The Next Level Training Soccer Podcast with host Aaron Byrd and Jeff Suffolk

On Episode 65 we bring on the founder and designer of the Youth Soccer Rankings app. Mark Lewis has changed the way we look at teams across the United States through a youth soccer lens. On today's show we talk about who the craziest parents are, where the best teams are based and how to raise your rankings!

Episode 64 Welcomes Coach Byrd back to the show! The boys tackle everything from the World Cup to Wrestlemania at the Canton Cup. Enjoy!

What if everything you thought was the point of youth soccer… isn't? In Episode 63, we sit down with C. Thi Nguyen — Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Utah and author of the new book The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else's Game — to explore one of the most important questions in youth sports: are you chasing what actually matters, or have you been captured by a system s...

The World Cup is ON! The boys break down the flaws in travel soccer scheduling, and a big teaser into the next episode! Enjoy!

We're less than 45 days away from the 2026 Fifa World Cup kickoff and there's so much to discuss. Check on on Episode 61 for some of our hottest takes on the current status. Let's Go!

In Episode 60, Jeff and Aaron bring on US Soccer Educator and USSF A License Coach, Jason Smith, from one of the largest grassroot programs in the Midwest United States, in Traverse City Michigan.

It's tryout season, and emotions are as high as ever before. Coaches are scrambling to keep teams together. Parents are making deals behind closed doors. And the kids are just looking to push themselves to accomplish their personal goals. Lots to unpack this week.

In Episode 58, hosts Jeff Suffolk and Aaron Byrd sit down with One Knox coach Luc Dessieux to dive into what's going on in Tennessee youth development and the future of the game through a USL program on the rise.

In Episode 57 of the Most Influential Youth Soccer Coaches in the Country, hosts Aaron Byrd and Jeff Suffolk bring in NCAA legend, Simone Omekanda to the show. Simone was a two-time First Team Big Ten Player at Penn State, a Youth National Team Player, drafted in the MLS and now a youth coach for the Michigan Bucks.

This one is for the goal keepers (and anyone who loves a good story). Former MLS Pro goal keep and D1 NCAA Hall of Famer, Mitch Hildebrandt joins the boys on Episode 56 to talk everything from what's the pathway for goalies, to how to overcome adversity.

In Episode 50ish, Aaron gets put on the hot seat by Jeff and answers the tough questions. Plus a reflection on where the show has gone and where it's going.

San Diego FC Talent Scout, Lisa Berg joins the show from sunny California. Lisa has one of the most unique and diverse backgrounds in coaching. She brings incredible insight on talent identification from around the globe.

In the series of the Most Influential Youth Soccer Coaches in the Country, Aaron and Jeff bring on pioneer Erin Lycan Ridley of the NWSL Bay FC and formerly San Jose Earthquakes Pro Youth Academy.

On Episode 53 of the Most Influential Youth Soccer Coaches in the Country, Colorado Rapids Academy Director Andrew Kewley joins Aaron and Jeff to unpack how the relatively small area of Colorado is producing America's top talent.

FC Cincinnati Academy Coach, Bryan Rodrigues joins the series of the Most Influential Youth Soccer Coaches in the Country. At just 29 years old, Bryan has held positions at Cedar Stars Academy, Columbus Crew and now FC Cincinnati. Check in his incredible words of wisdom he drops.

Continuing the series of the Most Influential Youth Soccer Coaches in the Country, Oliver Slawson formerly of Real Salt Lake Pro Youth Academy and Akron University joins Jeff and Aaron to drop nuggets for parents, coaches and players. You do not want to miss this one.

On Episode 48 of the Next Level Training Soccer Podcast, we have the legend of MLS Next Academies on the show, Larry Sunderland of FC Cincinnati. Larry created the first Chicago Fire and Fire Jr Academy, Youth Technical Director for Portland Timbers and now the Director of Player Development at FCC.

Continuing the series of Most Influential Youth Soccer Coaches in the United States, Aaron and Jeff bring on one of the most famous US Soccer Players of all time, Eric Wynalda. Eric scored the most important and memorable goal in the history of the US Men's National Team, he scored the first EVER goal in the new MLS in 1996, and now resides in Las Vegas, NV.

In Episode 47, Jeff and Aaron continue the series of the Most Influential Youth Soccer Coaches in the Country with Doctor Nick Markette of RSL AZ. Get your notebooks out, because Dr. Markette is about to drop some knowledge on Parents and Coaches. With over 30 years of coaching experience, Dr. Markette has been named Coach of the Year in Arizona, ODP Coach, Professional and College Coach, and a do...

Aaron Byrd and Co-Host Jeff Suffolk talk the Power of Yet, getting cut from ODP, neuroplasticity, Super Bowl Sunday and more.

The the 2026 Series leading up to the World Cup, Aaron and Jeff are searching for the common threads amongst the most influential youth soccer coaches in America. On today's podcast, we have Cam Baker, USSF A Licensed MLS Next Academy Directory at Midwest United in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In Episode 44, Jeff and Aaron talk about the impact of the Pygmalion Effect as a coach and as a parent.

Probably the most controversial podcast questions we've encountered. Tune in for hot takes on the cost of youth sports and Aaron and Jeff's thoughts on big mistakes parents and players are making.

Happy 2026! This is a huge year for American Youth Soccer and we're here for all of it. We're kicking off the season with live questions and diving into the impact of the next 12 months on the future of American development. Buckle Up! It's going to be a wild year!

Every team has talented players. Every club boasts about their "skilled" roster. But why do so many technically gifted players never reach their potential while others with less natural ability become champions? In this episode, Aaron Byrd and Jeff Suffolk challenge the obsession with winning at all cost in American youth soccer and make the case that character - not talent - separates good player...