Performance Level Podcast

Fernando Alva delves into the world of video analysis and talks about his plethora of experiences in this area. Fernando talks about his experience developing his very own video analysis department at the US Development Academy club (and now MLS Next) Boca United/ South Florida Football Academy. Fernando then goes into his development as a coach and video analyst through an internship at DC United...

Matt Gordon joins us in this episode of the Coach Ed podcast to discuss all things coaching education and coach development. Matt discusses his experience going through the coaching license process and how it has evolved since that time. We jumped into a great conversation around the use of methodology in coaching and how coaching can use and develop their own coaching toolkit during the process o...

Our last interview from 2021 comes from Tom Durkin, current Technical Director at Altitude Rush, a residential program in Port St Lucie. Tom talks about his wealth of experience in his formative years in Brazil, being introduced to coaching and his multitude of experiences with the U.S U17 National Team, Boston Breakers as a head coach in the NWSL and with the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Tom has some golden...

This podcast was another one recorded back in mid 2021, where I sat down with Anthony Latronica. Anthony goes into his past experiences in coaching that led him from coaching at Harvard University to Oregon State and then entering the well documented US Soccer Youth residency program as an assistant coach for the U17 National Team. Anthony talks about his background as a coach, as a youth national...

This episode was recorded back in June 2021, when Ewan Sharp had just moved to MLS first team, Toronto FC. Ewan talked about his journey from Stirling, Scotland getting a scholarship to play at Mercyhurst University and then his experiences which led into video analysis and coaching at the collegiate level and now the professional game. Since the interview, Ewan has moved to even bigger and better...

Scott McKenzie talks about his journey of development in coaching and delves into his experience as a youth coach, Academy Director, coach educator and USL Head Coach. Scott talks about how he has had to constantly adapt to new roles during his career, most recently while taking the leap from youth soccer to the innovative Academy set up at Park City Red Wolves with their relationship with the Cha...

In the last episode of the season, this one is not to be missed! Dean Selvey is a contractor for Double Pass and has worked as an Academy Director as well as a coach educator for the English FA. He talks about what he does in order to create an elite environment and how we can focus on the individual player within the team environment. Dean also talks about the need to know our players and coaches...

In this episode, assistant coach at the University of South Florida, Jeremy Hurdle talks about the potential changes of the College game and how it might affect player development in the pre professional phase in the future. He gives some great advice for coaches looking to get into the College game, as well as some golden nuggets for players looking to get recruited. Last, but not least, Jeremy g...

In this episode of the podcast, we sit down with Liam O' Connell to talk about the current landscape of youth soccer in the United States. Liam goes into the plans of USL; we share some background on USL's new league structure and how they seek to revolutionize youth soccer in the United States. For anyone interested in the future of youth soccer in this country, coaches wanting to know more about...

During this episode, Marcelo delves into the world of futsal and his book, Soccer Powered by Futsal. Marcelo gives us an insight into his methodology which focuses on transferring futsal concepts to the world of football. Marcelo aims to debunk some myths of futsal and also breaks down some useful techniques to get coaches started off in implementing futsal principles into their practices.  D...

In this episode, we talk to Chris Williams, U15, U17 and USL League Two Head Coach for the North Carolina Fusion. Chris gives us insight into how he instills a culture of ownership and personal responsibility and the challenges of coaching the individual player with the current Gen X. With snippets on his own leadership techniques, Chris also touches on the grueling interview process of getting th...

Nat Clermont joins us on the podcast, with an episode full of inspiration and motivation. Nat talks about her role as a self awareness coach and some parallels between her job and that of a sports coach; she delves into the world of self awareness and talks about some useful tools that coaches can use, including neuro-linguistic programming, self talk and the self triad tool, where she goes into t...

Hugo Guzman, U15 Academy Coach for New York City FC Academy joins us on this episode of the podcast. Hugo talks to us about the development of his coaching journey, some insight into his role with the Academy and how the club harnesses the power of individual development. Hugo also gives some golden nuggets on how to develop yourself into becoming an elite individual. This episode is not one to be...

Coach Educator and Eastern New York State Director Tim Bradbury joins us on this podcast, where he discusses the fallout of the Development Academy, the need for continuing coach development for coaches at all levels and how clubs can improve in providing their coaches with coach education. Keep up with Tim on Twitter at @TimBDOCI.

From the simple days of playing for his local club in Tampa, to breaking into the world of coaching and directing a U.S Development Academy, this episode with Blake Wagner is one that can't be missed. Blake talks about his view on the necessary ingredients for success in players, as well as some great advice on the difficulties of developing a long lasting culture in a soccer club. He talks about...

With a plethora of experience in a number of elite environments, including working with athletes in the NFL, MLB, US Special Forces and also in numerous football environments (Austin Bold FC/ US Paralympic National Team), this episode of the podcast has something for everyone! Clint highlights the highs and lows of his career, giving pointers on how to create culture organically, as well as insigh...

We speak with Eric Eichmann, Director of Coaching for South Florida Football Academy about the co-creation process of the club with Double Pass, including how they went about developing a style of play and he shares some great insights on improving player development in the U.S as well as how coaches roles need to change in this country.