PODCAST

Hometown FC Podcast

Eric

Unlocking soccer success from grassroots to elite. Expert insights and stories.

sports soccer

All Episodes

57:36

Hometown FC EP #20: Steve Sallis (Solutions Mindset)

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/12/31

Steve Sallis — best-selling author, mindset coach, and founder of SolutionsMindset — joins Hometown FC for a powerful conversation on leadership, ego, and development in modern football. From working with world-class players like Jude Bellingham and Ebere Eze, to mentoring coaches and national team athletes, Steve has seen every side of the game. In this episode, he drops one of the realest coaching analogies you’ll ever hear — “4+4, 5+3, 6+2… there’s loads of ways to get to 8.” We talk about...

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73:25

Hometown FC EP #19: Jose Campos

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/12/29

José Campos, Director of the Orlando City SC Academy, joins Hometown FC to share what it takes to build one of the most respected player development programs in the country. With years of experience shaping elite youth environments, Campos offers a deep look into how Orlando City identifies, develops, and elevates top talent to the professional level. In this episode, we dive into how MLS academies are redefining player pathways in the U.S., what true development looks like behind the scene...

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80:42

Hometown FC Podcast EP #18- Chong Xei (Secret of...

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/12/03

Chong Xei, known online as @SecretofAthleticism, is one of the most forward-thinking voices in human performance today. His approach challenges mainstream strength and conditioning by shifting the focus away from muscles — and toward the body’s true performance system: the fascia. In this episode, Chong breaks down how training the fascia can unlock natural speed, power, elasticity, and flow — the qualities that define elite athleticism. He explains why most traditional programs fail to produ...

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70:38

Hometown FC Podcast EP #17- Christian Hernandez

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/11/20

Christian Hernandez returns to Hometown FC to share his experiences inside one of the most prestigious youth environments in the country — Barca Residency Academy in Arizona. In this conversation, Christian opens up about what life is really like training under the Barca model, how it’s shaped his development, and what he’s learned since joining one of the top academies in North America. We dig into the differences between club soccer and elite academies, the daily standards that separate the...

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53:46

Hometown FC EP #16- Dave Meadows

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/11/07

Dave Meadows is one of Arizona’s most respected coaches, known for his work at Phoenix Rising and Phoenix Premier FC and his passion for player development that goes far beyond the field. With years of experience shaping young athletes into high-level competitors, Dave brings a unique blend of technical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and mentorship to his craft. In this episode, we dive deep into what it truly means to develop a player — not just a skillset. Dave breaks down his appr...

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52:35

Hometown FC EP #15- Mario Ornelas

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/11/03

Mario Ornelas is the founder of the Playmaker Development Program, one of Southern California’s most respected training systems, known for producing intelligent, technical, and creative players. Beyond the training ground, Mario also works as a scout, connecting top young talent with MLS and Liga MX academies, giving players real access to professional pathways on both sides of the border. In this episode, Mario shares how he’s built a program that blends elite training with real opportunity....

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42:34

Hometown FC Podcast EP #14- Jeff Addai

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/10/30

Jeff Addai is a former professional soccer player turned CEO of OPSM (Optimal Performance Soccer Management), one of the premier player agencies in North America. With experience competing in Europe, Canada, and the U.S., Jeff has transitioned his on-field passion into a mission of guiding the next generation of players toward professional success. In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to make it in today’s soccer world — from mindset and mentorship to building professional path...

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73:42

Hometown FC EP #13- David Dawood

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/10/08

David Dawood is the founder of DD8, a high-performance player development program that connects U.S. talent to opportunities in Spain and France, and a coach with Phoenix Rising Academy. A former professional player and Iraq National Team member, David’s journey is a masterclass in leadership, accountability, and vision. In this episode, we dive deep into what it means to lead by example, from his own playing days to building a culture of professionalism in young athletes. David shares h...

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56:46

Hometown FC EP #12: Joe Pehanich

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/09/25

Joe Pehanich is the Head of Youth Soccer at Venice Beach FC, a U.S. Soccer Federation Scout, and a former member of the LAFC academy staff, bringing a rare perspective from both the professional academy system and the grassroots level. In this episode, Joe shares his journey from coaching and developing players at LAFC to leading Venice Beach FC’s youth program, and offers a unique lens on what it really takes to identify and nurture talent in the U.S. Listeners will hear about: How Venice Be...

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65:27

Hometown FC Podcast EP #11- Devin Franklin

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/08/26

Devin Franklin is building a movement in West Phoenix through Franklin Sports Performance. Where faith, culture, and next-level training collide. Known for his motto “Grind & Give Glory to God,” Devon has carved out a lane where athletes don’t just work harder, they work smarter, with purpose. In this episode of Hometown FC, we dive into: How Devon shapes youth, college, and pro athletes through creative, engaging trainingThe meaning behind his philosophy of grinding with discipline while...

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57:46

Hometown FC Podcast Episode #10- Sam Al-Basith

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/08/15

Sam Al-Basith’s story is a blueprint for building culture in the game. From the cages of South London to shaping elite talent in Los Angeles, Sam has worn every hat, MLS Academy coach, scout, mentor, and founder of SO LA, one of the most influential grassroots football hubs in the U.S. In this conversation, we go deep on: The realities of scouting top talent in AmericaHow environment and culture shape a player’s mentalityLessons learned from working with LA Galaxy AcademyBuilding SO LA and cr...

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48:29

Hometown FC Episode #9: Valerie Vargas

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/07/29

On this episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with Valerie Vargas, rising star at UCLA Women’s Soccer and a key player for the Mexico U23 Women’s National Team. Valerie opens up about what it really takes to succeed at one of the top college programs in the country while chasing international dreams with El Tri. From balancing academics and national team call-ups, to handling pressure, sacrifice, and self-belief — this episode is a masterclass in what it means to grind with purpose. We get into...

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65:36

Hometown FC Podcast #8: Darnell Simpson-Tomlinson &...

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/07/21

In this episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with two of the most influential architects in modern player development. Darnell Simpson-Tomlinson, Chelsea Academy coach and founder of Monster Mentality, opens up about his journey from South London to training Premier League and Serie A ballers like Levi Colwill and Billy Gilmour. His mindset-first approach is changing the way elite players train, prepare, and lead. On the other side of the pitch, Sam Al Basith, former LA Galaxy academy coach an...

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70:00

Hometown FC Podcast EP #7- Coach Joe (SoccerViza)

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/07/10

Description: In this powerful episode of Hometown FC, we sit down with Coach Joe from SoccerViza — a game-changer in the world of player development and international opportunities. Coach Joe shares his raw journey from the traditional system to founding a platform that gives overlooked players a real shot at going pro. We dive into the realities of chasing the dream, the flaws in the current U.S. development model, and how SoccerViza is opening doors across the globe. Whether you're a playe...

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66:21

Hometown FC Podcast #6: Phil Jackson and Jordan Diana

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/07/03

Phil Jackson and Jordan Diana aren't just experienced coaches, they’re the visionaries behind AZ Soccer Lab, Arizona’s top club-neutral training environment. In this episode of Hometown FC, we dive deep into their journey: from coaching battles to building a culture that puts player development over politics. We talk shop on what elite training really looks like, how they’ve built a space where kids from any club can come to grow, and why AZ Soccer Lab is raising the standard in the Southwest...

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64:47

Hometown FC Podcast EP #5- Alex Tejera

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/06/23

From Red Bulls Academy to Pro Grind In this episode, Coach Eric Capone sits down with Alex Tejera, a player whose path through the soccer world has been anything but ordinary. From growing up in the competitive environment of the New York Red Bulls Academy to navigating the highs and lows of college and professional soccer, Alex shares raw insight into what it really takes to make it in the game. We talk development, setbacks, the mental side of the sport, and what’s next for Alex in his jou...

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67:47

Hometown FC Podcast Ep #4- Christian Hernandez

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/06/01

In this episode of Hometown FC, I sit down with coach and player development specialist Christian Hernandez to pull back the curtain on one of youth soccer’s biggest problems: the lack of real teaching. We dive deep into: The toxic culture of club soccer and the obsession with winningWhy most players don’t understand their position beyond a titleThe gap between technical training and real applicationWhat it means to be a “teacher-coach” in today’s gameHow we can build smarter, more adaptable ...

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54:05

Hometown FC Podcast Ep #1

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/04/15

What makes an elite young baller?

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63:55

Hometown FC Podcast EP#2- Mick Reavey

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/04/15

How to build Resilience and intelligence with Mick Reavey.

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64:50

Hometown FC Podcast EP #3- Rick Shantz

Hometown FC Podcast ·

2025/04/15

Hear stories about youth development, enjoying the game, building a game model and stories of Didier Drogba from Phoenix Rising Coach Rick Shantz (2018-2022).

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