Huge thank you to Sean Mann for sitting down to discuss the future of the USL with me today in this special episode of The Against All Odds Podcast! Sean Mann is one of the co-founder, co-owner, and CEO of Detroit City FC. Today we sit down and discuss the future of the USL with regards to Pro/Rel, Division One, and DCFC!
Big thank you to Darren Smith for coming on the podcast this week! You guys can follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/darrensmithofficial?igsh=MXJ4b3M4MGYwMjdpcQ== Timestamps: 0:00-11:29 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 11:29-31:35 - Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa and developing a love for track and soccer 31:25-54:28 - The Controversy behind Darren Signing his first professional contract 54:28-1:11:33 - Struggling to get minutes in the PSL and trying to find a coach that believes in...
Big thanks to J-Boogie for coming on the podcast! You can follow him on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jaychaps/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-8:19 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 8:19-19:28 - Growing up in outside of Toronto 19:28-35:18 - Canada Youth National Team and Early Pro Trials 35:18-47:31 - Playing Collegiate Soccer at Michigan State 47:31-57:52 - Signing an MLS Homegrown Contract with Toronto FC 57:52-1:09:54 - Playing for Inter Miami FC 1:09:54-1:19:40 - Jay's experience ...
Big thank you to Jeciel Cedeño for hopping on this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast! Be sure to follow Jeciel below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jecielcedeno/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-8:33 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 8:33-30:00 - Playing Street Football in Guayaquil, Ecuador 30:00-38:28 - Moving to New Jersey, but Struggling to Find a Team 38:28-47:20 - Bouncing Around Different Youth Teams in New Jersey 47:20-52:57 - Moving Back to Ecuador to Join a Football Academy 52...
Big thanks to Victor Bezerra for hopping on this week's episode! Vic's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vbezerra7/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-11:04 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 11:04-25:06 - Growing Up in Downtown Chicago 25:06-33:09 - Training with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Chicago Fire as a Teenager 33:09-40:04 - Taking a Gap Year to just Train with Chicago Fire First Team 40:04-1:04:57 - Attending Indiana University and Transitioning to College Soccer 1:04:57-1:18:17 - Signing a H...
Big thanks to Michael for hopping on this episode of the podcast! You can follow Michael on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mbryant12/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-10:45 - Rapid Fire Questions 10:45-24:53 - Growing up in Portola Hills, California 24:53-39:23 - Playing D3 at Elmira College in New York 39:23-50:45 - Transferring to Northwest Nazarene 50:45-1:13:31 - Dropping out of College and playing for Orange County FC (NPSL) 1:13:31-1:20:47 - Signing First Professional Contract with Cal Un...
Big thanks to Brett Levis for hopping on today's podcast! Be sure to follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/brettlevis/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-9:52 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 9:52-34:24 - Growing up in Saskatoon 34:24-37:57 - Playing at the University of Saskatoon 37:57-50:57 - Signing with the Vancouver Whitecaps 50:57-1:00:33 - Tearing his ACL in his MLS Debut 1:00:33-1:09:21 - Rebounding from Injury and Returning to play with the Whitecaps 1:09:21-1:34:27 - Playing for Valour FC in ...
Big thanks to Murph for hopping on this episode of the podcast! Follow him below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jvmurph14/ Twitter: https://x.com/jvmurph_14?s=21&t=d-DEeWcblanHdLjyKyZvpg Timestamps: 0:00-10:22 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 10:22-22:51 - Developing as a Youth Player in New Jersey 22:51-29:19 - Getting Called up to the US Youth National Team 29:19-36:20 - Trialing with West Brom, Man U, and Sheffield Wednesday 36:20-45:37 - Specifics of Murph’s trial with Manchester ...
Big thanks to Ryan Williams for coming on this week's podcast! Timestamps: 0:00-11:16 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 11:16-35:58 - Struggling with his small stature in English Academies 35:58-48:18 - Starting to lift weights and joining Chester City 48:18-1:05:16 - First Contracts and Training with the First Team of Chester City 1:05:15-1:21:16 - Semi-Pro stints with Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, and Rhyl in Wales 2nd Tier 1:21:16-1:40:39 - Signing a Professional Contract with Morecambe FC in League ...
Big thanks to Rutzy for hopping on the podcast! Give him a follow here: https://www.instagram.com/connorrutz/?hl=en Timestamps 0:00-14:37 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 14:37-31:44 - Youth Soccer in Michigan 31:44-43:25 - Attempting to Play D1 or D2 College Soccer Despite Poor Grades 43:35-50:44 - Spending Two Years at a Junior College 50:44-1:00:08 - Grinding out Two Years at a D2 Program 1:00:08-1:21:23 - Attending Professional Trials and Combines 1:21:23-1:41:41 - Settling in with Detroit C...
Big thanks to Daniel for hopping on this week's podcast! You can check his Instagram out here: https://www.instagram.com/danielespeleta/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-8:21 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 8:21-36:45 - Bouncing around as a child in Georgia, Costa Rica, and Washington 36:45-43:39 - Moving Back to Costa Rica and Playing for C.S. Urugauy de Coronado 43:39-57:06 - Meniscus Injury and Deciding to Play Collegiately in the States 57:06-1:16:43 - Four Years of College Soccer at Creighton Univer...
Timestamps 0:00-7:34 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 7:34-30:05 - Family, Youth Footy, and Becoming a Goalkeeper 30:05-40:20 - Rebelling Against Parents, Skipping College, to Trial with Xolos and Chivas 40:20-47:24 - Signing first Professional Contract with Chivas 47:24-52:45 - Getting Rocks Thrown at Him in the Third Division of Mexico 52:45-1:08:33 - Invited to Train with the First Team of Chivas 1:08:33-1:17:07 - Loaned out again to Tepa then Training in Isolation Due to Covid 1:17:07...
Big thanks to Ben Morris for coming on the podcast! Timestamps: 0:00-7:44 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 7:44-20:28 - Growing up in Colchester and Ipswich Town Academy 20:28-27:27 - Earning a Scholarship with Ipswich Town’s Academy 27:27-39:09 - Signing First Professional Contract with Ipswich Town 39:09-50:16 - First Team Debut and Life at Ipswich 50:16-57:57 - ACL Tear… 57:57-1:02:00 - Tearing his ACL again… 1:02:00-1:10:44 - Going on Loan to Sweden 1:10:44-1:28:37 - Taking a Chance and Sign...
Timestamps: 0:00-17:00 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 17:00-28:00 - Growing up in San Antonio Texas idolizing Tim Duncan 28:00-33:45 - Joining an Academy and Dreaming out Playing Pro Footy 33:45-54:50 - Playing Collegiate Soccer at Charlotte 49ers 54:50-1:04:32 - Signing First Pro Contract with San Antonio FC 1:04:32-1:16:55 - Leaving San Antonio FC for Richmond Kickers 1:16:55-1:28:01 - A Year without a Club… (Contractless in 2020) 1:28:01-1:42:58 -Heading to Detroit City FC 1:42:58- -...
Big thanks to Alex Villanueva for hopping on the podcast for this episode! 0:00-3:47 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 3:47-12:44 - Early life in USA and Germany 12:44-41:54 - Playing in Mainz 05’s Academy System 41:54-52:48 - Transition to the US and Real Salt Lake Academy 52:48-58:50 - Sounders FC Academy and called into a USYNT camp 58:50-1:03:54 - Professional Debut with Tacoma Defiance 1:03:54-1:14:24 - MLS Debut at 19 1:14:24-1:20:35 - Orange County SC and Detroit City FC 1:20:35-1:31:36 - ...
Big thanks to Steve Carroll for hopping on the pod! Follow Steve HERE: https://www.instagram.com/stevo_c28/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-0:39 - Intro 0:39-9:23 - Kinda Rapid Fire Questions 9:23-29:46 - Youth Football in Cork, Ireland 29:46-55:21 - College Soccer in Tennessee and Michigan 55:21-1:20:25 - NPSL to NPSL Founders Cup to NISA to USLC with Detroit City 1:20:25- Final Questions...
Thanks so much to Elvis Amoh for hopping on the Podcast! Reach out and follow Elvis here: https://www.instagram.com/elvisamoh_takyi23/ Timestamps: 0:00-7:55 - Early Life in Italy and Ghana 7:55-14:47 - Joining First Academy Team 14:47-17:47 - Getting Cut from High School Team 17:47-25:13 - Balancing University with Pro Football 25:13-38:33 - Signing with Asante Kotoko in the Ghanaian Premier League 38:33-41:47 - First years in the Ghanian Premier League 41:47-47:02 - Trials with DC United and US...
Matt Sheldon sits down with Hartford Athletic Teammate, Conor McGlynn to discuss his journey to the professional game all stemming from a paid open try-out. Timestamps: 0:00-1:14 - Intro 1:14-6:01 - Family Life (Brother Currently Playing in MLS) 6:01-9:06 - The Importance of Extra Training at Youth and Pro Level 9:06-11:07 - Playing in a Youth Academy 11:07-12:48 - "You turn into a different player when you're unconfident" 12:48-16:26 - Getting Picked on in High School 16:26-20:05 - What Did You...
Timestamps: 0:00 - 1:54 - Introduction 1:54 - 4:25 - First Few Years (Born in Israel to living in Togo) 4:25 - 9:05 - Why Tulu Didn’t See His Mom for 10 Years 9:05 - 13:54 - Playing for an Organized Team for the First Time at 13 13:54 - 18:23 - “I Didn’t Play High School Soccer until My Senior Year” 18:23 - 22:37 - Working at Rite Aid and Training Individually 22:37 - 28:32 - Developing for Two Years at a Community College 28:32 - 32:23 - Transferring to a D3 School 32:23 - 37:36 - Dropping Out ...
In this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast, Matt and Mimi sit down to give a full update on their situation with Mimi's pregnancy, Matt's search for a team, their plan for after the baby comes, and what is stressing them out. Timestamps 0:00-1:03 - Why Haven’t I Been Uploading Podcasts 1:03-3:56 - How Mimi Feels at 39 Weeks Pregnant 3:56-5:44 - My Struggle to Find a Contract For Next Season 5:44-7:28 - Will Mimi Miss the Excitement of Moving Every Year? 7:28-11:04 - Misconceptions I Had of ...
Timestamps: 0:00-2:28 - Robbie’s Roots 2:28-7:45 - Entry into Rangers FC 7:45-10:19 - Weekly Schedule as a Kid 10:19-12:20 - Process of Signing First Pro Contract 12:20-15:51 - Extra Individual Training Outside Team Training? 15:51-17:26 - First Time Training with Rangers FC’s First Team 17:26-19:38 - Best Player Robbie’s Played With? 19:38-22:06 - Debut with Rangers FC 22:06-26:40 - How to Calm Nerves Before Big Games 26:40-27:48 - Did You Ever Have an “I Made It” Moment? 27:48-30:42 - How Robb...
In today's episode, Matt sits down with Charleston Battery teammates, Joe Schmidt and Mauro Cichero to talk about their careers and thoughts on a variety of topics! Timestamps: 0:00-5:01 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 5:01-7:06 - Joe’s Current Injured Ankle Situation 7:06-10:39 - Is College Soccer a Good Route? 10:39-12:05 - How Joe Was Recruited by Indiana University 12:05-14:23 - How Mauro Was Recruited by SMU 14:23-15:31 - How Joe Signed his First Pro Contract 15:31-17:19 - How Mauro Signed...
In the first episode of 2022, Matt sits down with Charleston Battery teammate, Matteo Ritaccio to discuss the young footballer's path to signing his first professional contract with Liverpool FC and his subsequent loan out to Charleston. Sit down, relax, and listen to Matteo's story!
In this episode, Matt sits down to answer 30+ questions submitted by you guys via Instagram! Time Stamps 0:00-0:33 - Intro 0:33-3:52 - Benefits of Journaling? 3:52-6:02 - Biggest Learning Experience? 6:02-8:56 - D3 College Athletes to Pro Level? 8:56-11:36 - Improving Decision Making Alone? 11:36-14:05 - Europeans + U.S. Universities? 14:05-16:03 - Have I Improved Since First Pro Contract? 16:03-18:44 - Goals for Next Few Years? 18:44-21:07 - Training Fitness in Offseason? 21:07-24:30 - Advice f...
In this episode, Matt sits down with FC Tulsa teammate, Kembo Kibato to discuss his career. Kembo, a Toronto native, was a part of the Toronto FC Academy set-up before signing his first pro contract abroad in Denmark at just 18 years old. Although Kembo is young his story is full of highs, lows, and plenty of lessons. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the podcast!
In this episode, Matt sits down with FC Tulsa teammate, Daniel Gagliardi to talk about his path to the professional game. Danny has an incredible story of patience, perseverance, and highs and lows throughout his journey.
In this episode, Matt sits down with FC Tulsa teammate, Raphael Ayagwa to talk about his path from Gboko, Nigeria to the Nigerian Professional Football League and then to first division European Football. It's a fantastic story filled with highs and lows. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of the podcast!
In this episode of the podcast, Matt sits down with veteran, Kevin Garcia to discuss his prolific professional career. Without spoiling anything, Kevin played D1 college soccer, has professional played in multiple European countries at the pro level, the MLS, and now plays for FC Tulsa in the USL Championship. This is a long podcast as we discuss Kevin's 9 year career, but definitely worth it! Timestamps 00:00-53:47 - Youth Career 53:47-1:27:58 - College Career 1:27:58-1:51:01 - Grind to First P...
In this episode, Matt takes on the podcast solo and tackles 36 questions submitted by all of you guys!
In this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast, Matt sits down with FC Tulsa Teammate, Ciaran Winters to discuss his journey from an MLS Academy to the professional level. Ciaran is the youngest player signed to a professional contract on FC Tulsa at just 19 years old and skipped out on the college route to become a pro directly out of high school. Although his professional career is just in the beginning stages he already has a tremendous story. Sit back, relax, and listen to Ciaran's path to ...
