spielte mit dem Männer und Frauenteam und gewann jeweils 3:2. Wie es dazu kam und ob die Siege verdient waren, erzählen Anne und Wulf. Das gestohlene Dach  Anne und Wulf berichten über die peinliche 1:5 Pleite vom Tabellenführer OC und sprechen über einen überraschenden Sieg von Naples. Um den USL Podcast noch besser und interessanter zu machen, freuen wir uns natürlich sehr über Rückmeldungen, Meinungen, Feedback oder Kritik. Auch Themenvorschläge, die ihr in ... Dieser Podcast wird vermarktet von der Podcastbude.www.podcastbu.de - Full-Service-Podcast-Agentur - Konzeption, Produktion, Vermarktung, Distribution und Hosting.Du möchtest deinen Podcast auch kostenlos hosten und damit Geld verdienen?Dann schaue auf www.kostenlos-hosten.de und informiere dich.Dort erhältst du alle Informationen zu unseren kostenlosen Podcast-Hosting-Angeboten. kostenlos-hosten.de ist ein Produkt der Podcastbude.

For nearly 25 years, Leonard Louviere has been one of the most familiar faces in Lafayette's restaurant community, serving as general manager and an investor in Zea Rotisserie & Bar. But Leonard's story in hospitality began long before Zea opened its doors in Lafayette. In this episode of Discover Lafayette, Leonard joins Jan Swift to share his journey from working in restaurants, bars and hotels while attending USL, to spending 15 years overseeing food and beverage operations at the Cajundome, and ultimately taking a leap of faith that would shape the next chapter of his life. This is a special edition of Discover Lafayette in partnership with Lafayette Travel and Eat Lafayette. We thank them for their support! “I ended up loving working in restaurants,” Leonard recalled of his college years. “The people I worked with, we worked hard. We were paying our way through everything, including school, and it was always in me to do that.” From the Cajundome to Zea After graduating from USL, Leonard briefly went into construction, building a few spec houses, but he knew food and beverage was where he belonged. The newly built Cajundome offered that opportunity. Leonard initially applied for an assistant food and beverage position and was invited to work one night as something of an audition. Several people were being considered. By the end of the week, management told him, “Nobody worked like you. We want you to come and do this.” That one-night opportunity turned into a 15-year career at the Cajundome, where Leonard eventually became food and beverage director. His next chapter began at a restaurant industry show in Chicago, where Bryan McLain, owner of Louisiana Market, introduced Leonard to the men behind the Taste Buds: Gary Darling, Greg Reggio and Hans Limburg. The longtime friends and business partners had created Semolina and were developing a newer concept, Zea. McLain had a Lafayette building. The Taste Buds had the restaurant concept. Leonard had deep roots in Lafayette, restaurant experience, and the desire to invest and work. Within about a week, they decided to make it happen. Leonard didn’t just take a management position. He invested his life savings in the Lafayette restaurant. “I was scared,” he admits. But nearly 25 years later, that leap of faith has more than paid off. The “Magic” of the Zea Menu So how does Leonard describe Zea’s food? It isn’t easily placed into one category. The menu reflects influences from around the world, but Leonard says there are Southern flavors and seasonings woven throughout, whether it’s the Thai ribs, Asian almond shrimp or corn grits. And four dishes stand above the rest. “The magic. It's Thai ribs, corn grits, Asian almond shrimp, spinach salad.” “We can’t make recipes that incredible again,” Leonard says. “We’ll never lose those four.” Consistency is critical to Zea’s success. Recipes are followed precisely, from the ingredients and proportions in the spinach salad to the preparation of every entrée. Kitchen employees are trained to meet exact specifications because a guest should receive the same dish each time they visit. Interestingly, Leonard readily admits that he doesn’t cook. What he does know how to do is hire people who are better than he is at what they do. He points to longtime kitchen manager Heath Lemoine, who has been with him for 24 years, and a management team whose members have worked together for more than two decades. “I hire people better than me,” Leonard says. “It is the reason I have succeeded.” Building a Culture Where People Stay Long-term employees can be unusual in the restaurant industry, but at Zea Lafayette, Leonard’s management team has remained remarkably stable. “We truly do love each other, without a doubt,” he says. That doesn’t mean a busy restaurant isn’t intense. It is. But Leonard draws a clear distinction between the urgency surrounding food and service and the way employees treat one another. Respect remains paramount. When hiring, Leonard says character and personality often matter more than experience. “You have to be a nice person. You have to want to deal with the public.” Employees need a sense of urgency, an understanding of teamwork, and a genuine desire to serve others. When something goes wrong with a guest, Leonard doesn’t want employees explaining or making excuses. He wants them asking a simple question: “How can I fix this?” Leonard believes everyone would benefit from working as a restaurant server for six months. Why? Because serving teaches you how demanding it can be to work with the public, how to put someone else’s needs first, and what hospitality really means. “I’m a servant. I invested my life savings, I’ve done well, but that’s all I am. I serve people. That’s it.” A Long-Awaited Transformation For nearly a decade, Leonard pushed his partners to make a major investment in the Lafayette Zea. He wanted a larger, more functional bar and a restaurant that felt fresh, comfortable and exciting. Eventually, his partners agreed, and architect Kirby Pécot helped create the dramatic renovation and expansion that guests see today. The bar was moved to the front and greatly expanded, additional seating and private dining areas were created, and acoustic panels were installed to reduce noise and make conversation easier. Leonard says the multimillion-dollar investment has delivered exactly what he believed it would: sales have increased by approximately 25 percent since the expansion. The Lafayette restaurant now employs about 150 people, up from approximately 95 before the expansion, and receives roughly 70 employment applications each week. The expansion also gives Zea more flexibility for gatherings and private events. Leonard says the restaurant has spaces capable of accommodating everything from small groups of 12 to larger events of 50 or 60 people. Creating Good Employees What is the most difficult part of running a restaurant today? Leonard didn’t say finding employees. He said, “Helping employees develop self-esteem.” His goal is to help people become proud of their work, recognize their own value and learn to do the right thing even when no one is watching. “Our one and only job is to create self-esteem for our employees.” Leonard uses a simple example in employee orientation. If he walks through the parking lot at midnight and sees trash, he picks it up because it will still be there tomorrow if he doesn’t. “Do the right thing even when no one is looking,” he tells his team. He encourages employees to learn additional positions, work harder and become more valuable so they can advance to shift leader, part-time manager and beyond. It is a philosophy that turns the conventional restaurant-industry complaint about finding good employees on its head. Leonard is focused on creating good employees by giving them an environment in which they can grow. Hospitality Extends Beyond the Restaurant Leonard’s commitment to serving others doesn’t end when he leaves Zea. For approximately 24 years, he has supported Hospice of Acadiana, including hosting a Good Friday crawfish boil at his home that most recently drew about 225 people and raised approximately $8,000 for Hospice. He also volunteers each Tuesday in Hospice of Acadiana’s Food with Love kitchen, working alongside Kent Zeringue and other volunteers to prepare approximately 750 meals for hospice patients. Delivery volunteers then bring those meals directly to patients. “I like to gather people together and do things,” Leonard says. That is true in his personal life as well. He loves entertaining at his home, eating out at local restaurants, listening to live music, dancing and especially zydeco. “I love a good zydeco band and I love a place to go and dance, without a doubt.” His love for gathering people together may be the thread connecting everything Leonard Louviere does, from his backyard to his volunteer work to a bustling dining room at Zea. “You Have to Love Every Aspect of It” For anyone dreaming of opening a restaurant, Leonard offers a dose of reality. Loving to cook isn’t enough. “You have to love every aspect of it,” he says. That means schedules, employees, long nights, teamwork, criticism, financial pressures and the intense first months of a new restaurant. Adequate capital is essential, as is experience actually working in hospitality. Most importantly, Leonard says, you need a team. “You have to hire people better than you that can do a lot of things because you can’t do it all.” After decades in the hospitality business, Leonard Louvierre still works nights and weekends, still eats Zea’s food, still walks the dining room checking on guests, and still sees himself first and foremost as someone there to serve. (Photo by Robin May.) And perhaps that explains why Zea has become more than simply a successful Lafayette restaurant. Under Leonard’s leadership, it has become a gathering place where generations of Acadiana families return, employees build careers, and hospitality is rooted in something remarkably simple: “Be kind. Treat people with respect. Do the right thing when no one is looking. And take care of the people who walk through your door.” For more information and to order their delicious food, visit https://zearestaurants.com/location/lafayette/.

Today is the ESPN Fantasy Football Marathon is officially upon us, and USL is thinking about doing a knockout league. Also, the Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson their starter. Is that the right call? Why didn't they go with Shedeur Sanders? Where does Cleveland go from here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today is the ESPN Fantasy Football Marathon is officially upon us, and USL is thinking about doing a knockout league. Also, the Cleveland Browns named Deshaun Watson their starter. Is that the right call? Why didn't they go with Shedeur Sanders? Where does Cleveland go from here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Crew returns to the tunnel and immediately spends valuable recording time deciding what Europeans call American football, questioning the NFL's overseas ambitions and proposing a 20-round, all-time Detroit City FC fantasy draft destined to end with someone selecting an MPSL backup fullback from 2013. Serious preparation continues to define Channel 4:51.Jam survives Tulsa, oppressive humidity and life as a self-described dehydrated queen. Rhys Williams' family carries the away section, Le Rouge finally beats FC Tulsa and Darren Smith supplies another winning goal.Then Detroit returns home and lays an egg against Loudoun United. The Crew examines the scoreless draw, the crowded Eastern Conference table and DCFC's continuing dependence on Smith. Detroit owns one of the league's best defenses, yet no teammate has scored more than two league goals. Potential loan help receives a cautious welcome following several forgettable attempts from past seasons.First-place Tampa Bay visits Keyworth next, producing predictions ranging from a 2-0 Rowdies victory to a bold 1-0 Detroit win. Haruki Yamazaki continues getting kicked across every USL stadium, Carlos Herrera keeps Detroit alive and everyone searches for a secondary scoring option.Jam also shares details about the NGS Cares clothing drive supporting Sundays in Cass, plus an upcoming Freedom House community cleanup. The shoutouts cover Frank Lampard, Coventry City's mysterious Detroit connection, a 1970 match at Keyworth, the missing Dennis, the women's Black Arrow winner, Garret and Tunnel Talk's growing audience in Burma.It's Tunnel Talk: serious soccer analysis after twelve minutes of pointy-ball discourse and several avoidable detours.

From the burbs of Chicago, Jack Turachnik joined to talk about his journey through the Chicago Fire Academy, College Soccer, and now MLS Next Director at Central Illinois United, as well as the USL 2 Springfield FC Head Coach. From pathway to merging a region, to the current MLS development landscape and more... Let's Go!!! #illinois #centralillinois #soccer #mlsnext #academysoccer #usl2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neue Teams & alte Probleme  In der USL wird es bald ein Team auf Long Island geben. Was man darüber wissen muss und welche Kritiken daran aufkamen, fassen Anne und Wulf zusammen. Westchester siegt  Westchester siegt nicht gerade häufig. Doch plötzlich führten sie 3:0. Wie es dazu kam und wie der erste Spieltag in der Super League lief, berichten Anne und Wulf. Copa Tejas Dominanz  In der USL Championship fand das letzte Spiel in der Copa Tejas statt. Wie sich El Paso in San Antonio schlug, diskutieren Anne und Wulf. Um den USL Podcast noch besser und interessanter zu machen, freuen wir uns natürlich sehr über Rückmeldungen, ... Dieser Podcast wird vermarktet von der Podcastbude.www.podcastbu.de - Full-Service-Podcast-Agentur - Konzeption, Produktion, Vermarktung, Distribution und Hosting.Du möchtest deinen Podcast auch kostenlos hosten und damit Geld verdienen?Dann schaue auf www.kostenlos-hosten.de und informiere dich.Dort erhältst du alle Informationen zu unseren kostenlosen Podcast-Hosting-Angeboten. kostenlos-hosten.de ist ein Produkt der Podcastbude.

Q of the Day - Coaches what is more important to you? Confidence, or Successful Actions despite lack of confidence? On Today's Podcast Bill Reno and Michael Magid discuss Ted Lasso Season 4 and how it's the best representation of a GK's EQ profile than in prior seasons.  Then they briefly discuss who will be Spurs #1 and the beginning of the EPL season this week.  Then they compare and contrast goalkeeping development in USL vs the 1st years of NWSL? Then they breakdown how back to the bar and distribution actions have evolved in the last 10 years.  Finally they discuss Julian Eyestone's move to Ligue 2. Great listen for young coaches, players and parents!! Download the Union GK community on Apple or Google Play Stores for more! *If you want us to come to your town to do a live show, or want to collab in some fashion or train in LA or virtually ; all you've got to do is DM us @goalkeeperpodcast on all platforms & tell us what you've got in mind! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of 9x90™, former NFL player turned Private Equity Titan: Kyle Auffray unpacks the massive financial upside of sports-anchored commercial real estate with Adi Soozin. For CRE titans, Auffray reveals how partnering with expanding leagues like the USL or leveraging university NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) programs allows developers to build high-yield, mixed-use assets where they completely control their own foot traffic—eliminating the reliance on external drivers that traditional hospitality faces. Beyond domestic developments, Auffray breaks down his current $1.7 billion sports and wellness project in Roaton, and details why integrating zero-CAPEX solar infrastructure over massive stadium parking lots is the ultimate lever for instantly driving Net Operating Income (NOI).A special thank you to our sponsor, National Energy Holdings.For the empire builders and developers looking to execute on this exact strategy, National Energy Holdings is the premier firm engineering, constructing, and operating energy infrastructure for commercial real estate. By utilizing highly profitable 80/20 revenue-share models over 25-year terms, they navigate the technical complexities so you can instantly transform your existing physical footprint into a high-yield energy asset without the standard operational friction.

Monterey montereyt  Die NY Cosmos haben einen kuriosen Einsatz von KI hinter sich. Das und wie es in Monterey läuft, fassen Anne und Wulf zusammen. Harmlose Wölfe  Im USL Cup fanden die Viertelfinal-Partien statt. Wie diese liefen und wie sich Omaha in Chattanooga schlug, berichten Anne und Wulf. Um den USL Podcast noch besser und interessanter zu machen, freuen wir uns natürlich sehr über Rückmeldungen, Meinungen, Feedback oder Kritik. Auch Themenvorschläge, die ihr in künftigen Folgen hören wollt, nehmen wir gern entgegen. Das könnt ihr gern bei Twitter unter den Hashtags #DerUSLPodcast und @Box2b machen oder uns auf Facebook unter United States Soccer News anschreiben. ... Dieser Podcast wird vermarktet von der Podcastbude.www.podcastbu.de - Full-Service-Podcast-Agentur - Konzeption, Produktion, Vermarktung, Distribution und Hosting.Du möchtest deinen Podcast auch kostenlos hosten und damit Geld verdienen?Dann schaue auf www.kostenlos-hosten.de und informiere dich.Dort erhältst du alle Informationen zu unseren kostenlosen Podcast-Hosting-Angeboten. kostenlos-hosten.de ist ein Produkt der Podcastbude.

Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor Justin Centanni joins Discover Lafayette to explain the duties of his office, how property values are determined, and what property owners need to know about the upcoming 15-day assessment review period. Justin is Lafayette Parish's 26th Tax Assessor, but his professional path to the office was anything but traditional. With a background in technology and data management, he previously worked in Washington, D.C., for the Department of Defense, helping develop software behind the military's smart identification cards. He later worked at IberiaBank, where he managed a team responsible for backend data integration, including platforms used to detect fraud and illicit banking activity in real time. Before becoming assessor, Justin served nine years as the District 6 representative on the Lafayette Parish School Board. Justin says public service was never something he envisioned for himself. He moved to Lafayette at 18 to attend USL and ultimately found that serving the community gave him an unexpected sense of purpose. “What I learned about myself and public service is that I do take a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction from helping solve problems, helping make decisions. I care a tremendous amount about Lafayette.” What Does the Tax Assessor Actually Do? One of the biggest misconceptions about the assessor's office is that it collects property taxes. It does not. The assessor's responsibility is to identify and value all property in Lafayette Parish. That seemingly simple mission involves an enormous amount of information. The office begins each year with the previous year's tax roll and continually updates it with information from municipalities, the Clerk of Court and other sources. Building permits reveal new construction and renovations. Conveyance records identify properties that have been sold or transferred. Appraisers visit properties where construction has been completed and determine when values need to be updated. And Lafayette gives them plenty to keep up with. Justin says approximately 15,000 properties transfer each year, including residential and commercial property, and more than 1,000 new buildings were constructed in the parish during the past year. Lafayette Parish currently has an approximately $3.3 billion assessed-value tax roll, representing a little more than $30 billion in market value. As Justin put it, those numbers tell an encouraging story about Lafayette's economy. He jokingly offered one particularly visible example: “We're building an $80 million gas station at Louisiana Avenue,” referring, of course, to Buc-ee's. How Your Property Value Is Determined For homeowners who have not substantially changed their property, assessments generally move according to what comparable homes in the neighborhood are selling for. The assessor's office examines neighborhood sales and establishes a price per square foot. Larger homes will therefore have a higher value than smaller homes, but comparable properties within the neighborhood are valued using a consistent methodology. Parishwide reassessments occur every four years. The last reassessment was in 2024, and the next will take place in 2028. Of course, Justin understands the eternal property owner’s dilemma: everybody wants a high appraisal when they are selling or refinancing their home and a low valuation when the property tax bill arrives. “Don't we all,” he laughed. “I'm no different.” August 17 Through 31, 2026: Assessment Review Period An important focus of our conversation was Lafayette Parish's 2026 Assessment Review Period, August 17 through August 31. Property owners whose assessments increased by 15 percent or more should have received notice from the assessor's office. But the review period is also an important opportunity for anyone who believes the assessor's office has incorrect information about their property. Justin explained that the most common type of error might be something as straightforward as incorrect square footage. If the assessor’s records show a 6,000-square-foot home when the home is actually 4,000 square feet, that error can significantly affect the tax bill. “If we have the square footage of your house incorrect…you should come in and you should tell us,” Justin said. The assessor's office can measure the property, correct its records and adjust the valuation accordingly. This first step is important. A taxpayer who wants to challenge an assessment must first meet with the assessor's office. The taxpayer and assessor attempt to reach agreement on the property’s proper assessed value. Evidence matters, and simply disagreeing with the valuation does not guarantee that it will be changed. If an agreement cannot be reached, the taxpayer can proceed to the next level of appeal before the Lafayette Parish Council, sitting as the Board of Review. But to preserve that right, Justin explained that the taxpayer must first have an in-person meeting with the assessor's office during the review period. Appointments can be made through the Lafayette Parish Assessor's website, https://lafayetteassessor.com/, and taxpayers can request the appropriate specialist depending upon whether their issue involves an appraisal, personal property, a property transfer or another matter. They may be contacted by phone at (337) 291-7080. Senior Freezes, Veterans and Homestead Exemptions The assessor's office interacts frequently with senior citizens, veterans, real estate professionals and families dealing with inherited property. Justin explained that qualifying homeowners over age 65 may obtain a special assessment level, commonly called the “senior freeze.” For 2026, he said the income threshold is less than $102,000 in adjusted gross income. An important distinction: the senior freeze freezes the property’s assessed value, not the amount of taxes owed. Millage rates can still affect the ultimate tax bill. Justin also explained that once a taxpayer qualifies, the income qualification does not have to be revalidated annually. Veterans may also qualify for special property tax exemptions, and the office regularly assists families after the death of a property owner. Justin shared that the office monitors obituaries and other data sources so ownership and homestead exemption records can be kept current. He also spoke candidly about the sensitivity required when contacting families shortly after a death. “We’re trying to interpret the law in the most compassionate way possible,” he said, while acknowledging that the office still has a legal duty to maintain accurate records. A Warning for Estate Planning Attorneys: Trusts and Homestead Exemptions Our conversation also ventured into an issue especially important for Louisiana attorneys and their clients: transferring a primary residence into a trust. Justin explained that a trust must be structured properly if the homeowner intends to retain the homestead exemption. Losing that exemption can have a cascading effect because special assessment levels, including a senior freeze, depend upon the existence of the homestead exemption. If a longtime homeowner inadvertently loses both the homestead exemption and senior freeze, the consequences can be substantial. Justin gave the example of a home whose value had been frozen since the 1990s suddenly having to be reassessed at its 2026 value. His office would much rather catch the problem before that happens. “We try to catch them and say, ‘Go back and redo this so that we don’t have to do this to your client, because I don’t think that’s what the client was looking to do.'” Justin encourages attorneys who have questions about how estate planning transactions may affect property tax exemptions to contact the assessor's office. The Mystery of Properties Nobody Can Find One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation involved something Justin never expected to encounter as assessor: properties on the tax roll that his office cannot definitively locate. Some parcels date back more than a century, when property descriptions might reference a road, a neighboring landowner or hand-drawn boundaries rather than today’s precise legal descriptions. Justin described one document dating to 1905 that identified surrounding tracts essentially by references to other family members' property, with no modern landmarks to pinpoint its location. Nevertheless, the property made it onto the tax roll, and someone continued paying the taxes for generations. “I never in a million years thought there would be property we didn’t know where it was,” Justin said. The problem becomes especially complicated when property has passed through generations without a succession and may now have a multitude of co-owners. Some rural timberland parcels generate only a tiny annual tax bill, so one family member may simply continue paying it year after year. Bringing the Assessor’s Office to the Public Justin is also looking for ways to make his office more accessible. The assessor's office is located at 213 West Vermilion Street in downtown Lafayette, in the former Capital One/Hub City Bank building. But Justin heard repeatedly from residents outside the city that driving downtown, finding parking and visiting the office could be inconvenient. That led to the creation of Parish Pop-Ups, where assessor’s office employees spend time in municipalities around Lafayette Parish helping residents with assessments, senior freezes and other property matters. One woman arrived at a recent pop-up before the staff had even officially begun for the day. She had been putting off applying for her senior freeze for years simply because she didn’t want to make the trip downtown. She arrived with her paperwork ready and was able to take care of it. For Justin, that is exactly the point. “We are really just trying to figure out ways that we can better serve the public and make it easier for them to interact with our office.” Where Do Your Property Taxes Actually Go? We also discussed something every property owner wonders about when that tax bill arrives: Where does the money go? Individual millages are levied for particular taxing bodies and, in many cases, dedicated to specific purposes. School Board millages support schools. Other millages support entities and services such as law enforcement, the health unit, mosquito control, the airport, libraries and municipal services. The assessor determines the taxable value, but the assessor does not decide the tax rate or determine how those tax dollars are spent. Those decisions belong to the respective governmental and taxing authorities. The assessor's website publishes annual “grand recaps,” reports required by the Louisiana Tax Commission that allow the public to see how much revenue is generated by the various millages throughout Lafayette Parish and its municipalities. To access the 2025 Annual Report, visit https://content.lafayetteassessor.com/uploads/LPAO_Annual_Report_2025_FINAL_181c88bc34.pdf Even Parish Lines Can Be Complicated Justin shared one final surprise that came with the job: disputes over exactly where Lafayette Parish ends and a neighboring parish begins. Some parish boundaries were historically defined by bayous and waterways, and those waterways may have shifted since the boundaries were established nearly two centuries ago. “My constitutional duty is to assess all property in my parish,” Justin explained. That means the assessor sometimes has to determine whether a particular piece of land actually sits in Lafayette Parish, even when another parish assessor may reach a different conclusion. As Justin joked about relying on modern technology to solve an old Louisiana boundary dispute, “Siri has an opinion, just like everybody else. Unfortunately, there's only 64 opinions that actually matter in this situation.” When Justin isn’t immersed in property values, data and parish boundaries, he is a voracious reader who enjoys spy novels and estimates he reads 30 to 35 books each year. His mornings typically begin with coffee, number puzzles and crossword puzzles, and when fall arrives, plenty of football enters the mix. Our thanks to Lafayette Parish Tax Assessor Justin Centanni for joining Discover Lafayette and giving us an inside look at an office that touches virtually every property owner in our parish.

It has been an interesting month in USL- from Oakland to Birmingham, from the Championship to League One and the Super League, Kaylor looks at everything that happened in the leagues in July...

It's a packed Wall Pass Wednesday on SDH AMWe spend a lot of time in Leagues Cup- especially in Leagues Cup After Dark with Tigres and Vancouver- a lot of highlights, post-match thoughts, and previews of Matchday 3, Day 2The USL Show's Kaylor Hodges also breaks down the month that was in USL- Championship and its issues, League One, and the return of the Super LeaguePlus, transfers reports including ATLUTD and a midfielder and the rest of your AM news

Clayton and Shaddock are back to talk SAFC! Ahead of a Prinx Cup home game Wednesday night against Miami, the squad fought to a 1-1 tie on the road at Louisville. A great goal, a great stadium, a great tie. It was a fun watch, and everything USL can be! We also preview Saturday nights home game against Dani Rojas's El Paso, where it'll be Family Night for the pod guys. Finally, free kicks about the USA U-20s and Little League baseball. Enjoy!

Waldbrände  Anne und Wulf fassen mal wieder die Neuigkeiten zusammen. Diesmal u.a. mit dabei: Waldbrände in Spokane, Ex HSV-Kapitäne in Sacramento, neue Stadien und Vermont. Torhagel im Derby  Bei Louisville und Tampa war einiges los. An Toren, Momenten und Spannung. Anne und Wulf fassen das Derby zusammen. Greenville triumphiert  Manchmal hat man Pech und manchmal hat man Unvermögen. Letzteres passierte den Hearts. Anne und Wulf berichten über ein sehr unnötiges 3:3 in South Carolina. Um den USL Podcast noch besser und interessanter zu machen, freuen wir uns natürlich sehr über Rückmeldungen, Meinungen, Feedback oder Kritik. Auch Themenvorschläge, die ihr in künftigen Folgen hören wollt, nehmen wir gern ... Dieser Podcast wird vermarktet von der Podcastbude.www.podcastbu.de - Full-Service-Podcast-Agentur - Konzeption, Produktion, Vermarktung, Distribution und Hosting.Du möchtest deinen Podcast auch kostenlos hosten und damit Geld verdienen?Dann schaue auf www.kostenlos-hosten.de und informiere dich.Dort erhältst du alle Informationen zu unseren kostenlosen Podcast-Hosting-Angeboten. kostenlos-hosten.de ist ein Produkt der Podcastbude.

Clayton and Shaddock are back to talk about Friday night's game under the lights. First: the World Cup is over and it's baseball season. Next, we review Friday's awesome 3-1 win over Indy XI. We returned to the stadium for a night out with our World Cup Pick Four Winner (and loser) and it was great! Finally, we preview Saturday's game away against perennial USL contender Louisville City. Finally, free kids about the ‘Boro, Ted Lasso, and Mayor Jones. Enjoy!

Club soccer is loaded with buzzwords, but on the field, it still comes down to kids, coaches, and parents either helping or getting in the way. Adam sits down with Rockford Raptors executive director Frank Mateus to talk honestly about development, recruiting, mindset, and what's really happening in youth soccer right now.Episode SummaryYouth soccer has turned into long drives, club fees, showcases, tryouts, and college hopes stacked on top of regular school and life. Frank lays out how Rockford Raptors grew from a doctor buying land for his kids to a full path from three‑year‑olds in rec jerseys to ECNL and USL teams playing under the lights at Sportscore Two.The back-and-forth stays practical: what scouts actually watch, why high school soccer can still matter, and how tech, video, and constant tracking affect how kids think about their game. A big chunk of the talk is parents—sidelines, car rides, and the way one comment can either steady a kid or rattle them for a whole season. It's straight, on-the-ground detail from people who are actually in the gyms, on the fields, and at the tournaments.Key TakeawaysRockford Raptors' path: 3‑year‑olds to ECNL to USLHow Doc Wedgebury's idea became Sportscore TwoWhy big tournaments land in Rockford, not the suburbsClub vs high school soccer and where recruiting really happensVideo, highlight clips, VAR, and how kids now watch the gameTesting and metrics vs reading the game with your eyesHow physical the modern girls' and boys' game has becomeConfidence, mistakes, and what players tell themselvesCoaching the coaches so the standard keeps moving upParents, car rides, and how families can quietly cost a kid chancesEpisode Chapters00:00 Intro, Oak Performance Radio & who Frank is02:11 Doc Wedgebury, early days, and Sportscore Two04:42 Rockford's space, tournaments, and local economy07:22 How club soccer and ECNL changed the landscape11:06 Tech, film, World Cup, and kids copying the pros19:10 Fitness tests, numbers, and the mental side of data23:07 Physicality, strength work, and the girls' and boys' game28:43 Mindset, mistakes, and staying in it after a goal34:04 Coaching coaches and reviewing your own decisions37:29 Parents, college coaches, and the car‑ride problem52:00 Rockford community, facilities, and always upgrading59:47 Where to start with Raptors and Raptors Youth Soccer LeagueResources MentionedRockford Raptors – Competitive club based in Rockford, IL (boys and girls, ECNL, USL2, USLW)Raptors Youth Soccer League (RYSL) – Entry‑level and rec program for young playersSportscore Two / Wedgbury Stadium – Rockford Park District soccer complex that grew from Doc Wedgebury's original fieldsUSL2 / USLW – Pre‑pro leagues Raptors compete inECNL – League Frank points to for top youth competition and recruitingFIFA World Cup (1994 and current) – Used as markers for growth of U.S. soccerEnglish Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga – Pro leagues kids watch and copyVAR / NFL replay – Examples around officiating and video reviewOura Ring / Whoop strap – Wearables mentioned for sleep and recovery dataAbout the GuestFrank Mateus is the Executive Director of the Rockford Raptors in Rockford, Illinois. He helps run everything from the Raptors Youth Soccer League for brand‑new players to ECNL and USL teams on both the boys' and girls' sides. Connect with the Guest:Website: rockfordraptors.orgInstagram: @Rockford RaptorsFacebook:https://www.facebook.com/frank.mateus.353https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057443178175About the PodcastWelcome to Oak Performance Radio, where we talk about what it really takes to perform at a high level. Real talks with athletes, coaches, and leaders about training, preparation, and decisions that show up on the field and in life.Listen & SubscribeFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/oakperformancelabInstagram: @oakperformance

The World Cup is over. Now what? Listen to our conversation with the president of one of America's oldest professional soccer clubs on why the answer might not be the MLS.   In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Helfrick, President of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, to make the case that American soccer fans shouldn't limit their World Cup 2026 momentum to the top of the pyramid. The Rowdies are a two-time USL Championship-winning club with a history that predates the Buccaneers, the Rays, and the Lightning — and a matchday experience that any veteran footy traveler would recognize instantly. Ryan takes us inside historic Al Lang Stadium, unpacks the promotion and relegation conversation happening in American soccer right now, argues that the USL Championship is about to become the most high-stakes league in the country, and drops his own must-visit USL away days for footy travelers looking for a domestic road trip.   If you're a North America-based footy fan wondering how to keep the World Cup magic going after Spain's confetti's been swept up—this is your answer!    ✈️ Travel with us → footytravelers.com/trips  

VARscheinliche Stadionnews  In der USL ist eine Menge passiert. Chicharito wechselt in die USL, Oakland könnte ihr Stadion verlieren und VAR macht ein Comeback. Anne und Wulf fassen zusammen. Enttäuschendes Derby  Das Florida-Derby zwischen Miami und Tampa, war kurios und irgendwie auch enttäuschend. Anne und Wulf berichten darüber. Hin und Her  Boise spielte bei Greenville und beide Teams lieferten sich einen wilden Schlagabtausch, bevor lange Zeit nichts passierte. Anne und Wulf erzählen euch mehr darüber. Um den USL Podcast noch besser und interessanter zu machen, freuen wir uns natürlich sehr über Rückmeldungen, Meinungen, Feedback oder Kritik. Auch Themenvorschläge, die ihr in künftigen Folgen hören wollt, nehmen wir ... Dieser Podcast wird vermarktet von der Podcastbude.www.podcastbu.de - Full-Service-Podcast-Agentur - Konzeption, Produktion, Vermarktung, Distribution und Hosting.Du möchtest deinen Podcast auch kostenlos hosten und damit Geld verdienen?Dann schaue auf www.kostenlos-hosten.de und informiere dich.Dort erhältst du alle Informationen zu unseren kostenlosen Podcast-Hosting-Angeboten. kostenlos-hosten.de ist ein Produkt der Podcastbude.

He was head coach at West Virginia University for 14 seasons, coached the Philadelphia Union II from its 2022 debut in MLS Next Pro through 2024, coached the U18 USMNT for a year, his son is a legitimate prospect who was signed by Philly, and now LeBlanc's navigating Brooklyn FC through its expansion season in USL. He talked about his impressions from the World Cup, Spain's dominance AGAINST the ball, only having 13 players on his USL roster days ahead of the season, and lots more, including the Sullivan family, American soccer coaching education, Wyscout and Fotmob. Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedCheck out our store, where you can get Scuffed hats and sweatshirts and other stuff: scuffedpodcast.com/storeAlso, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.comAnd check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedpodcast.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After a double match week the Agenda is back! Just like FC Dallas had to rotate their roster so too did the Agenda, as Steve was unavailable for today's podcast so producer Sam stepped off the bench and into the starting lineup. The lads discuss the big recent Burn news of new Homegrown signing Benji Flowers, what it means for the 15 year old phenom and the club as a whole, and what to expect as Flowers progresses through the system.Flowers isn't the only new FC Dallas player, as Rhode Island FC midfielder Clay Holstad has joined the club on loan. Garrett has an interview with the newest Burn player talking about his journey from USL to MLS and his connections to manager Eric Quill.Then the lads talk through what happened in the 2-2 draw against Portland and the 1-nil loss against San Diego, before discussing the upcoming Leagues Cup and all that implies. The FC Dallas Agenda publishes (almost) every Wednesday during the regular season as a part of the FC Dallas Radio Network. The hosts of the FC Dallas Agenda are Ryan Figert, Garrett Melcer, and Steve Davis. The executive producer of the FC Dallas Radio Network is Sam Hale. 

Javier Hernandez, better known as Chicharito, discusses his transition to Atletico Dallas and the impact he hopes to have on the USL. He explains the significance of promotion and relegation for the growth of soccer in the United States and previews upcoming fan events in the Metroplex.

Today's Monday episode dives into the business of MLS and the contradiction at its core. Lead with Lionel Messi skipping the MLS All-Star Game in Charlotte alongside Rodrigo De Paul, excused under FIFPro's 21-day World Cup rest rule — no suspension this time, unlike the 2025 incident when Messi and Jordi Alba were banned. Second story: MLS is targeting a $400-500 million annual TV deal when the Apple agreement expires after 2029, up from $250M/year, while facing a crowded US soccer market and a planned USL top-flight league with promotion/relegation in 2028. Third story: the connective angle — MLS is selling future rights partners on Messi and World Cup momentum, but Messi keeps skipping marquee events and will not play forever. Fourth story: Antoine Griezmann scored in his MLS debut for Orlando City, a 4-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes, showing a model for MLS beyond Messi. Closer: European market still moving — Arsenal prepared to make Vinícius Júnior their highest-paid player ever, Inter in talks with Tottenham over Cristian Romero, and John Stones drawing Serie A interest.Subscribe for Premier League, MLS & Champions League coverage.AI was used for news gathering and production assistance.#Messi #MLSAllStar #MLS #AppleTV #FIFPro #Griezmann #OrlandoCity #Vinicius #Arsenal #RealMadrid #Romero #Inter #Tottenham #JohnStones #ManCity #SerieA #WorldCup2026 #Football #Soccer #CalorogaSharkMediaAI gave us an assist in the creation of today's podcast, but the hat trick is our own.

Ein CBA für die USL Damen  In der Super League gab es eine große Nachricht: die Liga hat einen Rahmenvertrag für die Spielerinnen angelegt. Was drin steht, fassen Anne und Wulf zusammen. Eigentore für alle!  Phoenix und Monterey Bay lieferten sich ein sehr unterhaltsames Duell, dass vor allem durch Eigentore auffiel. Anne und Wulf wissen mehr. Die Wölfe siegen schön  Im Topspiel konnten die Jungs aus Chattanooga die Jungs von Charlotte Independence besiege. wie es dazu kam, erzählen Anne und Wulf. Um den USL Podcast noch besser und interessanter zu machen, freuen wir uns natürlich sehr über Rückmeldungen, Meinungen, Feedback oder Kritik. Auch Themenvorschläge, die ihr in ... Dieser Podcast wird vermarktet von der Podcastbude.www.podcastbu.de - Full-Service-Podcast-Agentur - Konzeption, Produktion, Vermarktung, Distribution und Hosting.Du möchtest deinen Podcast auch kostenlos hosten und damit Geld verdienen?Dann schaue auf www.kostenlos-hosten.de und informiere dich.Dort erhältst du alle Informationen zu unseren kostenlosen Podcast-Hosting-Angeboten. kostenlos-hosten.de ist ein Produkt der Podcastbude.

Matt is joined by a real ball knower...Josh Lill, voice of USL to preview this weekend's World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina. Can Lionel Messi win back-to-back World Cups?

We visit some call in shows from England soccer's meltdown at the World Cup yesterday & bring in USL commissioner, Jeremy Alumbaugh to talk growth of the sport. We revisit some UofL 3rd place Final Four games and then bring in Coach Rummage of The Ville TBT. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Jillian and Kyle share more of their thoughts on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Philadelphia Union's friendly against the New England Revolution, and Union II's draw with Huntsville City FC. They also recap their time covering Brooklyn FC and the USL during the break, sharing some of the memorable stories and experiences.Make sure to subscribe or follow, and please interact with us — we love hearing from you!• Twitter: @totwag• Facebook/Instagram: theoneteamweagreeon (all one word)• Available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube• Visit our website: www.theoneteamweagreeon.com#DOOP #Soccer #MLS #MLSSoccer #Philly #PhiladelphiaUnion #MLSNEXTPro

It's a full Thursday Thoughts on SDH AMWriter and Producer of the docuseries "Raising Her Game", Rush Olson, and Texas Longhorn alumna Lauren Lapomarda bat leadoff to talk about the four-part series and its place in looking at the history of women's soccer The USL Show's Kaylor Hodges visits over the last 30 days in USL Championship and League OneHour 2 is the Power Hour with FuboTV's Nino Torres and Sounder at Heart/Pulso Sports Niko Moreno on everything World Cup- including the news on Christian Pulisic and Steve CherundoloPlus your AM news and ATLUTD updates vs Sporting KC

Joel Nash, Senior Vice President of Youth & Pre-Professional Soccer at USL joins Josh Duder to talk about his life-long love for the beautiful game. The former player for University of Evansville is now one of the key members of the USL leadership team, growing the pre-professional level of soccer in the United States.

Four matches in seven days ends with a bang! Sam and Hiram break down the Blues' trip to Segra Field in Leesburg, where an early defensive miscue put Annapolis in a familiar 1-0 hole after just nine minutes. But this squad doesn't quit. Enter Mikey Johnson. In his first-ever USL minutes, Johnson took over the match — a poached equalizer off a corner, the assist on Ben Madore's 70th-minute go-ahead goal, and a late header to seal it. Add Matt Lenert finishing a Tyler Gabara corner and the Blues rode three set-piece goals to a 4-1 statement win and their second straight comeback victory. This week's episode features three post-match conversations:

Carolina Ascent midfielder Shea Groom sits down to discuss life in the Gainbridge Super League!NWSL Champion and veteran midfielder Shea Groom joins the podcast to share insider insights from her eleven top-flight professional seasons. Discover how her recent transition to Carolina Ascent FC is shaping her veteran leadership role in a new league landscape and uncover her proven strategies for locker room culture, tactical execution, and maintaining a competitive edge at the highest levels of women's soccer.'She shares her initial reaction hearing about a second professional women's soccer league coming to the United States, what specifically made the Carolina Ascent the right fit, winning the inaugural NWSL Challenge Cup title in the COVID-19 bubble with a very special Houston Dash group.Shea also talks about how she has seen the women's soccer landscape evolve since her rookie season and what stands out most when you compare the American women's soccer landscape, NWSL and USL included, then versus where it is today and how both the high's of trophies and lows of injuries taught her resilience, leadership, and maintaining confidence through adversity.Additionally, Shea elaborates on how her team's identity continues to develop, playing in front of the avid Carolina fanbase, how she has stepped into a more prominent leadership/mentorship role of her younger teammates in Carolina, her time in NCAA women's college soccer with Texas Tech, and so much more!Thank you all for listening! Remember to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, on Instagram (@the_womens_soccer_podcast) and Bluesky (@thewomenssoccerpod.bsky.social). In addition, leave a 5-star review and tell all your friends about our show!

Brando Babini started a company at 16 because the thing he needed didn't exist. Five years later he's running it from a train seat between Brown and Brooklyn — 1,000 players, a Nike partnership, and 30 million views he shot and edited himself. This one's about how he actually does it.Brando is 21, still finishing his degree, and building Youth 4 Youth FC into one of the largest player-led soccer organizations in the country. He spotted the gap from his own playing career — no mentor, no one who'd walked the path ahead of him — and built the thing he wished he'd had. The 2026 World Cup is on U.S. soil right now and the whole country's suddenly paying attention to soccer. Strip the sport out, though, and you've still got the more interesting story: a Gen Z operator running a real company while most people his age are still picking a major.What We Get IntoSpotting a gap from lived experience and building the company you wished existed at 16Running an eight-state operation while taking the Amtrak back to class twice a week — the "drop-in," not the dropoutTurning 30 million organic views into 4,000 player applications — and what to do when that engine slows downLanding a Nike partnership as a young, unproven founderThe mission-vs-profit tension: building real access without building a handoutGoing need-blind by design — so the best kid plays whether his family can pay or notScaling by "mega sub-regions" instead of chasing franchise growthTeaching 13-year-olds to represent themselves — agency as the actual productChapters00:00 — The drop-in: running a company between Providence and New York01:30 — Starting at 16, and the gap he was trying to close03:45 — When the pro dream faded and the founder showed up04:30 — The question that runs everything: "what do I wish existed?"21:00 — Access without a handout: the mission-vs-profit tension26:00 — Why profit incentives aren't the enemy, and going need-blind33:00 — Teaching agency: parents, players, and an internal locus of control50:00 — 30 million views, 4,000 applications, and rebuilding the funnel52:00 — The Nike street-soccer project he's directing this week58:00 — Rapid fire: the GOAT, the Prem, and a 2026 World Cup readThis first aired on SportsEpreneur. For the full sports-business take — youth soccer pathways, college recruiting, and pay-to-play — listen to the original conversation there.More Soccer Content from SportsEpreneurHydration Breaks, Fox Ads, and the Americanization of the World Cup2026 World Cup: Groups, Schedule, and What to Watch as the Tournament Is HereTop 5 Soccer Leagues in the World (2025 Rankings: Depth, Players & Vibe)Soccer: The World's Most Popular Sport (3.5 Billion Fans, and Rising in the U.S.)Connect with BrandoInstagram: @y4yfc · brandobabini.com · y4yfc.com · LinkedIn: Brando BabiniEntrepreneur Perspectives is produced by QuietLoud Studios — a KazSource brand. Connect with Eric: X / LinkedIn

We look at a busy night for teams in the group stage with points for Curacao (on a record-setting perrformance) and Japan (on a record-setting performance)We review your Saturday and prep your Sunday catching up with players and coaches as wellWe look at your AM news that includes some rumored player movement to MLS and some USL After DarkJoin us!

On this episode of the SeventySix Capital Sports Leadership Show, Wayne Kimmel interviewed former Nike Soccer Executive Joe Elsmore. Hailing from Kearny, NJ, aka Soccertown USA, Joe possesses a passion and deep area of expertise in the field of sports marketing. He was instrumental in building the foundation of the Nike Soccer Brand by architecting Nike Soccer's asset portfolio over three decades. He has been a fundamental figure in marketing the sport of soccer to its highest level in North America. Joe's specific leadership in women's soccer brought the US Women's National Team center stage and made him one of the most respected Director's in Nike Soccer's History.With his inherent relationship skills and partnership mentality he helped Nike establish brand authenticity by connecting Nike with the best soccer athletes.  Joe established long term relationships with hundreds of coaches and athletes such as Mia Hamm, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Alex Morgan;  soccer organizations include CONCACAF, US Soccer, MLS, NWSL, USL, NCAA and many Elite Youth programs. Joe possesses a unique combination of industry experience, knowledge of the business environment and navigating complex negotiations to bring significant value to all parties in a partnership. A consummate team player with caring style makes collaborating Joe a win-win proposition.Joe Elsmore:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-elsmore-712636/

Former US Men's National Team midfielder Benny Feilhaber joins the Modern Soccer Coach Podcast for an in-depth conversation on creativity, player development, and the future of soccer in the United States. Growing up in Brazil before moving to America, Benny offers a unique perspective on why creative players emerge in certain environments, the role of futsal and unstructured play, and whether the United States can develop more technically gifted players without replicating other football cultures. We also discuss: ⚽ The creativity debate in American soccer