Episodes
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Miles joins the Hammer of Sparx Pod to talk about being a draft pick; what it takes to shift from being the man, to being just another guy; and how life’s ups and downs are all just part of the journey. I love this episode because Miles has helped grow the Hamilton Soccer scene with his both his play and choices. And I am grateful to him for being an inspiration and great guy to chat with. Come along and find out what I mean.
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A frosty February day but the Hammer of Sparx Pod is just getting warmed up. Jordan Hamilton and Dom Samuel take the time to talk as they step off the training pitch. Are they ready for the Concacaf Champions Cup tournament to start? Are you? I know I am. Let's get fired up on this episode of the Hammer of Sparx
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Missing episodes?
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What is it like to be a young start in a new league who's been planning his career since the age most of us were eating paste in the back of the classroom? Join me today for my chat with Kwasi Poku to find out.
Here is a young man who has jumped in to the fray with a first ever appearance against a Mexican Juggernaut. He has travelled to Europe to improve his game and played some huge games in big Canadian academies.
He is what Soccer in Canada is all about. Come along and learn a little more about rising star, Kwasi Poku.
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A really solid episode if I do say so myself! Noah Jensen talks to us about a celebrated college life, going from fan to first team and what it means to be a Forge player. He has a ton of experience for someone so young and is one of the real standard bearers for the league in my opinion. Smart, funny and contemplative. You owe it yourself to get to know Noah.
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Yo! We got the one and only David Choiniere on the podcast!
Yeah that David Choiniere, the guy who scores in the biggest games, like the Finals or at the Azteca.
But we dug deep to get to the important stuff.
How did he know soccer was the game for him? Why did he roll the dice on a start-up league and then double-down when his contract was up? Does he like the Choiniere song the supporters sing when he scores?
We get to the nitty-griity on Season Two's first episode. So join us!
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The Hammer of Sparx is back. We've learned that soccer podcasting has a bit of a learning curve. This year we are better than ever, which is a bit of a low bar, because last year we were fighting just to keep the cat out of the "studio" and learning the craft in just about every significant way imaginable.
But we still managed to create some compelling conversations with local soccer icons.
And this year is gearing up to be even better. Have a listen to our little 2024 Season Primer. We are planning to add to our lineup of Forge player interviews with a few other pieces and projects. But the main draw remains the same, fun, intimate and honest conversations with some of Forge's finest.
So please tune in to this shorty episode to find out what lies ahead. I really think you'll be glad you did. Now hurry up and get here April!
(No wait, hurry up and get here Concacaf Cup, right? One step at a time!)
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What a coup for the hammer of Sparx. On this Episode the podcast expands its reach with an interview with former canadian Men's National Team Player p- Tesho Akindele. Tesho talks to us about his time with the national team and the opportunities it provided him. He connects with us over his relationships with Forge players he met while playing for Canada: Jordan Hamilton, Manjrekar James, Ashtone Morgan and of course Kyle Bekker.
We also get to hear about Tesho's unlikely pathway to professional success and the importance of supporters groups. And it is this last area that leads us to my favourite part. The importance of creating communities.
Tesho is using his platform to promote something dear to his heart - Urbanism. He drops a lot of knowledge and passion on his projects. And it has inspired the podcast to aim higher. This is the first, Wider Than the Pitch eppisode, which we hope to grow into its own podcast. So welcome in on the ground floor.
So tune into the Hammer of Sparx Pod with very special guest, Tesho Akindele.
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Terran Campbell has one season down with Forge. How is he fitting in? What does he do with his down time? How does he stay focused on the prize when he is already a 2x CPL Champ and one of the all-time goal scorers in league history?
You'll have to tune in to find out.
Hint: He is a really cool guy.
I enjoyed sitting down and finding out more about this young man, one of the few interviews I've had with someone who started his soccer journey in Beautiful BC.
(Don't take it easy on your 'home' team next match Terran!)
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Today we go a different route. The executive path. The Hammer of Sparx sits down with Forge FC's Jelani Smith to get a taste for what it means to work behind the scenes building a champion. And while he gives all credit to Bobby's coaching and the boys getting it done on the field, he deserves his share of credit for doing what it takes to allow everyone to focus on the footy.
We talk growing up as a footy player, seeing the world thanks to the beautiful game, the decision to go behind the pitch and how Guyana has benefitted from Jelani's footy prowess. A little bit of everything here.
I really enjoyed this look at the game from a different viewpoint. And I also want to shout out Nico Correa at Forge for making this possible so quickly.
I hope you enjoy this one.
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Hey. As the Hammer of Sparx tries to put some great new interviews together, here is something to snack on. If you like these little quick hitters, let us know. Opportunities to speak to players in the wild (at practice) are fun for the Pod, and if they are fun for you, the listener, they'll keep coming. Today we have Jordan Hamilton dropping some environmental tips and early urgency, and Miles Green on what it means to be with Forge.
Enjoy!
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The Hammer of Sparx finally gets to sit down with Dom Samuel, Forge FC Centre Back and so much more. Dom has an amazing story about his journey to the CPL. He has played for some of the radar teams with great names (The Penman, The Seacoast Phantoms, The Rochester Rhinos R.I.P). His pathway to the CPL is a cool one, and a road less travelled. But he has something in common with most Forge players. He was always a winner. Dive into our discussion with Dom.
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Welcome back to the Hammer of Sparx Pod, it has been a while. Ever wonder what it would be like to win a Quebec Cup, A PLSQ Championship, a North Star Shield and start a Concacaf Champion's League game all by the time you were 23? Wonder no more, Garven Metusala is gonna tell you all about it.
And of course he's done all that while staying down-to-earth, positive, kind and humble. It almost makes you wonder if he can be real. (He is!)
Join the podcast to hear all about it, find out what the name of the Francophone Crew on Forge is called and even who Garven's bestie is in the CPL. Hint: He plays for his not-so-bitter rivals in Ottawa...Boooo!
Dive in!
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Kwame Awuah former NYCFC player, Forge superstar and podcaster took time to hang out on the Hammer of Sparx pod and talk about his career. He has done so much in a relatively short time. From rubbing shoulder with the Rich and Famous in the city that never sleeps, to winning Championships in the Ambitious City by way of Central American runs and CPL stories. He is fun, funny and has a no holds -barred style of conversation. So enjoy Kickin' it with Kwame.
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This episode I got to sit down with Alexander Achinioti Jonsson and talk footy. Alex explains the education system in Sweden, academy football, what it's like to play in some of Sweden's most storied derbies and the vagaries of life in soccer. Alex is really down-to-earth and direct. You can see what a team player he is and why fans and teammates alike love him (just check out the reception they gave him when he won Defender of the Year for 2022). I didn't pull out my 'A' game for this interview, but the consummate professional on the pitch or in an inteview, Alex lifted the team, as always. Enjoy the Hammer of Sparx Pod, Ask Alex edition. (Can you tell I'm star struck?)
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So excited to have had the opportunity to talk to the 'keeper, Triston Henry. But it was not exactly what I expected, it was so much more. Triston is a fun guy to talk to and cheer on as a supporter. But he is unflinchingly honest too. And I was treated to some deeply heartfelt answers to questions about his pathway, barriers and frustrations as well as his dreams and accomplishments. Soccer is an awesome game, and it is growing exponentially in Canada. But we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that nothing can be taken for granted in this game. And like in life nothing is just handed to you.
And Triston also reminds me that these players are every bit as human as anyone else you know. And all of my guests have re-iterated that in different ways. Whether it was Anthony Novak reminding us about going to the limits to take opportunities, Chris Nanco reminding us that players are not super heroes and share the same mental health and emotional issues as the rest of us (even the clothing-line owning barbers), or Daniel Krutzen showing us the importance of family and opening yourself up to new cultures.
Triston's interview reminded me, that through all the early success of our young league, barriers and frustration can pop up at anytime. The psychology of facing, and overcoming, those frustrations, is as everyday a situation as you can find.
Thanks for all the insights and knowing facial expressions that no one will ever see on this podcast. But the message gets through. Triston Henry is a gem!
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*Bonus Episode, two drops in one week!
Daniel Krutzen is arguably the best defender in Forge FCs relatively short history. (Don't hate me David Edgar, and I see you too Dom) But he has scored clutch goals. Made a mark on the fandom. Come back from critical injury only to swiftly return to the sidelines with the next one. But also to eventually find Hollywood-style redemption.
However, like all players, there's more to Daniel's story than what's on the pitch. There's a strong familial foundation. A sense of wanderlust. And, of course, an abiding awe for the Wonder of the Modern World that is - a WalMart.
Join Daniel on the Hammer of Sparx Pod for a nice talk as he prepares to set off on his next adventure with Phoenix Rising FC.
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The Hammer of Sparx sits down with Chris Nanco - Forge FC forward (currently in limbo) to talk about soccer in Canada, those Sigma and Syracuse days, how his sweet barber skills turned entrepreneurial, leaving a legacy and more. This is a pretty chill episode, but it is full of really great connections and introspection from a really good footballer and great person. Enjoy.
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The Hammer of Sparx sits down with Anthony Novak - Canadian Pro footballer and two-time CPL Champion with Forge FC, and big game player on the continental scene in Concacaf. Anthony chats with us about THE injury, the importance of the CPL, teeth cleanings, livin' that cobblestone life and just how great it is to play footy for a living...including being willing to follow that dream into jungles if necessary. (Rainforests are jungles, right? Whatever this is a footy pod, a Sir David Attenborough joint!) Enjoy!