E9: Joel Rydstrand on US College Soccer, Being Drafted to the MLS, and 4th-tier Spanish Football

We are joined by Joel Rydstrand, a Swedish footballer currently playing at CD San Roque de Lepe in Spain. Joel played at IK Sirius, before going to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and was drafted by Seattle Sounders FC in January 2019.  Timestamps  0:00 - Intro  0:23 - Joel Rydstrand intro  5:30 - How did Joel fall in love with the game?  7:21 - Joel’s youth career in Sweden at Almunge IK, IK Sirius  9:56 - Joel signs his first senior contract at IK Sirius at 17  12:24 - Cwa’s experience of playing with Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Andreas Christensen  14:45 - Joel’s experience of playing under Kim & Tolle, the importance of consistency, and taking care of your body and mind  20:21 - Joel goes on loan to BKV Norrtälje, works at a factory, and quickly decides to move to the US  22:47 - Joel leaves Sweden for Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in January 2015  23:59 - Getting sports scholarships at US universities 29:23 - Adjusting to life in the US  32:53 - Joel’s college soccer career at Creighton University  35:20 - Joel gets invited to the MLS Combine and MLS Draft  37:00 - Premier League standard facilities at Creighton and US universities  40:31 - Joel gets invited to a few MLS teams’ combines before the MLS Combine  41:50 - Joel gets drafted by Seattle Sounders FC  42:16 - Should the MLS revamp the draft format and turn it into a USL draft?  44:24 - Interviews during the MLS Combine  45:45 - Joel’s thoughts on what to do after Seattle Sounders’ first team decide to not use international spot on him  47:13 - Joel's on the level of the USL  47:41 - Joel leaves for Spain after 8 months in the USL  49:33 - The surprisingly high level of 4th-tier Spanish football  52:40 - Life in lower league football, being the only foreigner on the team, and learning Spanish  56:19 - Joel’s view of the differences in football between Sweden, the US, and Spain  1:00:35 - Joel’s season at CD San Roque de Lepe so far, and playing against Getafe in the Copa Del Rey  1:04:33 - Next step?  1:05:53 - Magnus Pehrsson and Jesper Norberg at Velez CF  1:08:16 - Europa Point FC in Gibraltar  10:10:20 - Outro  If you're enjoying the podcast, follow and rate us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow us on: Instagram: @whatsgoingon.podcast Twitter: @wgofootball