Episodes

  • In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone is joined by club soccer writer Matt Doherty, IFA New England MLS Next Director Rohit Gautam, and club president Bill Altieri. They discuss IFA New England's development strategies, the importance of the MLS Next platform, and the club's competitive environment. The conversation also explores their goals for player development, international experiences, and upcoming events. The episode concludes with a fun Q&A segment, 'Extra Time,' where the guests tackle various soccer dilemmas.

    Topics

    00:58 IFA New England's Ambitions and Progress

    02:44 The Role and Impact of MLS Next

    05:37 Weekly Routine and Player Development

    09:06 Competitiveness and Unique Approach of IFA New England

    21:00 International Exposure and Future Plans

    24:13 Reflecting on a Successful Event

    24:43 Future Plans for International Tournaments

    25:19 MLS Next Fest and Its Importance

    25:54 Showcasing Talent and Competing

    28:25 The Extra Time Segment Begins

    28:58 Handling Time-Wasting Tactics

    32:40 Dealing with Injured Players

    37:04 Managing Fiery Players

    41:11 Closing Remarks and Farewell

  • In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone is joined by Siemens Media Managing Editor and Girls Prep Soccer Writer Mike Zhe. They delve into the upcoming NEPSAC soccer tournaments, providing a comprehensive breakdown of both girls and boys teams. They discuss potential top teams, analyze their performances during the season, and predict who might make it through to the finals. The episode also features 'Extra Time' where the hosts respond to thought-provoking soccer-related quotes. This episode is a must-listen for serious soccer players and their supporters looking to navigate the high-stakes environment of New England prep soccer.

    Topics

    01:01 NEPSAC Tournament Overview

    03:14 Girls Prep Soccer: Top Teams Analysis

    06:15 Class A Contenders Breakdown

    13:51 Class B Insights and Predictions

    17:02 Boys Prep Soccer Preview

    18:44 Milton and Berkshire: The Teams to Watch

    19:33 Contenders for the Boys' Championship

    21:22 Filling Out the Field: The Final Teams

    23:52 Class B Championship Predictions

    26:46 Bracketology and Final Thoughts

    28:28 Extra Time: Soccer Quotes and Insights

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  • In this episode of the New England Soccer Journal's 'The Goal' podcast, hosts Matt Langone and Matt Doherty sit down with Eric Klein, New England Revolution II midfielder and the Revolution Academy Player of the Year for the 23-24 season. Klein opens up about his journey from Pennsylvania to the Revs Academy, highlighting the honor of his award and the significance of adaptability on the field. The episode delves into his physical and skill development, the importance of fitness, and the challenges of professional soccer. Notable discussions include the value of mentorship, the nuances of player-coach relationships, and parental support in youth sports. The conversation is enriched with Klein's personal soccer memories, aspirations, and the essential qualities that make a great coach.

    Topics

    00:00 Introduction and Welcome

    00:31 Meet Eric Klein: Revolution Academy Player of the Year

    01:05 Eric's Journey and Achievements

    03:39 Life in the Academy and Residency Program

    06:08 Transition to Professional Soccer

    10:45 Personal Growth and Future Goals

    17:54 Producer David's Toughest Questions

    18:38 Memorable Soccer Moments

    22:39 Advice for Soccer Parents

    27:17 Qualities of a Good Soccer Coach

    31:27 Closing Remarks and Farewell

  • Host Matt Langone introduces new soccer reporter Matt Doherty. The episode highlights Matt's background, including his experience in sports journalism and his focus on club and academy soccer in the New England region. They discuss the dynamic soccer landscape, especially in the context of youth clubs and academies, such as MLS Next and ECNL. Matt shares his excitement about covering the burgeoning soccer scene and the opportunity to share untold player stories. The podcast also features a segment of 'extra time', where hypothetical scenarios about soccer movies and fascinating rules are discussed.

    Topics

    00:36 Meet the New Reporter: Matt Doherty

    01:34 Matt Doherty's Background and Experience

    03:31 Insights on MLS Next and Club Soccer

    07:24 High School vs. Club Soccer

    10:37 Future Coverage and Club Dynamics

    17:44 Extra Time: Fun and Random Questions

    31:03 Conclusion and Farewell

  • In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone chats with Paul Turner, the new head coach of Thayer Academy Girls Soccer. Turner, who has extensive coaching experience in high school soccer, shares his excitement about the new role, the challenges of leading a team with significant injuries, and his coaching philosophy. He also reflects on his journey from London to the U.S., the modern club soccer landscape, and his hopes for the future of the sport. Additionally, Turner and Langone discuss the growth of the National Women's Soccer League and the pros and cons of artificial turf in soccer.

    Topics

    00:34 Meet Paul Turner: Thayer Academy's New Head Coach

    01:10 Paul Turner's Coaching Journey

    02:45 Challenges and Opportunities at Thayer Academy

    04:23 Team Dynamics and Player Development

    06:12 Coaching Philosophy and Team Strategy

    14:01 Paul Turner's Background and Passion for Soccer

    17:01 Reflecting on the Evolution of Soccer

    17:57 Challenges in Club Soccer

    19:56 Defining a Successful Season for Thayer

    21:55 Extra Time: Random Questions

    22:31 The Future of Women's Soccer

    25:42 Debate Over Artificial Turf

    28:10 First Memories of Soccer

    30:26 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

  • In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone speaks with New England Soccer Journal high school soccer writer Patrick Donnelly about the upcoming high school soccer season. They discuss top teams and players to watch, challenges posed by the MLS Next factor, the impact of club soccer on high school participation, and share experiences covering high school sports. The episode also includes a fun segment called Extra Time, where the participants answer random soccer-related questions.

    Topics

    01:12 High School Soccer Insights

    02:55 MLS Next Impact on High School Soccer

    04:41 Early Season Highlights and Rankings

    05:39 Challenges of Covering High School Sports

    08:04 Players to Watch This Season

    10:41 State Championship Atmosphere

    12:16 Comparing High School and Prep School Sports

    14:55 Pat's Background and Experience

    16:04 Extra Time: Fun Questions

    24:34 Conclusion and Sign Off

  • In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone welcomes Seamans Media Managing Editor and Girls Prep Soccer writer Mike Zhe. They discuss the upcoming NEPSAC 2024 prep soccer season, focusing on top teams and players in both girls and boys prep soccer. Key highlights include in-depth prospects for perennial powerhouses like Buckingham, Brown, and Nichols (BB&N) on the girls' side and Milton Academy on the boys' side, along with insights into other competitive teams like Taft, Northfield Mount Hermon, and Worcester Academy. The episode also features an engaging ‘extra time’ segment with creative and insightful soccer-related questions.

    Topics

    01:06 Previewing the Girls Prep Soccer Season

    01:58 Top Teams to Watch in Girls Prep Soccer

    05:12 Founders League Powerhouses

    09:15 Class B Contenders: Pingree and Dexter Southfield

    11:02 ISL Teams to Watch: Thayer Academy and Nobles

    13:38 Teams Outside the Top 10 to Watch

    16:08 Transition to Boys Prep Soccer

    16:28 Milton Academy: The Team to Beat

    17:57 Challengers to Milton Academy

    20:53 Western Massachusetts Contenders: Taft, NMH, and Berkshire

    22:37 Worcester Academy's Prospects

    23:38 Founders League Boys Teams: Loomis Chaffee

    23:53 Loomis Chaffee's Promising Season

    24:21 Choate: The Team to Beat

    24:59 Kimball Union Academy's Rise

    25:57 Avon Old Farms and Nobles in the Rankings

    26:52 Potential Top 10 Contenders

    28:24 The Passion of Prep and High School Soccer

    30:11 Extra Time: Fun and Creative Soccer Questions

  • In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, hosted by Matt Langone, University of Maine women’s soccer head coach Scott Atherley joins the show. They discuss the upcoming 2024 season, reflecting on Maine’s historic 2023 NCAA tournament appearance. Coach Atherley shares his insights on the evolution of the game, team dynamics, the influence of Canadian recruitment, and strategic preparations for the season. The conversation also covers Atherley's approach to developing players' mentality and handling transitions within the sport.

    Topics

    00:47 University of Maine Women's Soccer: Season Preparation

    01:24 Reflecting on the Historic 2023 Season

    02:42 Maine's Soccer Philosophy and Recruitment

    06:24 Spotlight on Abby Kramer

    07:42 Recruiting Strategies and Challenges

    09:48 Selling the University of Maine Experience

    13:19 Upcoming Season and Team Mindset

    24:14 Extra Time: Fun Soccer Questions

    31:56 Conclusion and Farewell

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • The guests are Boston Bolts MLS Next Director Shawn Napier and Director of Coaching Greg Robertson who join the show to look ahead to the MLS season and discuss how the Bolts are distinguished from the rest of the club landscape in New England.

  • The guest is Aztec Soccer Junior Boys Director Jeff Winterton. Jeff, a veteran of the club, discusses its new ownership, changes in structure and more.