Str8 From The Training Ground

What does it really take to go from youth soccer to the professional game? In this episode, we sit down with Eric Rossitch, formerly with the Seattle Reign (NWSL), to break down the reality of making it pro in soccer — from development mistakes at the youth level to the demands of the NWSL and professional environments. Eric has worked closely with elite players including Megan Rapinoe, giving him...

Discover the unbelievable rise of Jay DeMerit—from being in the back of the line in England's 9th division to playing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup—and learn how he’s now using technology to transform youth athlete development. This episode dives deep into Jay DeMerit’s journey, his mindset, and the groundbreaking tech he’s building to help young players improve holistically and more confidently....

In this episode of Straight from the Training Ground, we talk with Michael Dublis, co-founder of The UnderGRound, a groundbreaking street soccer facility in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a leader within The Soccer Rebellion. This conversation breaks down how street soccer, creativity, and community-driven spaces are transforming American youth soccer, challenging the pay-to-play model, and helping p...

Champions League sweet 16, league tables, start of the MLS season & more! Highlight video- https://youtu.be/U3-wt_-WQTYSubscribe to our Newsletter here- https://str8fromthetrainingground.substack.com/p/what-drives-your-winning?r=4bake4Find our podcasts on Spotify here- https://open.spotify.com/show/1PpMiEmxEWdd1IZNMj9sEySubscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@str8fromthetrainingground?sub_conf...

USL big announcement, Champions League updates, Americans abroad and more! Subscribe to our Newsletter here- https://str8fromthetrainingground.substack.com/p/what-drives-your-winning?r=4bake4Find our podcasts on Spotify here- https://open.spotify.com/show/1PpMiEmxEWdd1IZNMj9sEySubscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@str8fromthetrainingground?sub_confirmation=1The Soccer Rebellion: https://www.thes...

- This Week in Soccer- European Tables/Standings- Coaching- Set Pieces- The Big Issue- Transfer Window- Street Soccer Highlights https://youtube.com/shorts/9wu4iFQK5Zk?si=RK4vmdheBvGW00Af- Team of the Week - Spanish Words of the WeekSubscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@str8fromthetrainingground?sub_confirmation=1The Soccer Rebellion: https://www.thesoccerrebellion.comSubscribe to our Newsletter...

Fernando Calderon Tena joins us to share his unique journey that includes coaching at the Granada CF academy in Spain, earning his UEFA 'A' coaching license and now coaching 10-12 year olds in youth soccer in Houston, Texas for HTX. He also shares his insight and experience on the current youth soccer culture in the United States and how it compares to his days of growing up in Spain playi...

1. Champions League 2. Prototypical American Player 3. League Leaders We discuss the new Champions League format, the prototypical American player and league leaders around Europe as well as our street soccer highlights! Finally, we continue our pursuit of our New Year's resolution to improve our Spanish! Subscribe to our Newsletter here- https://str8fromthetrainingground.substack.com/p/what-d...

We discuss the announcement of a new MLS Next Pro team in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the men’s pro pathway in the U.S. and the new college football playoff format. Join the discussion! #grandrapidsmichigan #mlsnextpro #mls #community #soccer #streetsoccer #culture Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/@str8fromthetrainingground?sub_confirmation=1 The Soccer Rebellion: https://www.thesoccerrebellion....

This week we discuss- 1. New NWSL team- Denver 2. Club mergers 3. Street soccer highlights Join the discussion! Subscribe to our newsletter- https://str8fromthetrainingground.sub... #grandrapidsmichigan #mlsnextpro #mls #community #soccer #streetsoccer #culture Subscribe here: / @str8fromthetrainingground The Soccer Rebellion: https://www.thesoccerrebellion.com https://www.thesoccerneighborhood.co...

We discuss what makes a championship culture, the best soccer cities in the U.S. and the NFL playoffs! Finally, we continue our pursuit of our New Year's resolution to improve our Spanish! Subscribe to our Newsletter here- https://str8fromthetrainingground.substack.com/p/what-drives-your-winning?r=4bake4 Find our podcasts on Spotify here- https://open.spotify.com/show/1PpMiEmxEWdd1IZNMj9sEy Subscr...

Jonathan Carone joins us to discuss his new podcast "Healthy Sports Parents." He brings an amazing perspective for all parents who are trying to navigate the incredibly pressurized world of youth sports in our country. When is a good age to try travel sports? Should your child be in travel sports? Is it ok for your family to stay in the local recreational league even when everyone else i...

LA Active Sports founder and CEO Howard Serpas explains the great work they are doing in the Los Angeles area to provide FREE soccer opportunities for kids in their community. With partners like LAFC, BMO, Adidas and the US Soccer Foundation they have helped over 6,000 kids in just a couple of years. They provide futsal leagues (Just Ball), clinics and most recently a summer tournament! Howard fil...

The Cleveland Soccer Group, founded in 2022, is making a serious push for both an MLS and an NWSL team in Cleveland. This past October (2023) they made their official bid for an NWSL team. Find out what Caitlin Clark and the NCAA Women’s Final Four have to do with their mission. Micheal and Noah share their story from the initial driving force of their group to the hurdles they have faced so far a...

Ty Phillips from the Columbus Crew joins us to discuss the soccer culture in Columbus, Ohio and the excitement around town of hosting the upcoming MLS All-Star game! The Soccer Rebellion and Michael Dublis will also be in town as part of the build up to the All-Star game as they bring their summer street soccer tour to Dick's Sporting Goods at Easton Town Center. Learn more about the Columbus...

Adelaide Gay, professional goalkeeper with DC Power & co-founder of Duktig Brand FC joins us to discuss the new USL Super League, national championships at the University of North Carolina and more. Hear about her typical day as a professional player, her recent visit back to Chapel Hill for Anson Dorrance and the moment she and fellow co-founder Tiffany Weimer realized their company was onto...

Unozero CEO & founder Sam Garzon joins us to discuss the motivation for leaving his career and starting his own company, as well as the many challenges he faced along the way. Hear about his childhood growing up in Venezuela and how it created his passion for the beautiful game from an early age. He shares the future goals for Unozero as well as a huge promotional event for Unozero called &#39...

Niall McCabe joins us from USL Championship side Louisville City FC to discuss their excellence on and off the pitch. Lou City, currently top of the table in the Eastern Conference of the USL Championship (second division of professional soccer in the U.S.) are trendsetters as an organization. They not only field a full men's professional team, but also Racing Louisville their women's prof...

U.S. soccer legend Brian Maisonneuve has won the Hermann Trophy at Indiana University, played in the 1996 Olympics, was an inaugural member of MLS with the Columbus Crew and represented the USMNT in the 1998 World Cup! He joins us to discuss everything from falling in love with soccer at an early age in Detroit, Michigan to the honor of representing your country at a World Cup and everything in be...

David Copeland Smith, world-renowned soccer trainer to international soccer stars like Alex Morgan, Abby Wambach, Rachel Daly, Ali Riley, Kelly O'Hara and more shares his story of being an entrepreneur in a new country and starting Beast Mode Soccer. Hear his story of how he developed Beast Mode Soccer into a global success while house-sitting for Robbie Williams!

Todd Beane, founder & CEO of TOVO academy joins us to share the TOVO philosophy and the influence Johan Cruyff had on its development. Todd played collegiately at Dartmouth, has served on the faculty of Johns Hopkins University, has an ‘A’ coaching license as well as a M.Ed. in education. His TOVO academy has worked with FC Barcelona, Ajax, LAFC, US Soccer and numerous college and club program...

Former Big East coach of the year, American East coach of the year and United Soccer Coaches national staff coach, Paul Marco has been around DI college soccer for over 25 years. Coach Marco was also recently inducted into the West Virginia youth soccer hall of fame. Hear about his unique introduction to the game, his early struggles, who he has been inspired by, his thoughts on the latest changes...

Taking the Nigerian women's team to the 2023 World Cup while rebuilding the Univ. of Pittsburgh women's soccer program, two-time national coach of the year Randy Waldrum tells us how he managed to balance all of this and more. Coach Waldrum previously led the Notre Dame women's program to two national championships, twelve Big East reg. season titles and five Final Four appearances. He...

Meet Robby Smukler, creator and founder of Icarus FC. He took a childhood hobby of drawing and doodling sports logos for imaginary teams and turned it into a company that since it's inception in 2017 has now sold jerseys to over 2000 clubs in 25 countries! Here about their unique culture, their Icarus Cup tournament and more!