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Chasing the Game - Youth Soccer in America

Liron Unreich, Matt Tartaglia
Youth Soccer
MLS Next
Youth Development
American Youth Soccer
Youth Soccer Development
Player Development
Coaching
Pay-To-Play
Mental Health
Luis Robles
Anxiety
Feedback
World Cup 2026
Burnout In Youth Sports
Parental Involvement
Resilience
Mental Skills
Ben Olsen
DC United
Cultural Aspects Of Soccer

Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America is a weekly podcast for soccer parents, coaches, and players who want to understand how youth soccer development really works in the United States. Hosted by two dads, filmmaker Liron Unreich and investor Matt Tartaglia, the show covers everything from grassroots soccer to elite pathways like MLS NEXT and ECNL. Combining data, real experience, and expert i... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes19Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerSports

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Artwork for Chasing the Game

Latest Episodes

MLS NEXT Academy. How far should a parent go for elite youth soccer?

Justin Phelps made a decision most soccer families talk about but rarely make. He split his family routine and moved into a one bedroom apartment with his 13 year old son to suppor... more

Pay-to-play is not just expensive. It is the filter.

For many soccer dads, the hardest part is not writing the check. It is the uncertainty that comes with it. Are we paying for development, or for access?

This week, we sit down with Danny Buttitta... more

YouTube

What makes a youth soccer club truly developmental in New York City?

In Episode 16 of Chasing the Game: Youth Soccer in America, we sit down with Evan Rosenthal, president and director of Manhattan Kickers FC,, to unpack one of the most unique small... more

What if the biggest difference between Dutch and U.S. youth soccer isn’t talent, facilities, or even training volume, but culture.

In this episode of Chasing the Game. Youth Soccer in America, we talk with Ditmer (a Dutch coach and academy educator)... more

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Recent Guests

Justin Phelps
Dad who built Soccer HQ and joined Orlando City's academy path for his son
Soccer HQ, Orlando City scouting/academy context
Episode: Orlando City Academy MLS NEXT. A Dad’s Sacrifice with Justin Phelps
Danny Buttitta
Founder/operator focused on sponsor-based development model for youth soccer
Independent / Sponsor Model developer
Episode: Youth Soccer Pay to Play Is Broken | Danny Buttitta’s Sponsor Model to Find Every Player
Evan Rosenthal
President of Manhattan Kickers FC and co-founder of the club in 2001
Manhattan Kickers FC
Episode: Manhattan Kickers NYC: The Club Your Kid Isn’t In
Ditmer De Jong
Coaching and scouting professional focused on individual player development in the Netherlands
Cambuur (Academy Coaching/Scouting)
Episode: Dutch vs U.S Youth Soccer, The Gap Parents Don’t See
Alex Rando
Professional goalkeeper with a career across NYCFC-related pathways, USL Championship, and MLS NEXT Pro environments.
Episode: Betting on Yourself: Alex Rando on the Hard Decisions Behind a Soccer Career
Dr. Kim O'Brien
Co-author of Mentality Wins and mental health professional working with athletes
Episode: Mental Health. The Hidden Cost of Elite Youth Soccer Academy Pressure
Dr. Jonathan Jenkins
Co-author of Mentality Wins, team psychologist for the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox
Episode: Mental Health. The Hidden Cost of Elite Youth Soccer Academy Pressure
Peguy Luyindula
Former professional football player with an illustrious career in Europe and MLS.
New York Red Bulls
Episode: From Street Football to Spotlight. Maintaining the Hunger
Morten Grahn
Former NYCFC Youth Academy director with extensive experience in youth soccer development across Europe and the U.S.
NYCFC
Episode: Youth Soccer Development: Winning, and the Staircase Analogy

Hosts

Liron Unreich
Co-host and filmmaker with a focus on youth soccer development.
Matt Tartaglia
Co-host and investor involved in youth sports.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 22 ratings
  • Soccer Dad Gold

    I listen to multiple podcasts on youth soccer. This is one of my favorites. Quality guests and great hosts that provide useful information on how to better help your kid navigate youth soccer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DonHauk
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The practical advice shared for parents navigating youth soccer is often highlighted as particularly useful.
There is a sense of community felt among listeners, who resonate with the hosts' personal stories and experiences.
Listeners appreciate the quality of guests and discussions that provide valuable information about youth soccer.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#26
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#64
Canada/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Youth Soccer Pay to Play Is Broken | Danny Buttitta’s Sponsor Model to Find Every Player
Q: What would success look like in the short term vs long term?
Short term: match a hundred kids to clubs or new opportunities and create cohesive operations; long term: own a couple pro teams, establish a European academy network, and build a sustainable private-sector infrastructure around development.
Youth Soccer Pay to Play Is Broken | Danny Buttitta’s Sponsor Model to Find Every Player
Q: How would sponsorship work in practice—how is money allocated and how are players selected?
Sponsors directly support groups of players via facilities and clubs; money flows to the player development plan and education components, with the sponsor earning rights and visibility, while the families maintain final say on participation.
Betting on Yourself: Alex Rando on the Hard Decisions Behind a Soccer Career
Q: How did you navigate the college vs. pro decision, and what would you tell younger players facing a similar choice?
The guest emphasizes going to college first as a safety net and a learning environment, recommends weighing long-term goals, and cautions against rushing into a pro deal without having a plan for education or a fallback option. He suggests using college to build a foundation and keep doors open, then pursuing a pro path when the timing and opportunities align.
Manhattan Kickers NYC: The Club Your Kid Isn’t In
Q: Is this something that's also part of your coach training, a handoff to higher levels?
Yes, the process is individualized and involves working with families to determine the best fit, considering geography and available paths; they coordinate with other clubs when appropriate to place players where the opportunities align.
From Street Football to Spotlight. Maintaining the Hunger
Q: What should parents stop doing as it relates to soccer?
They should stop putting pressure on their kids and let them enjoy the game.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Chasing the Game

What is Chasing the Game about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Aimed at families involved in youth soccer, this podcast explores the intricacies of soccer development in the United States. It features insights drawn from personal experiences of the hosts, Liron Unreich and Matt Tartaglia, alongside expert commentary from coaches, academy directors, and former professional players. By discussing issues ranging from grassroots initiatives to elite pathways, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of player development, training environments, and the emotional journey that accompanies navigating youth sports. The emphasis on realistic advice, parental involvement, and the unique pressures faced by young athletes makes it a rich resource for anyone looking to engage more effectively with youth soccer.... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Chasing the Game?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Chasing the Game:

1. Youth Soccer Podcast
2. Prof G Markets
3. Pivot
4. ESPN FC
5. The Inside Scoop with Anytime Soccer Training - Discussing Youth Soccer from Around the World

How many episodes of Chasing the Game are there?

Chasing the Game launched 5 months ago and published 19 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Chasing the Game?

Recent guests on Chasing the Game include:

1. Justin Phelps
2. Danny Buttitta
3. Evan Rosenthal
4. Ditmer De Jong
5. Alex Rando
6. Dr. Kim O'Brien
7. Dr. Jonathan Jenkins
8. Peguy Luyindula

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