This week on The Soccer Ladder, we’re joined by former LA Galaxy striker Charlie Rugg—a standout athlete turned artist who shares his incredible soccer journey from small-town sports to winning an MLS Cup and beyond. ⚽🎨
Charlie opens up about:
- Growing up playing multiple sports and why that made him a better soccer player
- His early success as an All-American and first-round MLS draft pick
- The harsh transition from college to professional soccer—and what he wishes he had done differently
- Honest reflections on setbacks, self-belief, and the importance of being more than just an athlete
- Why watching the game is the most underrated tool for young players
- How life outside of soccer can actually make you better on the pitch
Plus, Charlie gives practical, real-talk advice to youth players (and parents!) about pressure, passion, and pursuing big dreams without losing your identity.
Whether you’re an aspiring pro or navigating the youth soccer world with your family, this episode is packed with wisdom, heart, and perspective you won’t find anywhere else.
🎧 Listen now to hear why Charlie says, “Don’t set your sights too low. Dream big—on AND off the field.”
🎧 Available now on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.
📲 Follow us here:
🔹 Charlie Rugg: @goodgamecharles
🔹 Megan linke : @liandmeinnyc
🔹Liam: @Liamlinke93
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.