New England Soccer Journal’s The Goal

Behind NESJ's Best of New England Rankings

Matt Doherty and Matt Langone discuss their “Best in New England” rankings for boys and girls in the classes of 2026 and 2027, explaining their evaluation process using in-person scouting, input from coaches, league honors, team success, and college commitments while acknowledging the difficulty of positional comparisons and “splitting hairs” within tiers. The hosts describe the 2026 boys list as MLS Next-heavy near the top and discuss balancing MLS Next, prep, and commitment context and explain why only 25 2027 boys were ranked due to slower recruiting. They call the 2027 girls class exceptionally deep, with many FC Stars commits, and discuss club and school representation across New England. In Extra Time, they answer questions about favorite New England soccer venues, unusual moments seen in games, and differences between men’s and women’s soccer and coaching approaches.
 
Topics
01:00 Podcast Intro and Rankings Recap
01:59 How the Rankings Were Built
03:56 2026 Boys Top Tier Breakdown
04:58 MLS Next vs Prep Weighting
08:29 Splitting Hairs and Tier Gaps
10:21 Positions and Goalkeeper Value
11:33 Owning Mistakes and Updates
17:10 2027 Boys List and Recruiting Trends
22:10 2027 Girls Loaded Class
25:51 New England Club Powerhouses
27:53 Girls Clubs and Commit Numbers
28:36 High Schools Producing Talent
30:49 Rankings Updates and Next Steps
31:32 Regional Gaps Beyond Mass and Conn
32:52 Extra Time Segment Begins
33:21 Best Soccer Venues in New England
36:42 Craziest Never Seen That Moment
40:01 Men vs Women Soccer Differences
43:32 Coaching Women vs Men
48:14 Wrap Up and July Tease

Boys club soccer spring preview

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty preview the boys club soccer spring season amid winter weather delays, focusing on MLS Next and ECNL boys postseason qualification for MLS Next Flex and the playoffs in a shortened calendar year. They discuss New England clubs in strong positions (IFA, Bolts, NEFC, Beachside) and highlight key players. The hosts note a surge in 2026 college commitments, a slow pace for 2027 commits, and how the transfer portal and potential Division 2 roster reductions impact recruiting, citing a UMass Boston coach prioritizing transfers. They mention upcoming events like Generation adidas Cup, Jefferson Cup and Florida showcases, including strong ECNL showings by FC Stars U-16 and AC Connecticut U-18/19. "Extra Time" debates player allegiance after transfers, memorable “loud silence” moments, and choosing Bruce Arena as a World Cup final coach.https://youtu.be/XTx4n1PHuTw
Topics
01:50 Flex and Playoff Race
03:31 Top Prospects and IFA Rise
05:26 Commitments and Recruiting Trends
07:56 Transfer Portal Ripple Effect
10:53 Showcases and Key Events
12:48 ECNL Boys Florida Standouts
18:37 Next Wave of Talent
21:32 "Extra Time" Segment
23:42 Modern Fandom Debate
25:33 Fans Athletes Owe
27:10 Loudest Silence Moments
29:24 Tuck Rule Storytime
31:02 Pick World Cup Coach
33:53 Ted Lasso Wrap Up

Tufts Coach Kyle Dezotell

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty welcome Tufts University men's soccer coach Kyle Dezotell. The coach shares his experience of winning the national championship and discusses the aftermath, the strength of NESCAC, and his vision for the future of the program. The conversation delves into how the team overcame challenges, built the championship roster, and maintained its competitive spirit. The podcast also explores broader themes in soccer, including the popularity of the sport in the U.S. and the significance of player attitudes and multi-sport athletes in building successful teams. In the "Extra Time" segment, the discussion includes philosophical insights into why people passionately support soccer clubs and a fun dive into the best goalkeepers in history.
Topics00:47 Welcome to the Goal Podcast01:19 Interview with National Champion Coach Kyle Dezotell02:01 Reflecting on the Championship Season04:42 Building a Winning Team10:53 Recruitment Strategies and Player Development19:24 The Role of Multi-Sport Athletes21:46 Looking Ahead: Goals and Challenges28:26 Recruitment Plans and Future Prospects28:54 National Championship Reflections29:40 Extra Time with David Yas30:26 The Passion of Soccer Fans36:41 The Rise of Soccer in the U.S.42:48 Dream Goalkeepers for the World Cup47:14 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

James Proctor, Director of Boys Soccer at Masters Academy International

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty welcome James Proctor, the director of boys soccer at Masters Academy International. The discussion centers around the launch of MAI, a soccer academy aiming to nurture student-athletes with a year-round program. Proctor shares insights on transitioning from Worcester Academy, the recruitment process, and the development of the program, including domestic and international travel plans. He also discusses the establishment of the coaching staff and how MAI will coexist with other New England prep schools. The episode concludes with Proctor's vision for an attacking and energetic soccer style at MAI.
Topics
00:36 Guest Introduction: James Proctor
01:10 Building Masters Academy International
02:51 Recruitment and Staffing
07:51 Program Structure and Schedule
10:17 Challenges and Excitement
12:31 League Participation and Competitions
18:20 Future Vision and Style of Play
19:21 Conclusion and Farewell

Takeaways From the ECNL Florida National Showcase

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty return to the studio after a holiday hiatus. They discuss Matt Doherty's recent trip to Florida for the ECNL Florida National Showcase, where he observed promising teams and standout players. The podcast delves into team performances, recruiting opportunities, and the strengths of various New England clubs, with a special focus on the 2010 age group. The hosts highlight key takeaways from the showcase, including the strong showing from Connecticut FC and the building excitement for the upcoming ECNL spring season. Additionally, the episode features a trivia segment on global soccer club names and concludes with light-hearted banter about the best meals in Florida.
 
Topics
00:41 Matt Doherty's Florida Trip Recap
01:39 ECNL Florida National Showcase Highlights
03:58 Standout Teams and Players
06:40 Recruiting Insights and Future Prospects
11:44 Connecticut FC and Select Club Analysis
13:22 Weather and Player Performance
14:53 College Coaches and Recruitment
16:18 Transfer Tracker and College Game Movement
16:39 Playoff Spots and League Emphasis
17:14 Key Matches and Team Aspirations
18:14 Food Adventures in Florida
19:46 Extra Time Trivia Challenge
27:11 Concluding Remarks and Farewell

MIAA Season Recap

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty provide an in-depth recap of the 2025 MIAA high school soccer season. The discussion covers key highlights from championship weekend, standout teams and players, and reflections on the season's surprises and anticipated outcomes. Additionally, the hosts offer early bold predictions for the 2026 season and engage in a light-hearted trivia segment on athletes with soccer connections.
Topics
00:34 Recap of Massachusetts High School Soccer Season
01:17 Championship Weekend Highlights
03:02 Surprising Results and Predictions
05:53 Reflections and Predictions Accuracy
09:40 Standout Players and Teams
14:55 State of Massachusetts High School Soccer
16:38 Spotlight on Girls' Soccer Teams
17:11 Natick's Impressive Run and Key Players
18:03 Medfield's Dominant Season
20:21 Other Notable Teams and Performances
21:03 Bold Predictions for Next Season
23:16 Extra Time: Sports Trivia
28:53 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

2025 NEPSAC Recap

Matt Doherty and Matt Langone discuss the conclusion of the 2025 scholastic soccer season, including key highlights from the NEPSAC boys and girls championships. The discussion covers the dominant performances of the Taft boys team and Mount St. Charles in Class B, key players and significant moments from the season. They also touch upon standout teams and upcoming predictions for the 2026 season. The episode concludes with a challenging soccer trivia segment, reflecting on various soccer-themed movies.
Topics
00:49 Recap of Scholastic and Prep Seasons
01:09 NEPSAC Boys Finals Highlights
02:05 Taft's Dominance in Class A
08:23 Nobles' Impressive Season
09:33 Surprises and Consistencies in Class A
12:22 Mount St. Charles' Remarkable Journey
15:30 NEPSAC Girls Champions
19:23 Challenges of NEPSAC Tournaments
22:24 2026 Preseason Predictions
23:25 Teams to Watch in Class B
24:10 ISL Teams on the Rise
24:47 Brewster's Soccer Journey
25:38 Season Recap and Future Coverage
26:18 Extra Time: Soccer Trivia
34:16 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

NEPSAC Tournament Preview

Matt Doherty, alongside Matt Langone and Mike Zhe, offers an in-depth preview of the NEPSAC boys and girls soccer tournaments. They discuss the upcoming matches and potential top teams, and they speculate on the brackets, with special attention to Class A and Class B. The episode also includes personal anecdotes on memorable soccer experiences and predictions for the soccer season ahead.
Topics
00:39 NEPSAC Boys and Girls Tournament Preview
01:50 Class A Girls Analysis
07:45 Class A Boys Analysis
18:48 Class B Girls Analysis
24:52 Class B Boys Analysis
26:26 Suffield's Playoff Prospects
26:56 ISL Teams Battle for Playoff Spots
27:26 Brooks and Vermont Academy's Strong Seasons
28:09 Teams Fighting for the Last Playoff Spots
30:39 The Excitement of NEPSAC Tournaments
34:18 Extra Time: Panelists' Soccer Experiences

MIAA Playoff Forecast

Patrick Donnelly and Matt Doherty delve into the MIAA soccer playoffs as the postseason approaches. They discuss the top contenders and potential upsets in each division for both boys and girls soccer. Patrick and Matt dive into specific teams and players to watch, highlight noteworthy games, and provide insights into the playoff picture in the five divisions. Additionally, producer Dave Yas challenges the hosts with a soccer history and rules quiz, adding an entertaining element to the discussion.
Topics
00:31 Excitement for the Upcoming Playoffs01:30 Division 1 Boys Soccer Preview02:44 Top Contenders in Division 104:27 Potential Upsets and Dark Horses10:13 Division 2 Boys Soccer Preview15:19 Division 2 Boys Soccer Preview19:46 Division 4 and Five 5 Soccer Preview23:21 Transition to Girls Soccer Discussion29:52 Underdogs to Watch in the Tournament31:11 Division 1 Insights and Predictions31:21 Division 2 Contenders and Dark Horses35:26 Division 3: The Most Exciting Division40:12 Division 4 and 5: Dynasties and Rising Stars42:47 Extra Time: Soccer Quiz Challenge

MIAA Mid-Season Check-In

Matt Langone is joined by Matt Doherty and Pat Donnelly to discuss the current high school soccer season, providing a mid-season check-in on MIAA boys' and girls' teams. The conversation covers early impressions, standout teams, and players, as well as the impact of the MIAA power rankings system. The hosts also share their bold predictions for the rest of the season. Additionally, the episode features a fun segment of 'Overrated or Underrated,' focusing on soccer traditions such as suits for managers, half-and-half scarves, and club mascots.
 
Topics
00:45 Weather Talk and Fall Vibes
02:28 High School Soccer Mid-Season Check-In
02:48 MIAA Boys Soccer Insights
04:21 MIAA Girls Soccer Insights
06:28 Power Rankings Discussion
11:27 Surprise Teams and Performances
16:54 High-Level Club Players in High School Soccer
20:21 Bold Predictions for the Season
20:32 Newton South's Impressive Comeback
21:40 Natick's Potential to Win Out
22:56 Underrated Teams to Watch
23:15 Disclaimer and Final Thoughts
24:16 Extra Time with Producer David Yaz
25:21 Overrated or Underrated: Soccer Traditions
35:11 Wrapping Up the Show