THE Soccer Dad-Pod

Episode 174: The Longo's | #LongosRule

#Longosrule. That’s our theme today. We were joined by Dad Patrick, Son P3, and Daughter Rylie. More than likely, if you have been to a soccer field in the STL metro area over the past 5+ years… they’ve been there. A family in love with the game, and navigating every level of competition it offers, the Longo’s have a tremendous amount of insight, as well as tips and tricks, to help parents on their kids soccer journey’s. From club competition, High School vs Academy, and path to pro, we cover it all. Let’s go.

Soccer Mom Sunday: Kacey White | USWNT & Broadcaster

Always connected to The Beautiful Game on this Soccer Mom Sunday! Host Jen Siess chatted with Kacey White, A-license Soccer Coach and Broadcast Analyst for Women’s College Soccer and the NWSL. Though her high school in Texas didn’t have a girls’ team, Kacey still found her love for soccer, which took her all the way to the University of North Carolina as a teammate and roommate of Lori Chalupny, and even coached and mentored by the legendary Anson Dorrance. Always looking for playing opportunities, Kacey made her way to the US Women’s National Team with 18 caps, then the professional life in Sweden and the US. Listen in for her journey from player, to A-license coach, to broadcaster - plus the lessons she tries to impart upon the parents and players in her charge.

Episode 173: Marc Schreiber | St. Louis Sports Commission

St Louis Sports Commission President Marc Schreiber joined us today to talk about the macro world of sporting events. Tasked with independently soliciting and producing a number of events that bring in tens of thousands of participants and fans annually from Arch Madness to the Frozen Four to the Musial Awards, we talk with Marc about the process, the goals, and what an incredible asset City SC has become in procuring these events. Let’s go!!!#ncaa #frozenfour #archmadness #stlcitysc #sportstourism #stlmade

Episode 172: Tommy Howe

Tommy Howe is a legend. When word got out that Coach Howe sat down with us there was a flood of texts and messages commenting in anticipation. That enthusiasm should tell you all you need to know about how influential T-Howe was, and is, to youth/club soccer in St. Louis. Please remember to give us a review on Spotify or Apple so even more people are drawn to these incredible stories…
Let’s go!
#slsg #stlouis #coaching #training #nasl #stlmade

Soccer Mom Sunday: Isabell Diaz | StL Santos!

Things get spicy on this Soccer Mom Sunday! Jen Siess was joined by Isabel Diaz, Vice President of STL Santos, one of the supporters groups for local MLS team, St. Louis CITY SC. Isabel shared stories of her beginnings as a supporter of The Beautiful Game as a little girl growing up in Colombia . Now, she leads an extremely passionate supporters group in St. Louis, who do so much more than cheer on their favorite MLS team. Besides building awesome TIFO’s, they raise money for great causes, build community inside and outside of the stadium, and have a ton of fun along the way! Listen in for Isabel's story of how Santos is a source of connection for their members, a little trash talk about rivals, and her thoughts on the growth of the Women's Game, particularly with historic performances recently from her home National Team.
#stlcitysc #santos #supportersgroup #soccer #stlmade #stlouis

Episode 171: Mitch Bohnak | SLSG Tournaments Director

For this episode, I took it back to the roots… again. Recorded live from Pavia’s Place in lovely Granites City, accompanied by a couple of cold ones and a killer sausage/pepperoni pie… I had Mitch Bohnak, an east sider, thankfully... not from Collinsville, join me to talk about all things tournaments. From the early money tournaments, to 8 team starters in Alton, to today where over 1200 teams will participate in the SLSG Tournaments across our area this fall and spring.#soccertournaments #midwest #SLSG #youthsoccer #competitive 

Episode 170: Don Tebeau | A Ref's Perspective!

Jarod and I sat down and got a little caught up with a special guest that has the most unique view point on our beautiful game… Don Tebeau… Referee extrordinaire. We get caught up on the recent City results and changes, some US soccer chat, and break down the opinions and views on players, development, and competition from one of the areas standout ref’s. Don’t forget… reviews matter. Go to apple pods or Spotify and drop us some love if you don’t mind.
Let’s go!!!
#referee #respecttheref #playerdevelopment #soccer #ncaa 

Soccer Mom Sunday: Julie Gary

We’re talking Mental Health Awareness and more on Soccer Mom Sunday! Jen Siess was joined by Julie Gary - a former Air Defense Artillery Officer with the US Army, Professor at Washington University, Bureau Chief of Behavioral Health at the City of St. Louis Department of Health - AND, in her spare time, she’s also a SOCCER MOM of her daughter, Jordan, who is a St. Louis University Women’s Soccer Billiken! In this episode, we chatted about parenting that long journey from the days on youth soccer fields to D1 collegiate play, and the immense pressure on athletes today. Julie also shared her family’s unique way of supporting each other emotionally, and shared information on an important mental health resource for all of us, from parents to kids.
 
#soccermom #support #family #resiliency #mentalhealth

Episode 169: Nick Heritier | Swiss National UEFA Coach

Jean Nicholas Heritier… or Nick for me. This Swiss ex pat joined us to talk about his experiences in the Swiss youth to pro scene, his UEFA licensing, his opinion of US soccer development compared to global heavyweights, and an incredible segment addressing the next phase of focus in global soccer… it’s not technical, it’s not tactical, it’s not physical, it’s the last one… Get your brain ready, and let’s go!
#ucl #swisssoccer #development #4pillars #soccerIQ #STLouis #soccerpodcast

Episode 168: Brian Jones

Brian Jones is a flat-out baller. A grinder. And an ace human to boot. This keeper who didn’t fit the profile norms disrupted expectations and had an incredible career that took him to the MLS & Europe for over 8 years as a pro. Transitioning to coaching to give back like so many other STL players of that time, he is now the goalie coach for the USL Championship Charleston Battery. Incredible stories, insight and inspiration in this one… let’s go.
#charlestonbattery #usl #goalie #training #soccerpod