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PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer

by Mettle Sports, LLC

Mettle Sports Founder and CEO Neal Levin, along with sidekick John Henderson, tackle the issues facing soccer and youth sports in the USA. The list is long: Exorbitant costs of money and time, selective demographics, lack of equity, overcommitment of parents and kids, too much structure, bad coaches, limited access, plus much more. Through interviews, stories, debates, and fresh ideas, Mettle Sports sets out to set expose the wounds and to begin the journey towards discovering the "Culture" of Soccer and why “street soccer” will play a large role in helping fix what's broke.

From the show's RSS feed, refreshed Nov 9, 2023. Source feed.

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Episodes

  1. John O'Sullivan, Changing the Game Project

    John's journey is compelling. He traversed as many do, kid, player, coach, parent, though that's when it hit him. Something is amiss. He saw that coaching and parenting was not how he remembered it when he was playing pickup with his friends. Then his journey pivoted! We must give sports back to...

  2. Bobby Bracket - Harwich Police Soccer Club

    The Good Cop! Bobby is nothing short of a Saint for the amazing work he does for kids in his community -- all with The Beautiful Game of Street Soccer. Positive influences and time that empower kids for life. The world needs more Bobbys, and more of the incredible youth and young adults that his...

  3. Jason Sacks - The Positive Coaching Alliance "PCA"

    Jason Sacks talks with John and Neal about his fascinating journey to his current role as President of the Positive Coaching Alliance ("PCA") and the impact that creating a positive coaching and club environment has on our community, social and sport development. The PCA's goal is to change…

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  4. Matt Young

    Matt Young has a long and impressive list of life experiences (and records and awards and...) which he has incorporated into his philosophies around youth sports. John and Neal talk with Matt about physical literacy, what it means to be a great coach and mentor to our youth and how we need to…

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  5. Eddie Henderson: Where I Learned to Play and Love Soccer

    John and Neal chat with Eddie Henderson, a 5'1" former U17 and U20 soccer player who grew up learning and playing the sport in the alleys of his Seattle neighborhood. You don't get great by being coached as a kid! Write-Us: [email protected] Tag us: IG @mettle_sports Share Like Keep the...

  6. Linda Flanagan: Take Back the Game

    John, Neal and special guest Linda Flanagan talk how money and mania, including parents, college scholarships, coaches and other mayhem, are ruining youth sports and our kids. We need to "Take Back the Game!" Write-Us: [email protected] Tag us: IG @mettle_sports Share Like Keep the…

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  7. Skip Gilbert, CEO of US Youth Soccer, talks about the Pay to Play Model and What's Broken in Youth Soccer and Sports

    Our host Neal Levin talks with Skip Gilbert, CEO of US Youth Soccer, about how the Pay to Play model, while doing some good, needs to be fixed with viable alternatives that serve the masses instead of just the few. Coming from this high ranking soccer executive, the admissions are compelling....

  8. The Culture of Soccer - With Mark Yakich

    The hosts of PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer discuss the "culture" of soccer with author and skilled baller Mark Yakich, a distinguished professor at Loyola NOLA. Diving deep into his recent book "football" from the series Object Lessons, the team explores pick-up, "three-touch", the beauty of a "pretty...

  9. Joanna Lohman: Youth Sports, Let's Fix What's Broken

    Great athletes are not made the way you think. Former Women's National Team and professional baller Joanna Lohman opens up with Neal and John about her own experiences and observations, her belief that youth sports is broken, how we need to return youth sports to the kids, the power of sports…

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  10. Why StreetSoccer

    Neal Levin, Founder and CEO of Mettle Sports, talks about Street Soccer, the culture of soccer, the state of soccer in the USA, and why Mettle Sports was founded. Write-Us: [email protected] Tag us: IG @mettle_sports Share Like Keep the Conversation Going #PlayOn

About this show

Mettle Sports Founder and CEO Neal Levin, along with sidekick John Henderson, tackle the issues facing soccer and youth sports in the USA. The list is long: Exorbitant costs of money and time, selective demographics, lack of equity, overcommitment of parents and kids, too much structure, bad coaches, limited access, plus much more. Through interviews, stories, debates, and fresh ideas, Mettle Sports sets out to set expose the wounds and to begin the journey towards discovering the "Culture" of Soccer and why “street soccer” will play a large role in helping fix what's broke.

Hosted by

Mettle Sports, LLC

Frequently asked questions

How many episodes does PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer have?

PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer has 10 episodes on PodParley. The most recent episode was published on July 12, 2023.

What is PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer about?

Mettle Sports Founder and CEO Neal Levin, along with sidekick John Henderson, tackle the issues facing soccer and youth sports in the USA. The list is long: Exorbitant costs of money and time, selective demographics, lack of equity, overcommitment of parents and kids, too much structure, bad...

How often does PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer release new episodes?

PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer publishes monthly, based on its 10 episodes since August 2022.

Who hosts PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer?

PlayOn: Why StreetSoccer is created and hosted by Mettle Sports, LLC.
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