New England Soccer Journal’s The Goal

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

NEPSAC Soccer Midseason Report

Matt Doherty is joined by NEPSAC experts Matt Langone and Mike Zhe to discuss the state of high school soccer as of October 1st. They review surprising performances, key matchups, and standout players from September, and preview what to expect in October. The discussion covers both boys and girls teams, highlighting notable results, emerging contenders, and impactful players. The episode concludes with a light-hearted 'Overrated or Underrated' segment on various soccer-related topics.
 
Topics
00:28 Season Overview and Surprises
02:36 Albany Showcase Insights
03:50 Top Teams and Key Matches
06:33 Founders League Breakdown
14:01 ISL Teams to Watch
16:33 Standout Players in NEPSAC
18:26 Highlighting Top Young Talent
18:55 Standout Female Players
20:20 Addressing Reader Concerns
22:38 Extra Time: Overrated or Underrated
26:11 Flopping in Soccer: Crisis or Not?
29:29 The Impact of Tifo Displays
31:51 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

Nico Calabria of the National Amputee Soccer Team

Matt Langone and NESJ writer Matt Doherty interview Nico Calabria, the captain of the U.S. Men's National Amputee Soccer Team. Nico shares his journey growing up playing soccer on crutches, his rapid rise in amputee soccer, and his global experiences, including climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. They discuss the development and challenges of amputee soccer in the U.S., the growth of the sport, and upcoming competitions. The episode also includes a lively extra-time segment with soccer memories and favorite moments.
 
Topics
00:40 Meet Nico Calabria: Captain of the US Amputee Soccer Team
01:05 Nico's Early Soccer Journey
02:38 Challenges and Triumphs in High School Soccer
04:38 Understanding Amputee Soccer
06:20 Nico's Transition to Amputee Soccer
07:39 Pathway to the National Team
11:09 Building Amputee Soccer in the US
19:15 Climbing Mountains: Nico's Other Adventures
21:43 Future Vision for Amputee Soccer
24:57 Unexpected Moments in Soccer
25:10 Challenges and Aspirations of the Team
26:14 Extra Time with David Yaz
27:13 First Soccer Memories
30:34 Memorable Soccer Chants
32:35 Incredible Soccer Plays
36:50 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Prep Soccer Season Preview

Matt Doherty is joined by Matt Langone and Mike Zhe to discuss the upcoming prep soccer season. They delve into both boys' and girls' teams, offering insights on teams to watch, key players, and preseason predictions. They spotlight top contenders like Taft, Berkshire, BB&N, and Suffield while also discussing potential surprise teams. The panel also talks about dynamic matchups, standout players, and the intense nature of the three-game playoff format. Additionally, the hosts answer fun questions in the 'Extra Time' segment and debate the significance of stellar strikers versus goalies. The episode is a comprehensive primer for any soccer enthusiast gearing up for the New England prep soccer season.
 
Topics
00:49 Prep Soccer Season Preview: Girls' Teams to Watch
02:13 Top Contenders in Girls' Class A Soccer
07:53 Dark Horse Teams and Rising Stars in Girls' Soccer
09:51 Class B Girls' Soccer Powerhouses
10:58 Players to Watch This Fall
12:15 Surprise Teams and Season Dynamics
16:03 Upcoming Matches and Key Events
18:15 Boys' Soccer Season Preview: Top Teams and Players
21:44 Class B Contenders and Movements
23:35 Excitement of the Tournament
25:56 Preseason Storylines and Expectations
28:20 Extra Time: Fun and Games
36:38 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward

Kicking Off the High School Soccer Season

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty dive into the onset of the high school soccer season in Massachusetts. They discuss preseason preparations, the excitement surrounding the new season, and top teams to watch out for. They highlight the impact of players leaving for MLS Next and private schools on MIAA Boys' Soccer, and examine powerhouses like St. John's Prep, Newton North, and Oliver Ames, who continue to dominate despite roster turnovers. On the girls' side, they emphasize the competitiveness and depth of talent, mentioning key programs and players expected to make significant impacts. The episode wraps up with an engaging 'Extra Time' segment, where rapid-fire questions cover personal soccer memories, key aspects of the game, and reflections on the evolving landscape of soccer in the U.S.
 
Topics
00:35 High School Soccer Season Preview
03:00 Impact of MLS Next on High School Soccer
06:28 Exciting High School Soccer Stories
09:57 Teams to Watch in Boys' Soccer
14:34 Girls' High School Soccer Preview
23:52 Extra Time: Rapid Fire Questions
27:40 Reflecting on Memorable Sports Moments
29:16 The Best Soccer Matches We've Seen
30:44 Comparing Soccer Atmospheres to Other Sports
32:10 The Business Side of Soccer
33:12 Misunderstood Rules and Underrated Skills in Soccer
38:26 Will Soccer Overtake Major US Sports?
43:21 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

UMass Coach Fran O'Leary

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty chat with UMass Men's Soccer Head Coach Fran O'Leary. They discuss the upcoming 2025 season, the success of the 2024 season, the team’s impressive clean sheet record, and the challenge of replacing key player Alec Hughes. The conversation also delves into the importance of recruitment, team leadership, and the move to the highly competitive Summit League. The episode concludes with a fun segment called 'Extra Time' where the guests answer soccer-related questions.
 
Topics
00:32 Meet the Guest: Fran O'Leary
01:14 UMass Soccer Season Preview
02:40 Challenges and Strategies
04:37 New England Soccer Talent
07:30 Building a Successful Program
09:47 Transition to the Summit League
12:44 Recruitment Insights
15:25 Advice for Incoming Freshmen
17:01 State of Division One Soccer
19:10 Looking Ahead to 2025
20:15 Reflecting on the Season's Philosophy
21:03 Applying Life Lessons from Soccer
21:19 Previewing the Upcoming Season
21:42 Extra Time: Fun and Wild Questions
21:57 Youth Soccer: Positive and Negative Habits
24:41 The Importance of Leadership in Soccer
27:09 Comparing Coaching Roles Across Sports
33:26 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Observations From the Club Season

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty recap the 2024-25 club soccer season, discussing notable performances, standout players, and key learnings from their coverage. They delve into the success stories of various clubs such as FC Stars, Scorpions, and NEFC, and the competitive landscape of platforms like MLS Next and ECNL. The hosts share their experiences from traveling to showcase events and provide insights into the player development pipeline in New England. The episode concludes with a lighthearted extra time segment where the hosts discuss memorable soccer uniforms and hypothetical memorabilia.
 
Topics
00:32 Recap of the Club Season
02:02 Highlights from National Showcases
04:33 Standout Teams and Players
07:43 Club Competitiveness and Development
17:46 MLS Next and Player Development
22:39 Beachside's Strong Season and IFA's Impact
23:23 The Rise of MLS Next and ECNL Boys
24:56 The Influence of MLS on Youth Soccer
25:52 Reflecting on the Club Season
28:03 Extra Time: Fun and Games
37:19 Wrapping Up the Episode