Soccer by 3four3

In this episode, host Gary Kleiban sits down with Kephern Fuller to explore the complexities of American soccer players breaking into the European scene. The discussion covers immigration challenges, the realities of competing internationally, and the difficult decisions parents must make for their kid’s soccer careers. Key topics include the developmental impacts of prolonged MLS […]

Can coaches be “honest” with players and families, and more broadly is there honesty in the American soccer ecosystem? I’m joined by Paul Spacey, who I first met over 10 years ago soon after he arrived from England. Now with over a decade of working in American soccer, he shares a good number of lessons […]

The following episode features Ted Westervelt, regarded by many, including myself, as one of the originals who have been advocating and educating about promotion and relegation, both in the United States and abroad, for well over a decade. As you’ll see in this episode, he is very well-versed in the subject. And despite some suggesting […]

Before the start of our weekly business meeting, John Kokkoris and I had some soccer small talk regarding this misguided notion of “let the kids play”. It was stimulated by the following comments made by the Argentine National Team manager, Lionel Scaloni. “There’s an excess of analysis, too much. Nowadays, everyone knows how the opponent […]

Don (@Don_K_Williams) and I touch on a number of topics, including: There’s Nothing New in Soccer. Stats and Video Don’t Capture the Quality of a Player. Coaches Aren’t the Main Problem in Development. Personal Experience in Helping Latinos Have a Chance at the Professional Level. What is “Mentality”, and How Much Influence do Coaches Really […]

Truly knowing the landscape at all scales, helps you successfully navigate it. On Clubs A crucial concept often overlooked in discussions about soccer is the absence of what we commonly refer to as “clubs” at the MLS level. Moreover, this absence extends to the youth ranks. It might seem different from what you’d expect, especially […]

Contrary to what many in the States will tell you: A National Team manager does not have to conform to the proverbial “player pool.” By selecting and elevating players that conform to it, they absolutely can impose their preferred style of play. Inspired by a post from @SerbFootyScout who wished Serbia could have had Marcelo […]

Today, I’ve got a multi-decade long practitioner based out of Japan, Tom Byer. He’s American, but Japan has been his home for 38 years. As I was writing this intro, which is the only thing I ever script, it occurred to me: What is a practitioner? For me, anyway, there’s that cliche of “I know […]

Lifelong American soccer practitioner and entrepreneur, Kephern Fuller, joins me again from Holland. On September 15, news came out that an MLS owner, Arthur Blank, who operates the Atlanta franchise, was going to fund US Soccer with $50 million in order for them to build a National Training Center in Atlanta. Kephern then posted the […]

Player attributes are compartmentalized in 4 general attributes: Technical Tactical Physical Psychological They’re all critical. But that 4th one, man that 4th one is quite a bit different from the others. It’s tough to put your finger on it. One thing is certain though, without having the requisite mentality, not only will the player not […]

The following is a conversation with longtime friend and colleague, Paul Holocher, a former professional player with experience in MLS, pre-MLS, and in Europe when Americans overseas was barely conceivable. After his playing days, he turned to coaching, starting with youth teams, then coaching Division 1 college soccer back when that was a very big […]

I am joined today from Holland by a long-time soccer friend, colleague, and fellow builder who continues to push the envelope of what’s possible: Kephern Fuller. After founding a club named Joga SC on the east coast of the United States in 2010 and operating it in the DC area until 2016, he moved overseas […]

Today I’m joined once again by Joey Cascio. One of the extremely rare exceptional American coaches He wanted us to discuss what are likely the 2 most critical components (of the 5) to player development: The parent, family, household influence. And The structured club team influence. This led us to chat about a variety of […]

I’m joined today by professional footballer and former youth player of Brian Kleiban, Taylor Davila. Taylor’s doing really well in the USL Championship as a 22-year-old central midfielder. Playing for the RGV Toros, he’s leading the league in chances created. In this episode, he chose to have a chat about the salary cap in Major […]

I am joined today by Kirk Kinsey, soccer coach, soccer parent, doing the remarkable within the confines of American soccer. Within what is deemed “rec soccer” of all places. Ok, ok. Why on earth would 3four3 be talking about AYSO? I mean doesn’t 3four3 represent the top end of the game, doesn’t it work with […]

Are American Soccer Broadcasters: Doing a good job? Raising the collective soccer iq of the audience, OR, are they doing more harm than good? As you might suspect, I had quite a few things to say about this. A critical thing to appreciate here, is that who you are listening to – who you are […]

What does competition actually mean? And more specifically, what does it mean for coaches to create a competitive environment within their teams? There’s a lot to dissect here because it’s not just about: The level of your opponents. The level of the league. The level of your teammates. No, no, no. There’s a lot that […]

This episode dives into the following topics: Mentorship. And I must admit, things get a bit heated. But in a good way, as I was just trying to dig deeper into the topic and extract the most from our guest. Whether coaches should copy others or forge their own path. Again, there are some strong […]

The topic today is regarding an identity for the US men’s national team. Do we have one? Do we not have one? If we do have one, what is it exactly? If we don’t have one, why not? And what should it be? And yes, the topic of Jesse Marsch also comes up. So it’s […]

Today, I have a unique guest, 22-year-old professional player Taylor Davila. He grew up in Southern California, where he played most of his youth soccer at a well-known club, Real So Cal. My brother, Brian Kleiban, had known him from a very young age and had always wanted to bring him aboard our teams. Ultimately, […]

In this episode, I was joined once again by exceptional coach Joey Cascio to discuss what in Spanish parlance is called, “Cambios de Ritmo”. In English, that translates to “Changes of Rhythm”. Interestingly, that’s something you don’t hear much of – if ever – in American soccer. Not even in English football. You can watch […]

In this episode, I’m joined by John Kokkoris – a colleague out in New York who has had quite a bit of success with the youth there. It’s his second time on the pod, the first being way back in episode 157. So he’s been in and around for a while and I’ve certainly kept […]

Kephern Fuller joins us in a discussion that takes us through a bunch of topics: The US vs Netherlands Match On the “We’re a Young Team” Excuse The US being in the weakest group Did Holland choose to give the US possession US expectations for 2026 Diversity of ideas, or a calcified US ideology Lack […]

Today, Kephern Fuller joins us once again from Holland to have a chat regarding the US Mens National team, their World Cup campaign, and whether or not it’s a good thing they have advanced out of the group stage. Yes, there is a link between what’s good for you personally in the American ecosystem, and […]