The One Soccer Nation Podcast

How do you launch a professional soccer club, win a championship in year one, and lead a $2.5B soccer-anchored district in Texas? On this episode of The One Soccer Nation Podcast, Kareem Rae sits down with Matt Denny, General Manager & VP of North Texas SC, to uncover the story behind one of the most ambitious projects in U.S. soccer. What you’ll learn in this episode:- Matt’s journey from Eng...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Daniel Ramirez, a veteran television producer and storyteller whose career has spanned over 20 years across sports, journalism, and global football. Daniel shares his incredible journey into soccer storytelling, from documenting Kobe Bryant’s final NBA season to producing groundbreaking football series such as All or...

In this episode of The One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Dylan Meyer, Founder & CEO of Legacy of Legends. Dylan shares his inspiring journey—from creating a viral Dwyane Wade fan page at a young age to collaborating with Wade on managing his official Legacy Instagram page, and ultimately building Legacy of Legends, a global platform that connects young athletes wi...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae speaks with Alexis Boulos, General Manager of Union Omaha (USL League One), about how the club has built a championship culture — on and off the pitch. Alexis reveals her unconventional path into soccer, the leadership strategies behind Union Omaha’s back-to-back titles, and the operational realities of running a USL clu...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Ryan Bailey – Chief Operating Officer (Americas) at Red Knot and co-host of The Total Soccer Show on The Athletic – to discuss the rapid evolution of soccer in the United States, the business of storytelling in the game, and the unprecedented opportunities ahead as we approach the 2026 FIFA World Cup.   With over 15 y...

American investor-operator Jordan Gardner breaks down the real mechanics of buying and running European football clubs—what to diligence before you wire a euro, how to build a winning dressing-room culture, where undervalued leagues still exist, and why many multi-club ownership (MCO) plays fail in execution.   In this episode, you’ll learn: Deal selection & diligence: stadium...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Justin Papadakis, Deputy CEO and Chief Real Estate Officer at the United Soccer League (USL), to discuss the league’s rapid growth and how it’s shaping the future of soccer in the United States.   Justin shares how USL is building first-class stadiums, training centers, and community-focused clubs that will change the...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Dan Rutstein, President of Business Operations at Orange County SC (OCSC), to unpack how a United Soccer League (USL) club is challenging the status quo—and building a bold new vision for American soccer.   From leading the U.S. in player transfers to Europe to pioneering promotion and relegation, OCSC is c...

In this episode of The One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Brandon Dowling, Principal at Johnson Consulting, a boutique advisory firm specializing in sports, entertainment, and mixed-use real estate development. With over 17 years of experience and deep involvement in stadium projects across the U.S., Brandon shares unmatched insights into what it takes to bring professional...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae speaks with Bassam Naim, Director at ANB Futbol Academy, to discuss the remarkable 16-year journey of the ANB International ID Camp and its impact on Canadian soccer. Since 2006, ANB has been a bridge for youth players in Canada to gain international exposure, especially in Europe. Bassam shares how the camp was built to provide con...

In this exclusive episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with renowned international sports lawyer Enric Ripoll to explore the legal engine driving the world’s most popular game.   With over 20 years of experience spanning Spain, Europe, and now the U.S., Enric shares his personal journey from the mountains of Spain to Miami’s legal scene, his role in...

In this high-impact episode of The One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae connects with Jaime Domínguez, Director of Content and Communications at World Football Summit (WFS) — one of the premier global platforms for football business networking and thought leadership.   Jaime shares his inspiring journey from cosmetics marketing to global football, detailing how a passion fo...

Welcome back to The One Soccer Nation Podcast, sponsored by ConFut USA!   In this powerful episode, host Kareem Rae sits down with Nathan Krum, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Miami FC (USL Championship), to explore the future of soccer in the U.S. and the club’s bold $272 million mixed-use development project in Homestead, Florida.   Nathan shares: His 20+ year journey in...

In this episode of The One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Rodrigo Grillo, a rising sports legal professional from Brazil, to explore how passion, persistence, and purpose led him from Brazil, São Paulo to the University of Miami School of Law. Rodrigo shares his journey of transitioning from estate planning in Brazil to pursuing his dream of working in global sports l...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Antonio Paz, Vice President of Business Development at Absolute Sport, a global soccer travel company specializing in unforgettable fan experiences across the world's biggest football events.   Antonio shares: His incredible journey attending 10 consecutive FIFA World Cups From Maradona’s iconic 1986 win to...

In this powerful episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, co-host Channing Chasten sits down with longtime friend and former teammate Ryan Flood, a professional footballer currently with Phoenix Rising FC. Ryan opens up about his unique journey—bypassing college to chase a professional career, developing his craft across continents in Brazil, Japan, Ireland, and the USL Championship, and ov...

In this powerful episode of The One Soccer Nation Podcast, hosted by Kareem Rae and sponsored by Confut, we sit down with Felipe Alvarez — Co-Founder and President of Futbol Sin Barreras -- to hear how he's transforming lives through soccer in Colombia. Felipe's shares how a legacy started by his grandfather in an underserved Colombian community has evolved into an international foundation that ha...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Spencer Collum, a key executive at Fort Lauderdale United FC, to talk about how this rising club is reshaping the South Florida soccer scene.   From humble beginnings to launching a fully professional men’s team in USL League One, Spencer shares Fort Lauderdale United’s journey, including: Their 7,000...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Matt Valentine and Sam Morton. Matt is the Chairman & Co-Founder of Atlético Dallas, and Sam is the Chief Commercial Officer & Co-Founder. In this episode, we dive deep into the foundational vision behind launching a USL Championship club in North Texas. Matt and Sam share how their complementary rol...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Rob Uvanovic, the Executive Director at Miami SCORES. In this inspiring episode, Rob shares how his international experience across 15+ countries has shaped his leadership philosophy and passion for soccer-driven social impact. We explore the unique Miami SCORES model that blends soccer, poetry, and service-learnin...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Hugh Roberts II, the CEO & Founder of BackYardFooty and an 11-year professional soccer player who recently made history as the all-time minutes leader in USL Championship history. In this episode, Hugh opens up about the mindset and motivation that fueled his remarkable longevity in the game, the inspiration be...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Ethan Zohn. Ethan is the Co-Founder of Grassroot Soccer, a global adolescent health organization that leverages the power of soccer to educate and inspire young people to live healthier lives. In this episode, Ethan shares his incredible journey—from playing professional soccer and winning Survivor: Africa, t...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our Co-Host Kaela Hansen sits down with Samantha Rosette, a Professional Soccer Player at Brooklyn FC. Samantha's journey has taken her across the globe, from Kazakhstan to Lithuania to France, before returning home to make history with Brooklyn FC—the first professional women’s soccer team in NYC. In this episode, we discuss how her int...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Chris DeVolder, Senior Principal and Director of Sports + Rec + Entertainment at HOK. In this episode, we explore the evolution of soccer-specific stadiums, the role of sustainability in sports architecture, and how modern venues are enhancing fan experiences. Chris shares insights on balancing tradition with innov...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our co-host Kaela Hansen sits down with Jess Silva, the Head Coach of Brooklyn FC's women’s team. Jess has built an incredible coaching career, with experience in Canada, France, and now New York. As the first woman in Canada to earn a UEFA A License, she has broken significant barriers in a male-dominated coaching industry. In this episode, J...