Soccer Talk presented by Kick It Forward

The 2026 girls state soccer tournament is officially in the books. We break down Hudson's PK shootout victory in 1A, North Polk's historic first title in 2A, and Waukee Northwest's back-to-back championship run in 3A. Plus, a look back at the key moments, game-changing plays, and players who shined on the biggest stage.

Semifinal Friday did not disappoint. PK shootouts, overtime winners, upsets, and late-game drama highlighted an unforgettable day across the 1A, 2A, and 3A state semifinals. Tune in as we break down all the action and preview championship Saturday. 

The quarterfinals delivered plenty of goals, upsets, and storylines as teams battled through the heat in Ames. We break down all the action from 1A, 2A, and 3A while looking ahead to what should be an exciting semifinal round.

From Regina finishing off an undefeated season to Gilbert repeating as 2A champs, Hoover's historic comeback, and Waukee Northwest closing out a title run of its own — the boys state finals had a little bit of everything. Ben, Blake, and Matt break down the biggest moments, wild atmospheres, standout performances, and everything that made this year's tournament unforgettable. 

Gilbert returns to the state title match with a 2-0 win over Bishop Heelan, while Des Moines Christian punched its ticket on a late corner-kick winner in a tense battle with Unity Christian. Ben and Blake break down the weather chaos, tactical moments, standout performances, and what to expect in Saturday's all-central Iowa final.

Class 1A semifinals are in the books. Regina Catholic outlasted West Central Valley in a PK shootout, while St. Albert battled back from a 2-0 deficit to take down defending champion West Sioux and secure a spot in the state final.

The state semifinals delivered nonstop drama, late comebacks, huge saves, and championship-level performances. We break down all the biggest moments from an unforgettable day at the Iowa boys state soccer tournament and preview the matchups set for Friday's finals.

The boys state tournament quarterfinals delivered everything — overtime thrillers, penalty shootouts, controversial moments, and statement wins across all four classes. We break down the biggest results from Day 1, including Waukee Northwest surviving Johnston in PKs, Urbandale's comeback against Iowa City West, Gilbert advancing in dramatic fashion, and who looks ready to make a run at a state ti...

The postseason is here! On this episode, we break down the 2026 Iowa Boys State Soccer Tournament with predictions, key matchups, dark horses, and the biggest storylines to watch across all four classes as teams battle for a state title.

This week we break down Waukee vs Valley while also diving deep into the newly released boys and girls substate brackets. From controversial seeding discussions to strength of schedule debates, we talk through the biggest matchups, toughest draws, and teams we think are built for a postseason run. Lincoln head coach, Joe Sithonnorath, also joins the show to provide a coach's perspective heading in...

A packed week of boys action as we break down the Merle Hay Cup and Iowa City West at Ankeny Centennial. Big moments, key goals, some referee controversy, and what these results mean as we get closer to postseason play.

This episode breaks down two key girls matchups across the state, including Dowling vs Ankeny Centennial and Southeast Polk vs Waukee, with a deep dive into the moments that decided each game. The guys analyze goals conceded, highlighting preventable mistakes, defensive positioning, and the importance of communication and game management in crucial moments.

The high school soccer season is in full swing and this episode we dive into the Crosstown Invitational, a loaded event featuring some of the top ranked teams in the state all competing in one place. We break down key matchups including Ankeny Centennial vs Linn-Mar, highlight standout goals and moments, and talk through what makes this event so valuable with college coaches in attendance.

We're back with another Game of the Week breakdown, this time covering a girls matchup between Lincoln and North that ended in a 1-1 draw. The guys break down key moments including a first-half penalty, a chaotic equalizer, and a close offside decision that could've shifted the result. They also touch on the growth of both programs, rising participation numbers, and early season results and storyl...

The high school soccer season is officially underway, and we kick things off with our first Game of the Week breakdown. We dive into Roosevelt vs. Dowling, covering a controversial penalty decision, missed chances, and the game-winning goal in a 1-0 result, while also discussing roster turnover and what it means for both teams. Around the state, we hit early results, storylines, and teams to watch...

We're back with another roundtable episode, this time talking all things girls high school soccer! During this conversation, coaches discuss what it takes to build a successful high school soccer program, challenges within the game, the importance of developing leaders, and for some, getting players invested in something bigger than just winning games. From player development and expectations for...

In this episode, we bring together several Iowa high school boys soccer coaches for a round table conversation about the upcoming 2026 season. The group discusses how programs are preparing for the year ahead, what they're seeing across the Iowa soccer landscape, and the challenges and opportunities facing high school soccer in the state. From player development to program culture and expectations...

Grand View made history in December, winning the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship for the first time in program history. In this episode, we sit down with Head Coach David Groves to talk about the Vikings' run through the national tournament and the players who helped make it happen. Coach Groves shares how patience, strong leadership, and trust in the process helped shape a championship te...

Continuing the conversation about youth soccer, we are joined by a soccer educator, youth coach, and lifelong soccer aficionado, Frank Gurnick, or as we like to call him, Frankie G! In a broad-ranging discussion, we touch on everything from what defines a community club to the inherent conflict between volunteer non-profit boards and their executive leadership.  But it isn't all serious soccer tal...

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Heckenlaible to talk through his journey in the game, from growing up playing in Iowa to working through setbacks, trusting his belief, navigating recruiting camps and academy trials, and earning his place at the college level. Andrew shares what the process actually looked like behind the scenes, the moments that tested him, and what he learned by taking o...

In this episode, we sit down with Lance Rozeboom, former Iowa youth soccer player, Division I collegiate athlete, and professional, to discuss his approach to player development and why he built RFA Futbol Academy around the youngest age groups. Lance shares why the early years are critical to long term development and how he stays hands on with the day to day coaching, environment, and expectatio...

ECNL Super Cup is being positioned as a replacement for high school soccer, but is it really the better option? In this episode we break down which path truly reflects a collegiate environment, where real exposure comes from, the financial barriers involved, and the impact of playing for your community. A conversation every player and parent should hear. 🎙️⚽️