Soccer Talk presented by Kick It Forward

The semifinals are in the books, and the stage is set for a massive Friday finale. In 1A, Van Meter edged Regina 1-0, while West Sioux shut out Hudson 2-0 to earn their shot at the title. Over in 2A, Bishop Heelan put on a clinic with a 7-0 win over Williamsburg, and Gilbert battled past Webster City 1-0. We break down the highlights, key performances, and what to expect when the trophies are on t...

The 2025 girls state tournament kicked off with a bang—goals, drama, and a few surprises along the way. From Xavier's ten-goal masterclass to Centennial and Waukee surviving from the spot, the quarterfinals delivered across all three classes. We break down the standout performances, smooth finishes, and what each result means heading into the semifinals.

In this episode, we break down the thrilling quarterfinal matchups from the 2025 Iowa Boys State Soccer Tournament. From dominant performances to nail-biting penalty shootouts, we cover all the action across Classes 1A through 4A. Highlights include Johnston's commanding 5-0 victory over Dowling Catholic, Cedar Rapids Washington's dramatic PK win against Dallas Center-Grimes, and Gilbert's double-...

The 2025 Iowa High School Boys State Soccer Tournament is back! Join us as we analyze each bracket, highlight key players, and provide insights into the teams vying for the state title. Whether you're a fan, player, or coach, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the road to the championship.

IGHSAU's state soccer tournament is here and we are ready to talk about it. In this episode, we dive into each class, spotlight key storylines, and share our predictions for who might lift the trophy by week's end. From dominant favorites to potential underdog runs, we've got everything you need to get ready for state.

Gary Ross from the IGHSAU joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of girls high school soccer in Iowa. We talk about his background in sports, the elimination of overtime and PKs, updates to the state tournament venue, season start date, rankings system, and changes to yellow and red card rules. We also dig into the growing participation numbers, what Gary enjoys most about overseein...

Girls substate predictions are here! We're diving into every corner of the girls regional brackets and making our picks for who's punching their ticket to state. Expect bold takes, tight matchups, and a few dark horse teams we've got our eyes on.

This week's episode features a classic showdown between two Des Moines public school programs we've followed closely for years—North and Roosevelt (Boys & Girls). After breaking down the Game of the Week, we shift into a full rundown of the Class 4A boys substate brackets. We go region by region, highlighting key matchups, potential upsets, and the top contenders in each bracket. From powerhouse p...

During the offseason, we sat down with Todd Tharp from the IHSAA to talk all rule changes coming to Iowa High School Soccer. We dive into this year's state soccer format, why overtime rules have changed, and what else could be coming to high school soccer in Iowa. Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at the decisions shaping the game!

This week's featured matchup takes us to the pitch for a clash between the Valley Tigers and Ankeny Centennial Jaguars. In this episode, we delve into a CIML Class 4A showdown, highlighting all the goals, pivotal moments, and tactical adjustments that defined the final result. We also celebrate Aziz Haffar's 600 career wins and talk controversies beyond the match. Tune in now to catch all the acti...

On this week's episode of Game of the Week, we break down the clash between CIML opponents Ankeny and Ames. While the scoreboard didn't tilt in Ames' favor, the Little Cyclones brought energy and moments of promise—especially in the second half. Tune in as we highlight key plays, standout performances, and what this result could mean for both squads as the season progresses.

On this week's episode of Game of the Week , perennial powerhouse Iowa City West hits the road to face Dowling Catholic in a marquee boys soccer matchup — and this game did not disappoint. Jonathan Mendez stole the show with a hat-trick, but that didn't stop the Trojans from making it interesting. We break down all the key moments, tactical insights, and what this result means moving forward. Tap...

This week's featured matchup takes us to the pitch for a clash between North Fayette Valley and Center Point-Urbana. We break down the goals, key moments, and standout players from a game that delivered plenty of action and quality play. Who controlled the midfield? Who made the difference in the final third? We've got all the highlights and analysis right here. Tune in now for your weekly dose of...

Game of the Week is BACK! Ben Brackett and Blake Siberz are joined by the Titan Tactician and now Dowling Girls Head Soccer Coach, Matt Sahag, to discuss Friday's game between the Maroons and Roughriders.

Kick It Forward's Ben Bracket & Blake Siberz are joined by current Des Moines Menace spark plug, Leroy Enzugusi, and debuting podcast cohost, Fred Frimpong, to discuss the second round of U.S. Open Cup. Listen now to hear more about The Valley, fun locker room stories, and more with this Soccer Talk crew.

We sat down with new Des Moines Menace head coach, Charlie Latshaw III, to discuss his season plans, the quickly approaching U.S. Open Cup, and his vision for the team's success.