Stoppage Time Special: From College Soccer to USL, Navigating the Pro Path

Ever wondered what it takes to leap from college soccer to the professional arena? Join us for a special Stoppage Time edition of the Pitch to Pro podcast, where we sit down with a player who has navigated that very path, from college soccer to the USL Championship. Our guest shares invaluable insights into the world of professional soccer, shedding light on the differences in skill level and player mentality that set college athletes apart from their professional counterparts. They recount their memorable experiences with New Mexico United, including an exhilarating face-off against Minnesota United in the Open Cup, and discuss the remarkable bond between the team and its supportive community.

We also explore the strategic intricacies that distinguish various leagues, from the Premier League's flair to the USL Championship's organizational prowess. Our guest offers a unique perspective from their coaching stint at John Brown University, emphasizing the attributes that define elite players — impeccable execution and a high football IQ. Whether you're a soccer aficionado or an aspiring pro, this episode is filled with captivating stories and practical lessons that are sure to spark your passion for the game. Tune in and discover what truly elevates a player from good to great in the world of soccer.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to the Stoppage Time edition of the
Pitch to Pro podcast.
This is a highlight reel ofsome of the best moments from
the show so far, and every otherweek we will be bringing you a
special 5-7 minute segmentfeaturing the best stories,
tales and moments of the podcast.

Speaker 2 (00:20):
Every player studying in college has just as many
awards as you.
They've been around the blockeven, as you have right, and it
is a humbling experience.
But it's also like for me.
I enjoyed the level of playthat I had with Mexico United.

(00:40):
College was a high level for mebut even going like the
organization level that the uslchampionship brings, um it, it
was like it was really good forme and I really enjoyed being
there.
Um, it is eye-opening too, likethe levels, like you go from
college into the championship,the jumps, it's.

(01:02):
It's eye-opening howsophisticated the levels are and
the organization is right, andeven more so when you're playing
against, like in the Open Cup.
You know I got to, we have.
We had a decent run the OpenCup and I got to hop into a game
against Minnesota United andwhite.
Yeah, man, like playing againstguys in the last I I watch on
TV and I'm like, oh wow, this isnext level.

(01:25):
It's interesting too, Ivo, thisis kind of different.
But with Mexico United they wereso involved in their community,
kind of like what we'reintending to do.
That's the goal, it's tangible,right.
I remember walking into.
I never saw myself as a popularplayer, I mean, I didn't play

(01:45):
as many minutes.
I got some good minutes as arookie and I got good minutes as
my second year, but I neverreally saw myself as like I'm
popular, you know, and you'dwalk into Target and then all of
a sudden people are callingyour name and I'm like me, like
you're talking to me, you know,but it was such a cool thing to

(02:07):
go around and how a communitytakes on the team, you know, and
players walk around thecommunity and are engaging,
right.
Um, it was very that experiencewas really cool.
Um so, that's awesome, yeah anyother questions there, like yeah
, I wanted.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
I wanted to build on on something you talked about,
the the difference betweencollege and and professional
right in terms of skill level.
But I think and what I've heardI don't know because I've not

(02:47):
played on both levels like youhave but a lot of times what you
will hear is that thedifference between a good player
and an elite player that makesthat jump is someone that has it
up here but then also theyexecute the little things

(03:12):
flawlessly every time.
Is that yeah, like well, it'ssimilar in your experience?

Speaker 2 (03:19):
or what would you describe?

Speaker 1 (03:21):
that difference.

Speaker 2 (03:23):
I would.
It's kind of spot-on for me.
So I I watch for me.
I've coached at John BrownUniversity.
I was an assistant coach thereIn my time as a coach.
The amount of games I'vewatched, the amount of leagues
I've watched, it's been crazy.
My wife probably doesn't likeit, because I watch games all
the time.
I watch championship, I watchLeague One, I watch MLS, I've

(03:45):
been watching the Prem, but forwhat I do, the Prem is next
level.
It's so sophisticated and thoseplayers are just one of a kind.
They're one of a kind players,world class.
All gathered in one league andwhat I've seen is and I want to

(04:05):
say it this way before I go intomy experience and the whole
college professional thing Eachlevel is kind of marked.
It looks like it's marked indifferent ways.
In the prem you have guys whocan change a game at any second,
any second they can change agame.
And those guys are crazyathletes.

(04:26):
They're crazy with the ball,high, high IQ.
Mls is kind of in that sameboat, you know, maybe lower but
um, it's very much similar.
I mean you can look at the guyscoming in um and champion in
the championship.
You do see a player every nowand then that changes the game
and they're crazy dynamic,they're're crazy athletic.

(04:46):
Oftentimes those players, ifthey have successful seasons,
they get moved up.
But what you see more in thechampionship is the organization
of each team.
They're so organized thedetails are Because that's where
the game is won and lost.
The team who makes it almostlooks like the team who makes
the least mistakes is probablythe team going to win the game,

(05:13):
because there's not a guy who'sgoing to dribble four players.
You know.
There's not a guy who's goingto like take on the team and
give me the ball.
Let me do the dribbling.
You know there's not a guywho's necessarily going to smash
it.
Smash a goal from 35 yards outevery every several games.
You know, um, right, so it'scoming, coming to your, your
point, like from what I've seen.
You know, um, so it's coming,coming to your, your point, like
from what I've seen.
You know, there are players incollege who have crazy ability.

(05:35):
Their feet is really reallygood and maybe even sometimes
better than some players in thechampionship thank you for
joining us for this stoppagetime special of the pitch to pro
podcast.

Speaker 1 (05:47):
If you've enjoyed the conversation, you can click
watch the full episode here.
Be sure to tune in nextThursday for a new episode of
the Pitch to Pro podcast, theofficial podcast of Ozark United
FC, Available on YouTube,Instagram and everywhere you get
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