Chat By The Pitch

Join Chat by the Pitch for an inspiring conversation with Warren Cottle, Director of Coaching and Player Development at North Texas State Soccer Association, and Christine Ellis, social media manager for Soccer Innovations. In this episode, Warren and Christine share their passion for youth soccer development, focusing on fostering a player-centric culture. They discuss the transformative Soccer f...

In Part 2 of Chat by the Pitch with Nate Baker, founder of The Developer’s Way, we dive deeper into the broken U.S. youth soccer system and how to fix it. Nate discusses the dehumanization of players, treated as “slabs of meat” with expiration dates rather than “slabs of clay” to be molded into masterpieces. Through personal stories, like his daughter’s resilience on stage, Nate illustrates how co...

Join Chat by the Pitch for Part 1 of an inspiring conversation with Nate Baker, founder of The Developer’s Way and director at Achilles Football Club in Washington, D.C. Nate shares his journey from a youth soccer player captivated by the 1994 World Cup to a coach redefining U.S. soccer culture. We dive into the overuse of “development” in youth sports, exploring how a culture vision rooted in val...

In Part 2 of our series with Dan Abrahams, we go deep on practical tools for parents and coaches: game faces, match scripts, divergent questions, and creating mentally resilient players. If you've ever wondered how to truly support your child emotionally on and off the pitch, this episode is your blueprint. 🔑 Key Talking Points • What a "Game Face" is and why even Premier League stars use them •...

In Part 1 of our powerful two-part conversation, we welcome renowned sports psychologist Dan Abrahams to Chat By The Pitch. With over 30 years in high-performance sport and clients ranging from Premier League stars to F1 drivers, Dan breaks down how our culture around youth soccer is failing young athletes. From misguided sideline behavior to a broken obsession with early winning, Dan gives us a b...

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian Babcock sits down with Rey Torres, founder of PAYD FC (Professional Academy of Youth Development), to unpack the heart behind one of Mesquite’s most intentional independent clubs. From his own journey as a player to his philosophy as a coach, Rey explains how he’s building PAYD not just to win, but to shape lives through culture, consistency, and a commitm...

In this powerful episode of Chat By The Pitch, we welcome Victor Jaramillo of SportXplore Travel to peel back the curtain on one of the most frustrating parts of youth sports: the "stay to play" tournament model. Victor breaks down how families are being squeezed by hotel schemes, what really goes on behind those “official travel partner” links, and how clubs, coaches, and parents can push back wi...

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we sit down with Victor Jaramillo, founder of SportXplore Travel, whose journey from soccer-loving kid in Mexico City to Texas entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. After a layoff pushed him out of the corporate world, Victor turned his lifelong passion for sports and community into a mission: to simplify, humanize, and save families money on youth socce...

In Part 2 of our conversation with Gavin Mole and Tony Cavalle from Dallas Surf, we dig into the strategy behind their mission to build a nationally respected soccer club. From their investment in academy coaches to setting clear college pathways for players, this episode is a blueprint on how to grow a club with purpose. Learn how Dallas Surf is using Surf Select, affordable access to training, p...

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we connect with Tony Cavalle and Gavin Mole of Dallas Surf — a club that’s rapidly redefining youth soccer in DFW. Tony shares the origin story of Dallas Surf, while Gavin breaks down how the club is building its player DNA from the ground up. We talk structure, coaching education, technology, and the long-term vision that includes a unified coaching style and...

In Part 2 of our deep-dive with CJ Sutherland, founder of DFW United SC, we unpack the tough decisions facing independent clubs, including his partnership to bring ECNL-RL NTX to his players. CJ shares candid insights about the pressures of youth soccer today—from managing parent expectations to building a positive team culture while navigating an increasingly status-driven system. We explore why...

🎧 Episode Description: What happens when a club decides to stop accepting mediocrity? CJ Sutherland, Director of Coaching at DFW United, joins us for a powerful, no-filter conversation about resetting standards, rebuilding culture, and facing the uncomfortable truths about youth soccer leadership. From confronting coach behavior to setting non-negotiables with parents, CJ breaks down what it take...

In Part 2 of our brutally honest series, Jason Carney returns to tackle what youth soccer should be built on: culture, character, and purpose. We dive deep into the concept of servant leadership, the myth of league labels, and how most clubs miss the mark on development by faking culture instead of building it. Jason shares how he’s implemented real accountability and authenticity at FC Portland—a...

In this eye-opening episode, Jason Carney—former pro coach and current Director of Coaching at FC Portland—breaks down what's really wrong with youth soccer in the U.S. We dig into his brutally honest book, US Grassroots Soccer: Great on Paper S**t on Grass, and explore how the adult obsession with results is crushing kids’ development. From game models and coaching culture to what parents should...

What happens when a former pro player builds a tech company to fix youth soccer’s biggest blind spot? In Part 2 of our convo with Orhan from Reeplayer, we dive deep into the why behind their mission, the flaws in AI-powered analytics, and the human-first approach shaping their future. This isn’t just tech—it’s heart, hustle, and a whole new way to watch the game. Key Talking Points • The real cost...

As the producer of Chat By The Pitch, I’m thrilled to bring you an inspiring conversation with Orhan Basak Ajredinovski founder of Reeplayer. In this episode, Orhan dives into his personal journey—from playing youth soccer in Turkey and the U.S. to creating a groundbreaking camera system that autonomously records and live streams youth soccer games. We explore how Reeplayer is tackling the challen...

On this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian sits down with Suma, Joe, and Robb to unpack the inner workings of Classic League. From the psychology of refereeing to the evolution of player pool policies, we examine how this North Texas institution strikes a balance between tradition and innovation. Expect candid stories—like Robb’s $100 bet to become a ref—and insights into keeping soccer competitive...

On this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we take you inside the vibrant world of Classic League with Suma, Joe, and Robb. From the league’s humble beginnings as the Mr. Pibb Invitational to its current home at Richland College, we uncover the history, passion, and competition that define this North Texas staple. Expect deep dives into key moments, personal anecdotes from the pitch, and a look at how...

Gordon Jago, a true pioneer of the game, sits down with Chat By The Pitch to share his journey from the English football scene to shaping the American soccer landscape. From managing QPR and Millwall to revolutionizing youth soccer through the Dallas Cup, Jago’s story is one of dedication, vision, and a deep love for the sport. In this episode, we discuss his coaching philosophy, the state of yout...

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Mike & Stacey Collodi give a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to raise a professional goalkeeper. From Michael’s first steps into goal at six years old to winning the MLS Next Pro Championship with North Texas SC, they share the realities of youth soccer, the academy experience, and the transition to professional play. They discuss the emotional rol...

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we dive into the Collodi family's journey through youth soccer, academy programs, and professional development. Mike & Stacey Collodi, parents of Michael Collodi, share how their son fell in love with goalkeeping at age six, how they navigated the competitive North Texas soccer scene, and the sacrifices that come with raising an elite player. They discuss...

Michael Collodi, goalkeeper for FC Dallas, takes us through his soccer journey—from playing in the backyard as a kid to making crucial saves in the MLS Next Pro Cup. He shares the highs and lows of the position, the importance of mental resilience, and how learning from mistakes has shaped his game. On February 22, 2024, Michael earned his first roster spot with FC Dallas, marking another mileston...

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we sit down with Gregg Megaw & Meagan Prewitt, the dynamic team behind PD1 Soccer Training, to discuss everything from player development and training structure to the business side of running a premier training academy. Gregg shares how he designs sessions that blend skill work with real-game application, while Meagan explains the importance of branding,...

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we go behind the scenes of PD1 Soccer Training with Gregg Megaw & Meagan Prewitt, the duo who have built one of Texas’ premier skill training programs. Gregg, with his deep coaching experience from Northern Ireland to the U.S., shares his philosophy on technical training, player development, and the importance of structured training environments. Meagan, t...

On this episode of  Chat By The Pitch , we sit down with brothers Charlie and Trip Neil, two of the co-founders of Dallas Trinity FC, to discuss the journey of building a professional women’s soccer club as a family. They share how their deep Dallas roots, combined with their backgrounds in soccer and business, have shaped the vision for DTFC. From their player-first approach to making profes...