PODCAST

Against All Odds

againstalloddspodcast

The Official Podcast of Matt Sheldon from Become Elite and Mimi Estelle!

sports & recreation

All Episodes

102:08

From No Academy to the MLS | Jordan Adebayo-Smith's...

Against All Odds ·

2025/09/07

Big thank you to Jordan Adebayo-Smith for hopping on this week's episode of the podcast! You guys can check him out on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/adebayosmith_/?hl=en

02:02:45

I Didn't Sign My First Pro Contract until 24 Years...

Against All Odds ·

2025/08/17

Big thank you to Carlos Herrera for hopping on the podcast! Carlos has an incredible story of grinding through junior college and the division 2 level, then spending years playing NPSL and USL2 football before finally getting his chance at the professional level at 24 years old.

01:39:10

Leaving Japan at 18 to Chase the Dream in America |...

Against All Odds ·

2025/07/13

Big thank you to Haruki for coming on the this episode of the podcast! Follow Haruki's Journey on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/haruki_ymzk88/?hl=en

01:11:28

The Truth About Pro/Rel in USL | A USL Owner and...

Against All Odds ·

2025/04/03

Huge thank you to Sean Mann for sitting down to discuss the future of the USL with me today in this special episode of The Against All Odds Podcast!Sean Mann is one of the co-founder, co-owner, and CEO of Detroit City FC. Today we sit down and discuss the future of the USL with regards to Pro/Rel, Division One, and DCFC!

02:31:00

"The CEO of the Club Told Me to Stop Playing...

Against All Odds ·

2025/03/23

Big thank you to Darren Smith for coming on the podcast this week! You guys can follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/darrensmithofficial?igsh=MXJ4b3M4MGYwMjdpcQ== Timestamps: 0:00-11:29 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 11:29-31:35 - Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa and developing a love for track and soccer 31:25-54:28 - The Controversy behind Darren Signing his first professional contract 54:28-1:11:33 - Struggling to get minutes in the PSL and trying to find a coach that believes in

02:10:16

Cold Tubbing with David Beckham, Marking David Silva,...

Against All Odds ·

2025/03/09

Big thanks to J-Boogie for coming on the podcast! You can follow him on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jaychaps/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-8:19 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 8:19-19:28 - Growing up in outside of Toronto 19:28-35:18 - Canada Youth National Team and Early Pro Trials 35:18-47:31 - Playing Collegiate Soccer at Michigan State 47:31-57:52 - Signing an MLS Homegrown Contract with Toronto FC 57:52-1:09:54 - Playing for Inter Miami FC 1:09:54-1:19:40 - Jay's experience

01:56:52

From Delivery Driver to Professional Footballer |...

Against All Odds ·

2024/10/20

Big thank you to Jeciel Cedeño for hopping on this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast! Be sure to follow Jeciel below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jecielcedeno/?hl=enTimestamps: 0:00-8:33 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 8:33-30:00 - Playing Street Football in Guayaquil, Ecuador 30:00-38:28 - Moving to New Jersey, but Struggling to Find a Team 38:28-47:20 - Bouncing Around Different Youth Teams in New Jersey 47:20-52:57 - Moving Back to Ecuador to Join a Football

01:40:25

Training with Bastian Schweinsteiger at Chicago Fire...

Against All Odds ·

2024/09/29

Big thanks to Victor Bezerra for hopping on this week's episode! Vic's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vbezerra7/?hl=enTimestamps: 0:00-11:04 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 11:04-25:06 - Growing Up in Downtown Chicago 25:06-33:09 - Training with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Chicago Fire as a Teenager 33:09-40:04 - Taking a Gap Year to just Train with Chicago Fire First Team 40:04-1:04:57 - Attending Indiana University and Transitioning to College Soccer 1:04:57-1:18:17 - Signing a

01:58:20

Climbing Up Every Level of the US Pyramid | Michael...

Against All Odds ·

2024/08/11

Big thanks to Michael for hopping on this episode of the podcast! You can follow Michael on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/mbryant12/?hl=enTimestamps: 0:00-10:45 - Rapid Fire Questions 10:45-24:53 - Growing up in Portola Hills, California 24:53-39:23 - Playing D3 at Elmira College in New York 39:23-50:45 - Transferring to Northwest Nazarene 50:45-1:13:31 - Dropping out of College and playing for Orange County FC (NPSL) 1:13:31-1:20:47 - Signing First Professional Contract with Cal

02:05:58

The Extreme Highs and Lows of Professional Football |...

Against All Odds ·

2024/07/14

Big thanks to Brett Levis for hopping on today's podcast!Be sure to follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/brettlevis/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-9:52 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 9:52-34:24 - Growing up in Saskatoon 34:24-37:57 - Playing at the University of Saskatoon 37:57-50:57 - Signing with the Vancouver Whitecaps 50:57-1:00:33 - Tearing his ACL in his MLS Debut 1:00:33-1:09:21 - Rebounding from Injury and Returning to play with the Whitecaps 1:09:21-1:34:27 - Playing for Valour FC in the

01:59:25

Competing with Marcus Rashford and McTominay at...

Against All Odds ·

2024/06/30

Big thanks to Murph for hopping on this episode of the podcast! Follow him below:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jvmurph14/ Twitter: https://x.com/jvmurph_14?s=21&t=d-DEeWcblanHdLjyKyZvpg Timestamps: 0:00-10:22 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 10:22-22:51 - Developing as a Youth Player in New Jersey 22:51-29:19 - Getting Called up to the US Youth National Team 29:19-36:20 - Trialing with West Brom, Man U, and Sheffield Wednesday 36:20-45:37 - Specifics of Murph’s trial with Manchester

02:53:42

Non-League to the Championship in Three Years | Ryan...

Against All Odds ·

2024/06/09

Big thanks to Ryan Williams for coming on this week's podcast!Timestamps: 0:00-11:16 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 11:16-35:58 - Struggling with his small stature in English Academies 35:58-48:18 - Starting to lift weights and joining Chester City 48:18-1:05:16 - First Contracts and Training with the First Team of Chester City 1:05:15-1:21:16 - Semi-Pro stints with Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, and Rhyl in Wales 2nd Tier 1:21:16-1:40:39 - Signing a Professional Contract with Morecambe FC in League

01:47:39

Rejected by D1 and D2 Schools | Connor Rutz’s Path to...

Against All Odds ·

2024/05/26

Big thanks to Rutzy for hopping on the podcast! Give him a follow here: https://www.instagram.com/connorrutz/?hl=enTimestamps 0:00-14:37 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 14:37-31:44 - Youth Soccer in Michigan 31:44-43:25 - Attempting to Play D1 or D2 College Soccer Despite Poor Grades 43:35-50:44 - Spending Two Years at a Junior College 50:44-1:00:08 - Grinding out Two Years at a D2 Program 1:00:08-1:21:23 - Attending Professional Trials and Combines 1:21:23-1:41:41 - Settling in with Detroit

01:56:43

Training 50+ Hours a Week in Costa Rica | Daniel...

Against All Odds ·

2024/05/05

Big thanks to Daniel for hopping on this week's podcast! You can check his Instagram out here: https://www.instagram.com/danielespeleta/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-8:21 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 8:21-36:45 - Bouncing around as a child in Georgia, Costa Rica, and Washington 36:45-43:39 - Moving Back to Costa Rica and Playing for C.S. Urugauy de Coronado 43:39-57:06 - Meniscus Injury and Deciding to Play Collegiately in the States 57:06-1:16:43 - Four Years of College Soccer at Creighton

02:15:35

Leaving Home at 16 to Sign with Chivas | Carlos...

Against All Odds ·

2024/04/28

Timestamps 0:00-7:34 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 7:34-30:05 - Family, Youth Footy, and Becoming a Goalkeeper 30:05-40:20 - Rebelling Against Parents, Skipping College, to Trial with Xolos and Chivas 40:20-47:24 - Signing first Professional Contract with Chivas 47:24-52:45 - Getting Rocks Thrown at Him in the Third Division of Mexico 52:45-1:08:33 - Invited to Train with the First Team of Chivas 1:08:33-1:17:07 - Loaned out again to Tepa then Training in Isolation Due to

01:36:03

Rebounding from Two ACL Tears at Ipswich Town | Ben...

Against All Odds ·

2024/04/14

Big thanks to Ben Morris for coming on the podcast!Timestamps: 0:00-7:44 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 7:44-20:28 - Growing up in Colchester and Ipswich Town Academy 20:28-27:27 - Earning a Scholarship with Ipswich Town’s Academy 27:27-39:09 - Signing First Professional Contract with Ipswich Town 39:09-50:16 - First Team Debut and Life at Ipswich 50:16-57:57 - ACL Tear… 57:57-1:02:00 - Tearing his ACL again… 1:02:00-1:10:44 - Going on Loan to Sweden 1:10:44-1:28:37 - Taking a Chance and

01:49:15

Door Dash to Scoring a Brace Against the Columbus...

Against All Odds ·

2024/04/07

Timestamps: 0:00-17:00 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions 17:00-28:00 - Growing up in San Antonio Texas idolizing Tim Duncan 28:00-33:45 - Joining an Academy and Dreaming out Playing Pro Footy 33:45-54:50 - Playing Collegiate Soccer at Charlotte 49ers 54:50-1:04:32 - Signing First Pro Contract with San Antonio FC 1:04:32-1:16:55 - Leaving San Antonio FC for Richmond Kickers 1:16:55-1:28:01 - A Year without a Club… (Contractless in 2020) 1:28:01-1:42:58 -Heading to Detroit City FC 1:42:58- - The

01:31:36

Making Your MLS Debut as a Teenager | Alex...

Against All Odds ·

2024/03/31

Big thanks to Alex Villanueva for hopping on the podcast for this episode!0:00-3:47 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions 3:47-12:44 - Early life in USA and Germany 12:44-41:54 - Playing in Mainz 05’s Academy System 41:54-52:48 - Transition to the US and Real Salt Lake Academy 52:48-58:50 - Sounders FC Academy and called into a USYNT camp 58:50-1:03:54 - Professional Debut with Tacoma Defiance 1:03:54-1:14:24 - MLS Debut at 19 1:14:24-1:20:35 - Orange County SC and Detroit City FC 1:20:35-1:31:36 -

01:30:03

"At 18 I Thought My Professional Career was over..."...

Against All Odds ·

2024/03/24

Big thanks to Steve Carroll for hopping on the pod!Follow Steve HERE: https://www.instagram.com/stevo_c28/?hl=en Timestamps: 0:00-0:39 - Intro 0:39-9:23 - Kinda Rapid Fire Questions 9:23-29:46 - Youth Football in Cork, Ireland 29:46-55:21 - College Soccer in Tennessee and Michigan 55:21-1:20:25 - NPSL to NPSL Founders Cup to NISA to USLC with Detroit City 1:20:25- Final Questions

01:21:13

Playing Professionally on 3 Different Continents |...

Against All Odds ·

2023/05/28

Thanks so much to Elvis Amoh for hopping on the Podcast! Reach out and follow Elvis here: https://www.instagram.com/elvisamoh_takyi23/Timestamps: 0:00-7:55 - Early Life in Italy and Ghana 7:55-14:47 - Joining First Academy Team 14:47-17:47 - Getting Cut from High School Team 17:47-25:13 - Balancing University with Pro Football 25:13-38:33 - Signing with Asante Kotoko in the Ghanaian Premier League 38:33-41:47 - First years in the Ghanian Premier League 41:47-47:02 - Trials with DC United and US

102 results

Against All Odds

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Radio Foot Internationale

RFI

Road Rage with Walt Deptula 3-7pm

Walt Deptula

West of Everest: An Oklahoma Football Podcast

Lee and Grant Benson

Prepping 2.0

prepping2point0

The Push Off

Universehead Podcast Network