Chasing the Game - Youth Soccer in America

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.