New England Soccer Journal’s The Goal

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

NIL and College Soccer with Charlotte Belanger

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty speak with Greg Glynn, founder of Pliable Marketing, and Charlotte Belanger, a freshman at Maine playing for Maine Women's Soccer. The conversation covers Charlotte's journey into NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals before starting her college career, her motivations, and future aspirations. They discuss the significance of NIL in college sports, particularly for non-revenue generating sports like women's soccer, and the opportunities it provides for athletes to build their brands and create future career opportunities. The podcast also delves into personal experiences, including Greg's commitment to women’s sports inspired by his 13-year-old daughter and Charlotte's experience balancing academics, athletics, and NIL efforts.
 
Topics
00:48 Charlotte's Journey with Pliable Marketing
02:11 Greg's Perspective on NIL and Women's Sports
03:14 University of Maine and NIL Opportunities
05:57 Aroma Joe's Partnership and Community Ambassador Role
07:59 Choosing University of Maine and Team Culture
10:45 NIL's Future and Athlete Branding
24:22 Social Media's Role in Athlete Recruitment
28:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Looking Ahead to the World Cup with Frank Dell'Apa

Matt Langone and Matt Doherty are joined by special guest Frank Dell'Apa, a New England Soccer Journal contributor who covers the Revolution for the Boston Globe. The trio discusses the state of U.S. Soccer as the nation prepares to host the 2026 World Cup. They analyze the U.S. team's performance in the last World Cup, expectations for the upcoming tournament, and the potential impact on soccer's growth in the U.S. Key players like Christian Pulisic, Miles Robinson and Patrick Agyemang are highlighted, and the broader implications of hosting the World Cup, including the excitement and challenges it brings, are discussed. Additionally, predictions for likely World Cup contenders and insights into how the event might unfold are provided.
 
Topics
00:38 Special Guest Introduction: Frank Dell'Apa
01:06 US Soccer's Current State and World Cup Expectations
05:11 Impact of the 1994 World Cup on US Soccer
09:49 Key Players to Watch for US Team in 2026
18:05 Global Soccer Powerhouses and Predictions
23:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

UNH Coach Rich Weinrebe

Matt Doherty and Matt Langone interview the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Men's Head Soccer Coach Rich Weinrebe. They discuss the complexities of building a college soccer roster, particularly in the context of the challenges posed by the transfer portal. The coach shares insights on maintaining team culture amidst high turnover and international recruiting, and elaborates on the changing dynamics of player development and resilience in modern college soccer. They also explore UNH's strategic recruiting efforts, the impact of the transfer portal on team building, and reflections on the success and rivalry within the America East Conference. Additionally, Coach Weinrebe discusses the importance of recruiting local talent, his growth as a young head coach, and the balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.
 
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:25 Special Guest: UNH Men's Head Coach Rich Weinrebe
00:46 Building the 2025 Roster
03:57 Navigating the Transfer Portal
06:21 Challenges and Changes in College Soccer
08:57 UNH's Rise in College Soccer
11:05 Rivalry with Vermont and Conference Dynamics
16:26 Recruiting Local Talent
21:20 Coaching Philosophy and Personal Growth
24:58 The Journey Back to UNH
25:23 Summer Plans and Preparations
26:33 Excitement for the Upcoming Season
27:25 Extra Time: Unfiltered Soccer Opinions
31:05 Memorable Soccer Moments
34:02 Greatest Comebacks in Soccer
39:57 Wrapping Up and Farewell

Project GOAL’s Darius Shirzadi

Matt Langone amd Matt Doherty discuss the impactful work of Project GOAL with its executive director and co-founder, Darius Shirzadi. Founded to support inner-city youth in Rhode Island by combining academic mentoring and soccer, Project GOAL has thrived for over 21 years. Shirzadi shares insights on the challenges and successes of running a free, impactful program that addresses both educational and athletic development. The conversation covers the program's structure, its community impact, partnerships with schools and sports teams, and success stories of alumni. The episode concludes with a fun segment, 'Extra Time,' featuring soccer-related questions.
 
Topics
00:28 Meet the Guests: Darius Shirzadi and Project Goal
00:55 The Origins and Mission of Project Goal
02:19 Challenges and Community Impact
03:59 Program Structure and Success Stories
07:23 Soccer's Growth in Rhode Island
12:48 Future Aspirations and Expansion
18:30 Extra Time: Fun and Insights
22:05 Tales from the Sidelines
23:06 A Shocking Incident at an AAU Game
24:07 The Escalating Insanity of Youth Sports
25:35 Parental Behavior and Its Impact on Kids
27:35 Misconceptions About Soccer
30:17 The Athleticism Debate
34:01 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts