Riverside and George Mason University midfielder John Balkey joins me just days after being named the 2025 Washington Post Player of the Year. We reflect on a standout season in which he led the Rams to the state semifinals and helped them finish at the top of the local rankings. John shares what this prestigious honor means to him—especially following the tough disappointment of a state tournament upset. We dive into the key factors behind his rise in the local soccer scene and talk about what it will take to find similar success at the next level.