Shows
Because FootballA New Vision for the New York Cosmos | Erik Stover, CEOThe New York Cosmos are back... but many are asking the question... why?!?!In Episode 68 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Cosmos CEO Erik Stover about how the club is planning to do things differently (and better) in this third incarnation.The foundation of that plan is player development of the rich talent in the North Jersey area, as well as community development and expanding access to fans.Erik and the ownership group are extremely aware of the cynicism and competition that the club faces, but remain confident that a new...2025-07-231h 02Because FootballKindness and Courage in Football Leadership | Matt Hancock, CEO of Port Vale Football Club[ ]Professional football is a hyper-competitive industry. It can be ruthless, cutthroat, and overwhelmingly results-driven. But is there a place for kindness amidst all that intensity?In Episode 67 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Matt Hancock, CEO of Port Vale Football Club, currently of EFL League One. Matt shares his personal journey from learning about the game and people in the weathered, pungent changing rooms of Wolstanton United, a local non-league club that his father led, to working in a variety of community football roles, to ultimately taking the helm of one of the oldest football clubs...2025-07-161h 06Because FootballNew Documentary Series Announcement, Club World Cup Review, and MORE! with Host Andrew BaggaleyFor Episode 66 of the Because Football Podcast, we're trying a different format. Rather than interviewing an incredible guest from the world of soccer, our host Andrew Baggaley will be sharing updates on his round the world journey that took him to football communities in 17 countries in the past 18 months, a new documentary series, and giving his perspective on the new FIFA Club World Cup.Highlights of this episode include:Overview of his discoveries of soccer communities in 17 countriesRecommended vlogs to watch on our YouTube channelThe vision behind the new "Road Trip to the...2025-07-0941 minBecause FootballDoing Good Can Be Good Business for Football Clubs | Jan Twete, VfL WolfsburgWhen it comes to making an impact off the field in terms of community engagement and building trust, it is critical that football clubs think long-term about their goals.In Episode 65 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat about having a successful framework for building partnerships with Jan Twete, Director of Global Partnerships for VfL Wolfsburg of the German Bundesliga.As Jan shares, football clubs have a responsibility to be active in their communities and it requires vision and clear values to find the right companies to activate with successfully. And, as Jan has seen...2025-07-0252 minBecause FootballIcarus Cup Series EP 7 | YerbaCrewJason Triglia is Founder and Owner of YerbaCrew, which sells Yerba Mate tea, Yerba Crew bombillas, a variety of mate gourds, and serves as an educational and community hub with its series of "Mateada" events in the Philadelphia area.As a sponsor of the Icarus Cup, Jason loves the opportunity to share mate with people who have never tried it before and to be a part of a vibrant, powerful soccer community. It's a chance for him to stay connected to a game he loved as a child, as well as the men's and women's teams that...2025-06-2729 minBecause FootballMarketing and Mission for Success in MLS Next Pro | Derrall Stalvey, SVP of Strategy at Chattanooga FCThe growth of MLS in the past 25 years is undeniable, but its the lower levels of American soccer where some of the most impactful success stories live. A great example of that is Chattanooga FC, an MLS Next Pro and WPSL club that has set attendance records and has a hold on their local city.In Episode 64 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Derrall Stalvey, SVP of Strategy for the club. For the last 4 years, Derrall has been leading the club’s long-term vision, strategic initiatives, and brand growth. CFC is a club that has be...2025-06-2546 minBecause FootballIcarus Cup Series EP 6 | Gritty FCAnne Song is the Captain of Gritty FC, a grassroots adult soccer team in the Philadelphia area.In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Anne tells us about how the team helped her make friends and settle in a new city after moving from Cleveland, as well as the origin of the team's name and how it mirrors their collective personality.She shares about how winning the Icarus Cup last year was the highlight of her soccer life and details the team's gritty (sorry....) comeback in extra time to lift the...2025-06-2023 minBecause FootballRevenue Strategies for Grassroots Soccer Clubs | Ben Gunduz, Todos Juegan and ADC MALASAÑA of SpainIf your youth club could make more money from sponsorships, there is a good chance that money could be used to provide more access for players who can't normally afford youth soccer.But how do you develop that revenue? Well, you need a gameplan.In Episode 64 of the Because Football Podcast, we interview Madrid-based American Ben Gunduz. As a player and administrator for his local neighborhood club ADC MALASAÑA, Ben has been able to make a difference on and off the pitch.With t...2025-06-1846 minBecause FootballIcarus Cup Series EP 5 | Spicy Meatballs FCEvan Carabelli is the Captain and Founder of Spicy Meatballs FC, a men's league team that has been a key member of the Icarus Cup since it began 5 years ago.In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Evan discusses the story behind one of the tournament's most lovable team names, their tactical strategy. And, most importantly, we chat about why the lads - growing busier with family commitments and feeling the bumps and bruises a bit more than they used to - continually look forward to the Icarus Cup...2025-06-1320 minBecause FootballNever Seen Before: Building a Brand through Women's Football in Poland | Amanda Moura PietrzakWomen's football is NOT the same as men's football...and that's not a problem. It's an opportunity.In Episode 62 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Amanda Moura Pietrzak, COO of Legia Ladies in Warsaw, Poland.Amanda has had a career as a professional footballer in Brazil and Poland, as well as a distinguished university career in the United States. She began playing football (or "futebol" as it's called in her native Brazil) at a young age on a team of boys. Her experiences on the pitch ha...2025-06-1154 minBecause FootballIcarus Cup Series EP 4 | Fresh Coast FCDaniel Diaz is the Founder of Fresh Coast FC, an NYC-based sport and social club that has been knocking around the pitches of the Big Apple since 2013.In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Daniel talks about how the club is more than just a bunch of guys that play soccer together on Thursdays and Sundays, why local eateries and pubs are a critical part of their rituals and ecosystem, and what makes the Icarus Cup so special to a group of guys who have played...2025-06-0621 minBecause FootballWhatever It Takes: Creating Fun, Engaging Soccer Experiences in America | Scott WestcoatAmerican Soccer is unique in that the growth of the game has not relied solely on the obsessive soccer purist. In large part, the sport has risen due to fans drawn to community, fun, and experiences, rather than club tradition or passion passed down from previous generations.In Episode 61 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Scott Westcoat, a man who has contributed to the growth of soccer in a variety of ways over the past three decades. From the Washington Warthogs of indoor soccer to the early days of ML...2025-06-0457 minBecause FootballCoaching and Building Community in St. Louis Soccer | Ricardo GarzaIn Episode 60 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Ricardo Garza, a college coach, semi-pro club owner, and soccer training program operator in St. Louis.We talk about how coaching Junior College "JuCo" allows him to focus on developing individuals to prepare them for the next level, why he founded AC Saint Louis as a pre-professional club, and what his newest venture of MoligaTeqball can offer youth players in the region.We appreciate Ricardo's openness in sharing his story, from his initial dreams of becoming a professional indoor soccer player to...2025-05-2846 minBecause FootballIcarus Cup Series EP 3 | Women+ Soccer DetroitWomen+ Soccer Detroit is on a mission to provide safe, community-based soccer for she’s and they’s of all skill levels. Founded in the spring of 2023, the group met together a few times a week to play pickup soccer for fun, connection, and a workout. But when they heard about Icarus Cup Philly, they knew it was time to test their inclusive footy crew with some competition. In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Angela, Nikki, Sam, and Monica share what brought them all together, how soccer is cent...2025-05-2331 minBecause FootballSurviving American Lower League Soccer Is SO HARD (But Worth It) | Art Auchenbach, President of Reading United ACLocal, community level soccer has been present in the United States for over 100 years. Sometimes comfortably, often struggling, and rarely thriving, there have been a number of factors - economic, social, and organizational - that have brought the US lower league soccer scene to where it is today.In Episode 59 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Art Auchenbach, President of Reading United AC, a USL 2 and WPSL soccer club outside of Philadelphia USA. He was named Philly Soccer Page Executive of the Year for the Greater Philadelphia area in 2012 and 2013. In 2009, he coordinated a pa...2025-05-2156 minBecause FootballIcarus Cup Series EP 2 | Jaden Stevenson, Icarus FC Kit DesignerJaden Stevenson is a Kit Designer for Icarus FC, a design-focused football/soccer kit brand that creates highly custom and bespoke kits, jerseys and apparel for more than 2000 clubs in 25 countries, from the Ghana Premier League to your local rec league.In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Jaden talks about developing a love for soccer in a tiny Wisconsin town, how he and the design team seek inspiration from different cultures around the world, and which MLS club would be a dream to design for. 2025-05-1629 minBecause FootballEngaging Non-Soccer Fans via MLS Gameday Experiences | Greg Imming, Philadelphia UnionThe growth of MLS over the past 25 years is undeniable, but you would be wrong if you think it's only been because of a higher number of soccer fans in the US. That's because a significant driver of revenue - group ticket sales - depends not on a critical mass of diehard footy fans, but on engaging non-traditional groups in the matchday experience. In Episode 58 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Greg Imming, Vice President, Group & Inside Sales and Ticket Operations at Philadelphia Union.A 16 year ve...2025-05-1436 minBecause FootballBuilding Soccer Community With a Card Game | Roshan Patel of GIVE&GO GamesWhat if a simple deck of cards could bring soccer fans together like never before?In Episode 50 of the Because Football Podcast,, we’re joined by Roshan Patel, founder of GIVE&GO Games, a fast-paced, fun, accessible soccer party card game designed to spark creativity, connection, and playful banter—whether you're a die-hard supporter or just getting into the game.Roshan shares his journey from working at Fanatics and Topps to taking the leap as an entrepreneur, launching GIVE&GO Games with a wildly successful crowdfunding campaign. Plus - listeners will even get a SN...2025-05-1250 minBecause FootballIcarus Cup Series EP 1 | Charlie Shea, CASA Tournament DirectorCharlie Shea is the Tournament Director for CASA Soccer, a non-profit organization run for players, by players, that delivers high-quality, affordable soccer for all. In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Charlie talks about how being a lazy wrestler made him a soccer nut, the challenges and joys of organizing quality, fun footy events, and what makes the Icarus Cup so special to him.The Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media is intended to tell the personal stori...2025-05-0949 minBecause FootballDisrupting Traditional Soccer Media | Jose Tellez, GOLZ TVAre we in a golden era of football content? While major networks maintain a competitive advantage due to traditional distribution channels and deep pockets, ease of access has facilitated the rise of soccer content creators across various platforms.But, here’s the thing: we haven’t seen a soccer-specific platform where fans of the beautiful game can go to learn, debate, and create.Through GOLZ TV, founder Jose Tellez is trying to change that. Disappointed with what he deemed out-of-touch, inauthentic commentary from major news outlets, Jose has been fostering North America’s first content platfo...2025-05-0734 minBecause FootballWhy Dorking Wanderers Owner Wants More ClubsToday, one of soccer’s most controversial trends is the rise of “MCO” or multi-club ownership model, in which investment groups raise and invest capital in a web of international clubs. While this model seems to suit the ownership groups well, this phenomenon has raised concerns among fans about maintaining their club’s sovereignty and autonomy, rather than being a pawn in a global network of clubs.In Episode 56 of the Because Football Podcast, our guest Kyle Shestack is going to speak with us about the advantages and dangers of the MCO model, as well as...2025-04-3041 minBecause FootballBuilding a Revolution in How Talent and Leaders Connect in Football | Alejandro Martinez, GlobofootballSuccess in football - for clubs, players, and agents - is highly dependent on the quality of your network. But is it possible for the football transfer market to be more and better connected?On Episode 55 of the Because Football Podcast, our guest Alejandro Martinez speaks about his mission to create the world’s most prominent football social network - like LinkedIn for the football industry - by connecting clubs, agents, and overlooked, talented players.Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Alejandro played university soccer in the US, which led him to roles in both scouting and ti...2025-04-2346 minBecause FootballWhy Soccer Can Solve Our Society's Toughest ProblemsUsing sport for good might sound hollow and cliche. But for Dan Dodge, our guest on Episode 54 of the Because Football Podcast, it’s his mission. As Founder of Sports 4 Change, he collaborates with a wide variety of funders to utilize sports, and football / soccer in particular, to inspire people to live healthier, happier, more successful lives. An expert in project planning and implementation, partnership building, and quality assurance, Dan offers vast and diverse experience to the communities that Sports 4 Change supports in the London, Kent, and Norwich areas.Although most of Sports 4 Change’s projects are base...2025-04-1644 minBecause FootballWhy Dorking Wanderers Have An American OwnerAs football / soccer fans, our first dream was to become a professional player. To show our talents on the pitch, write our name in the history books, win trophies.But for Kyle Shestack, our guest on Episode 53 of the Because Football, his earliest dream was to own the team that the rest of us would be vying to play for. And after years working in the insurance industry, Kyle’s dream came true, as he became part owner of Dorking Wanderers FC through his company, Supporters Sports Ventures. This story is made all the more in...2025-04-0953 minBecause FootballHow to Turn A Group of Friends into a PROPER FOOTBALL CLUBThe beauty of football is sharing moments of joy, of desperation, of disappointment with your friends. The beauty of the English football pyramid is that you can get a team of friends together and, technically, rise all the way up 16 ranks to the Premier League.Likely? Probably not.Seductive? Absolutely.As you will learn on Episode 52 of the Because Football Podcast, our guest TJ Savage, co-founder and director of Finchampstead United, has exactly that dream. That’s why he and his friends decided to take what was a casual 5-a-side team and take th...2025-04-0240 minBecause FootballHow to Balance Competition and Community as a Football Coach / Henry Knight of Port Vale FCFootball brings out so many parts of us - the competitive side, the passionate side, the creative, the physical, and the social side. That's one reason we love it so much.Our guest for Episode 51 of the Because Football Podcast, Henry Knight, currently coaches in both competitive and community football roles. As Assistant Coach for the Port Vale FC Women’s First Team, he is part of a dedicated, professional coaching staff whose aim is lead the club up from the fifth tier of English football pyramid. This work on the pitch, pu...2025-03-2643 minBecause FootballHow Soccer Fans Can Plan Travel for the World Cup with TravelFutbolFanIn Episode 49 of the Because Football Podcast, we welcome Danny Navarro, a passionate football traveler and content creator known for helping fans navigate the world of soccer travel. Danny, aka @TravelFutbolFan, has built a strong community on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, providing insights on budgeting, planning, and making the most of major football events. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico on the horizon, the conversation dives into what fans need to do now to prepare for this historic tournament.Danny shares his earliest football memories, his...2025-03-1253 minBecause FootballWhy Relevance is Oxygen for Football Clubs with Sports Marketing Expert Jaime DominguezIn today’s crowded sports landscape, football clubs can no longer rely on tradition alone to attract and retain fans. In this episode of the Because Football Podcast, we explore why relevance is everything in modern football and how clubs must authentically earn their place in the hearts and minds of supporters. From local grassroots teams to global powerhouses, every club is competing for attention—and those that fail to connect will feel the consequences in the stadiums, on the pitch, and in their accounts.In Episode 48 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Jaime Domíng...2025-03-0537 minBecause FootballHow to Properly Understand African Football with Dr. Gerard AkindesIn Episode 47 of the Because Football Podcast, we invite Sports Management professor and research Dr. Gerard Akindes to give his insight about football in Africa. He gives his opinion on why AFCON is “not African Football”, how most domestic African leagues have lost their cultural relevance and quality, and who started the trend of West African players migrating to Southeast Asia to play professionally.We also discuss the African Super League, how he used to watch the World Cup (days and weeks after each match) as a child in a cinema in his home country of Benin, and...2025-02-261h 14Because FootballGuiding Youth Soccer Players to Succeed in College (and LIFE!) with Shane RineerOn Episode 46 of the Because Football Podcast, our guest Shane Rineer talks about his work of developing youth soccer players and what he is doing to improve the game on a structural level. With over 14 years of coaching experience at elite college programs, including Haverford College, Colgate University, and Amherst College, he has a proven track record of success in player development, recruitment, and program leadership.We chat about preparing youth players for college recruiting, how parents can set their child up for success in youth soccer, what the "Best Of Cup" tournament series helps not only elite boys...2025-02-1937 minBecause FootballReporting on Soccer Culture in Philadelphia with Matt RalphEver since his early days playing rec soccer in South Jersey, to his semester abroad in London watching Dennis Bergkamp bossing the pitch at Arsenal's Highbury stadium, Matt Ralph has loved the game of soccer.So it was only natural this his journalism career, initially covering a range of topics from high school sports, to politics, to crime, eventually transformed into covering the game he lives in the region he calls home - Philadelphia and South Jersey.Not many people in this rich soccer area have the perspective on...2025-02-1257 minBecause FootballSuccessful Soccer Entrepreneur INTERVIEWS ME!??In Part 2 of the Because Football Podcast, Jeremiah asks the questions.
Jeremiah White has experience as a US Men's National Team player, played professionally in Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
But, arguably his greatest impact on the game has been as an investor and entrepreneur, developing a portfolio of soccer-based business through White Sports Ventures. So it was so valuable to me when, after chatting off camera about some more personal questions I had about building a business around this podcast and YouTube channel, Jeremiah challenged me to record this Part 2.
...2025-02-0739 minBecause FootballHow to Grow US Soccer - Through Business and Community with Jeremiah WhiteMany professional soccer players struggle to adjust after retirement. But in Jeremiah White's case, he hit the ground running through a marketing company, investment firm, and various soccer-based businesses through White Sports Ventures.
Jeremiah has experience as a US Men's National Team player, played professionally in Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
He is originally from the Philadelphia area and played NCAA Soccer at Wake Forest.In this episode, we discussed his family's rich soccer history and future, how US soccer can become more accessible for young players and coaches, and...2025-02-0342 minBecause FootballHelping Clubs WIN BIG in the Transfer Market with Andy Watson, GSE Expert HubIt's one of the most important, dramatic, and addicting parts of football: the transfer market!
A club's record in the transfer market can make or break a season - heck, it can even break the club itself! And especially for football clubs in the UK, there are many potential pitfalls, but also opportunities.
Our guest on Episode 42 of the Because Football Podcast is Andy Watson, founder of GBE Expert Hub. Andy is a Brexit/GBE expert in football recruitment, Football Recruitment Analysis, data-based football research, and a former recruitment...2025-01-2943 minBecause FootballTurning Life Experiences As A Soccer Coach and Player into Businesses with Mark WagnerMark Wagner is a strategic leader, entrepreneur, and brand builder with a history of successfully developing and leading sports teams, organizations, and companies serving the secondary, higher education, and youth sports markets.
In Episode 41 of the Because Football podcast, we discuss his early journey as a player and coach, his innate passion for building businesses that support student athletes and universities, and even his initial dream of being a salmon fisherman in the Alaskan wilderness.
To connect with Mark and learn now he can support your institution, you can connect on...2025-01-2243 minBecause FootballHow To Develop Football Nations, Leagues, and Clubs from Top to Bottom with Aitor Orive Arroyo of Soccer Services BarcelonaThere is so much opportunity in global football to improve playing standards, develop coaching levels, and evolve club and league potential. All of these problems have unique solutions which are highly dependent on culture, geography, and resources.
It's rare that one company can deliver ways to improve all these areas of the game - but that's exactly what our guest Aitor Orive Arroyo is a part of at Soccer Services Barcelona - on a global scale.
Aitor's role as International Project Manager is to help identify ideal partners for the company and...2025-01-1552 minBecause FootballFootball Hotbeds you've NEVER heard of with Matthew Eide of Faraway FootballPull up a map on your phone, close your eyes, and scroll to random pixel.
Now, open your eyes, unless you've scrolled to a big blue ocean, there is probably a football team in that place.
And Matthew Eide, Founder of Faraway Football, probably knows all about it.
In Episode 39 of the Because Football Podcast, Matthew and host Andrew discuss:
Matthew's soccer holiday to Bhutan, the "Happiest Country in the World"
The beauty of Thimphu City FC's gorgeously dazzling Icarus FC football kits...2025-01-0843 minBecause FootballThree Generations of American Soccer History George Brown and James BrownMany people think American soccer started with Beckham's arrival, with Messi Mania, or if they're being really generous, Pele and Cruyff and Beckenbauer of the NASL.
In this episode, you will learn a very different, and extremely fascination, version through the lens of the Brown family.
Interview with James Brown, Author of "Mud, Blood, and Studs" and VP of SASH (Society for American Soccer History) and his father, George Brown, who played for the US in the 1959 Panamerican Games, the American Soccer League of the 1950s, and was on the executive committee of the National...2024-12-181h 35Because FootballUsing Football to Empower the Community | George Osoya of Football Without Borders KenyaSometimes we focus too much on modern, top flight football and forget about the wonderful simplicity of the game and its ability to touch lives.
George Osoya, Executive Director of Football Without Borders Kenya, realized the power of football from an early age and sought out to leverage it to positively enhance his community. In his case in Kisi County of Northwest Kenya, the organization has combined football with agriculture, a local livelihood, to develop young people and help them live more secure, healthy lives.
Football Without Borders Kenya...2024-12-1153 minBecause FootballHow To Become A Football Agent (TIPS, MINDSET, FIFA EXAM & MORE! | Will Bonell of TresBon SportsLearn how to become a football agent from Will Bonell of TresBon Sports, a FIFA-licensed agent.
In Episode 36 of the Because Football Podcast, we discuss Will's personal history, the struggles he faced in early adulthood, how he turned things around and how those values drive him to develop a reputable football agency based on hard work, commitment, and accountability.
Agents get a lot of critique in modern football. I learned a lot from the conversation with Will and I hope you enjoy it, too!
...2024-12-0149 minBecause FootballHow Passion Re-ignited a Non-League Fanzine | Christian Obray of Through the Turnstile of Non-League FootballNon-league football is a world of mystery and magic. Crunching tackles, creaking metal turnstiles, pitchside pints.
These clubs are the hearts of their community.
Listen to this episode with Christian Obray, founder of "Through the Turnstiles" website and "Parks to Pitches" magazine.
Read Christian's articles here:
https://tttonlf.com/
Order Parks to Pitches here:
https://tttonlf.com/coming-soon/
2024-11-0836 minBecause FootballTips for Becoming a Football Scout | Tom Fry, Port Vale FCHave you ever wanted to be a professional football / soccer scout? Maybe (like our guest!) you're obsessed with Football Manager and want to make it your real life? Or perhaps, you have a keen eye for talent and want to identify the next big star.
On Episode 35 of the Because Football Podcast, our guest Tom Fry shares how he got started as a scout, what he did to improve and demonstrate his worth, and the ins and outs of scouting and League One and League Two level. Tom is currently the Technical Scout for...2024-11-0441 minBecause FootballForging Your Own Path as a Football Scout | James DoolanHow do you become a soccer scout?
What qualities or skills are essential for being a successful soccer scout?
Do you need to take a course to become a football scout?
These are all great questions, and our guest James Doolan has the answers! I love James's story and we had an amazing chat on Episode 33 of the Because Football Podcast. James has forged his own path as a scout, initially reaching out to over 70 clubs via LinkedIn, until he finally got a response from a club in the 6th...2024-09-2548 minBecause FootballNever Taking No for An Answer on Your Soccer Journey | Federico DiazFederico Diaz is a Uruguayan-American central defender who has played professionally in 3 different (4 depending on how you count!) continents over the course of his career. Never quick to take no for an answer, he has paved his own path in the soccer world and his passion has sustained him through all the ups and downs.
In Episode 32 of the Because Football Podcast, we discuss the origins of his love for the game - his Uruguayan heritage, along with the requisite associated themes of mate, Penarol and Nacional (the country's two most dominant clubs), and...2024-09-1843 minBecause FootballDream Job as Tour Guide for the Bundesliga's Undefeated Champions Bayer Leverkusen | Gareth HoustonImagine getting to tour your favorite soccer team's stadium everyday, bump into superstar players and legendary coaches in the hallway and nod hello as colleagues, then tell a group of passionate fans all about the history and fascinating secrets of the club?
If that sounds like a dream to you, then you want Gareth Houston's job! Gareth, originally from Belfast, is a stadium tour guide of the BayArena, Bayer Leverkusen's home ground. And not only does he get to share the magic of the club with visitors, he also follows the club around the...2024-09-041h 01Because FootballLife as a Sporting Director in USL Championship Soccer Club Dan Visser, Pittsburgh RiverhoundsWhat does a sporting director do? What is the USL Championship all about? What skills do you need to be a successful professional soccer coach and leader?
Thanks to our guest Dan Visser, Sporting Director of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the USL Championship, Episode 30 of the Because Football Podcast answers all these questions and more.
We talk about Dan's journey from a three-time NCAA National Champion at Messiah College to his various college coaching roles, to ultimately making the jump to the professional level as the assistant coach of...2024-08-1243 minBecause FootballHow to Get European Soccer Tickets | Paul Gerald of Groundhopper GuidesHave you ever wondered about how to get soccer tickets for matches in the UK and other parts of Europe? Maybe you've been watching your favorite adopted team for years on TV, have seen them on preseason tours to the US, but haven't quite had the nerve to brave all the logistics and hop over the Atlantic to go see them live and in person?
Want to know how to get tickets? Which soccer stadium is overrated? Or underrated? And what games and clubs you REALLY NEED to see? And then once you figure that out, how do you...2024-08-0942 minBecause FootballHow Football Friendship Led to An Award-Winning Podcast | Ale and the Vale PodcastIf you are a diehard football fan and have ever thought about doing something MORE with that passion, this episode is a great listen for you! In Episode 28 of the Because Football Podcast, we sit down with two of the founding members of the Ale and the Vale Podcast, Jonny Hancock and Stu Kerby. The Ale and the Vale Podcast is a fan-driven project about Port Vale FC, a football club based in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, that is currently in League Two, the fourth tier of professional English football.
Self-described as "3 fans talking absolutely relatable rubbish that you will have...2024-07-081h 08Because FootballHow Soccer Can Build Community and a Fan Base | Peter Woolcock, Sport ConsultantEpisode 27 of the Because Football Podcast takes us into a part of the football world that we haven't touched on too deeply so far: fan engagement for professional clubs, specifically through developing local football programs as a tool for community development.
Our guest is Peter Woolcock, a Sport Consultant whose CV boasts experience leading volunteer operations for the 2012 London Olympics, as well as being a Director of Gameday Operations and Fan Experience for Chattanooga Football Club, an NPSL club in the USA. Over a 20 year career, Pete has served in various community sports roles...2024-04-041h 06Because Football"The Sweetest, Most Chocolated AFCON EVER" Tournament Review with Jaures Droghba, Ivorian JournalistWelcome to Episode 26 of the Because Football Podcast! We welcome back Ivorian journalist Jaures Droghba to review the incredible feast of football that his country hosted.
AFCON Champions Cote D'Ivoire hosted a legendary tournament this year! Not only was it the most organized and safest tournament ever, but also one of the most dramatic!
The host Elephants just barely qualified for the knockout stages thanks to a fortunate result from their new best friends Morocco. The host country fired their head coach, Jean Louis Gasset, after their three group matches and installed assistant coach Emerse...2024-03-2954 minBecause FootballInside Look: The Business of an African Football Academy | Jon BoafoWelcome to Episode 25 of the Because Football Podcast!
Our guest is Jon Boafo, an Abidjan-based director of the Ivoire Academie, a top youth football organization in the Cote d'Ivoire. A Ghanaian by birth, Jon grew up in France and then moved to the States to study at the University of Georgia. Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to be either a football agent or investment banker, and after a few years in the corporate world (and after participating at a an elite global level as a rower!), he made his first foray into the football...2024-02-171h 13Because FootballAFCON Stories Under the Radar | Maher MezahiWelcome to Episode 24 of the Because Football Podcast! Our guest is Maher Mezahi, an Algiers-based football journalist who has covered North African football for nearly a decade. His work has been published in international publications such as the BBC, The Guardian, The Telegraph, ESPN Africa and Al Jazeera English. He is also the host of the African Five-a-side podcast, which educated the football world about the African continent through the prism of its favorite pastime: football.
If you want a deep dive into African football, Maher is the guy to talk to. We talk about this upcoming AFCON in...2024-01-1227 minBecause FootballEverything You (Probably) Don't Know About African Football | Andrew OlssonWelcome to Episode 23 of the Because Football Podcast! Our guest is Andrew Olsson, creator of Pan-Africa Football, a website whose purpose is to keep fans of African football updated and to educate those who wish to know more.
He extends his knowledge and passion regarding African football with us in this eye-opening episode! What started as a course assignment about transfers of African players to Europe blossomed into an uncontrollable passion and birthed the news site, which now boasts 33,000 followers on Facebook and nearly 6,000 followers on X.
Over the past few years, Andrew has cultivated a network of fellow...2024-01-1253 minBecause FootballThe AFCON of Hospitality | Jaures DrohgbaWelcome to Episode 22 of the Because Football Podcast. Our guest is sports journalist Jaures Drohgba of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Jaures has been covering Ivorian football for the past few years and on this episode he gives us a great insight into the AFCON / CAN tournament from a local perspective.
On this episode, we talk about how Ivorians are preparing to be hosts of Africa's largest sporting event and what international fans can expect to learn about the country. The "AFCON of Hospitality" is sure to put Cote d'Ivoire's warmth, friendliness, and peace on a...2024-01-1145 minBecause Football"My wife wants me to quit the club" | Charlie Pomroy of Angkor City FCWelcome to Episode 21 of the Because Football Podcast!
Our guest is Charlie Pomroy, the President and Manager of Angkor City FC of the Cambodian Second Division. Charlie has been based in Cambodia for over a decade and has impacted the local grassroots football scene. His efforts with Forza Football, a non-profit utilizing football for community development, blossomed into a more formal club and when offered an opportunity to join the Cambodian League 2, jumped at the chance.
Charlie played as an England Schoolboy international and had an opportunity to travel the world through football at an early age. These experiences...2024-01-041h 13Because FootballFrom Lesotho to NCAA Soccer and Back Again | Lepe SeetaneWelcome to Episode 20 of the Because Football Podcast!
Our guest for Episode 20 of the Because Football Podcast is Lepe Seetane, who is currently the graduate assistant coach for the Spalding University men's soccer team. As a teenager, Lepe had the opportunity to move to Louisville, Kentucky from his home of Lesotho, a country in Southern Africa.
He was an All-American at Trinity High School before enjoying a decorated playing career at Northwestern University. A Big Ten champion and All-Big Ten selection with the Wildcats, Seetane had spent the previous five years back in Lesotho, where he was serving as...2023-12-3153 minBecause FootballThe College Coach Who Didn't Plan to Coach | Luca Mellor of Eastern UniversityWelcome to Episode 19 of the Because Football Podcast!
Our guest for Episode 19 of the Because Football Podcast is Luca Mellor, originally of Huddersfield, England. Luca is the Head Men's Soccer Coach at Eastern University in St. David's, Pennsylvania. Luca grew up in the Manchester United Academy before signing a pre-professional contract with Bradford City FC, and then decided to make the move across the Atlantic and play NCAA Division 1 Soccer at the University of Pittsburgh and Villanova University.
Luca shares his background as a child growing up in Huddersfield, and the passion and cynicism that being exposed to football...2023-12-1346 minBecause FootballThe Ones Who Help You on Your Journey | Pro Guatemalan Soccer Player Enrique HauesslerWelcome to Episode 8 of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.
Our guest is Quique Hauessler of Guatemala City, Guatemala. Quique played at the professional level in Guatemala and at NCAA Division 1, 2 and NJCAA (Junior College) level in the United States. He has experienced soccer in many different environments, from being a part of Guatemala's top youth soccer academy, to joining an elite team for showcases in the United States.
Although as a young boy he hated soccer and used to hide from his soccer coach so he wouldn't have to play, something switched at age 7 and from...2023-12-1250 minBecause FootballJoy and Pain of Coaching Soccer Abroad | UEFA A License Coach Blaine McKennaEpisode 3 of the Because Football Podcast is PERFECT for anyone looking to chase their dreams and get outside their comfort zone. We chat with soccer coach Blaine McKenna, who is currently based in beautiful Phuket (take it easy - it's pronounced Poo-ket), Thailand.
Blaine is a UEFA A License coach with 14 years' experience coaching and educating coaches in 11 countries across five continents. During this time, he has worked at a range of grassroots and professional clubs. Blaine also has a Master's degree in sport psychology and works with professional players, coaches, and international athletes.
We chat with him about...2023-12-1242 minBecause FootballWhat It Takes at the NCAA D1 Level | Head Coach Sharif SaberThis is a great episode for anyone interested in college soccer in the USA. Our guest, Sharif Saber, has coached at multiple levels of the game and is currently the Head Coach of the Women's Soccer program at USC-Upstate, an NCAA Division 1 team in the Big South conference.
This episode dives into Coach Sharif's journey and the many sacrifices he has made and risks he has taken to reach the level he's currently at. From his earliest memories of soccer, to how coaching his younger sister's travel B team made him the coach he is today, Coach Sharif's stories...2023-12-1245 minBecause Football"If we worked with Man United, it wouldn't mean as much." | Jonny Hopcroft, COO of Icarus FCWe're BACK for Episode 2 of the Because Football podcast.
This time around, we sit down with Jonny Hopcroft, COO of Icarus FC and fervent Fulham FC supporter.
This episode meanders from Jonny's initial experiences of lower league soccer to how that passion drew him to the mission of Icarus FC, a design-focused brand that has a deep arsenal of absolutely FIRE football kits.
We discuss the powerful connection between a club's identity and the community it represents, whether that includes a group of friends in an American adult league or a budding powerhouse based in a rural community in...2023-12-1254 minBecause FootballChasing Dreams | Professional Footballer Laurene TresfieldWelcome to the FIRST EVER episode of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.
Our guest is Laurene Tresfield. Laurene is a professional women's footballer from Paris, France. She is currently a center defender for Alaves in the Spanish Women's Primera. She was previously the Captain of @gpso92issy9 in the Division 2 Feminine, the second division of professional football in France. Laurene also represents Martinique in international CONCACAF competitions.
In this episode we discuss Laurene's lifelong passion for the game, how she grew up playing mostly with boys, and her courageous decision to move to the United States...2023-12-1238 minBecause FootballHow Do You Define Success as a College Soccer Coach | Stephen Bower of University of Valley ForgeWelcome to Episode 18 of the Because Football Podcast!
Our guest for Episode 18 of the Because Football Podcast is Stephen Bower, Head Coach of Men's Soccer and Assistant Athletic Director at the University of Valley Forge in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Coach Bower has experience at the college and youth club level.When he took over as Head Coach at UVF, a NCAA Division 3 program, they struggled to even have enough players to field a team of 11 players. Now, after 4 seasons the team has a roster of 25 players and has become more competitive on the field.This episode doesn't touch on much...2023-12-0749 minBecause FootballDeveloping African Sports Business as a Football Agent | Reda LaraichiWelcome to Episode 17 of the Because Football Podcast!Our guest for Episode 17 of the Because Football Podcast is Reda Laraichi of Rabat, Morocco. Reda is the Senior Manager Business Development & Strategy for Rainbow Sports Global, a leading Pan-African sports entity, providing holistic management, marketing, and media solutions for football sports agencies, clubs, and talented African football players.Reda shares his background as a child growing up in Morocco, a country with an intense passion for soccer, and then how he moved to the USA and UK for his university studies. By the age of 21, he had passed the FIFA...2023-11-161h 04Because Football"No Regrets" in the Ivory Coast | A Journey of the First Football School in AbidjanWelcome to Episode 16 of the Because Football Podcast!
Our guests are Marc Bruneau and Junior Soulama, co-founders of the Étoiles Naissantes Academy, or "Rising Stars Academy" of Abidjan, Ivory Coast / Cote d'Ivoire.
Marc, originally from Bordeaux, France, and Junior, a native of Abidjan, met through a mutual friend more than a decade ago. Both had experiences playing professional and amateur football and once their careers ended on the pitch, decided to create a new vision together. Their vision, the Étoiles Naissantes Academy, will be the first of its kind in the Ivory Coast, a hybrid football-educational institution that will de...2023-11-1546 minBecause FootballShowcasing Africa's Hidden Talented Footballers | David Onyango, CEO of The Showcase AfricaWelcome to Episode 15 of the Because Football Podcast!
Our guest is David Onyango of Nairobi, Kenya. David is an ex-professional footballer who is currently the Founder and CEO of The Showcase Africa, a platform dedicated to helping underprivileged African talented young footballers get the exposure they need to secure professional contracts with European and Asian clubs.
In this episode, David shares how his childhood dream of being a professional footballers led him on a unique path through the glory and shadows of being a soccer star within the world of Schools Football in Kenya. He was signed by Gor...2023-10-2059 minBecause FootballJourney of a Professional Goalkeeper l Dane JacomenWelcome to Episode #14 of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.
Our guest is Dane Jacomen, professional goalkeeper for Loudoun United of the USL Championship, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States.
As a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dane grew up as a multi-sport athlete. His first experience as a goalkeeper was only because his travel team coach volunteered him because he was "a baseball guy". As each year moved forward, Dane's vision and goals grew bigger and bigger, eventually leading him to join the DC United Academy and then the University of Pennsylvania, where...2023-10-1051 minBecause FootballWorld's BIGGEST Clubs are AFRAID to SCOUT Where He Goes | Harry Varley, Pro Football Scout in AfricaWelcome to Episode #13 of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.
Our guest is Harry Varley, previous the Head Africa Scout for KAA Gent of the Belgian Pro League, and now an independent African and Caribbean football expert. You will have a tough time finding a more well-rounded, cultured person in the game!
As a native of Leeds, England, Harry saw firsthand of football can impact a community. His passion for following Leeds United gave birth to a dream of impacting communities and changing lives through the beautiful game. Over the past 15 years, Harry has held many titles...2023-10-0456 minBecause FootballWhat Is A Scotsman Doing in Cambodian Football? Christopher Grant, General Manager of Svay Rieng FCWelcome to Episode #12 of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.Our guest is Christopher Grant, the General Manager of Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC in Cambodia, one of the league's top clubs who were champions in 2019 under Christopher's guidance. A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Chris coached in academies and soccer schools in the UK before moving to Cambodia to set up a new branch of his Elite Soccer Coaching development center. After growing his business in the capital of Phnom Penh, he caught the eye of local professional clubs and became Academy Director of Phnom Penh...2023-09-2050 minBecause FootballWhat It's Like to be a SUPER FAN and visit 90 stadiums in 19 countriesWelcome to Episode 11 of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.
Our guest is Jessica Malone, a Soccer SUPER FAN who has visited 90 stadiums in 19 countries and attended 4 FIFA World Cups! Jessica first got the soccer bug watching the 1999 Women's World Cup and attended a quarterfinal doubleheader - watching eventual hero Brandi Chastain score an own goal 5 minutes into the match - only to equalize off a corner kick before halftime.
Jessica grew up playing soccer in Pennsylvania, but her soccer fandom exploded to the next level in 2019, when she took a sabbatical from her job to travel...2023-09-1552 minBecause FootballTales from Soccer's Paths Less Traveled | Steve Darby, National Team and Professional ManagerWelcome to Episode 10 of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.
Our guest is Steve Darby, an experienced coach who has held numerous roles at the international and club level in Australia and Asia.
Steve began playing soccer in the streets of Liverpool, England and was born just a few blocks from Anfield Stadium, the home of Liverpool FC.
He has held roles such as National Team Manager of Laos and the Vietnam women's team, and was assistant coach for Thailand under managers Peter Reid and Bryan Robson. He has coached professional teams in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia,
...2023-09-0657 minBecause FootballStanding Up for What's Right | Chris Steel - UEFA A License CoachWelcome to Episode 9 of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.
Our guest is Chris Steel, a former professional player, coach, and club director with 22 years of experience on 4 different continents. He holds UEFA A & UEFA Elite Youth A Licences.
Chris began playing soccer as a boy in Glasgow, Scotland on red ash pitches and very quickly developed one sole aim for life: to become a professional footballer. That was always plan A and his passion took him to play in Australia, Hong Kong, and even a brief stint in an NCAA program in the United States. Currently...2023-08-311h 07Because FootballPassion and Progress in Indian Football | Ryan Roy ShahWelcome to Episode 6 of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.
Our guest is Ryan Roy Shah. Coach Ryan has a UEFA B license and Masters in Sports Science and High Performance with 6+ years of coaching and management experience at schools, universities, clubs and academies. He is currently heading Pune Pioneers Football Club in Pune, India as Club Director.
In this episode we discuss Ryan's journey from playing at youth and professional level and then transitioning into coaching. He explains why he chose to go through the UEFA coaching pathway, although it is cheaper and easier to qualify...2023-08-0956 minBecause FootballWhy Values are KEY as a Youth Soccer Club | John AdairWelcome to Episode 7 of the Because Football Podcast presented by Transform Soccer.
Our guest is John Adair. Coach John wears many hats as the Technical Director at Buckingham United Soccer Club in the Philadelphia USA area, as well as Head Boys Soccer Coach at CB West High School. In 2023, he attained his USSF B License and was formerly the Regional Director at Coerver Coaching. He also has experience in the college game as an Assistant Coach at Georgian Court University, an NCAA Division 2 program.
In this episode, we discuss how Coach John had absolutely NO natural gift for soccer...2023-08-0946 minBecause FootballHow Youth Soccer Players Can Improve | Coach Will KempEpisode 5 brings great insight into how coaches can develop themselves, THE EASIEST WAY FOR PLAYERS TO IMPROVE ON THEIR OWN, and fun stories of soccer adventures in the UK. It's a great one for coaches, players, and parents to enjoy and learn from.
Our guest, youth soccer coach Will Kemp, is a native of South Jersey (USA) and has been involved in the beautiful game for over 25 years. In his roles as director of Kemp Soccer Development and Cohansey Soccer Club, Coach Will has trained players of all ages and levels of play, including teams that have competed in...2023-08-0342 min
💡 Turn on the light 💡Interview with Table Tennis Olympian and 4 times WCPP champion Andrew BaggaleyListen to my interview with Table Tennis Olympian 4 times WCPP champion Andrew Baggaley!
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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/turn-on-thelight/message2021-01-1117 min
Brum Is BlueCharlie Wellings Inspires Win At Everton - Episode 29Great Since 68 - Episode 29: Two goals from young striker Charlie Wellings inspired Birmingham City to a superb win away at Everton. We discuss the game as well as hear reaction from the goal scorer herself and manager Marc Skinner.**Chelsea v Blues**We open this week’s show discussing a near-perfect performance away at Kingsmeadow. It ended in defeat but we were so close from leaving London with a point.**Everton v Blues**The guys then discuss Blues’ 3-0 win over Everton at the Marine Travel Arena. It was Birmingham’s final away game of the season and it featured some g...2018-05-1635 min