We Are Soccer Central

We Are Soccer Central Host Robert Kerr is joined by University of Detroit Mercy head coach Nate Kopunek. Coach Kopunek is entering his second season with the Titans and is looking to build from a solid first year. U of D Mercy Titans compete in the Horizon League Soccer Conference and kick off their regular season on August 22nd against Dayton.

We Are Soccer Central Host Robert Kerr is joined by Butler University Mens Soccer Head Coach Paul Snape in the midst of the rigors of preseason. Snape is entering his 14th season in charge at Butler and shares coaching insights, recruiting dynamics, and stories from his playing days in Michigan. The Butler Bulldogs compete in the BIG EAST Conference and kickoff their regular season schedule August...

The Western Michigan Broncos are entering the 2024 season as the 12th ranked team in the nation, higher than they've ever been to start a campaign. Head coach Chade Wiseman joins Robert Kerr to talk about his team, the state of college soccer in the ever changing collegiate sports landscape, and much more.

Talking serious grass on We Are Soccer Central, as host Robert Kerr is joined by World Cup 2026 project Co Lead for turf management, Professor Trey Rogers. The mammoth nation spanning project includes 16 stadiums, eight turf fields, and five domes. Prof Rogers describes the science, scale, and process behind growing and maintaining world class temporary playing surfaces.

Robert Kerr comes on to quickly recap Detroit City FC's epic shootout win over the Houston Dynamo in the Round of 32 of the U.S. Open Cup. It was Le Rouge's second win over an MLS side in their history and their first away from Keyworth Stadium.

Host Robert Kerr is joined by Ken Seelman and AJ Badge, two of the founding members of the Northern Michigan Faux Football Leagues. The fictional soccer leagues were started by a handful of Lansing Common supporters looking to stay connected through the long offseason which has now become a group of over 40 member and 56 clubs. Please remember to like, share, and subscribe to We Are Soccer across...

LK St Clair is the first MLS GO operator in Michigan and Co-founder Zuhair Issa joins the program to discuss the new program, what it will bring to the club, and his ultimate goals for his community.

Host Robert Kerr is joined in conversation by Marco Bernardini to talk Lansing City Football. The USL2  club returns to the great lakes division for another summer of preprofessional action. Bernardini describes how he got involved in the team, how the last three years have shaped him, and to look at the season ahead. For up to date coverage follow We Are Soccer online, for historical episodes of...

Robert Kerr reviews Detroit City FC's hot start to the season under new Head Coach Danny Dichio and NWSL's record breaking attendances, then, is joined by the founder of Troy City Womens Football Club John Ardnt. We Are Soccer Central is your connection to the worlds game being played here in our back yards.

Host Robert Kerr is joined by Pat Hodgins, Commissioner of the Midwest Premier League, a regional league run by its member clubs. Pat describes the leagues initiative to introduce Promotion and Relegation and its continued club-friendly approach. The league has four conferences and has 37 member clubs in 2024.

This week, We Are Soccer Central heads to the Pacific Northwest as Robert Kerr talks to Jayda Evans of the Seattle Times. Seattle has been a hotbed for successful soccer for a half century thanks to the Seattle Sounders, Seattle Reign, and a plethora of lower league and amateur teams. Jayda has seen clubs at all these levels in her brief time in the Emerald City and she plenty of stories to share...

The 2024 edition US Open Cup will be like no other as MLS will enter just 8 teams into this year's tournament. Open Cup expert and senior editor of TheCup.us Josh Hakala joins Robert Kerr to review MLS's unprecedented decision to withdraw their participation from the 100+ year old domestic tournament. Josh describes the move as a 'gut punch to the tournament' and that the USSF was...

This week on We Are Soccer Central, host Robert Kerr welcomes Indy Eleven vice president Brad Hauter to talk about how his club is preparing for the 2024 USL Championship Season. Brad pitches Indianapolis as a destination city for athletes, how Indy Eleven has a new stadium development coming along, and the entire scope of the club from the youth level all the way up to the professional ranks for...

Michigan Stars FC fell in last season's NISA championship game on their quest to repeat as league champions and keep the title in the state of Michigan once again, but that will not stop them from progressing forward both on and off the pitch. Host Robert Kerr welcomes their brand new COO Chris McInally to talk about where the club is going into 2024 and beyond, as well as some of the fun behi...

Another 2024 episode, another new head coach for a local club. This week Robert Kerr welcomes Steve Walker to Oakland County FC in his first interview since taking the job. Steve comes to the Purple and Gold from Vardar's MLS Next Academy Team and from an assistant job at Northwood University. The Mancunian now lives in Saginaw and has an excellent vision for the next chapter of Oakland County...

Robert Kerr rings in a new year with a new local head coach. Detroit City FC's new boss Danny Dichio joins the pod this week to discuss what brought him to the Keyworth Stadium technical area. Dichio talks about how his experience as a player in England and an assistant coach here in the States has led him to this point and why he chose Detroit City FC to start his head coaching journey.

As soccer season here in Michigan and throughout the United States is in the offseason, host Robert Kerr leans into his Liverpool fandom for this episode as he documents his journey to Loaded Dice Brewery in Troy to watch last weekend's Liverpool-Manchester United rivalry clash with a bunch of Red Devils supporters. Come join him on his journey through a sports bar discussion about Manchester...

Robert Kerr welcomes Michigan State Women's Soccer coach Jeff Hosler to the program to talk about how he led the Spartans to a back-to-back Big Ten regular season titles and the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Jeff touches on his time at Grand Valey State, his coaching methods, and the players that have made the program a consistent winner in recent years.

Head coach Chad Wiseman has the Western Michigan Broncos in the NCAA Sweet 16 for the third time in the last six years. He joins Robert Kerr on the program to tell us all why nobody should be sleeping on his squad after their second round victory over Duke. The Broncos will travel to South Bend to face Notre Dame in the Sweet 16 on Sunday, November 26 at 5pm.

A lot has happened since the last MSC episode, so show editor and producer Jenny Hojnacki comes onto the show with Robert Kerr to discuss what's been missed in the last two weeks. Detroit City FC squeezed into the playoffs on the final day of the season and is starting their search for a new coach. Also, Michigan Stars revived their unique brand of soccer again, high school soccer is getting i...

With renewed interest in the U.S. Open Cup thanks, in large part, to Lionel Messi's Inter Miami playing in the 2023 Final, Josh Hakala joins Robert Kerr the pod to talk about this year's tournament, how Messi bumps the popularity of anything he touches, and look ahead to the 2024 edition. The qualifying for that tournament has already begun and it includes a team called FC Sharktopus, so y...

Robert Kerr returns from a vacation/day job/music festival induced hiatus with Detroit City FC co-founder, DCFC women's head coach, University Ligget High School coach, and math teacher, David Dwaihy. David talks about how he balances all those commitments, what is in store for Detroit City on both the men's and women's side, how his high school boys team is looking early in the season...

Although her reappearance on the podcast is premature for most listeners, University of Michigan head coach Jen Klein comes back into the show to join Robert Kerr in a discussion about the U.S. Women's National Team's exit from the Women's World Cup after the Round of 16.They talk about what led to their demise, what they could have done better, and what the future holds for the Americ...

Robert Kerr brings Nolan Bianchi back to get the latest on Detroit City FC. Le Rouge is beginning to find their stride after the addition of Dario Suarez. The team is scoring more goals while keeping their excellent defensive record in tact. Nolan offers his thoughts on what has led to the revival and what City can do do earn a spot in the USL Championship playoffs this fall.

The Women's World Cup started in the wee hours of Thursday morning with New Zealand upsetting Norway, which calls for a special bonus episode of Michigan Soccer Central! Robert Kerr brings on University of Michigan women's head coach Jennifer Klein to talk about the tournament, the U.S. Women's National Team's chances, her experiences coaching some of the players involved in the to...