Rooster and the Villain: An American Soccer Podcast

In late 2024, USL Dallas announced their intention to add Dallas to their list of USL Championship clubs for 2027. Led by co-founders and long time friends, Matt Valentine and Sam Morton, the club is poised to enter a market that is also occupied by Major League Soccer.

I was fortunate enough to have Matt on the podcast to discuss this exciting USL project. We talk about Matt’s personal history with the beautiful game, the Ownershi...

Sean McGee has spent his life hustling to make it in the business of sports. His journey has taken him from minor league baseball, to NPSL soccer with Kingston Stockade, to coaching College basketball, to business development with the Tampa Bay Lightning, and finally, to the Sarasota Paradise in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. 

For those keeping track at home, Sarasota Paradise will be moving up to USL League One for the 2026 season and i...

Eight years ago, a 19 year old Jimmy Filerman had his first experience in the US Open Cup as a player for the South Florida Surf in USL League Two. A team of mostly amateur players in their schools’ offseasons came together to face Miami FC, who at the time was spending big money to put together a competitive roster in the NASL with Manager Alessandro Nesta (of Italian National Team Fame).

The team of kids tied the game in the 76’ ...

My Instagram algorithm led me to one of the more fascinating projects that I’ve seen in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. Ben Chehebar is working to bring a DC-based, independent cleat (boot!) company to market later this year and is taking his Instagram followers on the journey with him.

Ben’s path into the Soccer industry has been via the scenic route. After a quick stop at Adidas on the West Coast post-University of Michigan ba...

I recently solicited my Instagram followers for some interviewees and Baltimore City FC responded to the request. BCFC plays in the American Premier Soccer League in America's 4th tier of the pyramid. They are new-ish to the Baltimore soccer scene but have big goals in mind. Nick Siler, the Director of Club Management and Head Coach, Joe Nixon jumped on to talk about their personal soccer history, the club's history, and the goals ...

Erik has been in and around the beautiful game since his days as the Operations Director for Giants Stadium around year 2000. In that role, he got his first taste of professional soccer through the NY/NJ Metrostars, and the international teams that rolled through that area. Around 2008, he became the Managing Director for Red Bull NY and oversaw the development, opening, and operation of one of the US's best soccer-specific stadium...

Forrest Tucker is currently a Sports Reporter and Anchor for WTVQ based out of Lexington, Kentucky. He shoots, writes, and edits short and long form feature stories, and has gained experience in covering College and Professional teams and covering events like March Madness, Triple Crown Horse Racing, PGA Tour, and MLS Cup. 

He's also covered American soccer through his podcast, "The Cleared Off the Line Podcast" as well as covering...

The Maryland Bobcats' starting right back came on the podcast to discuss his journey from High School soccer player in Maryland to professional journeyman in the US's 3rd Division.

Travis has played for Greenville Triumph of the USL-L1, Michigan Stars, Stumptown, Chattanooga and Bobcats of NISA, and is currently on the hunt for his next job in professional soccer. Travis talks about each stop of his soccer journey, beating USL-Cham...

I met Abe back in 2022 as we prepared for the World Cup Pop Up party at SoFive Columbia. Abe and his brothers, Alex and Alberto, brought infectious enthusiasm to the project and a connection to growing community of ballers in the Baltimore area. 

Abe and his brothers started A.n Pickups as a way to bring together high level ballers for pick up games. Their "Moose Mondays" has turned into a soccer phenomenon, with hundreds of baller...