Chasing the Game - Youth Soccer in America

What if the biggest difference between Dutch and U.S. youth soccer isn’t talent, facilities, or even training volume, but culture.In this episode of Chasing the Game. Youth Soccer in America, we talk with Ditmer (a Dutch coach and academy educator) about the invisible gap many American parents feel but can’t name. In the Netherlands, he explains, football is everywhere. It’s normal to play at school, after school, and through the local club culture. That everyday immersion shapes how players think, how they learn, and how they handle pressure.From there, we zoom in on one of the most important ideas in modern player development. Self-regulation.Ditmer breaks down what it looks like when coaches build ownership rather than dependence. Not “do this, do that,” but asking players what they want to improve. Teaching reflection. Building decision-makers. Helping kids learn how to learn.If you’re a soccer parent navigating pay-to-play, tryouts, roster churn, and the constant noise of “pathways,” this conversation offers a clearer lens. It’s not a European fantasy. It’s a practical look at why culture and coaching philosophy matter, and what American families and clubs can take from the Dutch model without pretending the systems are identical.In this episode, we coverWhy “football is everywhere” changes everything for player developmentThe difference between training more and learning betterWhat Dutch coaches mean by self-regulation and “self-learning.”How question-based coaching builds smarter, calmer playersWhy U.S. youth soccer often produces dependence on instructionsWhat parents can do now to support autonomy, confidence, and resilienceThe real gap parents don’t see until they compare environmentsChapters:(00:00) - Dutch vs U.S. Youth Soccer. The Gap Parents Don’t See (01:02) - Why This Comparison Matters to Parents (04:10) - Dutch Youth Soccer Is an Ecosystem (07:45) - Self-Regulation Starts Early (12:30) - Why Dutch Coaches Stay Silent (17:40) - Micro-Coaching and Its Hidden Costs (23:05) - U12 Match Day. Twin Games Explained (30:10) - Encouraging 1v1s and Risk-Taking (36:25) - What Coaches Look for Beyond Talent (42:50) - The Parents’ Role Off the Field (49:15) - Why Development Is Not Linear (56:40) - Key Takeaways for U.S. Parents Click here to view the episode transcript.

The parent nightmare scenario. When the dream gets real.Your kid gets the dream offer. The dream school. The dream path.And then they tell you they might walk away.Many youth soccer conversations focus on the ladder. Teams. Leagues. Labels.This episode is about something harder. The decisions that surface when the dream becomes available. And the moment a player has to choose between the “safe” path and the version of the dream that scares them.We sit down with Alex Rando to talk about betting on yourself. What it costs. What families carry. What discipline looks like when nobody is watching. And what actually happens when development, pressure, and opportunity collide.We also dig into real pathway questions families face. Academy soccer in New York. Red Bulls Academy. NYCFC. MLS NEXT. College soccer versus the pro route, including what it means to step away from a dream school like Stanford when it no longer fits.Two moments from the episode“So your kid gets into Stanford University for soccer.” (00:00:05)“You, you know, you know that school I got into, it’s not working out for me.” (00:18:48)What you’ll take from this conversation• How big soccer decisions actually get made inside a family• Why routines and discipline matter more than hype• What “betting on yourself” really means when the stakes go up(00:00) - Betting on Yourself (02:10) - Growing Up Playing in Manhattan (06:25) - When Soccer Starts Feeling Serious (10:40) - The First Big Decisions (15:55) - Choosing Growth Over Comfort (21:05) - Parents as Support, Not Directors (26:20) - Pressure, Mistakes, and the Goalkeeper Mindset (31:45) - College, Contracts, and Uncertainty (37:10) - Discipline Beats Motivation (42:30) - What Being “Ready” Actually Means (47:50) - The Decisions That Stay With You (51:40) - Final Takeaways on Betting on Yourself Click here to view the episode transcript.

In elite youth soccer, kids are under constant evaluation. That pressure changes how they play, how they learn, and how they feel about the game.In this episode of Chasing the Game. Youth Soccer in America, we’re joined by Dr. Jonathan Jenkins and Dr. Kimberly O’Brien, authors of Mentality Wins, to break down the mental toll of academy pressure, fear of mistakes, comparison culture, and how parents and coaches can support confidence without lowering standards.This conversation is for soccer parents and coaches navigating tryouts, feedback, burnout, and the car ride home.EPISODE SHOW NOTES:What we coverWhy constant evaluation changes how kids playFear of mistakes vs confidence and flowThe “2% edge”. Why mental skills matter more than physical differencesComparison of culture and identity in elite youth soccerHow feedback helps or harms developmentThe cognitive triangle. Thoughts, feelings, behaviorsPractical tools parents and coaches can use immediatelyHow to keep kids in love with the game while still competingAbout our guestsDr. Jonathan Jenkins is a sports psychologist who has worked with professional teams, including the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox, and is part of the Harvard Medical School teaching community.Dr. Kimberly O’Brien works at the intersection of athlete mental health and performance and has been affiliated with Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard programs.Together, they are the authors of Mentality Wins, a practical framework built around four pillars. Focus, Flow, Finish, and Flourish.ResourcesMentality Wins book and resources: https://www.mentalitywins.com(00:00) - The Hidden Cost of Elite Youth Soccer (02:05) - Constant Evaluation and Playing Afraid (06:48) - The 2% Difference. Mental Not Physical (11:32) - Fear of Mistakes and Performance Anxiety (16:10) - Comparison Culture and Identity (21:05) - Feedback That Builds or Breaks Kids (26:18) - The Cognitive Triangle Explained (31:44) - Parents, Coaches, and the Sideline Problem (36:52) - The Car Ride Home. Comfort or Solutions (42:30) - Focus, Flow, Finish, Flourish (49:10) - Applying the Mental Game at Home and Training (57:40) - What Parents and Coaches Should Take Away Click here to view the episode transcript.

Episode 12. From Street Football to Spotlight. Maintaining the HungerPeguy Luyindula joins Chasing the Game for a rare, real comparison between a football culture built on everyday play and the U.S. youth soccer environment built around structure, fees, and outcomes.A 17-year pro with stops at Lyon, Marseille, PSG, the France national team, and MLS (New York Red Bulls), Peguy walks us through what actually shaped him. Not facilities. Not rankings. The street, the repetitions, and the standards.In this conversation:Why “playing anywhere” (even with rocks and cans) matters more than perfect conditionsThe moment football stops being a “game” and becomes a jobCoaching as a responsibility, training coaches, and setting a real club standardThe pay-to-play reality, and how “parents as clients” can quietly distort developmentWhat he’d tell soccer parents who want growth without breaking their kid’s love for the sportIf this brings up something you’re dealing with right now, share it with another parent. Or send it to a coach you trust.(00:00) - Start (00:04) - Cold open. why this guest matters (00:36) - Peguy intro. PSG, Lyon, Marseille, France, MLS (01:40) - Interview begins (03:18) - Street football roots. how it started (09:26) - Playing anywhere. cans, rocks, tennis balls (14:52) - First big moment. scoring. belief (15:31) - When football becomes work (20:28) - Coaching as responsibility. train coaches. set standards (24:42) - Europe vs U.S. youth soccer culture (36:55) - Pay-to-play and the U.S. maze (40:23) - Parents as clients. business pressure vs development (49:58) - It’s not a game when you become a pro (01:01:45) - Host wrap. access, environment, and the hunger Click here to view the episode transcript.

What does an academy director actually do at a professional club — and why do MLS academies sometimes lose games on purpose?In this episode of Chasing the Game, we sit down with Sean McCafferty, Academy Director of the New York Red Bulls, to unpack how elite youth soccer development really works in the United States.Sean takes us inside the Red Bulls academy system and explains:Why development matters more than winning at younger agesWhat parents misunderstand about MLS NEXT and professional academiesHow players are evaluated beyond talent: decision-making, mentality, and adaptabilityWhy playing up an age group and facing adversity accelerates growthHow MLS NEXT Pro changed the pathway to the first teamWhat parents should actually prioritize when choosing a club for their childThis conversation is especially for parents navigating the pressure, confusion, and noise of U.S. youth soccer. Sean brings clarity, patience, and perspective from 25 years inside the game — as both an academy leader and a parent himself.If you’ve ever wondered:“Why isn’t my kid playing more?”“Should we change clubs?”“Are we chasing false progress?”This episode is required listening.(00:00) - Welcome, why this episode is for parents (00:39) - Sean McCafferty, England to New York, coaching lens (02:44) - What an academy director actually does (05:28) - Scouting and selection, what gets a kid noticed (09:00) - Training culture, standards, and daily environment (15:00) - Development vs winning, teaching the game (27:00) - Minutes, roles, playing up, and roster reality (32:42) - Red Bull global network, Salzburg, Leipzig, Brazil (33:00) - Tournaments and the travel culture (45:08) - Growth spurts, late bloomers, and patience (55:12) - Cost, pay to play pressures, what families face (01:01:00) - What actually makes a player, scanning and decisions (01:11:30) - Closing thoughts and advice for families Click here to view the episode transcript.

Episode 10 is our season recap: what we learned after nine weeks of interviews with people inside the U.S. youth soccer system. We went in thinking it was about leagues and badges. What did we come out with? Terms such as incentives, communication, minutes, touches, pressure, and the parent role.In this recap, we distill the key lessons from conversations with Luis Robles, Patrick Ouckama, Noah Gins, Ben Olsen, Brando and Billy, and Morten Gahn.What we learnedMLS NEXT is dynamic, but families often do not get the “why” behind changes.The U.S. cannot be Europe-lite. Culture is not a tactic you can import.Pay-to-play is the operating reality for most non-MLS academies, which changes expectations and incentives.We may be calling too many kids “elite,” creating confusion and false promises.Roster math is not a hot take. Someone is always frustrated about minutes.Early talent is not destiny. Where you start is not the same as how you climb.Touch volume matters, and “good training” is hard for parents to evaluate.Burnout is often due to pressure, not just physical workload.Parents must adapt as the player grows, and that separation is challenging.(00:00) - Episode 10 recap: what we learned (double digits) (03:10) - Luis Robles: MLS NEXT is dynamic, but communication lags (06:53) - Patrick Ouckama: culture + why the US can’t be “Europe-lite.” (09:10) - Noah Gins: youth soccer is a business (pay-to-play reality) (12:38) - Are we calling too many kids “elite”? The funnel problem (16:10) - Roster math + scarcity: where the minutes go (19:33) - Patience + Morten’s staircase: where you start vs how you climb (25:30) - Touches + what “good training” even looks like (28:24) - Supplemental work: tutor analogy, FOMO, and the noise (34:35) - Burnout: it’s often pressure (not just volume) (36:44) - Parents evolve: separation, new role, and supporting the kid (47:59) - Tournaments, showcases, and the travel economy (MLS NEXT Fest, EDP) (56:46) - World Cup 2026 + MLS growth: what it could unlock next (59:14) - Season 2 teaser: mental, physical, directors, girls' game Click here to view the episode transcript.

Youth soccer focuses on development, but our systems still prioritize results.In this episode of Chasing the Game – Youth Soccer in America, we sit down with Morten Grahn, former director of the NYCFC Soccer Academy, to discuss a harsh truth in American youth soccer: elite environments are not designed to develop every player, yet early success is often mistaken for a sign of long-term potential.Morten uses a strong staircase analogy to explain why being higher in the system doesn't necessarily mean a player is better at progressing or more prepared for what’s next. We discuss how parents, coaches, and clubs often conflate rank within the system with proper development, and how that misunderstanding can influence decisions for years.We cover:• Why quietly winning can overshadow real development in youth soccer• How elite programs rely on structured plans rather than feelings• Why most players aren’t “rockets” — and why that’s normal• How challenge, struggle, and even not playing can be key to growth• What parents should really watch for in competitive environmentsThis episode is for parents navigating academies, tryouts, and performance pressure, and for anyone questioning whether the current youth soccer model truly supports long-term growth.Chasing the Game aims to bring clarity and honesty to a system that often feels unclear. This conversation doesn’t give easy answers, but it helps families think in a better way.(00:00) - Intro – Why results still run youth soccer (02:45) - Winning vs development (06:30) - How elite systems really work (10:15) - Not everyone is built to be developed (14:40) - The staircase analogy explained (19:30) - Where players are vs how well they climb (24:10) - Why most players aren’t rockets (29:20) - Challenge struggle and not playing (34:15) - Frameworks over feelings (39:10) - Environment shapes outcomes (44:00) - What parents often misunderstand (49:20) - Rethinking opportunity and fairness (54:10) - Long term development vs short term success (58:30) - Rethinking how we evaluate players (01:02:10) - Advice for parents inside elite systems (01:05:40) - What development actually asks of families Click here to view the episode transcript.

The next chapter of American youth soccer is being built by a new generation. Not administrators. Not executives. Players. Young adults. People who lived the system from the inside and are now fixing the gaps they experienced firsthand.In this episode, we talk with Brando Babini and Billy Pavlou, founders of Youth4Youth FC and Next Level USA, two programs reshaping development through supplemental training, real match minutes, and near-peer mentorship.As parents inside the youth system, we see the pressure, confusion, and lack of clarity that families face. This conversation explains why the future depends on new leaders who understand both the player’s world and the parent’s world.We cover:• Why supplemental training exists and how to use it the right way• Why match minutes matter more than ever• Mistakes parents make without realizing• How mentorship fills the emotional gap in youth soccer• Differences between youth clubs such as NYCFC, Red Bulls, Met Oval, and Kickers• What exposure and recruiting actually look like today• Why the U.S. is primed for soccer innovationThis is the next generation of U.S. youth soccer. It starts with people like Brando and Billy.(00:00) - Start (00:09) - Remote intro and audio joke (00:33) - Present and future of youth soccer, why these guests (00:46) - Introducing Billy Pavlou and Brando Babini (04:44) - Brando’s path through NYC academies and founding Youth4Youth FC (08:34) - Billy’s journey from Australia to New York and starting Next Level USA (14:28) - What supplemental training really means (19:56) - Club identities in NYC and how they shape players (27:21) - Who drives supplemental work, parents or players (29:25) - Relationships with MLS NEXT and top clubs, guest play rules (35:50) - Youth4Youth mentorship model and near-peer support (44:34) - Showcases, college recruiting and real exposure (48:50) - Burnout, pressure and where it actually comes from (53:39) - Social media, player profiles and the showcase effect (58:30) - Why the US is fertile ground for soccer startups (01:02:24) - Rapid fire: skills, clubs, parents and advice for 12-year-olds ‘View full transcript’

This week on Chasing the Game, we sit down with one of the most influential figures in American youth soccer: Noah Gins, Founder and CEO of Albion.We break down structure, culture, college pathways, measurable development, retention, and what true “success” really means inside a U.S. club system that too often rewards the wrong things.If you’re a parent, coach, or player trying to understand why youth soccer feels chaotic and what a functioning system could look like. This episode brings clarity.Topics We Cover• How Noah built one of the most successful youth clubs in the country• Why U.S. development suffers from fragmentation and inconsistency• The four core pillars of success at Albion• Retention, culture, and long-term development• Why “beautiful soccer” and winning often conflict• College recruitment myths and real pathways• How clubs should define success vs. how parents define success• Albion’s long-term vision for U.S. youth soccerYouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@chasingthegame-podcastSpotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2pNWkRKtCJ9DqN6dgGcbWNApple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.comWebsite – https://chasingthegame.usInstagram – https://instagram.com/chasingthegamepodTikTok – https://tiktok.com/@chasingthegamepodClick here to view the episode transcript. (00:00) - Intro: The Machine Behind U.S. Youth Soccer (00:39) - Noah Gins Joins the Conversation (02:56) - Noah’s Youth Career and Path to Pro Soccer (04:00) - Building Albion: Six Teams to National Recognition (08:47) - Expansion, Affiliates, and the Albion Model (13:02) - What Was Missing in Youth Soccer (17:10) - How Environment Shapes Playing Style (18:58) - Structure vs Freedom in Player Development (20:31) - The League Maze: MLS NEXT, ECNL, EA (22:34) - Could the U.S. Ever Unite Its Development System? (25:45) - Why the U.S. Needs Player Compensation (29:57) - Supplementary Training and the Secondary Market (32:51) - Technical Mastery: Juggling and Measurable Skills (35:05) - Multi Sport Athletes and Specialization (37:45) - Understanding the U.S. Player Pathway (39:36) - The Problem With Using the Word “Elite” (41:11) - High School Soccer vs Academy Soccer (44:14) - Parents, Communication, and Culture (46:26) - Global Influences: Brazil, Spain, and Beyond (51:53) - Social Media, Mentality, and Today’s Players (53:50) - Seeing Albion as a System: Local to National (54:20) - Defining Success and Albion’s Four Pillars (57:54) - Cracking the College Pathway and Scholarships (01:02:22) - Albion’s Long Term Vision and Role in U.S. Soccer

In this episode, Ben Olsen provides one of the most honest breakdowns of youth soccer development in the U.S., covering how kids handle pressure, the differences he observes inside MLS NEXT academies, and why the American system often struggles with player development, culture, and long-term growth.Ben speaks openly about the realities of pay-to-play, how parents influence development, the gap in soccer IQ between U.S. players and the global game, and what coaches look for as kids transition from club soccer to college recruiting and ultimately the pro pathway.For parents navigating ECNL, USYS, MLS NEXT, high school soccer, or the college pathway, this episode offers clarity on how elite environments truly operate and what really matters for your child’s development.Key TakeawaysWhy the U.S. youth soccer system creates unique pressure at early agesWhat American players lack compared to global development culturesHow to build real soccer IQ outside of trainingWhat parents often misunderstand about development vs. competitivenessThe cultural differences between U.S. club soccer and pro academiesHow MLS clubs evaluate young players and what separates the ones who advanceWhy joy and intrinsic motivation matter more than early “success”Website: https://www.chasingthegame.us (00:00) - Intro (00:40) - Ben’s Early Experiences in U.S. Youth Soccer (03:15) - Pressure, Competitiveness & Player Development (07:10) - What Parents Get Wrong About Youth Soccer (11:30) - What Real Development Looks Like Inside MLS NEXT (15:45) - Culture, Joy & The Global Game (21:20) - Navigating Club Soccer Expectations (27:50) - Ben’s Advice to Parents & Players (32:40) - Wrap-Up

In Part 2, Patrick Ouckama expands on how MLS academies balance opportunity, pressure, and player well-being. We explore what “success” really means for young athletes, how to handle burnout, and what U.S. clubs can learn from Europe’s development model.Patrick also shares what parents should focus on beyond the scoreboard,  and how small cultural shifts can build better players and happier families.Hosted by Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia (00:00) - Introduction (00:19) - Development focus at younger ages (00:23) - Positions vs. profiles in academy evaluation (02:50) - Why many players identify as “#10s” (04:00) - When an attacking player becomes a fullback (05:50) - Pathways into the first team by position (07:45) - When to move a player out of the midfield (09:10) - Playing time vs. development at U13–U14 (12:00) - Technical load: why American players lack touches (14:50) - Are tactics introduced too early in the U.S.? (17:20) - Assessing coaching methodology inside academies (20:30) - Comparing U.S. and European development cultures (23:10) - Common misconceptions among parents (26:40) - Overlooked barriers in the U.S. development pathway (29:50) - Rapid-fire questions (33:40) - Closing remarks

In this first part of our conversation with Patrick Ouckama, Technical Director at the New England Revolution Academy, we go deep into the culture of player development inside an MLS NEXT environment. Patrick reflects on what has changed in U.S. youth soccer, how academy systems shape player mentality, and why development always has to come before winning.From Ithaca to the Revs to D.C. United, his story reveals the realities of balancing ambition, access, and joy in the game.Hosted by Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia. (00:00) - Intro (02:10) - Patrick’s Coaching Path (12:40) - Culture vs Talent (24:55) - Accountability Inside Academies (35:30) - Parent Expectations

In Part 2 of our conversation, Luis Robles (MLS NEXT Technical Director and former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper) shifts from his own story to the system our kids are currently in. We discuss how MLS NEXT works alongside other leagues, why “quality of play” is evaluated by human analysts (not AI), and how video and data support coaches, players, and college recruiting. Robles explains the U13/U14 field-size change (more touches, fewer track-meet games), the push to improve playing-time and substitution rules, and why parents are central to communication and culture.What you’ll learn:How MLS NEXT coordinates with ECNL, USL, Elite Academy, EDP, and othersWhy “quality of play” uses human analysts and what they actually measureHow video is applied for development (not just box-score stats)Why U13/U14 field sizes were reduced and what changes in matchesWhere winning belongs in a development model (standards and consistency)Playing time, substitution patterns, rankings and perception, and parent communicationBirth-year vs. school-year, bio-banding, and flexible, player-first policiesWhy talent can’t be predicted at ages 11–13—and how to keep kids in the gameChapters:[00:00] Welcome back: setting the table for Part 2[01:00] Collaborating across leagues (ECNL, USL, EA, EDP)[04:00] Jerseys and culture: why kids rep Europe and how MLS can win fans[06:00] “Quality of Play” explained: human analysts, not AI[08:00] Video for development: cataloging moments; analysts vs. box-score stats[12:00] Encouraging creativity: rewarding productive 1v1s[16:00] Using video well for coaches, players, families; college-recruiting access[19:00] Rankings, perception, and the role of parents in the conversation[21:00] U13/U14 field-size reduction: touches, decision speed, actions to goal[24:00] Nine-a-side, international comparisons, and communicating the “why”[25:00] Next focus: playing time and substitution rules[26:30] Roster math, minutes, and birth-year vs. school-year[29:00] Bio-banding and flexibility: doing what’s best for the player[31:00] Keeping kids engaged through the drop-off years (11–14)[33:00] You can’t predict 11–13: even La Masia says so[35:00] U16–U19 = performance stage: college, MLS NEXT Pro, first team[40:00] Host reflections and takeaways[42:00] Outro and thanksGuest:Luis Robles: MLS NEXT Technical Director; former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper and captain.About the show:Chasing the Game – Youth Soccer in America helps families navigate tryouts, leagues (MLS NEXT, ECNL, GA), costs, travel, coaching quality, and the paths to college or pro—through candid conversations with people shaping the system.Transcript:‘View full transcript’

In Part 1 of our conversation, Luis Robles, MLS NEXT Technical Director and former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper, shares his inspiring journey from underdog to MLS legend. Luis opens up about resilience, leadership, and the lessons learned on the field that now shape his work with the next generation of American players. (00:00) - Chapter 1 (00:00) - - Luis Robles on learning soccer late and almost choosing baseball (00:00) - - From immigrant family to USMNT and MLS Cup champion (00:00) - - Becoming a soccer parent and seeing pay-to-play up close (00:00) - - The grind of travel soccer and family sacrifices (00:00) - - What MLS NEXT is and why it matters (00:00) - - Can U.S. soccer build better pathways for kids? (00:00) - - Luis on goalkeeping, resilience, and identity (00:00) - - Hopes for the next generation of players

In the debut episode of Chasing the Game, co-hosts Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia set the stage for the series. They share their personal journeys as soccer parents, reflect on the challenges of navigating clubs, leagues, and academies, and explore why youth soccer in the U.S. can feel like a maze. Across nearly an hour of conversation, they compare American and international approaches, highlight the impact of pay-to-play, and preview the themes and guests to come this season. (00:00) - Introduction – Welcome to Chasing the Game (01:45) - Too Many Leagues, Too Little Clarity (06:30) - Matt’s Stats Corner – Fragmented System by the Numbers (09:50) - Liron’s Story – The Soccer Labyrinth at Home (13:10) - The MLS NEXT Shift (17:20) - The Pay-to-Play Paradox (21:00) - Expert Perspective – Finding Your Path (26:40) - The End Game – What Success Looks Like (29:10) - Closing – What We’ll Tackle Next

Soccer. Everywhere else, it’s four cones and a ball. In America, it’s spreadsheets, flights, and hotel bills.Chasing the Game is a new podcast from Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia, two soccer dads trying to understand how the world’s simplest game got so complicated in the U.S.Each week, they talk with the people who’ve lived it, from Ben Olsen and Luis Robles to Noah Ross of NYCFC’s Youth Academy — unpacking the culture, costs, and chaos of youth soccer in America.Join us as we chase the game, one story, one season, one sideline at a time.