New England Soccer Journal’s The Goal

Matt Langone is joined by NESJ reporter Matt Doherty to discuss the current state of college soccer recruitment, focusing on the class of 2025. They explore the slow pace of commitments due to a multitude of factors including the rise of multiple leagues, the impact of COVID-19, the transfer portal, and the influx of international players. They also delve into how these factors are affecting high...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone is joined by NESJ writer Matt Doherty and New England Revolution Academy coach Abel Wasswa. Abel discusses his new role as the U14 coach for the academy, sharing his objectives, learning experiences, and the differences between coaching college and younger players. He emphasizes the importance of game intelligence,...

The guest is Amherst College senior Niall Murphy. Murphy reflects on his crucial role in leading Amherst to a national championship in 2024 and discusses the team’s journey starting from their loss in the 2023 national title game. He shares insights on the competitive nature of NESCAC soccer, the significance of his leadership, and the personal milestones of overcoming injuries and adapting to new...

Matt Langone is joined by colleague Matt Doherty, who reports on the ECNL Girls' Winter Showcase in Florida. Despite battling a virus, Doherty shares his observations on the competitive matches, standout teams, and the significant presence of college coaches scouting talent. They discuss the promising performances from New England clubs including FC Stars, South Shore Select, and Scorpions SC, and...

Host Matt Langone and co-host Matt Doherty discuss the top five soccer stories to watch in 2025. They start by highlighting the University of Vermont's 2024 national championship win and debating the team's chances for a repeat. They then move on to the budding rivalry between FC Stars and South Shore Select in ECNL Girls, followed by a deep dive into the upcoming MLS Next Flex event and the New E...

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty are joined by guest Max Murray, a standout player from the University of Vermont. The discussion centers around Vermont's historic first national championship win in NCAA soccer, with Murray sharing his experiences and the team's journey. Murray elaborates on the dynamics and special qualities of the team, notable moments from their championship run, and his transitio...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone is joined by New England Soccer Journal writer Matt Doherty and University of New Haven men's soccer head coach, Tom Mattera. They discuss New Haven's historic season, recruiting strategies, and the challenges and successes faced along the way. Mattera shares insights into building a competitive program and the uni...

Matt Langone is joined by Matt Doherty to discuss the upcoming MLS Next Fest. They talk about the significance of this major showcase for young soccer talent, the participation of New England teams, and the opportunities it presents for players in terms of exposure and recruitment. The conversation delves into the dynamics of the event, the level of competition, and the player development landscap...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone is joined by club soccer writer Matt Doherty, IFA New England MLS Next Director Rohit Gautam, and club president Bill Altieri. They discuss IFA New England's development strategies, the importance of the MLS Next platform, and the club's competitive environment. The conversation also explores their goals for player...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone is joined by Siemens Media Managing Editor and Girls Prep Soccer Writer Mike Zhe. They delve into the upcoming NEPSAC soccer tournaments, providing a comprehensive breakdown of both girls and boys teams. They discuss potential top teams, analyze their performances during the season, and predict who might make it th...

In this episode of the New England Soccer Journal's 'The Goal' podcast, hosts Matt Langone and Matt Doherty sit down with Eric Klein, New England Revolution II midfielder and the Revolution Academy Player of the Year for the 23-24 season. Klein opens up about his journey from Pennsylvania to the Revs Academy, highlighting the honor of his award and the significance of adaptability on the field. Th...

Host Matt Langone introduces new soccer reporter Matt Doherty. The episode highlights Matt's background, including his experience in sports journalism and his focus on club and academy soccer in the New England region. They discuss the dynamic soccer landscape, especially in the context of youth clubs and academies, such as MLS Next and ECNL. Matt shares his excitement about covering the burgeonin...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone chats with Paul Turner, the new head coach of Thayer Academy Girls Soccer. Turner, who has extensive coaching experience in high school soccer, shares his excitement about the new role, the challenges of leading a team with significant injuries, and his coaching philosophy. He also reflects on his journey from Lond...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone speaks with New England Soccer Journal high school soccer writer Patrick Donnelly about the upcoming high school soccer season. They discuss top teams and players to watch, challenges posed by the MLS Next factor, the impact of club soccer on high school participation, and share experiences covering high school spo...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone welcomes Seamans Media Managing Editor and Girls Prep Soccer writer Mike Zhe. They discuss the upcoming NEPSAC 2024 prep soccer season, focusing on top teams and players in both girls and boys prep soccer. Key highlights include in-depth prospects for perennial powerhouses like Buckingham, Brown, and Nichols (BB&am...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, hosted by Matt Langone, University of Maine women’s soccer head coach Scott Atherley joins the show. They discuss the upcoming 2024 season, reflecting on Maine’s historic 2023 NCAA tournament appearance. Coach Atherley shares his insights on the evolution of the game, team dynamics, the influence of Canadian recruitment, and strateg...

Damario McIntosh: Journey to the MLS Next All-Star Game In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone interviews Damario McIntosh, a 16-year-old midfielder for New England Revolution II, about his soccer journey. Damario discusses his recent honor of being selected for the MLS Next All-Star Game, his experience traveling, and his developmental journey from Jam...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone interviews Brendan Adams, the head coach of Bridgewater State men's soccer team. They discuss Adams' two-decade-long tenure, his approach to recruiting, the identity and evolution of his program, and the competitive landscape of Division III soccer in New England. The episode also features a fun segment with produc...

The guest is Santiago Somorrostro, the New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year from Nashua South, who achieved the honor twice consecutively. They discuss Santi's high school legacy, the surprise of winning the award, his transition to UMass Lowell for Division I soccer, and his involvement in soccer and other sports over the years. Santi shares advice for younger players, insights into his goal...

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone interviews Dave Barrett, head coach of Fairfield University women's soccer team. Dave discusses his insights and strategies as a college recruiter and coach, emphasizing the importance of athleticism, character, and transparency in the recruitment process. He shares experiences from his coaching career, talks about...

The guest is Ally Giovino, a forward transitioning from Colgate University to the University of New Hampshire for a graduate year. Ally discusses her bittersweet emotions about leaving Colgate, her reasons for choosing Colgate over other schools during her recruiting process, her development as a player, and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected her college experience. She also talks about her plans...

New England Soccer Journal contributor, Frank Dell'Apa discusses the current state of the New England Revolution, their struggles in the Eastern Conference, and the broader context of soccer development and superstar influence in MLS. The conversation delves into the Revolution's performance, historical context under Bruce Arena's management, and prospects for improvement. Also, the transformative...

In this episode of The Goal Podcast, Matt Langone and producer David Yas discuss the television docuseries 'Welcome to Wrexham,' which follows Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they purchase and manage Wrexham AFC, a historic yet struggling Welsh soccer team. They delve into the show's influence on soccer's popularity, its appeal to a broader audience, and its representation of...

The guests are Steve McAuliffe, Executive Director, and Brendan Hamilton, Academy Director, from South Shore Select. The episode delves into the club's significant transition to ECNL girls from the Girls Academy for the 2024-25 season, marking a major milestone. McAuliffe and Hamilton discuss the club's joy and competitive ambitions with this move, highlighting their long-term effort in fostering...

Scott Halpern was named head coach of Loomis Chaffee's soccer teaam in 2023. Halpern previously worked with the men’s soccer program at the University of Connecticut. He joins the show to talk about this off-season, including adding some new students and off-season training and conditioning programs.