Craig Dalrymple has built a career defined by resilience, adaptability, and an obsession with player development. From early adversity that fueled his drive, to over a decade at Vancouver where he oversaw the progression of more than 80 academy players into the first team — including global stars like Alphonso Davies — Craig has consistently found ways to turn potential into performance. Now as Head of Professional Player Development at Seattle Sounders, his mission is to design environments where every player can thrive. This episode is an insight into what it truly takes to stand out in high performance environments.

Listen to find out more including;

- The balance between relentless effort and the pursuit of quality in a young coach’s career.

- Designing learning environments across diverse settings, from Miami to the Pacific North West.

- Why he chose to focus on developing players as individuals rather than just coaching teams?

- What elite talent really looks like and the traits that separate the few who make it?

- The purpose and power of Individual Development Plan (IDP) meetings — and what many academies get wrong.

-Insights as to how he designs and directs resources plus attention to Sounders top talents.

00:00 - 08:59 - Whitecaps

09:00 - 17:06 - Feedback

17:07 - 25:10- Technical Leadership

25:11 - 37:46 - Seattle

37:47 - 45:44 - IDP

45:45 - 49:35 - Advice

Get in touch;

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YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@TheLowdownPod

Email: cwalsh95@outlook.ie