Hometown FC Podcast

What does elite nutrition actually look like for young athletes? On this episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with Fran and Kate from Performance Canteen — nutritionists who work with elite youth athletes and have experience inside environments like Crystal Palace Academy . We dive into:  How young athletes should fuel before, during, and after training   The biggest nutrition mistakes players and...

What does world-class player development actually look like? And what can the biggest tournament in football teach us about developing the next generation? On this episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with Alex Tejera and Christian Hernandez from Barça Residency Academy for an in-depth conversation on elite coaching, player development, and the biggest tactical trends emerging from the 2026 FIFA Wo...

In this episode of Hometown FC, we're joined by tactical analyst Coach Rafaz to break down the 2026 FIFA World Cup from every angle. We dive into the biggest contenders, surprise nations, key players, and the tactical trends shaping the tournament. From pressing structures and defensive blocks to transition play and positional freedom, we explore what separates the teams that survive from the...

What does it actually take to go from college soccer… to the pros… to building one of the biggest soccer platforms in the world? On this episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with Matt Sheldon — former Division 1 player, professional footballer, and the face behind Become Elite, a platform that’s impacted millions of players worldwide. We get into:  The real jump from D1 soccer to the professional l...

On this episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with Jason Collinsworth, host of the I Hate Soccer Podcast — a show built around one simple idea: questioning the game from the outside looking in. We dive into:  Why soccer struggles to connect with certain American audiences   The real reasons people say the game is “boring”   Youth soccer culture in the U.S. — what’s broken and what’s misunderstood   ...

What actually separates elite performers from everyone else? In this episode of the Hometown FC Podcast , we sit down with Andrew May , a leading expert in human performance, leadership, and high-performance psychology. Andrew has worked with Olympic athletes, professional sports organizations, and major global companies to help individuals unlock their full potential. We dive deep into the scienc...

Everyone says they want to get faster.  Very few actually measure it. Oscar — known across Instagram as “The GPS Guy” — is helping change the way players, coaches, and academies understand performance by using real data, GPS tracking, and movement analytics to expose what training alone can’t. This episode breaks down: Why most speed training is guesswork How GPS data reveals true match intensity...

This episode is about the real path . Not the Instagram version. Not the fantasy. The truth. Alex Tejera came through the Red Bull Academy system , represented the U.S. Youth National Team , played professional football , and has lived both sides of the game — the opportunity and the pressure that comes with it. In this conversation, we break down: What elite academies actually look for The habits...

This episode isn’t about hype.  It’s about standards . Pa-Modou Ka is a former professional footballer who came through the European system, played at the highest levels of the game, and now operates on the front lines of real player development in the U.S. In this conversation, we go past the highlight reels and get into: What elite environments actually demand Why most players are training hard...

Steve Sallis — best-selling author, mindset coach, and founder of SolutionsMindset — joins Hometown FC for a powerful conversation on leadership, ego, and development in modern football. From working with world-class players like Jude Bellingham and Ebere Eze , to mentoring coaches and national team athletes, Steve has seen every side of the game. In this episode, he drops one of the realest coach...

José Campos, Director of the Orlando City SC Academy , joins Hometown FC to share what it takes to build one of the most respected player development programs in the country. With years of experience shaping elite youth environments, Campos offers a deep look into how Orlando City identifies, develops, and elevates top talent to the professional level. In this episode, we dive into how MLS academi...

Chong Xei, known online as @SecretofAthleticism , is one of the most forward-thinking voices in human performance today. His approach challenges mainstream strength and conditioning by shifting the focus away from muscles — and toward the body’s true performance system: the fascia . In this episode, Chong breaks down how training the fascia can unlock natural speed, power, elasticity, and flow — t...

Christian Hernandez returns to Hometown FC to share his experiences inside one of the most prestigious youth environments in the country — Barca Residency Academy in Arizona. In this conversation, Christian opens up about what life is really like training under the Barca model, how it’s shaped his development, and what he’s learned since joining one of the top academies in North America. We dig in...

Dave Meadows is one of Arizona’s most respected coaches, known for his work at Phoenix Rising and  Phoenix Premier FC and his passion for player development that goes far beyond the field. With years of experience shaping young athletes into high-level competitors, Dave brings a unique blend of technical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and mentorship to his craft. In this episode, we dive deep...

Mario Ornelas is the founder of the Playmaker Development Program , one of Southern California’s most respected training systems, known for producing intelligent, technical, and creative players. Beyond the training ground, Mario also works as a scout , connecting top young talent with MLS and Liga MX academies , giving players real access to professional pathways on both sides of the border. In t...

Jeff Addai is a former professional soccer player turned CEO of OPSM (Optimal Performance Soccer Management) , one of the premier player agencies in North America. With experience competing in Europe, Canada, and the U.S., Jeff has transitioned his on-field passion into a mission of guiding the next generation of players toward professional success. In this episode, we talk about what it really ta...

David Dawood is the founder of DD8 , a high-performance player development program that connects U.S. talent to opportunities in Spain and France , and a coach with Phoenix Rising Academy . A former professional player and Iraq National Team member, David’s journey is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and vision. In this episode, we dive deep into what it means to lead by example,  from...

Joe Pehanich is the Head of Youth Soccer at Venice Beach FC , a U.S. Soccer Federation Scout , and a former member of the LAFC academy staff , bringing a rare perspective from both the professional academy system and the grassroots level. In this episode, Joe shares his journey from coaching and developing players at LAFC to leading Venice Beach FC’s youth program, and offers a unique lens on what...

Devin Franklin is building a movement in West Phoenix through Franklin Sports Performance. Where faith, culture, and next-level training collide. Known for his motto “Grind & Give Glory to God,” Devon has carved out a lane where athletes don’t just work harder, they work smarter, with purpose. In this episode of Hometown FC , we dive into: How Devon shapes youth, college, and pro athletes thro...

Sam Al-Basith’s story is a blueprint for building culture in the game. From the cages of South London to shaping elite talent in Los Angeles, Sam has worn every hat, MLS Academy coach, scout, mentor, and founder of SO LA , one of the most influential grassroots football hubs in the U.S. In this conversation, we go deep on: The realities of scouting top talent in America How environment and culture...

On this episode of Hometown FC , we sit down with Valerie Vargas , rising star at UCLA Women’s Soccer and a key player for the Mexico U23 Women’s National Team . Valerie opens up about what it really takes to succeed at one of the top college programs in the country while chasing international dreams with El Tri. From balancing academics and national team call-ups, to handling pressure, sacrifice,...

In this episode of Hometown FC , we sit down with two of the most influential architects in modern player development. Darnell Simpson-Tomlinson , Chelsea Academy coach and founder of Monster Mentality , opens up about his journey from South London to training Premier League and Serie A ballers like Levi Colwill and Billy Gilmour . His mindset-first approach is changing the way elite players train...

Description: In this powerful episode of Hometown FC , we sit down with Coach Joe from SoccerViza — a game-changer in the world of player development and international opportunities. Coach Joe shares his raw journey from the traditional system to founding a platform that gives overlooked players a real shot at going pro. We dive into the realities of chasing the dream, the flaws in the current U.S...

Phil Jackson and Jordan Diana aren't just experienced coaches, they’re the visionaries behind AZ Soccer Lab, Arizona’s top club-neutral training environment. In this episode of Hometown FC, we dive deep into their journey: from coaching battles to building a culture that puts player development over politics. We talk shop on what elite training really looks like, how they’ve built a space whe...

From Red Bulls Academy to Pro Grind In this episode, Coach Eric Capone sits down with Alex Tejera, a player whose path through the soccer world has been anything but ordinary. From growing up in the competitive environment of the New York Red Bulls Academy to navigating the highs and lows of college and professional soccer, Alex shares raw insight into what it really takes to make it in the game....