The Bear and the Ball

Scott Juniper, the Head Coach of the University of Irvine women's soccer program has developed the reputation of a 'Giant Killer' as his Anteaters have beaten both USC and UCLA in the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament. Originally from England, Juniper has built a program that rivals the biggest and best in the United States. On this episode of the Bear and the Ball he talks about culture and m...

Former USMNT star, Eric Wynalda has seen many different sides of the game as a player, coach, and broadcaster. Now as a parent, he has the joy of watching his children play. Recently his 14-year-old son was hospitalized after a violent play that has no place in youth soccer. Today on the Bear and the Ball, we discuss the root of violent play from the player, teammate, coach, parent, and administra...

Paul Spacey is the Director of Coaching for FC England, a small boutique club based on the westside of Los Angeles. In this episode of the Bear and the Ball, he talks about the philosophy of the club and how he can compete with some of the bigger names out there. His approach is highly relational and an example for all DOC's.

Christian Miles has been a voice of soccer since 1997. Beginning his career at Fox Sports World, Miles has traveled the globe calling games from every major and minor league. He describes his journey in the business of play-by-play calling. The challenges, the great moments, and the incredible personalities that make up the beautiful game. For anybody pursuing a career in this fascinating environm...

Margueritte Aozasa is making the most stunning impact on women's collegiate soccer the game has ever seen. From multiple NCAA titles as an assistant at Stanford University to winning the title as Head Coach of the UCLA Bruins in her first season, Margueritte is changing the game. On today's Bear and the Ball, we relive the dying seconds of one of the most dramatic NCAA finals ever played, we...

George Kuntz has been a presence on the Southern Californian College coaching scene for over 4 decades. From Cal Lutheran, Pepperdine, UCI Irvine, and now Cal State Fullerton, Kuntz has built programs from infancy to powerhouse. This week the Bear and the Ball discovers the journey, and what it takes to reach the pinnacle of collegiate coaching.

On this episode of the Bear and the Ball, Ben Thomas, Head Girl's Coach at Windward High School describes how to build a high school soccer program from the ground floor. The culture, strategy, and rhythm of the season are discussed in detail. If you have the ambition to be a head coach or are already on the journey and looking for the best advice, this episode is the one you want to hear.

Steve Sampson has done it all. Head coach of the USMNT and Costa Rica. Winner of the double, MLS Cup, and US Open Cup with the LA Galaxy, and champion of the NCAA with Santa Clara. Sampson has just spent the last month in the center of the soccer universe, Qatar. He joins the Bear and the Ball and shares his thoughts on the World Cup in Qatar, the USMNT program, and what it will take for the Unite...

Behind every team are the unsung heroes that make it all work. At the home of MLS Cup Champions, LAFC, equipment manager Oliver Curry, makes sure that his players run out at the Banc of California Stadium feeling great, however, that's just the tip of the iceberg for an incredible story that began playing the beautiful game in Cal South. On this episode of the Bear and the Ball, go on a journey wi...

The 2022 World Cup was a tournament for the ages. United Soccer Coaches Master Coach and Soccer Leader takes a look back at the competition and identifies some trends and actions that can relate to the youth game.

Billy McNicol has played and coached at every level of the beautiful game. From national programs where he oversaw the development of DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan to his current role at Cal Poly, McNicol has a unique insight into what makes a great player.

Jim Madrid the founder of AST Academy has been discovering, leading, and learning about the power of mindset for over four decades. In that time he has worked with world-class athletes and organizations to change lives. On this episode of the Bear and the Ball, Madrid unearths more insight into the most powerful component on earth, your mind.

Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski are redefining what it means to play as a striker. These two giants are at separate ends of their careers but what they both possess is an unquenchable thirst for scoring goals. Cal South Alum, Eric Wynalda, knows a thing or two about finding the back of the net having scored 34 times for the USMNT and Major League Soccer's first-ever goal. Today, Eric breaks...

Itzik Rapaport has played soccer at the collegiate Division 1 level. In 2005 his school made it to the final but Itzik was at home watching on TV despite being one of the best players on the team...why? He wasn't strong enough mentally. This made him go on a journey and his story is fascinating.

The 2022/23 season is just about to begin. The Bear and the Ball catches up with CEO Terry Fisher. Terry talks about new staff, new programs, and new ideas to create a soccer environment that is second to none.

Diogo Gama is the new Director of Soccer for Cal South. Most recently he served as SCP’s Director of Sport Projects and has been a leader in player development on Portugal’s sports scene for many years. He holds a master’s degree in youth development and a degree in sports science. At the start of his sports career, he was a professional rugby player, whose pinnacle was playing in the 2007 Ru...

Coaches who plan are coaches who succeed in helping players develop a love of the game. Licensed U.S. Soccer coach, Nick Webster, gives some tips and advice on why and how coaches should plan their coaching sessions. For more coaching advice, sessions and strategies, visit calsouth.com.

Soccer has always been a part of your host Nick Webster's life. Here he talks about his early years as a player, coach, and supporter of the game. He also speaks about his time with the Fox Soccer Channel and traveling the globe covering World Cups and Euros. He'll also delve into where he thinks soccer is going and plans for the future.

When talking about Brazil, the first thing that comes to mind is soccer, or  futebol , as it is called in Portuguese. Soccer is the country’s national pastime, the sport that the majority of the country lives and breathes on a daily basis with pride and passion. And that was no different for native Karen Callado. As Callado kept working hard and dedicating herself to her career as a referee,...

Jim Madrid, the CEO and founder of the AST Academy, has worked with some of the biggest names in sport. However, he hasn't focused on the technical or tactical side of athletics; instead, has has developed tools which train the body's most powerful tool: the mind. Jim talks about the AST mental performance platform and how it can benefit everyone: the athlete, the coach, and the parent. Today, in...

Last June, Terry Fisher joined Cal South as the organization's new Chief Executive Officer. Over the last nine months, he has changed the culture, mission, and attitude of the entire organization. With courage and determination, a new dawn has risen. Cal South is back and ready to serve the youth and adult players of Southern California. You have spoken, and we have listened.

Serafin Rodriguez has been there and done that. Growing up in Mexico City and being a ball boy at the famed Azteca Stadium cemented a love affair with the sport of soccer that has seen him become a coach, referee, and eventually a CONCACAF team liaison officer. He's witnessed the growth of the Mexico/USA rivalry, seen the dirty tricks the teams play on each other in the quest to qualify for World...

Soccer is a physical sport and injuries are part and parcel of the game. A sprained ankle, a jarred knee, an abrasion –– all are injuries which are easy to diagnose. Concussions, on the other hand, are much trickier. Who knows what's happening to our brains when we get our "bell rung?" Joe Flanagan, NCAA champion with CSUDH, joins Orange Coast College head coach Kevin Smith and certified athletic...

As a parent, coach, and former player, winning never gets old. On the other hand, losing can suck. In today's society, it feels like we only have time for winners, however, as a coach I often learned the most from a loss. A few years ago I wrote a book called "Re-booting Youth Soccer 2.0: Everything You Really Need to Know But Were Afraid to Ask About Youth Soccer" (available on Amazon). Today on...

Ian Feuer blazed a trail for goalkeepers in the 1990s becoming the first American to be signed by a team in the EPL, West Ham United. His story from Las Vegas to the top of the goalkeeping tree is inspiring. He left home at 16 years of age to pursue a dream, a dream he turned into reality. This episode of "The Bear and the Ball" is a blueprint on how to get to the top of the soccer world. The jour...