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Description
Unlocking soccer success from grassroots to elite. Expert insights and stories.
17 Episodes
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Christian Hernandez returns to Hometown FC to share his experiences inside one of the most prestigious youth environments in the country — Barca Residency Academy in Arizona. In this conversation, Christian opens up about what life is really like training under the Barca model, how it’s shaped his development, and what he’s learned since joining one of the top academies in North America. We dig into the differences between club soccer and elite academies, the daily standards that separate the...
Dave Meadows is one of Arizona’s most respected coaches, known for his work at Phoenix Rising and Phoenix Premier FC and his passion for player development that goes far beyond the field. With years of experience shaping young athletes into high-level competitors, Dave brings a unique blend of technical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and mentorship to his craft. In this episode, we dive deep into what it truly means to develop a player — not just a skillset. Dave breaks down his appr...
Mario Ornelas is the founder of the Playmaker Development Program, one of Southern California’s most respected training systems, known for producing intelligent, technical, and creative players. Beyond the training ground, Mario also works as a scout, connecting top young talent with MLS and Liga MX academies, giving players real access to professional pathways on both sides of the border. In this episode, Mario shares how he’s built a program that blends elite training with real opportunity....
Jeff Addai is a former professional soccer player turned CEO of OPSM (Optimal Performance Soccer Management), one of the premier player agencies in North America. With experience competing in Europe, Canada, and the U.S., Jeff has transitioned his on-field passion into a mission of guiding the next generation of players toward professional success. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to make it in today’s soccer world — from mindset and mentorship to building professional path...
David Dawood is the founder of DD8, a high-performance player development program that connects U.S. talent to opportunities in Spain and France, and a coach with Phoenix Rising Academy. A former professional player and Iraq National Team member, David’s journey is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and vision. In this episode, we dive deep into what it means to lead by example, from his own playing days to building a culture of professionalism in young athletes. David shares h...
Joe Pehanich is the Head of Youth Soccer at Venice Beach FC, a U.S. Soccer Federation Scout, and a former member of the LAFC academy staff, bringing a rare perspective from both the professional academy system and the grassroots level. In this episode, Joe shares his journey from coaching and developing players at LAFC to leading Venice Beach FC’s youth program, and offers a unique lens on what it really takes to identify and nurture talent in the U.S. Listeners will hear about: How Venice Be...
Devin Franklin is building a movement in West Phoenix through Franklin Sports Performance. Where faith, culture, and next-level training collide. Known for his motto “Grind & Give Glory to God,” Devon has carved out a lane where athletes don’t just work harder, they work smarter, with purpose. In this episode of Hometown FC, we dive into: How Devon shapes youth, college, and pro athletes through creative, engaging trainingThe meaning behind his philosophy of grinding with discipline while...
Sam Al-Basith’s story is a blueprint for building culture in the game. From the cages of South London to shaping elite talent in Los Angeles, Sam has worn every hat, MLS Academy coach, scout, mentor, and founder of SO LA, one of the most influential grassroots football hubs in the U.S. In this conversation, we go deep on: The realities of scouting top talent in AmericaHow environment and culture shape a player’s mentalityLessons learned from working with LA Galaxy AcademyBuilding SO LA and cr...
On this episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with Valerie Vargas, rising star at UCLA Women’s Soccer and a key player for the Mexico U23 Women’s National Team. Valerie opens up about what it really takes to succeed at one of the top college programs in the country while chasing international dreams with El Tri. From balancing academics and national team call-ups, to handling pressure, sacrifice, and self-belief — this episode is a masterclass in what it means to grind with purpose. We get into...
In this episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with two of the most influential architects in modern player development. Darnell Simpson-Tomlinson, Chelsea Academy coach and founder of Monster Mentality, opens up about his journey from South London to training Premier League and Serie A ballers like Levi Colwill and Billy Gilmour. His mindset-first approach is changing the way elite players train, prepare, and lead. On the other side of the pitch, Sam Al Basith, former LA Galaxy academy coach an...
Description: In this powerful episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with Coach Joe from SoccerViza — a game-changer in the world of player development and international opportunities. Coach Joe shares his raw journey from the traditional system to founding a platform that gives overlooked players a real shot at going pro. We dive into the realities of chasing the dream, the flaws in the current U.S. development model, and how SoccerViza is opening doors across the globe. Whether you're a playe...
Phil Jackson and Jordan Diana aren't just experienced coaches, they’re the visionaries behind AZ Soccer Lab, Arizona’s top club-neutral training environment. In this episode of Hometown FC, we dive deep into their journey: from coaching battles to building a culture that puts player development over politics. We talk shop on what elite training really looks like, how they’ve built a space where kids from any club can come to grow, and why AZ Soccer Lab is raising the standard in the Southwest...
From Red Bulls Academy to Pro Grind In this episode, Coach Eric Capone sits down with Alex Tejera, a player whose path through the soccer world has been anything but ordinary. From growing up in the competitive environment of the New York Red Bulls Academy to navigating the highs and lows of college and professional soccer, Alex shares raw insight into what it really takes to make it in the game. We talk development, setbacks, the mental side of the sport, and what’s next for Alex in his jou...
In this episode of Hometown FC, I sit down with coach and player development specialist Christian Hernandez to pull back the curtain on one of youth soccer’s biggest problems: the lack of real teaching. We dive deep into: The toxic culture of club soccer and the obsession with winningWhy most players don’t understand their position beyond a titleThe gap between technical training and real applicationWhat it means to be a “teacher-coach” in today’s gameHow we can build smarter, more adaptable ...
Hear stories about youth development, enjoying the game, building a game model and stories of Didier Drogba from Phoenix Rising Coach Rick Shantz (2018-2022).
How to build Resilience and intelligence with Mick Reavey.
What makes an elite young baller?
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