May 15, 2025 • 28 mins
Kevin Tello is coming home to Northwest Arkansas with a mission. The newly appointed Director of Ozark United FC's MLS Next Academy joins us to share his journey from LA transplant to rising Division I coach, and why he's passionate about building a professional pathway for soccer players in the region he once called home.
"When I was a player, and I've talked to other coaches that had grown up in the area, we would have killed for something like this," Tello explains, his enthusiasm palpable as he describes what the MLS Next program will mean for talented young players in Northwest Arkansas. After developing MLS draft picks at the collegiate level, Tello brings a wealth of experience in identifying and nurturing elite talent.
What exactly separates good players from great ones? While technical skills matter, Tello emphasizes that decision-making ultimately defines elite players. During the upcoming evaluations, he'll be watching for more than just skill—he wants to see intensity, intelligence, and approach. "If Sporting Kansas City was here watching your eval, how would you react?" he challenges potential players, setting the bar high from the start.
The conversation reveals a coach who measures success not just by wins or player advancement, but by meaningful impact on young people's lives. "If I can just be an imprint on one player, one family, and that's the player that goes pro, or becomes another successful member of our community... that's to me the most important thing at this point in my career."
Ready to be part of Northwest Arkansas's soccer revolution? Player evaluations begin next week for this groundbreaking program that promises to transform the region's soccer landscape. Don't miss your chance to join the journey from pitch to pro.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
Pitch to Pro is the official podcast of Ozark United
FC.
This will be our platform totell our story about the club
and the special place that wecall home, Northwest Arkansas.
This is a journey we want tobring you along for the ride.
We'll share what's going onbehind the curtain, help educate
the community at large aboutsoccer, our league, and give
(00:25):
updates on the progress of theclub along the way.
Together, we'll explore andunpack our journey to
professional soccer, the magicthat is NWA, our community, and
talk all things soccer from onthe pitch to behind the scenes,
telling the story of our club.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Pitch to Pro Podcast is proudly sponsored by
PodcastVideoscom.
By PodcastVideoscom.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
PodcastVideoscom is Northwest Arkansas' premier
podcast recording studio,equipped with industry-leading
equipment.
The recording studio andservices save you time, money
and hassle.
They are dedicated to helpingyou create, record and publish
high-quality podcasts for youraudience.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Be sure to check them out today at podcastvideoscom.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Hey everybody, welcome back to the Pitch to Pro
podcast.
I'm your host, wes Harris,managing Director, ozark United
FC, northwest Arkansas'sprofessional soccer club,
playing in the United SoccerLeague.
Everybody, I'm really excitedabout my guest today.
It is our newly appointeddirector of our Ozark United FC
MLS Next Academy Coach, kevinTeo, coming to us live from
(01:31):
Memphis.
He's still wrapping things upin Memphis as he makes his move
out here to NWA Coach.
We got evals coming up nextweek.
There's a whole lot of work tobe done.
I know you're excited and I'mready to unpack it with you.
But you know, before we jumpinto all that and what this
program means and what you guysare excited for, I just want
everybody to get a chance toknow you.
(01:52):
So, first of all, welcome,thank you for joining me and
making the time.
And, you know, just giveeverybody a little bit of a you
know quick color on who you areand a little bit about your
background.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Yeah, thanks for having me.
I'm, of course, excited aboutOzark United.
About me, I'm a transplant,like a lot of us.
I'm originally from Los Angeles, california.
My parents are both immigrantsfrom Central America.
We moved to Northwest Arkansas,I would say around seventh
grade, eighth grade somewherearound there, and that's
actually where I started playingsoccer was with with south
(02:24):
springs.
Um, you know what now is onsprings, uh, soccer club, I see,
whatever they're calling it now.
Um, but I remember it was justme and a couple of my friends
was kind of going all aroundwith the circuit to play soccer,
so played at some pretty high,was able to then go play at
washington baptist university.
Um, you know, as soon as Igraduated with my undergrad I
(02:45):
moved back to learn, to start,and so I kind of worked a couple
quote, normal jobs and I I knewthat coaching was what I wanted
to do.
So then I started kind of this,this coaching journey.
I became a volunteer at conwayhigh, I got my master's degree
and then it just kind of, youknow, just steamroll and I
volunteered at hendrix.
I got that coaching job atbologna.
I met my wife you know,girlfriend at the time, fiance
(03:07):
then got on board with colby andyou know his staff as a
volunteer that started nationalpark, and then you know, I've
been here.
Um, it's, it's been an excitingjourney, but I think we're
we're thankful to not only moveback home, but move back home to
a project that I'm verypassionate about, which is
soccer in northwest arkansas.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
That's, that's awesome.
What a journey, um, coming fromla to to arkansas.
Uh, I mean you know you spent agood good chunk of your time
here, though you know kind ofgrowing up and and getting to
experience the growth that we've, that we've seen and and I'm
sure have also watched, uh, fromafar.
(03:47):
As your time in memphis I meanyou know I'm sure you is is like
others, I feel like I go onvacation for a weekend and I
come back and you know there'salready five new things, but I'm
sure even even more pronouncedfor you yeah, I've been the
freaking uh, what's the newhighway to go to Siloam?
Speaker 3 (04:05):
right, like all that constructions.
I drove past you know on 412either day and I was like man,
never seen this before.
What the heck is going on.
It's insane.
It's insane how mucheverything's growing and, like
you said, everything that'scoming and that's why I that the
area is experiencing and youknow we want soccer to also grow
along with the growth that wesee from different aspects of
(04:27):
North Dakota soccer.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Absolutely, and we're definitely seeing it, man.
I mean, the numbers are just,they speak for themselves in
terms of just participation, andyou know, both at the club
level, but importantly for metoo is at the grassroots level
as well.
And the littles, and you know,the parks and rec programs are
just, you know they're we'rerunning out of space to put
people in and you know that's agood problem to have.
(04:50):
But also you know that's awhole other podcast on field
space and why it's needed, whyit's important.
And you know let's keep up withthe growth and all of the
things.
I think it's just a a greatstory of just what is NWA right
(05:10):
now and all the things thatwe're experiencing with the
growth.
But anyway, it's, it's great tosee, as a play former player,
uh, current coach and parent andall the things.
So we're excited.
But talk a little bit for meabout, um.
You know the transition fromplayer to coach.
I think that's always aninteresting one, um, that is
really interesting to heardifferent people's perspectives
(05:34):
and their journey, uh, fromplayer to coach.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
So tell me about that I, I'd always knew, you know I
wasn't the greatest player, Imean kind of pro, wasn't, wasn't
in the in the car to me and youknow I wasn't the greatest
player.
I didn't have a pro, wasn't,wasn't in the car to me and you
know I was just able torecognize that, I think, sooner
than some people.
Some people continue to chasetheir dreams and obviously I I
could have um, it's, you know,work, but I think I I fell in
love more with the thought ofhelping my teammates get better,
(06:00):
when I knew I wasn't, you know,making a starting whatever and
you know, talking to some of thepeople that were my mentors as
a player.
That's what drove me to makethat decision from it's time to
stop playing to now become acoach Within coaching.
Now, what are you passionateabout within coaching?
Is it the X's and O's?
Is it the relationship side?
Is it everything else thatcomes in it?
(06:22):
For me, it was really, I thinkthat, the strongest piece of it.
It's like I enjoy every teamthat I play with, I enjoy every
player that I work with.
Um, and relationship side, right, I, I love my high school coach
and you know, I know he's goingto watch this and he changed my
life right.
Same thing with my collegecoach, um, same thing with my
mentors that are coaching me asa coach, um, I think that's a
(06:45):
side of of what I value and I Isee kind of as a legacy that I
want to leave.
You know, for my kids and foreveryone that I work with, it's
like he poured everything intome as a person and you know, we
all stopped playing one day, asopposed to saying, man, coach
kevin gave me everything he hadand we won a lot.
But I don't know him as aperson.
I don't like I can grow as aperson with my time with him
(07:08):
there.
You know.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
No, that's, it's super interesting.
I think you you hit onsomething that was really um, I
think is great to hear andpeople to, for them to
understand.
One, coaching is not a um.
Coaching is not a um.
(07:31):
One size fits all.
It's not a one skill set is all.
It's just like any other job.
There's so many differentdisciplines within the coaching
sphere, um, that, you know I Ithink people kind of miss.
They just think, oh, soccercoach.
So dive a little deeper intothat.
Like, what work for people thatare interested in maybe
pursuing a career in coaching?
(07:53):
Or for people that are justinterested in learning more?
What are some of the differentthings that you've experienced?
Or, or you know an organization.
I know you got to get to acertain level right, you know
there's different disciplineswithin coaching, but at those
levels you know what are.
What are some of the thingsthat you know?
(08:13):
A coaching staff divvies thingsup and and you know how you
guys work together and talkabout that.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Yeah, I think I've been, you know, blessed to work
with him.
A lot of staff said we do agood job, kind of divide and
conquer with everything.
When I was a head coach and Iknow, you know, a lot of people
want that desire to be a coach Iwas in charge of doing
everything and I had aresponsibility.
And then I had to delegate tomy assistants and I had to be
(08:40):
responsible, like you know makesure that the assistants that I
hire are able to do what I wantthem to do, whether it's from,
you know, video analysis,standpoint, or running a session
or a specific unit, group orwhatever you know for for
talking now, just kind ofeverything that entails for us
here, right?
So let's say us cause I'm stillhere for another couple of days
, you know, for us to run anNCAA program.
That makes you know the NCAAtournament, makes you know
(09:03):
trainings, which is the big meatof everything.
But then, with any training,what are we covering?
You know, what are the ninesgetting out of it, what is the
goalkeepers getting out of it,and everything in between, right
, because yes, we want to win onsaturday, friday, saturday, but
how can we get there?
And then from there it justkind of you reverse scaffold it.
This is the picture we want towin against whoever.
(09:24):
How do we do that?
And then it just kind oftrickles down all the way down.
We tell the guys, if we cancontrol everything they do 24
hours a day, we would, becausewe know how much it takes into
it.
For me, a big piece of what I dohere I do all of our video
stuff and I do a lot of kind ofI grab how we play game to game,
(09:45):
training to training.
Then find a way to translatethat into this is what we need
to work on offensively, this iswhat we need to work on
defensively.
But then, outside of that,you're navigating.
You're still navigatingfamilies.
They're still navigatingplayers, because they're still
people.
You know their budgets becausethey got to pay tuition.
Um, travel, we got to travel.
We got to see these guys and wegot to work with strength
(10:06):
coaches, athletic trainers,academic people um, it's a lot,
right, it's not.
And it's funny when guys see usat 2 o'clock in training
they're like Coach, what did youdo today?
I've been in the office sinceSaturday and I haven't stopped.
If anything, I'm ready fortraining because I get to relax,
but there's a lot to it and Ithink that's another podcast too
(10:26):
.
What is a Division I program orwhat's a high-level academy?
What all do they cover?
Speaker 1 (10:33):
It's a lot.
It is a lot and I know you'regoing to bring that same energy
and bring it into NWA here withOzark United and the MLS Next
program that we're developinghere and super excited to get
started.
I mean, evals are a week away.
(10:54):
Uh, and man, you can the the.
The positive tension is likepalpable.
Like it from players, families,like they're so excited, uh,
and it's an anxious tension tolike get started.
You know it's not a, it's not acombative, like that's the
(11:15):
wrong word, but you can justfeel it right.
Yeah, the excitement it'sreally really, really cool to
see.
So I'm excited, I can't wait tosee the turnout and I, which I
know is going to be massive, soit's great.
Well, coach, talk to me alittle bit about what drew you
(11:36):
to this opportunity, like whyyou're ascending, you know, at a
great D1 program in Memphis,you know, developing your career
there.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Why kind of make this pivot and come back to nwa for,
uh, ozark united and the mlsnext program that we're working
to, to build here yeah, you know, as I've gotten older, as I've
continued on this career path,obviously I've had opportunities
to, whether it's join mlsacademies or go to a bigger
division one.
(12:08):
Um, I think the what I'veidentified is the most important
thing for me is my family, andthen from there I look at my
family and it stands out mycommunity.
I grew up in here, I grew upplaying games at the rack.
It's one of those things whereI was talking to my wife, I saw
this in a lot of people and alot of my friends in Division 1.
(12:30):
You're just kind of the callyou wrote about man, why are you
taking a step backwards?
That's the other thing I toldthem.
I was like I don't think thisis a step backwards because you
don't know the potential thatthis has, and that's what I see.
To me this has so muchpotential and for me this has
more of a potential for me toimpact more players, more
families.
And again, as we talk, I thinkthat's the biggest thing that
drove me is like if I can justbe a you know imprint on one
(12:56):
player, one family, and that'sthe player that goes pro, or
that's a player that now, youknow, becomes another successful
member of our community, youknow, and he's huge, or whatever
.
I think that's to me the mostimportant thing at this point in
my career.
It's can I be close to myfamily, can I continue to do the
sport, you know, do what I lovewithin the sport, and can I
(13:16):
leave an impact.
And, of course, you know, beforethis call, we know like this is
going to blow up the potentialthat we have and the people that
we have around this project arego-getters, and I find myself
being the same way.
I don't stop until kind of theproblem is solved or identified
a problem before.
And how can we make this thingthe next big thing?
(13:38):
You know we're not going to gointo uh, oh man, we just have
mls snacks, like no, how can weexcel and be the best?
You know tier two mls next, andthen jump into, you know, till
you know tier one with the bigboys, and then how can we the
best, be the best there?
Um, and that's, you know, astier one with the big boys, and
then how can we be the bestthere?
And that's, you know, as myfriends hear me talk about that,
(13:59):
it then gets them excited aboutlike oh man, cool, now
definitely, can, you know,recruit some guys within kind of
the way that you're talkingabout this and how excited and
passionate you sound about it.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
That's awesome.
That's awesome.
I think, um, it's a great wayto think about things and very
refreshing, um for anyone in anycareer path is to take a step
back and identify to you what'simportant, um, and not just in
(14:30):
your career, but important,important that, first and
foremost, outside of just yourcareer.
You're not defined by yourcareer, um, some people are, and
that's what they choose, andthat's fine, um, but being
self-aware enough and confidentin yourself to be able to take a
step back for a second and talkabout and think about what's
(14:50):
important, and then, if that'sthe thing that's important to me
, then how do I then coordinatethat within my career pathing
and journey and find anopportunity that allows me to
fulfill that?
and make sure that that's thereand so that's really really cool
(15:10):
and refreshing man and I'm I'mjust excited to to hear that
passion come from you and knowthat you're going to absolutely
set these guys up for successand the coaches, uh, and the and
the program so really excited.
But talk a little bit moreabout the program.
And what does this mean if I'ma player in Northwest Arkansas?
What does this mean for'm aplayer in Northwest Arkansas?
(15:32):
What does this mean for thegame in Northwest Arkansas as a
player?
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Yeah, I think, yeah, the biggest thing, obviously I
started talking to other MLSnext technical directors,
whether it's within MLS Academy.
They're kind of like usnon-affiliates the biggest thing
for me.
Obviously, growing up in thearea, it's something different,
right.
It's something that's notaround, right.
There's other things going onwithin the state that are super
(15:58):
exciting, but this is settingitself apart because we want
players that are committed.
We want families that arecommitted.
You know you want to have somesort of seriousness within club
soccer and that's why you'regoing to choose to come to our
MLS Next program For players.
What they'll expect is you'regoing to have coaches that are
committed to you.
(16:18):
Obviously, you can hear metalking, but I'm committed to
this program.
I'm not kind of pulled away bydifferent things.
This is what I want to do, thisis what I'm committed for, and
we expect the same from ourplayers and from our families.
You'll get that exposure that Iknow a lot of Arkansas players
struggle with, you know, whetherit's college or whether it's,
you know, making that jump intoan MLS academy.
(16:40):
That's one of the biggestthings that I want to work on is
like how can we get theseplayers that exposure to then
make the jump.
You know we want people to know, man, arkansas has good soccer
players and not just Arkansasgeneral, the Northwest right.
And then trickle down OzarkUnited, mls Next programs had
great soccer players.
That's kind of what families,parents, players can expect with
(17:04):
this MLS Next program.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
That's awesome.
I mean, there are some amazingplayers.
We have a lot of talent here inNorthwest Arkansas and what's
really exciting for me aboutthis is being able to provide
opportunities and having peoplelike yourself involved with that
passion, to be able to helpfacilitate that and foster that
(17:29):
environment and, you know,continue to elevate the game.
Is is just what it's all aboutfor me, um, and so that's that's
really exciting for me, uh,personally, um, but also for the
club.
I mean, that's what we're hereto do.
We're here to elevate and growthe game uh and use and use the
(17:51):
power of sport to make NorthwestArkansas a better place to live
, work and play, and part ofthat is allowing for growth of
the game and elevation of thegame within the area and
providing opportunities toplayers or to fall in love with
the game and continue to pursue,pursue their journey, whatever
(18:12):
level that may be.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
So yeah, yeah, exactly.
It's like it's a mitsukko if itends with us, but we gave them
the best experience if it's adivision one, if it's pro, but
they know that, the bestexperience possible within
almost instruction yeah, no,absolutely.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
I mean, you talked a little bit about it, but what
are coaches looking for inplayers?
So we talked a little bit aboutwhat it means, right,
opportunity, you know a certainlevel and commitment expectation
.
But, like, what are you lookingfor in players?
And I think you kind of seethis too You've coached at a
(18:49):
bunch of different levels.
What, in your mind, separates agood from a great player?
Speaker 3 (18:56):
so I've had the privilege of coaching, you know,
two mls track picks.
You know they, they developedthrough us and then they decided
they wanted a differentexperience for senior year and
then that upchanged them, right,but we still developed them to
become that all-american playerand you could tell right.
Right, when I got here I couldtell those players are special,
right, or our guys are, nowthey're playing pro.
(19:17):
We could tell those guys are alittle bit different.
I think the biggest thing youknow, obviously they're
technically good enough, they'reathletically good enough, but
it's the way that they approachthe game that's different.
You know it's the way that theycome into training.
It's the way that they comeinto training.
It's the way that they train.
You know, not necessarily thatthey have the best training or
that they have the besttechnique, it's how intense are
they seeing this activity?
(19:38):
You know, if it's a passingpattern, that's unopposed.
They are still trying to do itat the best of their ability and
they're pushing their teammatesto do it at the best of their
ability and those are littlethings that we see.
When we're talking now from aDivision I coach going out to
recruit, you'll see them go andset up their chairs early to
watch more.
How is the player doing?
You'll see a lot of them stayafter.
(20:00):
How do they shake hands?
How do they approach theopposing team?
Those are the little things thatcoaches now are starting to
look at, because culture is sucha big part of that.
When you talk about, you know,obviously in the pro level
you're selling players and youhave a new roster every now and
then, but in the transfer portalwithin division one, culture is
such a big part of it.
The other thing that you knowis the new trend of when we look
(20:25):
at players is is theirdecision-making good?
Right?
Is the decision-making the bestfor that specific situation?
Right?
Again, you, you could look at aplayer that's incredibly
athletic, incredibly gifted, butif his decisions are wrong it
doesn't matter, but then ittakes a coach to kind of come in
and bring that out of thing.
Um, when, that's what we'regoing to look at and train in
(20:46):
tryouts, right, it's like theseplayers that we might not know,
that we maybe don't have thebest you know information on
before child, but man, thatplayer is really good when
you're making, I can see whathe's thinking, right, it might
he might not have gotten it off,but I can tell his his mind is
working in the right way.
He has a decent soccer at you,that's.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
I think that's the biggest thing, right or or it
does come off and you're like,yeah, at a different level,
that's not going to work.
And if, if you're like, hmm, ata different level, that's not
going to work.
And if, if you're not seeing,like, if that's happening
consistently, you're like, hmm,okay, you know, that's, that's
something, something if we dotake them we're going to have to
work on.
Or you know, maybe thatseparates him from a different
(21:27):
player, and so on.
So I tell people all the timeyet technical can be taught.
You know physicality, like youknow you're, you're.
You've got the body, you've got.
You can bulk up, slim down, getfaster.
All those things hard work.
But the the biggest thing forme, that is I don't know, and
(21:48):
people may disagree, but socceris all.
Soccer is all aboutdecision-making.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
I would 100% agree because, like for us this spring
, we brought in a lot oftransfers and we decided to to
go a different way and we wentAI G-code D2.
Our philosophy just went thatway and turned it that way.
These guys do a lot of greatthings at the current level.
Is that going to translate now?
So a player that could dribblesix people and get out of it and
(22:13):
create this incredibleadrenaline, is that going to
translate for us?
Or man, how can I tweak hisstrengths to work now, extend
what we're trying to do right,and then you get into a whole
different conversation of idpsand all that stuff, which again
would be a different podcast.
But you're right, you know thatwas a good decision in that
scenario.
(22:33):
But well, that kind of now atthe next level exactly, exactly,
okay.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
So what?
What are you looking for inyour players, uh, to be a part
of this program?
What advice do you have forthem, uh, or their families?
I mean, some of these playersright are coming in at you, know
, you, we have all the way downto you 13, right, so, you know,
could be 12 years old, a reallycrazy standout 11 year old,
(23:03):
right, uh, all the way up untilthese guys are potentially just
graduated high school, um, andor are looking for that next
step.
So that's a big range, you know.
What can you talk about interms of what you're looking for
for players and advice for themand their families?
Speaker 3 (23:19):
Yeah, within, within trial it's, I think, all the
staffs that that we're going tohave out there.
We're looking for the intensity, you know, the intensity of the
movements, the intensity of theactions.
You know, if they're kind ofjust going through the flow and
they think this is just anotherclub trial and it's not, we want
to be the premier, you know,youth soccer organization in the
state.
So it's one of those thingswhere we want them to be intense
(23:44):
with everything that they do.
And that's okay.
It's okay if you miss a shotand you shouldn't get 60 yards
wide, that's fine.
But are you doing it at speedgame?
Realistic?
This is like I was talking tosomeone.
This is for them.
If Sporting Kansas City washere watching your eval, how
would you react?
How would you respond?
We tell our guys here if wecall National SC to come watch
(24:04):
the training, how would youtrain today?
Right, and that's the mentalitythat we want them to have every
single day in training.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Every single day, that's exactly right, so okay.
Every single day, that'sexactly right, so okay.
Well, coach man, I'm so excitedto get you out here and can't
wait for evals next week andeven the following week I know
it's like kind of weeks spreadover.
It's going to be really, reallyexciting to see and just wanted
(24:37):
to ask you if there's anythingthat you're looking forward to
that you know we haven't alreadycovered.
I mean, we covered a lot, butif there's anything that you
know, you're just excited.
To come back to NWA.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
Man, I'm excited, honestly, to be back home, but I
think I'm excited about, youknow, the first team.
I've been giving these playersa true pathway to kind of see
them, like you said,opportunities.
You know I I look at other uslchampionships and kind of the
way that they run theiracademies, like it'd be cool if
one day, you know, we do signthis kid to a homegrown
contractor.
You know, okay, he's trainingwith the first team in the
(25:10):
mornings or whatever, like againto me, that's what excites me
is like the potential of whatthis could become.
You know, when I was a playerand I know I've talked to other
coaches that had grown up in thearea like man, we would have
killed for something like this.
Right, and that's again goingback to what we want these
players to know it's like thisis an exciting opportunity.
You know this is somethingthat's huge.
(25:30):
It's not just oh, man, whatever.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
Like, no, this is gonna be massive, massive Right.
So that's what we're excitedabout, us as well, and I think
that that's really going to be Imean, it's already blowing up
Right.
But I think that, that, likepeople are, you know, visceral
they, they see and, you know,believe in all those things, and
we've got a ton of momentum andwe're we're doing all the all
the right things for the rightreasons and continue to go on
the project.
But once it's, once it's here,that's that's when it'll change.
(25:59):
For folks that are kind of, youknow, excited but kind of, maybe
in the back of their heads,right, especially as players,
that being able to see it rightin your backyard, um, I think is
going to be another stepchanging moment, um, moment that
makes it real for everybody,right, and and just unlocks a
(26:22):
whole other level of excitement,passion to be able to see that
you have this pathway right herein Northwest Arkansas, whether
it's whether it's there or tohelp you get to your other
journey.
But having that to facilitateit, that pathway is just going
to be game changing for forsoccer in the area.
So I'm with you, uh, can't waitand, uh, the the first kickoff
(26:47):
is going to be just uh, uh,crazy, emotional, uh, you know
just, oh, so that it's here, youknow, for the area and all the
hard work and the years spentdoing it will be worth it.
But, kevin, thank you so muchfor joining me.
Man, I think we're going tocall it for today.
(27:07):
I'm sure we'll have you back on, I guarantee it.
There's so much to talk aboutand can't thank you enough for
believing in our program and inthe project and just welcome
aboard.
Welcome to OZFC, man.
We're we're just excited to getstarted.
Speaker 3 (27:23):
Yeah, I'm thankful for the opportunity.
I'm excited to work with theplayers and kind of try to help
them.
You know, like you said alongthe journey, that's the biggest
thing.
How can I everything that Ihave?
So I kind of want to justregard the ticket out right.
It's all the family.
How can I help?
That's my big thing.
So I kind of help.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
I love that.
Well, that's it for thisepisode of Pitch to Pro.
We hope you enjoyed it.
Be sure to catch all of ourepisodes on pitch to procom, or
look for Pitch to Pro on YouTube, spotify, apple or wherever you
get your podcasts.
For more content Until nexttime.
Northwest Arkansas cheers.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Thanks for joining us on this episode of the Pitch to
Pro podcast.
Be sure to tune in again in twoweeks for the next installment
and check out the Stoppage Timeseries for a recap of today's
episode.
Be sure to find us at Pitch toPro on YouTube, instagram and
everywhere you get your podcasts.
Until next time, northwestArkansas cheers.
Pitch to Pro is the official podcast of Ozark United
FC.
This will be our platform totell our story about the club
and the special place that wecall home, Northwest Arkansas.
This is a journey we want tobring you along for the ride.
We'll share what's going onbehind the curtain, help educate
the community at large aboutsoccer, our league, and give
(00:25):
updates on the progress of theclub along the way.
Together, we'll explore andunpack our journey to
professional soccer, the magicthat is NWA, our community, and
talk all things soccer from onthe pitch to behind the scenes,
telling the story of our club.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Pitch to Pro Podcast is proudly sponsored by
PodcastVideoscom.
By PodcastVideoscom.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
PodcastVideoscom is Northwest Arkansas' premier
podcast recording studio,equipped with industry-leading
equipment.
The recording studio andservices save you time, money
and hassle.
They are dedicated to helpingyou create, record and publish
high-quality podcasts for youraudience.
Speaker 2 (01:04):
Be sure to check them out today at podcastvideoscom.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
Hey everybody, welcome back to the Pitch to Pro
podcast.
I'm your host, wes Harris,managing Director, ozark United
FC, northwest Arkansas'sprofessional soccer club,
playing in the United SoccerLeague.
Everybody, I'm really excitedabout my guest today.
It is our newly appointeddirector of our Ozark United FC
MLS Next Academy Coach, kevinTeo, coming to us live from
(01:31):
Memphis.
He's still wrapping things upin Memphis as he makes his move
out here to NWA Coach.
We got evals coming up nextweek.
There's a whole lot of work tobe done.
I know you're excited and I'mready to unpack it with you.
But you know, before we jumpinto all that and what this
program means and what you guysare excited for, I just want
everybody to get a chance toknow you.
(01:52):
So, first of all, welcome,thank you for joining me and
making the time.
And, you know, just giveeverybody a little bit of a you
know quick color on who you areand a little bit about your
background.
Speaker 3 (02:03):
Yeah, thanks for having me.
I'm, of course, excited aboutOzark United.
About me, I'm a transplant,like a lot of us.
I'm originally from Los Angeles, california.
My parents are both immigrantsfrom Central America.
We moved to Northwest Arkansas,I would say around seventh
grade, eighth grade somewherearound there, and that's
actually where I started playingsoccer was with with south
(02:24):
springs.
Um, you know what now is onsprings, uh, soccer club, I see,
whatever they're calling it now.
Um, but I remember it was justme and a couple of my friends
was kind of going all aroundwith the circuit to play soccer,
so played at some pretty high,was able to then go play at
washington baptist university.
Um, you know, as soon as Igraduated with my undergrad I
(02:45):
moved back to learn, to start,and so I kind of worked a couple
quote, normal jobs and I I knewthat coaching was what I wanted
to do.
So then I started kind of this,this coaching journey.
I became a volunteer at conwayhigh, I got my master's degree
and then it just kind of, youknow, just steamroll and I
volunteered at hendrix.
I got that coaching job atbologna.
I met my wife you know,girlfriend at the time, fiance
(03:07):
then got on board with colby andyou know his staff as a
volunteer that started nationalpark, and then you know, I've
been here.
Um, it's, it's been an excitingjourney, but I think we're
we're thankful to not only moveback home, but move back home to
a project that I'm verypassionate about, which is
soccer in northwest arkansas.
Speaker 1 (03:27):
That's, that's awesome.
What a journey, um, coming fromla to to arkansas.
Uh, I mean you know you spent agood good chunk of your time
here, though you know kind ofgrowing up and and getting to
experience the growth that we've, that we've seen and and I'm
sure have also watched, uh, fromafar.
(03:47):
As your time in memphis I meanyou know I'm sure you is is like
others, I feel like I go onvacation for a weekend and I
come back and you know there'salready five new things, but I'm
sure even even more pronouncedfor you yeah, I've been the
freaking uh, what's the newhighway to go to Siloam?
Speaker 3 (04:05):
right, like all that constructions.
I drove past you know on 412either day and I was like man,
never seen this before.
What the heck is going on.
It's insane.
It's insane how mucheverything's growing and, like
you said, everything that'scoming and that's why I that the
area is experiencing and youknow we want soccer to also grow
along with the growth that wesee from different aspects of
(04:27):
North Dakota soccer.
Speaker 1 (04:28):
Absolutely, and we're definitely seeing it, man.
I mean, the numbers are just,they speak for themselves in
terms of just participation, andyou know, both at the club
level, but importantly for metoo is at the grassroots level
as well.
And the littles, and you know,the parks and rec programs are
just, you know they're we'rerunning out of space to put
people in and you know that's agood problem to have.
(04:50):
But also you know that's awhole other podcast on field
space and why it's needed, whyit's important.
And you know let's keep up withthe growth and all of the
things.
I think it's just a a greatstory of just what is NWA right
(05:10):
now and all the things thatwe're experiencing with the
growth.
But anyway, it's, it's great tosee, as a play former player,
uh, current coach and parent andall the things.
So we're excited.
But talk a little bit for meabout, um.
You know the transition fromplayer to coach.
I think that's always aninteresting one, um, that is
really interesting to heardifferent people's perspectives
(05:34):
and their journey, uh, fromplayer to coach.
Speaker 3 (05:37):
So tell me about that I, I'd always knew, you know I
wasn't the greatest player, Imean kind of pro, wasn't, wasn't
in the in the car to me and youknow I wasn't the greatest
player.
I didn't have a pro, wasn't,wasn't in the car to me and you
know I was just able torecognize that, I think, sooner
than some people.
Some people continue to chasetheir dreams and obviously I I
could have um, it's, you know,work, but I think I I fell in
love more with the thought ofhelping my teammates get better,
(06:00):
when I knew I wasn't, you know,making a starting whatever and
you know, talking to some of thepeople that were my mentors as
a player.
That's what drove me to makethat decision from it's time to
stop playing to now become acoach Within coaching.
Now, what are you passionateabout within coaching?
Is it the X's and O's?
Is it the relationship side?
Is it everything else thatcomes in it?
(06:22):
For me, it was really, I thinkthat, the strongest piece of it.
It's like I enjoy every teamthat I play with, I enjoy every
player that I work with.
Um, and relationship side, right, I, I love my high school coach
and you know, I know he's goingto watch this and he changed my
life right.
Same thing with my collegecoach, um, same thing with my
mentors that are coaching me asa coach, um, I think that's a
(06:45):
side of of what I value and I Isee kind of as a legacy that I
want to leave.
You know, for my kids and foreveryone that I work with, it's
like he poured everything intome as a person and you know, we
all stopped playing one day, asopposed to saying, man, coach
kevin gave me everything he hadand we won a lot.
But I don't know him as aperson.
I don't like I can grow as aperson with my time with him
(07:08):
there.
You know.
Speaker 1 (07:10):
No, that's, it's super interesting.
I think you you hit onsomething that was really um, I
think is great to hear andpeople to, for them to
understand.
One, coaching is not a um.
Coaching is not a um.
(07:31):
One size fits all.
It's not a one skill set is all.
It's just like any other job.
There's so many differentdisciplines within the coaching
sphere, um, that, you know I Ithink people kind of miss.
They just think, oh, soccercoach.
So dive a little deeper intothat.
Like, what work for people thatare interested in maybe
pursuing a career in coaching?
(07:53):
Or for people that are justinterested in learning more?
What are some of the differentthings that you've experienced?
Or, or you know an organization.
I know you got to get to acertain level right, you know
there's different disciplineswithin coaching, but at those
levels you know what are.
What are some of the thingsthat you know?
(08:13):
A coaching staff divvies thingsup and and you know how you
guys work together and talkabout that.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
Yeah, I think I've been, you know, blessed to work
with him.
A lot of staff said we do agood job, kind of divide and
conquer with everything.
When I was a head coach and Iknow, you know, a lot of people
want that desire to be a coach Iwas in charge of doing
everything and I had aresponsibility.
And then I had to delegate tomy assistants and I had to be
(08:40):
responsible, like you know makesure that the assistants that I
hire are able to do what I wantthem to do, whether it's from,
you know, video analysis,standpoint, or running a session
or a specific unit, group orwhatever you know for for
talking now, just kind ofeverything that entails for us
here, right?
So let's say us cause I'm stillhere for another couple of days
, you know, for us to run anNCAA program.
That makes you know the NCAAtournament, makes you know
(09:03):
trainings, which is the big meatof everything.
But then, with any training,what are we covering?
You know, what are the ninesgetting out of it, what is the
goalkeepers getting out of it,and everything in between, right
, because yes, we want to win onsaturday, friday, saturday, but
how can we get there?
And then from there it justkind of you reverse scaffold it.
This is the picture we want towin against whoever.
(09:24):
How do we do that?
And then it just kind oftrickles down all the way down.
We tell the guys, if we cancontrol everything they do 24
hours a day, we would, becausewe know how much it takes into
it.
For me, a big piece of what I dohere I do all of our video
stuff and I do a lot of kind ofI grab how we play game to game,
(09:45):
training to training.
Then find a way to translatethat into this is what we need
to work on offensively, this iswhat we need to work on
defensively.
But then, outside of that,you're navigating.
You're still navigatingfamilies.
They're still navigatingplayers, because they're still
people.
You know their budgets becausethey got to pay tuition.
Um, travel, we got to travel.
We got to see these guys and wegot to work with strength
(10:06):
coaches, athletic trainers,academic people um, it's a lot,
right, it's not.
And it's funny when guys see usat 2 o'clock in training
they're like Coach, what did youdo today?
I've been in the office sinceSaturday and I haven't stopped.
If anything, I'm ready fortraining because I get to relax,
but there's a lot to it and Ithink that's another podcast too
(10:26):
.
What is a Division I program orwhat's a high-level academy?
What all do they cover?
Speaker 1 (10:33):
It's a lot.
It is a lot and I know you'regoing to bring that same energy
and bring it into NWA here withOzark United and the MLS Next
program that we're developinghere and super excited to get
started.
I mean, evals are a week away.
(10:54):
Uh, and man, you can the the.
The positive tension is likepalpable.
Like it from players, families,like they're so excited, uh,
and it's an anxious tension tolike get started.
You know it's not a, it's not acombative, like that's the
(11:15):
wrong word, but you can justfeel it right.
Yeah, the excitement it'sreally really, really cool to
see.
So I'm excited, I can't wait tosee the turnout and I, which I
know is going to be massive, soit's great.
Well, coach, talk to me alittle bit about what drew you
(11:36):
to this opportunity, like whyyou're ascending, you know, at a
great D1 program in Memphis,you know, developing your career
there.
Speaker 3 (11:48):
Why kind of make this pivot and come back to nwa for,
uh, ozark united and the mlsnext program that we're working
to, to build here yeah, you know, as I've gotten older, as I've
continued on this career path,obviously I've had opportunities
to, whether it's join mlsacademies or go to a bigger
division one.
(12:08):
Um, I think the what I'veidentified is the most important
thing for me is my family, andthen from there I look at my
family and it stands out mycommunity.
I grew up in here, I grew upplaying games at the rack.
It's one of those things whereI was talking to my wife, I saw
this in a lot of people and alot of my friends in Division 1.
(12:30):
You're just kind of the callyou wrote about man, why are you
taking a step backwards?
That's the other thing I toldthem.
I was like I don't think thisis a step backwards because you
don't know the potential thatthis has, and that's what I see.
To me this has so muchpotential and for me this has
more of a potential for me toimpact more players, more
families.
And again, as we talk, I thinkthat's the biggest thing that
drove me is like if I can justbe a you know imprint on one
(12:56):
player, one family, and that'sthe player that goes pro, or
that's a player that now, youknow, becomes another successful
member of our community, youknow, and he's huge, or whatever
.
I think that's to me the mostimportant thing at this point in
my career.
It's can I be close to myfamily, can I continue to do the
sport, you know, do what I lovewithin the sport, and can I
(13:16):
leave an impact.
And, of course, you know, beforethis call, we know like this is
going to blow up the potentialthat we have and the people that
we have around this project arego-getters, and I find myself
being the same way.
I don't stop until kind of theproblem is solved or identified
a problem before.
And how can we make this thingthe next big thing?
(13:38):
You know we're not going to gointo uh, oh man, we just have
mls snacks, like no, how can weexcel and be the best?
You know tier two mls next, andthen jump into, you know, till
you know tier one with the bigboys, and then how can we the
best, be the best there?
Um, and that's, you know, astier one with the big boys, and
then how can we be the bestthere?
And that's, you know, as myfriends hear me talk about that,
(13:59):
it then gets them excited aboutlike oh man, cool, now
definitely, can, you know,recruit some guys within kind of
the way that you're talkingabout this and how excited and
passionate you sound about it.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
That's awesome.
That's awesome.
I think, um, it's a great wayto think about things and very
refreshing, um for anyone in anycareer path is to take a step
back and identify to you what'simportant, um, and not just in
(14:30):
your career, but important,important that, first and
foremost, outside of just yourcareer.
You're not defined by yourcareer, um, some people are, and
that's what they choose, andthat's fine, um, but being
self-aware enough and confidentin yourself to be able to take a
step back for a second and talkabout and think about what's
(14:50):
important, and then, if that'sthe thing that's important to me
, then how do I then coordinatethat within my career pathing
and journey and find anopportunity that allows me to
fulfill that?
and make sure that that's thereand so that's really really cool
(15:10):
and refreshing man and I'm I'mjust excited to to hear that
passion come from you and knowthat you're going to absolutely
set these guys up for successand the coaches, uh, and the and
the program so really excited.
But talk a little bit moreabout the program.
And what does this mean if I'ma player in Northwest Arkansas?
What does this mean for'm aplayer in Northwest Arkansas?
(15:32):
What does this mean for thegame in Northwest Arkansas as a
player?
Speaker 3 (15:37):
Yeah, I think, yeah, the biggest thing, obviously I
started talking to other MLSnext technical directors,
whether it's within MLS Academy.
They're kind of like usnon-affiliates the biggest thing
for me.
Obviously, growing up in thearea, it's something different,
right.
It's something that's notaround, right.
There's other things going onwithin the state that are super
(15:58):
exciting, but this is settingitself apart because we want
players that are committed.
We want families that arecommitted.
You know you want to have somesort of seriousness within club
soccer and that's why you'regoing to choose to come to our
MLS Next program For players.
What they'll expect is you'regoing to have coaches that are
committed to you.
(16:18):
Obviously, you can hear metalking, but I'm committed to
this program.
I'm not kind of pulled away bydifferent things.
This is what I want to do, thisis what I'm committed for, and
we expect the same from ourplayers and from our families.
You'll get that exposure that Iknow a lot of Arkansas players
struggle with, you know, whetherit's college or whether it's,
you know, making that jump intoan MLS academy.
(16:40):
That's one of the biggestthings that I want to work on is
like how can we get theseplayers that exposure to then
make the jump.
You know we want people to know, man, arkansas has good soccer
players and not just Arkansasgeneral, the Northwest right.
And then trickle down OzarkUnited, mls Next programs had
great soccer players.
That's kind of what families,parents, players can expect with
(17:04):
this MLS Next program.
Speaker 1 (17:06):
That's awesome.
I mean, there are some amazingplayers.
We have a lot of talent here inNorthwest Arkansas and what's
really exciting for me aboutthis is being able to provide
opportunities and having peoplelike yourself involved with that
passion, to be able to helpfacilitate that and foster that
(17:29):
environment and, you know,continue to elevate the game.
Is is just what it's all aboutfor me, um, and so that's that's
really exciting for me, uh,personally, um, but also for the
club.
I mean, that's what we're hereto do.
We're here to elevate and growthe game uh and use and use the
(17:51):
power of sport to make NorthwestArkansas a better place to live
, work and play, and part ofthat is allowing for growth of
the game and elevation of thegame within the area and
providing opportunities toplayers or to fall in love with
the game and continue to pursue,pursue their journey, whatever
(18:12):
level that may be.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
So yeah, yeah, exactly.
It's like it's a mitsukko if itends with us, but we gave them
the best experience if it's adivision one, if it's pro, but
they know that, the bestexperience possible within
almost instruction yeah, no,absolutely.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
I mean, you talked a little bit about it, but what
are coaches looking for inplayers?
So we talked a little bit aboutwhat it means, right,
opportunity, you know a certainlevel and commitment expectation
.
But, like, what are you lookingfor in players?
And I think you kind of seethis too You've coached at a
(18:49):
bunch of different levels.
What, in your mind, separates agood from a great player?
Speaker 3 (18:56):
so I've had the privilege of coaching, you know,
two mls track picks.
You know they, they developedthrough us and then they decided
they wanted a differentexperience for senior year and
then that upchanged them, right,but we still developed them to
become that all-american playerand you could tell right.
Right, when I got here I couldtell those players are special,
right, or our guys are, nowthey're playing pro.
(19:17):
We could tell those guys are alittle bit different.
I think the biggest thing youknow, obviously they're
technically good enough, they'reathletically good enough, but
it's the way that they approachthe game that's different.
You know it's the way that theycome into training.
It's the way that they comeinto training.
It's the way that they train.
You know, not necessarily thatthey have the best training or
that they have the besttechnique, it's how intense are
they seeing this activity?
(19:38):
You know, if it's a passingpattern, that's unopposed.
They are still trying to do itat the best of their ability and
they're pushing their teammatesto do it at the best of their
ability and those are littlethings that we see.
When we're talking now from aDivision I coach going out to
recruit, you'll see them go andset up their chairs early to
watch more.
How is the player doing?
You'll see a lot of them stayafter.
(20:00):
How do they shake hands?
How do they approach theopposing team?
Those are the little things thatcoaches now are starting to
look at, because culture is sucha big part of that.
When you talk about, you know,obviously in the pro level
you're selling players and youhave a new roster every now and
then, but in the transfer portalwithin division one, culture is
such a big part of it.
The other thing that you knowis the new trend of when we look
(20:25):
at players is is theirdecision-making good?
Right?
Is the decision-making the bestfor that specific situation?
Right?
Again, you, you could look at aplayer that's incredibly
athletic, incredibly gifted, butif his decisions are wrong it
doesn't matter, but then ittakes a coach to kind of come in
and bring that out of thing.
Um, when, that's what we'regoing to look at and train in
(20:46):
tryouts, right, it's like theseplayers that we might not know,
that we maybe don't have thebest you know information on
before child, but man, thatplayer is really good when
you're making, I can see whathe's thinking, right, it might
he might not have gotten it off,but I can tell his his mind is
working in the right way.
He has a decent soccer at you,that's.
Speaker 1 (21:04):
I think that's the biggest thing, right or or it
does come off and you're like,yeah, at a different level,
that's not going to work.
And if, if you're like, hmm, ata different level, that's not
going to work.
And if, if you're not seeing,like, if that's happening
consistently, you're like, hmm,okay, you know, that's, that's
something, something if we dotake them we're going to have to
work on.
Or you know, maybe thatseparates him from a different
(21:27):
player, and so on.
So I tell people all the timeyet technical can be taught.
You know physicality, like youknow you're, you're.
You've got the body, you've got.
You can bulk up, slim down, getfaster.
All those things hard work.
But the the biggest thing forme, that is I don't know, and
(21:48):
people may disagree, but socceris all.
Soccer is all aboutdecision-making.
Speaker 3 (21:52):
I would 100% agree because, like for us this spring
, we brought in a lot oftransfers and we decided to to
go a different way and we wentAI G-code D2.
Our philosophy just went thatway and turned it that way.
These guys do a lot of greatthings at the current level.
Is that going to translate now?
So a player that could dribblesix people and get out of it and
(22:13):
create this incredibleadrenaline, is that going to
translate for us?
Or man, how can I tweak hisstrengths to work now, extend
what we're trying to do right,and then you get into a whole
different conversation of idpsand all that stuff, which again
would be a different podcast.
But you're right, you know thatwas a good decision in that
scenario.
(22:33):
But well, that kind of now atthe next level exactly, exactly,
okay.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
So what?
What are you looking for inyour players, uh, to be a part
of this program?
What advice do you have forthem, uh, or their families?
I mean, some of these playersright are coming in at you, know
, you, we have all the way downto you 13, right, so, you know,
could be 12 years old, a reallycrazy standout 11 year old,
(23:03):
right, uh, all the way up untilthese guys are potentially just
graduated high school, um, andor are looking for that next
step.
So that's a big range, you know.
What can you talk about interms of what you're looking for
for players and advice for themand their families?
Speaker 3 (23:19):
Yeah, within, within trial it's, I think, all the
staffs that that we're going tohave out there.
We're looking for the intensity, you know, the intensity of the
movements, the intensity of theactions.
You know, if they're kind ofjust going through the flow and
they think this is just anotherclub trial and it's not, we want
to be the premier, you know,youth soccer organization in the
state.
So it's one of those thingswhere we want them to be intense
(23:44):
with everything that they do.
And that's okay.
It's okay if you miss a shotand you shouldn't get 60 yards
wide, that's fine.
But are you doing it at speedgame?
Realistic?
This is like I was talking tosomeone.
This is for them.
If Sporting Kansas City washere watching your eval, how
would you react?
How would you respond?
We tell our guys here if wecall National SC to come watch
(24:04):
the training, how would youtrain today?
Right, and that's the mentalitythat we want them to have every
single day in training.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Every single day, that's exactly right, so okay.
Every single day, that'sexactly right, so okay.
Well, coach man, I'm so excitedto get you out here and can't
wait for evals next week andeven the following week I know
it's like kind of weeks spreadover.
It's going to be really, reallyexciting to see and just wanted
(24:37):
to ask you if there's anythingthat you're looking forward to
that you know we haven't alreadycovered.
I mean, we covered a lot, butif there's anything that you
know, you're just excited.
To come back to NWA.
Speaker 3 (24:48):
Man, I'm excited, honestly, to be back home, but I
think I'm excited about, youknow, the first team.
I've been giving these playersa true pathway to kind of see
them, like you said,opportunities.
You know I I look at other uslchampionships and kind of the
way that they run theiracademies, like it'd be cool if
one day, you know, we do signthis kid to a homegrown
contractor.
You know, okay, he's trainingwith the first team in the
(25:10):
mornings or whatever, like againto me, that's what excites me
is like the potential of whatthis could become.
You know, when I was a playerand I know I've talked to other
coaches that had grown up in thearea like man, we would have
killed for something like this.
Right, and that's again goingback to what we want these
players to know it's like thisis an exciting opportunity.
You know this is somethingthat's huge.
(25:30):
It's not just oh, man, whatever.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
Like, no, this is gonna be massive, massive Right.
So that's what we're excitedabout, us as well, and I think
that that's really going to be Imean, it's already blowing up
Right.
But I think that, that, likepeople are, you know, visceral
they, they see and, you know,believe in all those things, and
we've got a ton of momentum andwe're we're doing all the all
the right things for the rightreasons and continue to go on
the project.
But once it's, once it's here,that's that's when it'll change.
(25:59):
For folks that are kind of, youknow, excited but kind of, maybe
in the back of their heads,right, especially as players,
that being able to see it rightin your backyard, um, I think is
going to be another stepchanging moment, um, moment that
makes it real for everybody,right, and and just unlocks a
(26:22):
whole other level of excitement,passion to be able to see that
you have this pathway right herein Northwest Arkansas, whether
it's whether it's there or tohelp you get to your other
journey.
But having that to facilitateit, that pathway is just going
to be game changing for forsoccer in the area.
So I'm with you, uh, can't waitand, uh, the the first kickoff
(26:47):
is going to be just uh, uh,crazy, emotional, uh, you know
just, oh, so that it's here, youknow, for the area and all the
hard work and the years spentdoing it will be worth it.
But, kevin, thank you so muchfor joining me.
Man, I think we're going tocall it for today.
(27:07):
I'm sure we'll have you back on, I guarantee it.
There's so much to talk aboutand can't thank you enough for
believing in our program and inthe project and just welcome
aboard.
Welcome to OZFC, man.
We're we're just excited to getstarted.
Speaker 3 (27:23):
Yeah, I'm thankful for the opportunity.
I'm excited to work with theplayers and kind of try to help
them.
You know, like you said alongthe journey, that's the biggest
thing.
How can I everything that Ihave?
So I kind of want to justregard the ticket out right.
It's all the family.
How can I help?
That's my big thing.
So I kind of help.
Speaker 1 (27:40):
I love that.
Well, that's it for thisepisode of Pitch to Pro.
We hope you enjoyed it.
Be sure to catch all of ourepisodes on pitch to procom, or
look for Pitch to Pro on YouTube, spotify, apple or wherever you
get your podcasts.
For more content Until nexttime.
Northwest Arkansas cheers.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Thanks for joining us on this episode of the Pitch to
Pro podcast.
Be sure to tune in again in twoweeks for the next installment
and check out the Stoppage Timeseries for a recap of today's
episode.
Be sure to find us at Pitch toPro on YouTube, instagram and
everywhere you get your podcasts.
Until next time, northwestArkansas cheers.
Popular Podcasts
True Crime Tonight
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.