Touchline Talk

At just 32 years old, Fabian Hürzeler is reshaping what it means to be a modern football manager. In this episode of Touchline Talk, host Brandon Faust breaks down how the Brighton & Hove Albion boss is blending German tactical discipline with fearless innovation — guiding the Seagulls to statement wins over Manchester City and Chelsea in the 2025–26 Premier League season. We’ll explore Hürzel...

U.S. Soccer just released the NextGen College Soccer White Paper, outlining a massive reform plan for Division I men’s and women’s soccer — and it could change everything. In this episode of Soccerspective, host Brandon Faust breaks down the biggest takeaways:⚽ A proposed year-round season for men’s soccer📈 A promotion/relegation-style system between Regional and Local divisions💰 How schools co...

In this episode of Touchline Talk, we explore how Andoni Iraola has reshaped Bournemouth into one of the Premier League’s most dynamic teams. From his Basque roots and time under Marcelo Bielsa to his bold, high-pressing tactics, Iraola’s journey reveals a blueprint for modern coaching. We break down his style of play, tactical structure, and how he’s helped players like Alex Scott and Antoine Sem...

In this episode of Touchline Talk, we sit down with Paul Dreisbach—co-founder of Petrichor Football Association and a leading voice in global sports for development—to explore how soccer can be a powerful tool for social change. From launching community-based leagues in Cameroon to partnering with global brands like LaLiga to pioneer La Ligue D’Égalité, Paul shares how his journey in football has...

Big changes are coming to U.S. youth soccer. In this episode of Touchline Talk by Soccerspective , host Brandon Faust breaks down the highly debated shift from birth-year to school-year age groupings set to roll out in the 2026-27 season. We explore: ⚽ The 2017 move to birth-year groupings — why it happened 🌍 How other countries structure their youth systems 📅 What the new flexible policy means...

In this episode of Touchline Talk by Soccerspective, we’re thrilled to welcome Vince Ganzberg, a true leader in the world of soccer coach education. Vince currently serves as the Director of Coach Education for US Club Soccer, where he partners with member leagues and clubs to develop coaches, expand strategic partnerships, and create new educational content. With a professional career dedicated t...

In this episode of Touchline Talk by Soccerspective, host Brandon Faust sits down with Georgia Gwinnett College Head Coach Steve DeCou to discuss transformational vs transactional coaching and what it means to strive for excellence on and off the field. Coach DeCou has built GGC into a national NAIA powerhouse with:* A 153-60-26 record at GGC (274-152-41 career)* 10 NAIA national tournament appear...

In this episode of Touchline Talk by Soccerspective, host Brandon Faust sits down with Eric McDonald—an experienced youth coach with a deep love for the game and a heart for developing resilient players on and off the pitch. 🙌 Thanks to Our Affiliate Sponsors! ⚽ Total Football Analysis Get 30% off your subscription with code SCS30 👉 https://totalfootballanalysis.com 🎓 Coursera Take the next st...

Youth Soccer Development Throughout the Decades with George Perry In this episode of Touchline Talk , we sit down with George Perry, former captain of the Indiana University men’s soccer team and a longtime college soccer coach and leader in American soccer, to discuss the evolution of youth soccer development over the decades. With a career spanning from leading IU on the field to coaching at var...

Touchline Talk Podcast: Behind the Scenes with Men in Blazers’ Jonathan Williamson In this episode, we chat with  Jonathan Williamson , Executive Producer at  Men in Blazers Media Network , about his journey into soccer media, working with Roger Bennett and his role in growing the brand. Jonathan shares unforgettable experiences meeting stars like  Mo Salah  and Noel Gallagher, his passion for  Ip...

In this episode Touchline Talk by Soccerspective, we chat with Josh Brown as he dives into the impact of high school soccer in the U.S. and its relationship with club soccer. With 20+ years of coaching experience, a background as a former college player, and as the 2024 State Champion Coach in Indiana, Josh highlights how the consistency and community of high school teams foster growth beyond the...

In this Touchline Talk episode, we sit down with Kyle Wilson. Kyle’s self-stated goal is to “save U.S. youth soccer.” In our conversation, Kyle discusses the flaws in U.S. youth soccer—pay-to-play, lack of proper development pathways—and how he’s changing the narrative by creating access to amazing resources for parents and coaches as well as his initiative called Beast Residency. Kyle is former c...

In this episode of Touchline Talk, we dive into one of the most controversial and exciting topics in American soccer – the possibility of promotion and relegation in the U.S.! With USL’s bold push for Division 1 status, the soccer landscape could be on the verge of a seismic shift. We explore what this means for MLS, lower-division clubs, and the entire U.S. soccer pyramid. But it doesn’t stop the...

In this episode of Touchline Talk, we take a deep dive into José Mourinho's legendary Champions League triumph with FC Porto in 2004. Discover how Mourinho transformed an underdog squad into European champions using tactical brilliance, strategic adaptability, and unmatched motivation. We explore:⚽️ The tactical masterclass behind Porto’s unexpected run, including the five different systems M...

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Greatest Managers – The Top 5 That Shaped His Career In this episode of Touchline Talk, we dive into the top five managers who had the biggest impact on Cristiano Ronaldo’s legendary career. From tactical masterminds to inspirational leaders, we break down how each coach influenced Ronaldo’s development, playing style, and success on the pitch. We also discuss his most challeng...

Touchline Talk: "The Return of David Moyes" 🎙️⚽ In this episode of Touchline Talk, we dive into David Moyes’ second stint at Everton, analyzing his tactical evolution, the challenges he faced, and his impact on the club’s resurgence. 🔵 Key Discussion Points: ✅ Moyes’ Legacy at Everton – How he built a competitive side on a limited budget from 2002-2013. ✅ Lessons from Manchester Unit...

Explore how Mauricio Pochettino redefines the number 10 role, blending creativity through players like Christian Eriksen and Lionel Messi. We also discuss how he could transform Christian Pulisic into the centerpiece of the USMNT attack. 📌 Topics: Pochettino’s tactical evolution Christian Pulisic’s potential as a modern number 10 Practical tips for youth coaches to develop midfield players 🔔 Sub...

In this episode, we’re diving into the tactical genius of Dutch manager Arne Slot, known for his tactical discipline and high pressing. Arne Slot has a defined play-style and is finding early success in his first season at Liverpool. Don’t miss the practical drills at the end, where we’ll guide you through activities to introduce principles of a high press to players of all ages. Subscribe for mor...

In this episode, we’re diving into the tactical genius of Portuguese manager Rúben Amorim, known for his wide-play strategy and use of penetrating runs to the byline. Amorim’s approach stretches defenses and creates high-quality goal-scoring chances—a method that youth and grassroots coaches can implement with their teams. Don’t miss the practical drill at the end, where we’ll guide you through an...