On this episode we’re joined by one of the sharpest voices in American soccer broadcasting—Kyndra de St. Aubin. Known for her tactical eye, on-field experience, and years behind the mic, Kyndra helps us preview a crucial Eastern Conference matchup: Charlotte FC visiting Chicago Fire at Soldier Field. With both teams desperate for points and coming off frustrating midweek results, we dig into the tactical chess match ahead. Kyndra breaks down: The midfield battle and who needs to win it to contro...
Jun 27, 2025•25 min•Season 4Ep. 413
In this episode of the Charlotte FC Podcast, host Nic Finelli sits down with Patrick Daka , Charlotte FC's Head of Pre-Formation, U-14 Academy Coach, and Talent Discovery lead. Patrick shares his incredible journey through the world of soccer, from his upbringing in Zimbabwe and playing professionally in Germany, to his impact on youth development in the United States. Discover the core principles of "The Charlotte FC Way" and how Patrick's unique approach to player development emphasizes buildi...
Jun 14, 2025•49 min•Season 4Ep. 412
On this episode we have award winning sports commentator Christian Miles, Apple TV MLS Season Pass Match Commentator on the show, to talk about Charlotte FC and their match again the Columbus Crew on May 24, 2025. "He is a familiar personality to MLS fans having served as the radio voice for the LA Galaxy from 2016-22 and from his long-time presence at FOX Sports. During a 15-year run with FOX, Miles covered MLS, the English Premier League, Italian Serie A, UEFA Champions League, Liga MX, FIFA W...
May 24, 2025•24 min•Season 4Ep. 411
On this episode we chat with Hector Samani, President of the Charlotte FC Black Supporters Union. As we know the supporters lead the atmosphere that makes Charlotte FCs home such a Fortress. The other special thing about Hector and those who lead these groups is they are contributing to bringing people together to enjoy and share experiences together beyond just football. Follow the Charlotte FC Black Supporters Union on Instagram: @charlottefcasu...
Apr 26, 2025•33 min•Season 4Ep. 410
On this episode we have award winning sports commentator Tony Husband, Apple TV MLS Season Pass Match Play-by-Play Announcer back on the show, but this time we talk about the match this week against San Diego FC. IG: @tony_husband X: @TonyHusband
Apr 17, 2025•24 min•Season 4Ep. 409
Today on the show my guest is someone who’s been quietly shaping the future of American soccer for decades. From Ivy League sidelines to MLS academies, Bryan Scales has poured his life into developing young talent—not just as athletes, but as people. Now, as the Executive Director of the Academy at Charlotte FC, he’s building something from the ground up, and bringing all those years of wisdom with him. We talk about the winding path that brought him here, the kids who changed him along the way,...
Apr 12, 2025•43 min•Season 4Ep. 408
We shake it up a bit this week talking about the upcoming Colorado Rapids away match with MLS Season Pass Match Analyst, Devon Kerr. I think you will like his take on a lot of what Charlotte FC is able to do thus far this year and his bonus shout out at the end. IG: @dvnkrr X: @DevonKerr9
Mar 29, 2025•23 min•Season 4Ep. 407
Welcome, Bienvineidos to the Charlotte FC Podcast. Today, we delve into the personal side of Charlotte FC Center Back Andrew Privett. We'll discover his passions outside of soccer, the values that drive him, and the experiences that have shaped him as a person and an athlete. Get ready for an insightful conversation that goes beyond the game. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Andrew Privett.
Mar 22, 2025•43 min•Season 4Ep. 406
In this episode, I sit down with Charlotte FC Assistant General Manager Bobby Belair , who works closely with GM Zoran Krneta on player personnel decisions and the construction of Crown Legacy , shaping the talent and depth of the club. A Carolina native, Bobby played college soccer at Brown and Clemson before transitioning to coaching and administration due to injuries. He gained early experience as a graduate assistant under Mike Noonan at Clemson before joining Atlanta United in 2016 as Acade...
Mar 13, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 405
Anna Witte is the Charlotte FC Match Analyst for the English Radio broadcast. She joins Will Palaszczuk in the booth to begin the 2025 season. The Cary, NC native is also host of the SiriusXM show, USL Super League Game week where she hosts along side Marion Crowder and is a sideline reporter for Carolina Ascent FC. Anna brings almost 10 years of broadcasting history in soccer, working as a play-by-play announcer for the NWSL KC Current, as well as various duties from analyst, sideline reporter,...
Mar 01, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 404
On this episode I talk with Alex Burakoff, Director of Partnership Marketing for Major League Soccer. Alex was an attorney before his current role. We talk about how that has helped him in his role at MLS as well as his management of the relationships with partners such as RBC Wealth Management for example, and overseeing and executing hundreds of initiatives. Alex and I discuss contract management, the appeal of Major League Soccer to corporate partners, the culture at MLS, and his background t...
Feb 24, 2025•59 min•Season 4Ep. 403
On this episode I have a conversation with Chris Rivett, Director of Communications for PRO Referees, the organization that provides referees for a number of professional soccer leagues in North America. I was interested in hearing from Chris his job and role around the structure of PRO Referees, referee training and development, communicating with the public and the media with the challenges of addressing misconceptions, diversity and inclusion in refereeing, and the future of refereeing....
Feb 23, 2025•59 min•Season 4Ep. 402
A look back at 2024 while also looking ahead at 25 categories that interest us about Charlotte FC, MLS, and soccer in the US. I am joined by two friends of the podcast, Logan Meyer from the Crowncast and Eli Finelli from Side Story Sports. We give our assessments of 2024 and predictions for 2025 from coaching to players to playing style to MLS All Star Game to Apple TV coverage. Enjoy! Category Manager: Dean Smith 1. What is his focus as a leader? 2. Dean’s Tactical focus? 3. Assistant coach mos...
Feb 23, 2025•1 hr 53 min•Season 4Ep. 401
On this episode Nic talks with Andrew Wiebe, a journalist with Major League Soccer working on MLS Season Pass as an analyst, a columnist at MLS Soccer, and Extratime Podcast Host. Andrew has been a part of Major League Soccer since 2010 working as an editor, writer, columnist, podcaster, host, and MLS Season Pass TV analyst on Countdown, 360 and Wrap-up. He is intensely passionate about soccer and growing the game and goes all in everything he does. Our conversation weaves through journey from h...
Nov 03, 2024•49 min•Season 3Ep. 330
Today on the show, we have a conversation with Kristijan Kahlina, Goalkeeper for Charlotte FC. Kristijan has been one of the few faces of Charlotte FC that have been with the club since match one back in 2022. He is a fan favorite and having the best season of his career. I was fortunate enough to spend some time with him this week to learn more about him, what it was like for him growing up, how he became a goalkeeper as a young kid, his growth as a player and person, and his love and respect f...
Oct 12, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 329
On this episode I talk with Gabriel Gabor, Major League Soccer's Senior International Communications Consultant about his job, how he got there, what makes MLS special and the adventures he has had along the way. IG: thegabegabor X: @MLSGabor Black and White Cookie Song YT @OutMyWindowLive...
Sep 28, 2024•59 min•Season 3Ep. 328
On today's episode we talk with Charlotte FC Match Entertainment Manager, Courtney Wright. Courtney has such a positive energy about her that it is not hard to see why she thrives in leading what fans see before a match, halftime, and after that have made some of the club's traditions and entertainment special. We talk with Courtney about her work, how she got here, the risks and challenges she has tackled along the way and her joy in helping make every Charlotte FC match a must be there event....
Sep 21, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 327
I want to welcome you into my conversation with Natalee Jarrett, the Vice President of Business Operations for Charlotte FC. As you may know, we created this podcast because there are so many fascinating people behind the scenes that drive what fans and the community see. We want to share their stories. Natalee was one of the first employees for the club working in partnerships during the beginning days when the club did not even have a name and was just MLS Charlotte. Now she manages a vast arr...
Sep 15, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 326
On today's episode I was lucky enough, no Irish pun intended there, to sit down with Kevin Egan the host of MLS 360 and MLS Wrap-Up, part of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. We talk about what it is like working for MLS, these shows, how he approaches his career, and a little about his journey and things learned along the way. #MLS360 @kev_egan
Aug 31, 2024•30 min•Season 3Ep. 325
On this episode I talk with Steven Marques, the cog in the relationship between Ally and Charlotte FC. Steven has been a part of the Ally team working with Charlotte FC since they first were secured the kit rights with the club. Learn more about what Steven does day to day and about his journey to get to be a part of this relationship and his role with Ally. Steven's family immigrated from Portugal and he moved to North Carolina when he was 6. His passion for soccer been with him to this day and...
Aug 25, 2024•50 min•Season 3Ep. 324
Today we have an amazing English commentator, born and raised in Birmingham, England and works for Apple TV MLS Season Pass as a play by play commentator as well as studio host at CBS Golazo. We talk about his journey in football, his connections to Charlotte FC, and more....Let's meet Callum Williams. Cal has become a staple in world football commentating from MLS to Conmebol to EPL to LaLiga and he continues to rewrite and up his craft. I forsee him being a part of football commentating for a ...
Jul 13, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Season 3Ep. 323
On this episode Nic talks with Will Martin, the Communications Coordinator for Charlotte FCs day-to-day media for 1st Team schedules and media operations as well as the primary contact for media assets and player requests. In just a short time, Will has managed to use his writing skills, maturity and understanding of big moments, and a little bit of luck to craft his soccer journey at Charlotte FC. We talk about his journey and what he does with the team, along with other areas of interest inclu...
Jun 29, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 322
On this episode Nic has a conversation with Omar Jorge Peña, the CEO of Compare Foods Supermarkets. They discuss what is like to run a family business, football in Charlotte, connecting customers and the community to their sponsorships along with their relationship with Charlotte FC.
Jun 22, 2024•43 min•Season 3Ep. 321
On this episode Nic talks with Matt Freeman, the Manager of Charlotte FC Premium Sales (or should I say Experiences?). A former Irmo High School (Columbia, SC metro) soccer star under legend Phil Savitz and Marshall University defender, Matt worked his way from Cybersecurity sales before heading to Charlotte to be around a game he loves and helping others meet their needs for a premium and entertaining time. Matt has been named as part of Charlotte's Top 30 under 30 Future Business Leaders. Chec...
Jun 15, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 320
Today on the show we are lucky to have one of Charlotte's own, Charlotte FC Defender Jaylin Lindsey. We talk about his journey starting in Charlotte, then Kansas City, and back to Charlotte. Jaylin also shares more about his fellow players and personal support team, cooking, living in Charlotte as an adult, and what he does for fun outside of football. IG: @JaylinLindsey
Jun 02, 2024•29 min•Season 3Ep. 319
On this episode we have Tommy Wilson, Technical Director for Charlotte FC. We talk about his journey from Scotland to Philadelphia to Charlotte. Tommy has forged a fantastic career developing club's players, coaches, and culture through his engineering mindset, observation, and communication skills that makes him one of the best!
May 25, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 3Ep. 318
Nic talks with former Charlotte FC Graphic Designer and Content Creator, Ryland Tunney. Ryland worked for Charlotte FC for two years before moving across the country to take on a new challenge with the NWSL's San Diego Wave FC. We talk design, his journey, and a little walk down memory lane with some of his favorite Charlotte FC creations. IG: @rylandonline X: @rylandonline https://rylandtunney.wixsite.com/rylandtunney...
May 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 317
We have the queens of Charlotte FC Fan Podcast, The Queens' Pitch on the show today. I hope you enjoy listening to the story of how Bridget McCall and Kara Hunter started their podcast and what they do to bring a female voice to CharlotteFC-verse. We talk about favors and rats, Queens Tea, and just get to know them beyond their podcast.
May 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 315
We are fortunate to have Ross Smith, a current Apple TV MLS Season Pass Match Analyst, who you hear along with Tony Husband each week during the MLS Season. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ross, as we talk about his football playing days, being an announcer for the Portland Timbers, and a little thing called No Tippy Tappy. @RossSmith_20 nttsoccer.com
May 04, 2024•1 hr•Season 3Ep. 315
This episode's conversation is with Kyle Sheldon, CEO/Founder of Name and Number. He has built quite a career in sports marketing, having stints at DC United, NASCAR here in Charlotte, the Seattle Sounders, and the Chicago Fire. Kyle has stepped onto the pitch with his own soccer-specific marketing and creative agency called Name and Number is enjoying success early on with a client list that includes MLS and Leagues Cup, Dortmunt, San Diego Wave FC, USL, Kwik Goal, Seattle Sounders, and more. l...
Apr 28, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 314
