New England Soccer Journal’s The Goal

MLS Next All-Star Damario McIntosh

Damario McIntosh: Journey to the MLS Next All-Star Game
In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone interviews Damario McIntosh, a 16-year-old midfielder for New England Revolution II, about his soccer journey. Damario discusses his recent honor of being selected for the MLS Next All-Star Game, his experience traveling, and his developmental journey from Jamaica to California to Boston. They also cover his transition from striker to right back, his soccer influences, and future goals. The episode concludes with a fun segment inspired by Ted Lasso quotes, touching on sports philosophy and personal challenges.
 
Topics
 
00:44 Damario McIntosh's MLS All-Star Game Experience
03:15 Journey from Jamaica to the USA
07:26 Switching Positions: From Striker to Right Back
12:09 Future Goals and Development
14:20 Extra Time: Fun Soccer Questions
21:27 Conclusion and Farewell

Brendan Adams: Building a Winner at Bridgewater State

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone interviews Brendan Adams, the head coach of Bridgewater State men's soccer team. They discuss Adams' two-decade-long tenure, his approach to recruiting, the identity and evolution of his program, and the competitive landscape of Division III soccer in New England. The episode also features a fun segment with producer David Yas, where they evaluate famous soccer goal calls, potential warm-up songs, and soccer movie trailers.
Topics
00:34 Meet Coach Brendan Adams
00:45 Building a Winning Program
03:00 Challenges and Successes in the MassCac
11:20 Recruitment Strategies and Challenges
12:57 The Value of State School Programs
17:33 Balancing Coaching and Recruitment
18:48 Reflecting on a Coaching Career
21:15 Team's Potential for the Season
21:38 Facing New Challenges as Top Dogs
22:06 Extra Time Segment Introduction
22:39 Evaluating Iconic Soccer Goal Calls
27:48 Best Soccer Warm-Up Songs
29:34 Soccer Movie Trailers Quiz
32:53 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

NH Player of the Year Santiago Somorrostro

The guest is Santiago Somorrostro, the New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year from Nashua South, who achieved the honor twice consecutively. They discuss Santi's high school legacy, the surprise of winning the award, his transition to UMass Lowell for Division I soccer, and his involvement in soccer and other sports over the years. Santi shares advice for younger players, insights into his goals and playing style, and his excitement about starting his college soccer career.
Topics
01:47 Winning the Gatorade Player of the Year
03:29 Balancing Academics and Athletics
07:14 Choosing UMass Lowell
09:03 Club Soccer Experience
10:49 Family and Early Soccer Influences
12:18 Advice for Young Soccer Players
14:12 Preparing for College Soccer
17:16 Extra Time: Fun Soccer Questions
22:22 Conclusion and Farewell

Fairfield's Dave Barrett

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone interviews Dave Barrett, head coach of Fairfield University women's soccer team. Dave discusses his insights and strategies as a college recruiter and coach, emphasizing the importance of athleticism, character, and transparency in the recruitment process. He shares experiences from his coaching career, talks about the blend of technical ability and character he seeks in players, and highlights the critical nature of fit for both the program and the athlete. The discussion also covers the importance of managing expectations, handling rejection, and the evolving role of social media in recruitment. As Fairfield prepares for another competitive season, Dave expresses optimism about the team's prospects and reflects on the significant emotional moments in his coaching journey. 
Topics
00:45 Recruiting Insights and Philosophy
04:58 Handling Rejection and Thick Skin
13:03 Geographical Recruitment Strategy
15:03 Social Media's Role in Recruitment
19:21 The Importance of Live Interaction in Recruiting
19:50 Evaluating Player and Family Dynamics
20:46 The Initial Contact Process
21:44 Challenges with Player Parents
24:01 Goalkeeper Perspective in Coaching
25:48 Program Expectations for 2024
29:15 Extra Time: Fun and Insightful Questions
38:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

UNH Forward Ally Giovino

The guest is Ally Giovino, a forward transitioning from Colgate University to the University of New Hampshire for a graduate year. Ally discusses her bittersweet emotions about leaving Colgate, her reasons for choosing Colgate over other schools during her recruiting process, her development as a player, and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected her college experience. She also talks about her plans for the future, her strong work ethic, and her experiences coaching younger players during the summer. 
Topics:
00:37 Reflecting on Colgate Experience03:17 Navigating the COVID-19 Challenges04:57 Choosing UNH for Grad Year08:16 Leadership and On-Field Role10:32 Recruitment and Transfer Insights15:43 Early Soccer Journey and Multi-Sport Background17:35 The Benefits of Playing Multiple Sports19:07 The Impact of Club Soccer on Development19:36 Summer Training Plans and Personal Coaching20:17 Future in Coaching and Training Young Players21:57 Extra Time: The Best Coach

Frank Dell'Apa on the Revolution, MLS and More

New England Soccer Journal contributor, Frank Dell'Apa discusses the current state of the New England Revolution, their struggles in the Eastern Conference, and the broader context of soccer development and superstar influence in MLS. The conversation delves into the Revolution's performance, historical context under Bruce Arena's management, and prospects for improvement. Also, the transformative effect of Lionel Messi's arrival in MLS with Miami, comparing the impact of star power on soccer dynamics in the U.S. to global trends. Additionally, the pod covers the role of youth development, the future of American soccer leading up to the 2026 World Cup, and the potential ramifications of sports gambling on the game.
00:42 Diving Deep into the New England Revolution's Current Struggles02:04 Analyzing the Revolution's Performance and Potential Turnaround05:00 The Impact of Youth and Homegrown Talent on the Revolution07:33 Caleb Porter's Optimism and the Challenges Ahead12:52 Miami's Game-Changing Approach to MLS18:07 The Future of the Revolution in the Competitive MLS Landscape19:52 The Game-Changing Potential of Soccer's Accessibility19:59 The Spontaneity of Soccer and Its Fans21:17 The Messi Effect: A Case Study in Star Power24:17 The Future of Soccer: Star Players and Team Strategies28:35 Extra Time: Deep Dives into Soccer's Evolution, Challenges, and Gambling

The Impact and Journey of 'Welcome to Wrexham'

In this episode of The Goal Podcast, Matt Langone and producer David Yas discuss the television docuseries 'Welcome to Wrexham,' which follows Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they purchase and manage Wrexham AFC, a historic yet struggling Welsh soccer team. They delve into the show's influence on soccer's popularity, its appeal to a broader audience, and its representation of the sport's emotional and competitive aspects. The episode also covers the concept of relegation in soccer, the team's challenges and successes under new management, and the unique community support around Wrexham AFC. Additionally, they touch on a new venture by Reynolds and McElhenney into Mexican soccer with Club Nacaxa. Interviews, clips from the series, and discussions highlight key moments, fan culture, and the personal investment of the owners in the team's turnaround.
Topics:
00:27 Diving Deep into 'Welcome to Wrexham'02:18 The Hollywood Effect: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Impact03:25 The Emotional and Financial Investment in Wrexham AFC04:04 Exploring the Cultural Phenomenon of Soccer Through 'Welcome to Wrexham'11:36 Understanding Soccer's Relegation System and Its Impact19:32 Rob and Ryan's Strategy: Star Power and Community Engagement22:37 Fan Engagement and Ownership Dynamics23:31 SportsCenter Parody and Team Performance Analysis24:17 The Power of Self-Deprecation in Sports25:37 Cultural Impact and Audience Connection27:35 The Unique Charm of Soccer Chants30:57 The Evolution of Rob and Ryan's Public Persona32:28 Season Recap and Looking Ahead40:00 Expanding the Empire: New Ventures

Steve McAuliffe and Brendan Hamilton of South Shore Select

The guests are Steve McAuliffe, Executive Director, and Brendan Hamilton, Academy Director, from South Shore Select. The episode delves into the club's significant transition to ECNL girls from the Girls Academy for the 2024-25 season, marking a major milestone. McAuliffe and Hamilton discuss the club's joy and competitive ambitions with this move, highlighting their long-term effort in fostering soccer talent and the club's development over the past 30 years. They share success stories, including nurturing players like number one NWSL draft pick Ally Sentnor. The conversation also touches on the club's strong community ties, the importance of maintaining a competitive yet respectful club culture, and their perspectives on future growth and challenges within the changing landscape of club soccer. The podcast concludes with a light-hearted Celebrity Soccer Fantasy Draft.
More at https://selectma.com/
Topics
00:00 Welcome to The Goal Podcast with South Shore Select Leadership00:41 Major Club Announcement: Transition to ECNL02:38 Reflecting on Club Success and Player Development07:50 The Competitive Spirit and Future Aspirations16:22 Navigating the Club Soccer Landscape and Focusing on Self-Improvement19:07 Exploring the Club's Unique Approach and Community Impact19:38 The Importance of Familiarity and Personalization in Club Sports20:59 Expansion Strategies and Maintaining Club Identity21:57 Transitioning to a New League: Expectations and Preparations23:14 Club and Community Excitement for the Upcoming Season23:56 Celebrity Soccer Fantasy Draft: A Fun Divergence

Loomis Chaffee Coach Scott Halpern

Scott Halpern was named head coach of Loomis Chaffee's soccer teaam in 2023. Halpern previously worked with the men’s soccer program at the University of Connecticut.
He joins the show to talk about this off-season, including adding some new students and off-season training and conditioning programs.

Olger Escobar of the New England Revolution

New England Revolution forward Olger Escobar joins the show to talk about the team's training in Florida and the excitement surrounding the new season.
Also covered in the show: Olger shares insights into his transition from youth soccer to professional soccer, emphasizing the motivation he draws from seeing young players progressing through the ranks and his determination to adapt quickly to the demands of professional play.
The conversation touches upon Older's accolades, such as being named the Revolution Academy Player of the Year for 2022-23, highlighting his journey from joining the academy to receiving recognition for his performance and dedication.
Olger discusses his international experience, including his call-up to the Guatemalan national team and his debut, offering insights into the emotions and significance of representing his country on the soccer field.
Olger also reflects on his personal soccer journey, discussing his early dedication to the sport, family influences, and experiences playing for various teams. He shares memorable moments, such as crucial penalty kicks and the impact of watching and learning from soccer legends like Lionel Messi