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Artwork for Chasing the Game

Chasing the Game - Youth Soccer in America

Liron Unreich, Matt Tartaglia
Youth Soccer
MLS Next
Youth Soccer Development
Youth Development
American Youth Soccer
Coaching
Player Development
Pay-To-Play
Mental Health
Luis Robles
Anxiety
Feedback
World Cup 2026
Burnout In Youth Sports
Resilience
Parental Involvement
Mental Skills
United States
College Recruiting
New York Red Bulls

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes39Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SoccerSports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Chasing the Game

Latest Episodes

The Long Game. How Do You Keep Kids Loving Soccer?

How do you keep kids loving soccer when the game keeps asking them to carry more?

This final episode of our Summer Best Of series steps back from rankings, pathways, costs, and development models to ... more

YouTube

SOUND FIXED. sorry. Reload Episode.

 Parents hear the word development everywhere in youth soccer. Clubs say it. Coaches say it. Trainers say it. But if training does not transfer to the game, the word can hide more than it explains.

In this Best Of... more

For parents, that question is not only about fees. It is about sacrifice, access, pressure, private training, travel, college hopes, and whether the money is actually helping the player.

In this Best Of episode, Liron and Matt revisit the cost conve... more

YouTube

Summer is here, and so is our first Best Of episode.

But this isn’t a greatest-hits collection.

Instead of replaying our biggest social clips, we went back through 35 episodes and chose the conversations that quietly shaped how we think about youth... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Tali Sommer
Player voice discussing playing freely and avoiding overbearing expectations
Episode: The Long Game. How Do You Keep Kids Loving Soccer?
Jason/Unknown (implied guests in clips)
Various interview clips used to illustrate points
Episode: The Long Game. How Do You Keep Kids Loving Soccer?
Juan Santamaria
Coach/Leader
Cedar Stars
Episode: What Does Player Development Actually Mean?
Nil Congost
Coach/Analyst
EOS Football, Barcelona
Episode: What Does Player Development Actually Mean?
Peggy Luindalou
Former professional football player in France; contrasts to US system
Red Bulls organization (as referenced)
Episode: Is Youth Club Soccer Worth the Cost?
Danny Buttita
Interviewee contributing design-focused solution to access
Entrepreneur working on sponsorship and access models
Episode: Is Youth Club Soccer Worth the Cost?
Dr. Chris Platz
Professional football environments expert; focuses on family decision-making
Professional football background
Episode: Is Youth Club Soccer Worth the Cost?
Sean McCafferty
Academy Director for the New York Red Bulls
New York Red Bulls
Episode: The Youth Soccer Maze: Finding the Right Path
Andrew May
Coach/Executive with pro and academy experience
Chivas USA, LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, LA FC
Episode: The Youth Soccer Maze: Finding the Right Path

Hosts

Liron Unreich
Host of Chasing the Game
Matt Tartaglia
Host of the show

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 34 ratings
  • Very informative

    We have a very talented kid who loves soccer, and we as parents are trying to navigate this complex world, especially here in the US. This podcast is incredibly informative and I have really enjoyed hearing from the guests that have been featured. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BV teacher
    United Statesa month ago
  • Awesome

    Keep this up guys! Very informative and relevant topic guests. The episode with the Orlando City Academy director was 🔥

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Krioyo
    United States4 months ago
  • Love it!

    I look forward to it every week. As a soccer parent, I love hearing these conversations and the guests that come on answer a ton of questions I’ve been wondering. The only downside is I wish there was more episodes weekly. Keep up the good work and thanks for putting this podcast on.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AustinSWFL
    United States5 months ago
  • Amazing resource for newbs like me

    Found this thanks to a Reddit post. I’m completely new to non-rec soccer and have been blessed with a super talented kid making his way up the ranks in the Bay Area. Every acronym is new to me and the various pathways make my head hurt.

    These guys do a great job talking about the state of play in America and how to support your kid in his or her journey. They emphasize fun, constant play, and resilience as the keys to making it through - with the stark reality that most of the talented u13s wi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BrigglyWiggly
    United States6 months ago
  • 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 States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

episodes are informative for parents seeking clarity in a complex system.
high-quality guests and candid conversations are a standout feature.
listeners appreciate the practical focus and credible guest lineup.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#235
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#139
Canada/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#242
Singapore/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

First Pro Contract at 18: Why It’s Not a Career | Chris Platts
Q: what should families do to get in front of opportunities and protect their child's development?
Educate themselves, build independent scouting reports when possible, and use a wide, global approach to opportunities while safeguarding the child's long-term education and well-being.
First Pro Contract at 18: Why It’s Not a Career | Chris Platts
Q: how do you define as you are working with young players, what is that actually, what's a success?
Success is not a fixed outcome for any single player; it depends on individual goals, mental readiness, and whether the player can sustain development and adaptability beyond the first contract.
Youth Soccer Development: Why Clarity Matters | Christian Gonzalez
Q: How does New York Soccer Club define its vision and ensure it is realized across all teams and age groups?
The club emphasizes a clear, unchanging methodology with a strong coaching framework, observation-driven feedback, and accountability to ensure consistency from youngest to oldest teams, while adapting the level of intensity to individual journeys.
Youth Soccer Development: Why Clarity Matters | Christian Gonzalez
Q: Director Gonzalez, can you walk us through your own path of the game and what shaped you the most as a developmental leader?
Christian describes a journey from Westchester youth soccer through Fordham, a pro-playing stint cut short, and a long transition into coaching and club leadership, culminating in a philosophy centered on consistent coaching principles and a structured development model.
USL and the Youth Soccer Pathway: What Parents Need to Know | FC Naples
Q: What does the partnership with local youth academies look like, and what incentives do they have to pass players along to Naples FC?
Partnerships are built on creating a pipeline: academies can refer players who have reached development milestones, and Naples can offer academy contracts and potential progression to pro contracts, providing a clear route for players to advance while benefiting the clubs that develop them.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Chasing the Game

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

A practical, parent- and coach-friendly deep dive into youth soccer development in America. Episodes frequently explore pathways from grassroots to MLS Next and ECNL, with varying guests—from academy directors and college coaches to players and researchers—sharing real-world lessons on player development, coaching culture, and managing costs and expectations for families. The show stands out for its candid discussions about long-term growth, transparent communications with families, and diverse, cross-continental perspectives that illuminate how American pathways fit into a global soccer ecosystem. Listeners can expect actionable guidance for navigating tryouts, recruiting, and the realities of funding in a highly competitive environment, p... more

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How many episodes of Chasing the Game are there?

Chasing the Game launched a year ago and published 39 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. Tali Sommer
2. Jason/Unknown (implied guests in clips)
3. Juan Santamaria
4. Nil Congost
5. Peggy Luindalou
6. Danny Buttita
7. Dr. Chris Platz
8. Sean McCafferty

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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