From First Touch to First Team

Marcus Younis takes us inside his journey from Western Sydney Wanderers Academy to PSV Eindhoven, Brøndby IF, Melbourne City FC, and being close to a Socceroos call-up before the 2026 World Cup.In this episode of From First Touch to First Team, host Jan Schmidt sits down with the 20-year-old Australian winger to trace a career that has already taken him across three countries. Marcus talks about growing up in a football family in Sydney, joining the Western Sydney Wanderers Academy at 12, and losing nearly two years of football to a string of injuries between the ages of 14 and 16 before going from U18s to an A-League debut inside a single year under Marko Rudan.We move through his first professional contract at the Wanderers, the decision to leave the A-League for a year on loan at PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch Eerste Divisie, and the unexpected coach change at Brøndby IF in the Danish Superliga that turned a dream start into months on the sidelines. Marcus is candid about how hard it is to live and train alone in a foreign country at 20, and what it taught him about the side of professional football nobody talks about.He closes with a breakdown of his breakout loan at Melbourne City FC, including the 93rd-minute AFC Champions League Elite winner against Ulsan that sent the club through to the knockouts. He shares his read on the Socceroos heading into the 2026 World Cup, the advice that changed how he approaches his game, and what he would say to the 11-year-old version of himself just starting at the Wanderers Academy.Whether you are a young player chasing the dream, a parent supporting one, or a coach shaping the next generation, this conversation is full of perspective on what the journey actually looks like.IN THIS EPISODE_▸ Growing up in a football family and learning from backyard battles with his older brother▸ Joining Western Sydney Wanderers Academy at 12 and the nine years that followed▸ Two years lost to injury between 14 and 16 and how he came back stronger▸ Going from U18s to an A-League debut in 12 months under Marko Rudan▸ Signing his first professional contract at 18 with Western Sydney Wanderers▸ Why he chose PSV Eindhoven over staying in the A-League▸ The reality of being a foreigner inside a Dutch second team▸ The Brøndby IF coach change that derailed a perfect start▸ Coming home to Melbourne City FC and finding form again▸ His 93rd-minute AFC Champions League Elite winner against Ulsan▸ Why life outside football matters more than young players realise▸ His read on the Socceroos heading into the 2026 World Cup▸ His best advice for young players still chasing the dreamCHAPTERS:00:00 Intro01:06 Welcome and meet Marcus Younis03:30 Backyard battles in a football family06:15 Joining Western Sydney Wanderers at 1208:28 Two years lost to injury between 14 and 1611:08 From U18s to A-League debut in 12 months13:32 Signing his first professional contract at 1816:03 What he wishes he had known breaking through20:00 Why he chose PSV over staying in the A-League22:49 The Brøndby coach change that changed everything26:15 Coming home to Melbourne City28:22 Why life outside football changed his game31:21 The World Cup, the Socceroos, and his own ambitions36:18 The one thing he would do differently so far37:23 Stoppage Time40:06 His best advice for the next generation🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If a question comes up while listening, leave a comment or send us a text on Instagram.And remember: enjoy your football journey.

From kicking a ball around the back garden in Sydney to playing for Wellington Phoenix, Grasshoppers Zürich, and Western Sydney Wanderers, Joshua Laws's story is one of constant change and quiet resilience.In this episode, Josh sits down with Jan to trace a path that took him through six different countries. He talks about growing up as a hyperactive kid sent on Bondi Beach runs by his dad, the long drives to Blackburn Rovers with his mum, and the first real "no" when the club decided not to renew him at 14. We move through eight years in Germany, the Turkish coach at Fortuna Düsseldorf who convinced him to sign, and his under-17 World Cup in Chile where Australia beat Argentina to make the quarter-finals.Josh is honest about the harder parts of the journey too. Two years lost to ankle injuries at the exact moment he was knocking on the door of the first team. Negotiating his first professional contract on his own from a COVID quarantine hotel. The reality of warming up on a cricket oval at Wollongong University. And the gamble he took at the end of his Wellington years, flying back to Europe with two suitcases and sleeping on a friend's sofa until the unexpected call came from Grasshoppers Zürich.Having now finished his playing career at 28, Josh shares what he wishes he had known earlier and the one piece of advice he would pass on to every young player still on the path.Whether you are a young player chasing the dream, a parent supporting one, or a coach shaping the next generation, this episode is full of perspective on what the journey actually looks like.IN THIS EPISODE:▸ Growing up in Sydney and being trained by his dad on Bondi Beach ▸ Trialing at Manchester United, Everton, and signing for Blackburn Rovers ▸ Being released at 14 and processing the first real rejection ▸ Eight years in Germany, the language barrier, and the intensity of German youth football ▸ Switching from Scotland to Australia and the U17 World Cup in Chile ▸ The ankle injuries that cost him two years at Fortuna Düsseldorf ▸ Negotiating his first professional contract from a COVID quarantine hotel ▸ What pro football actually looked like in Wollongong during the pandemic ▸ Sleeping on a sofa in Europe and the call out of the blue from Grasshoppers Zürich ▸ The advice he would give to every player still chasing the dreamCHAPTERS00:00 Joshi's First Touch05:34 Dreams of Professional Football10:17 Trials with Teams in the UK15:16 Finding the Right Environment in Football16:43 Moving to Germany20:01 The Intensity of German Football26:25 Changing from Scotland to Australia28:02 U17 World Cup with Australia33:01 Injury Setbacks During a Crucial Time35:48 New Opportunities in Australia40:02 Starting with Wellington Phoenix43:23 Going Back to Europe for Trials44:04 The Offer from Grasshopper Zürich46:59 Stoppage Time QuestionsSubscribe so you never miss an episode. If a question comes up while listening, leave a comment or send us a text on Instagram. @firsttouchtofirstteamAnd remember: enjoy your football journey.GUEST Joshua Laws, former professional footballer with Wellington Phoenix, Grasshoppers Zürich, and Western Sydney Wanderers. Born in Glasgow, raised in Sydney, developed through academies at Blackburn Rovers and Fortuna Düsseldorf, and represented Australia at the U17 World Cup in Chile.

From kicking a ball against the wall next to his family home to playing 200 games in the Bundesliga and earning a call-up to the German national team, Nicolai Müller's journey is a masterclass in resilience.In this episode, Nico sits down with Jan to trace his path from First touch to First team. He opens up about being released by Eintracht Frankfurt as a youth player for being "too small," the early-morning phone call from a head coach while working at Audi that launched his professional debut, and the one cup-game moment that changed everything. We talk through the long, patient years in reserve-grade football, his breakthrough season under Thomas Tuchel at Mainz, and what it really takes to go from signing a first professional contract to becoming undroppable.Now head coach of the Macarthur Bulls Academy, Nico shares his perspective from both sides of the white line: how he develops young Australian talent, the differences he sees between German and Australian football culture, and why he believes the pathway to a professional career in Australia is more open than many people realise. His message to every aspiring player is simple but hard-won: Enjoy the game, work as hard as possible, and never give up.In this episode:Growing up in Germany and the family sacrifices behind the four-day-a-week commute to Frankfurt's academyBeing released as a youth player and why it turned out to be the best thing that could have happenedThe reality behind a first professional contract and the patience it demandsHis breakthrough under Thomas Tuchel and his call-up to the German national teamThe move to the A-League and adapting to Australian footballTransitioning from professional player to academy coachHonest reflections on developing young Australian players and the gaps still to closeWhether you are a young player chasing the dream, a parent supporting one, or a coach shaping the next generation, this conversation is full of practical insight and genuine inspiration.🎧 Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If a question comes up while listening, reach out to us through our channels. @firsttouchtofirstteamAnd remember: enjoy your football journey.

From U13 to the A-League. Will Kennedy on what it actually takes to come through Sydney FC's academy and into the senior game at Central Coast Mariners.In episode 01 of From First Touch to First Team, host Jan sits down with Will to walk through the full journey: the early influence that pulled him into the game, the youth development years that demanded everything, the transition into senior football, and the unpredictability that defines almost every professional career. Will shares the lessons he kept, the ones he learned the hard way, and his advice for the next generation of players trying to make it.A podcast for youth players, parents, coaches, and anyone who has ever wanted to know what the road to professional football really looks like.Listen wherever you get your podcasts.