The One Soccer Nation Podcast

In this episode of The One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Rodrigo Grillo, a rising sports legal professional from Brazil, to explore how passion, persistence, and purpose led him from Brazil, São Paulo to the University of Miami School of Law.

Rodrigo shares his journey of transitioning from estate planning in Brazil to pursuing his dream of working in global sports law.

He discusses why Miami is uniquel...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Antonio Paz, Vice President of Business Development at Absolute Sport, a global soccer travel company specializing in unforgettable fan experiences across the world's biggest football events.

Antonio shares:

• His incredible journey attending 10 consecutive FIFA World Cups
• From Maradona’s iconic 1986 win to Messi’s historic 2022 triump...

In this powerful episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, co-host Channing Chasten sits down with longtime friend and former teammate Ryan Flood, a professional footballer currently with Phoenix Rising FC.

Ryan opens up about his unique journey—bypassing college to chase a professional career, developing his craft across continents in Brazil, Japan, Ireland, and the USL Championship, and overcoming the emotional and mental ch...

In this powerful episode of The One Soccer Nation Podcast, hosted by Kareem Rae and sponsored by Confut, we sit down with Felipe Alvarez — Co-Founder and President of Futbol Sin Barreras -- to hear how he's transforming lives through soccer in Colombia.

Felipe's shares how a legacy started by his grandfather in an underserved Colombian community has evolved into an international foundation that has already impacted over 300 youth pl...

In this episode of the One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae sits down with Spencer Collum, a key executive at Fort Lauderdale United FC, to talk about how this rising club is reshaping the South Florida soccer scene.

From humble beginnings to launching a fully professional men’s team in USL League One, Spencer shares Fort Lauderdale United’s journey, including:

• Their 7,000-seat stadium on the NSU campus
• Com...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Matt Valentine and Sam Morton. Matt is the Chairman & Co-Founder of Atlético Dallas, and Sam is the Chief Commercial Officer & Co-Founder. In this episode, we dive deep into the foundational vision behind launching a USL Championship club in North Texas. Matt and Sam share how their complementary roles drive the club’s growth&md...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Rob Uvanovic, the Executive Director at Miami SCORES. In this inspiring episode, Rob shares how his international experience across 15+ countries has shaped his leadership philosophy and passion for soccer-driven social impact. We explore the unique Miami SCORES model that blends soccer, poetry, and service-learning to empower youth, especially in u...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Hugh Roberts II, the CEO & Founder of BackYardFooty and an 11-year professional soccer player who recently made history as the all-time minutes leader in USL Championship history. In this episode, Hugh opens up about the mindset and motivation that fueled his remarkable longevity in the game, the inspiration behind BackYardFooty’s raw and ...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Ethan Zohn. Ethan is the Co-Founder of Grassroot Soccer, a global adolescent health organization that leverages the power of soccer to educate and inspire young people to live healthier lives. In this episode, Ethan shares his incredible journey—from playing professional soccer and winning Survivor: Africa, to battling cancer and using his pla...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our Co-Host Kaela Hansen sits down with Samantha Rosette, a Professional Soccer Player at Brooklyn FC. Samantha's journey has taken her across the globe, from Kazakhstan to Lithuania to France, before returning home to make history with Brooklyn FC—the first professional women’s soccer team in NYC. In this episode, we discuss how her international experiences have shaped ...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Chris DeVolder, Senior Principal and Director of Sports + Rec + Entertainment at HOK. In this episode, we explore the evolution of soccer-specific stadiums, the role of sustainability in sports architecture, and how modern venues are enhancing fan experiences. Chris shares insights on balancing tradition with innovation, urban development strategies...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our co-host Kaela Hansen sits down with Jess Silva, the Head Coach of Brooklyn FC's women’s team. Jess has built an incredible coaching career, with experience in Canada, France, and now New York. As the first woman in Canada to earn a UEFA A License, she has broken significant barriers in a male-dominated coaching industry. In this episode, Jess shares insights from her journe...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host, Kareem Rae, sits down with Jordan Wilson, a former professional soccer player and current analyst at OneSoccer.In this episode, Jordan takes us through his incredible journey—from growing up in Mississauga, Ontario, and playing youth soccer with Erin Mills SC to earning multiple accolades at Cornerstone University. He shares insights on playing professionally in Engla...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our co-host Kaela Hansen sits down with Croix Soto, a standout center-back for AFC Toronto. Croix has had an inspiring journey from playing college soccer at the University of Oregon to competing in the NWSL with teams like the North Carolina Courage, Kansas City Current, and Houston Dash. In this episode, she reflects on how her college experience shaped her, the challenges and less...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! In this episode, host Kareem Rae sits down with Chad Stender, Managing Partner at SeventySix Capital. Chad shares insights into the world of venture capital and sports innovation, revealing how SeventySix Capital identifies and supports the most promising startups in sports tech, media, and entertainment. Discover portfolio success stories, like VSiN, Vigtory, and Team Whistle, and learn ho...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Steve Livingstone, the President & CEO of Sporting Club JAX. In this episode Steve dive deep into the journey of launching Sporting Jax, from its inception to its community impact and future aspirations. They discuss how Steve navigated the challenges of starting a professional soccer club, engaged the local Jacksonville community, and integrate...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! In this episode, host Kareem Rae sits down with Katya Gulina, Head of Marketing, and Guilherme von Cüpper, CEO of Bridge for Talents Academy. Together, they delve into the origins of Bridge for Talents Academy and the inspiration behind its creation. Discover how the academy’s mission has evolved over time and what makes its talent development approach unique. Katya and Guilherme...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! In this episode, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Dennis Gerkes, the CEO of Gerkicks, a prominent platform in the soccer community. Dennis shares his inspiring journey into the world of soccer content creation and the story behind founding Gerkicks. We dive into his strategies for building a significant social media presence on platforms like Instagram and YouTube, his approach to creatin...

Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! In this episode, host Kareem Rae sits down with Luis Calderon, the Chief Operating Officer of GotSport. With over 15 years of experience in the sports industry and 10 years in software, Luis shares how his passions merged to shape his impressive career. Dive into his journey as COO of GotSport, where he balances strategic leadership and operational excellence. Explore how technology is revo...