Soccer by 3four3

A compelling episode with Joey Cascio, who shares his extensive coaching experience and insights gained over 15-20 years. We discuss the recent Club World Cup, where Chelsea surprisingly beat PSG, and dive into coaching philosophy and methodologies. Joey highlights the challenges and joys of youth coaching, such as building a team’s identity and handling parental […]

In this episode, we wrap up discussions on the US men’s national team following their 2-1 loss to Mexico in the Gold Cup final. We dive into roster decisions, tactical choices, and the higher-level takeaways from both the match and the broader program. We also emphasize the critical role fans play in shaping soccer culture […]

Culture, Passion, and the Realities Holding American Soccer Back We bring on long-time friend and experienced practitioner, Kephern Fuller, to discuss the challenges and barriers in US soccer culture, the differences between suburban and international football cultures, and the importance of mental resilience. We examine the role of culture in developing top players, top clubs, […]

In this episode, we touch on the US men’s national team’s semi-final against Guatemala and Pochettino’s remarks an American soccer culture. We reflect on Diego Luna’s performance and critique the hype around his goals. We also address listeners’ feedback, focusing on the critical issues within the US soccer system, including the need for cultural change […]

Analyzing US Soccer: The Gold Cup, Club World Cup, Media Narratives, and Player Development In this episode, we discuss the US men’s national team’s recent victory over Costa Rica in penalty kicks and their advancement to the Gold Cup semifinals. We assess player performances, notably Diego Luna’s prospects, and the current dynamics under Pochettino. We […]

Gary Kleiban joined the Playmaker Fútbol Academy (PFA) podcast hosted by Kirk Kinsey.to discuss key topics in American soccer development. We highlight the importance of parent involvement in assessing and selecting clubs and coaches, and how different factors impact players. Gary shares insights on the challenges in the US soccer landscape and provides actionable advice […]

Addressing the Softness in American Soccer and Responding to Listener Questions In this episode, we discuss the ongoing drama surrounding Christian Pulisic and the state of American soccer. We address the importance of getting all sides of the story and how the current media landscape might not be providing a complete or deep picture. We […]

In this episode, Kirk and Gary dive into the recent US Men’s National Team friendlies against Switzerland and Turkey. They analyze the performances of the team, different players, and debate the potential implications for the future. The conversation also critically touches on the broader underlying issues like the impact of MLS and how much of […]

In this episode, we discuss Christian Pulisic’s controversial decision to skip national team duty citing fatigue. We address the pervasive softness in American soccer culture compared to other footballing nations. We also tackle questions from the audience on training compensation, solidarity payments, and highlight video best practices for aspiring players. The episode takes various interes...

In this episode, we discuss the telltale signs of amateurism in soccer, inspired by a recent professional game. We outline key indicators, such as a specific type of poor first touch and specific bad decisions that expose players as amateurs. We also emphasize the importance of high-quality training and maintaining focus to avoid these pitfalls. […]

Unlocking Player Potential In this episode, we invite the founder of Grande Sports Training to discuss his journey in soccer and personal training. Miguel shares insights on his training methods, the importance of technique and mentality, and the challenges of navigating the American soccer ecosystem. We also touch on his experiences with high-level players and […]

Elevating American Soccer: Mastering ‘Losing Your Man’ and More In this episode, we focus on the concept of ‘losing your man’ and how this technique differs from the traditional ‘get open’ mantra often heard in American recreational soccer circles. Learn how this skill is vital at every level of play, not just for wingers, but […]

In this episode, we dive into the evolution and importance of ‘building out of the back’ in American soccer. We examine its historical context in the U.S. and compare it to international practices. The discussion also highlights the influence of global talents like Lamine Yamal on the soccer world. Additionally, we provide insights on training […]

Getting Back to Basics: Rondos and Receiving Across the Body In this episode, we dive into the importance of training rondos and the fundamental skill of receiving across the body in soccer. We address the misconceptions about these training methods and explain why they are crucial for developing players at all levels. We also share […]

Inside SoccerViza with Joe: Club Ownership Challenges and Success Stories In this episode, we have a special guest, Joe Funicello, the founder of SoccerViza and owner of a third division professional Romanian club. Joe shares his journey from aspiring professional soccer player to club owner, discussing the challenges and rewards along the way. We delve […]

In this episode, we dive into a Q&A session addressing various questions from the audience. We cover challenges like differentiating between recreational and professional player development, handling difficult conversations with parents about their children’s soccer involvement. The discussion also includes advice for new coaches on the importance of focusing on fundamental training act...

Join me and experienced coach Paul Spacey as we dive into the nuances of soccer training and development. We discuss how 80% of David Beckham’s training can be done unopposed, the importance of understanding opposed vs. unopposed training, and the role of repetition in player development. With insights from Paul’s extensive coaching background in Southern […]

In this episode, we dive into the pathway to professional soccer in the United States. This is crucial information for parents and coaches of youth players, even if they don’t believe their player will go pro. The pathway to pro shapes the entire soccer system, affecting everything from youth league battles to higher education decisions […]

In this episode, we shift our focus to the defensive side of soccer, following a previous discussion about offense. We go into the nuances of training defenders, the importance of defense in comparison to offense, and practical defensive training exercises from the 3four3 coaching program. We emphasize the concept of ‘thinking defense while on offense,’ […]

Breaking the Final Third Conundrum in Soccer In this episode, we discuss one of the most common challenges possession-based coaches face: dominating possession but struggling to score goals. We dive into various strategies to improve our finishing in the final third, including the importance of rehearsing attacking patterns, working on individual skills outside of team […]

Debate on the Value of US Soccer Coaching Licenses with Rory O’Neill In this episode, we discuss the intricacies and controversies of soccer coaching licenses in the U.S. We go into our personal experiences, comparing U.S. and UEFA coaching licenses, and discuss the impact of licensing on both youth and professional coaching. We highlight the […]

Per usual, the mainstream narratives are all wrong. In this episode, we discuss US Men’s National Team’s lack of attendance and ultimate loss. We then jump into our first comments regarding USL’s promotion and relegation announcement. Is it truly pro/rel, or a gimmick? And how will this likely impact the MLS monopoly and US Soccer […]

In this unique episode, we tackle toxic comments received across our various social media platforms. We respond to criticisms about U.S. soccer coaching licenses, player development, coaching strategies, and more. 00:00 Intro 04:40 1st Comment – Random Brazil Kid is Better any Player We’ve Developed 11:51 2nd Comment – Stereotype of American Soccer Knowledge 13:07 […]

The episode is a discussion on game management principally in the youth game, focusing on pregame, in-game, halftime, and postgame strategies. The hosts recount specific instances from their experiences, particularly highlighting a match against FC Barcelona’s youth team. They emphasize the importance of structured training, professional conduct, and balancing instructional coaching with mot...

In this episode, we discuss the importance of captains in soccer teams, debating whether leadership qualities are innate or can be developed. We explore what makes a good captain, using real-life examples from both professional and youth soccer. The conversation later transitions to the political nature of sports, emphasizing how soccer serves as a vehicle […]