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PODCAST

Chat By The Pitch

Chat By The Pitch is a youth soccer podcast focused on player development, coaching culture, and the family experience in the modern game. Hosted by Ian Babcock, the show connects parents, coaches, and club leaders with local, national, and global voices shaping youth soccer today. Each episode dives into the real decisions families face—team selection, development pathways, mental performance, coaching environments, and the gear and tools that support long-term growth. The conversations are honest,

sports soccer

All Episodes

55:07

From Park Sessions to Facilities: The Salient Touch...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/08

From Park Sessions to Facilities: The Salient Touch Origin StoryIn Part 1 of this conversation, Ian Babcock sits down with Salient Touch Football Academy founders Dominique Molina and Antonio Perez to unpack how Salient Touch was built—from a bumpy public field to a multi-location technical training program serving hundreds of players each week.This episode dives into identity, first touch, emotional intelligence in coaching, and why individual development is often misunderstood in modern youth

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45:58

Ted Kroeten: The Future of U.S. Soccer Through Joy of...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2026/01/01

In Part 2, Ted Kroeten goes deeper into the mechanics of free play, why traditional training misreads how kids actually learn, and how small-sided chaos builds problem-solvers, communicators, and creators. From one-v-one misconceptions to futsal culture, mixed-age environments, and why American kids rarely get “underload” time, Ted explains what the U.S. must rethink to compete globally.He also breaks down what parents can actually do to bring joy and development back into their child’s soccer life

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42:31

Born to Play: Ted Kroeten on Free Play, Language, and...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/25

Joy of the People founder and longtime coach Ted Kroeten joins Chat By The Pitch to break down what truly develops creative, intelligent players — and why most of the U.S. youth soccer system gets it upside down. Ted’s “soccer as a language” philosophy reframes how kids learn, why free play must come before instruction, and how mixed-age, low-pressure environments cultivate game intelligence no coach can teach.From the failures of super clubs and the youth sports industrial complex to Joy of the

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38:54

From Spain to an ACL Tear: The Turning Point in...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/18

In Part 2, Kassandra Ruelas takes us deeper into her journey — from rediscovering her love for the game under Coach Temas, to the fate-driven path that led her to Vial/Villarreal, to leaving home for Spain as a teenager. She shares what life, training, and tempo looked like overseas, how Spanish clubs develop players through structure and intelligence, and what it felt like to finally find her rhythm abroad.This episode also uncovers the hardest chapter of her career: tearing her ACL overseas,

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49:03

Growing Up in North Texas Soccer: The Journey of...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/11

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Ian sits down with North Texas player and administrator Kassandra Ruelas to unpack what it really looks like to grow up inside one of the most competitive girls’ soccer markets in the country. From yelling “goal” as her first word to playing with the boys and eventually earning a chance to play in Spain, Kassandra’s story is a masterclass in soccer IQ, resilience, and family support. Kassandra talks about the pressure of DFW girls’ soccer, the unspoken politics

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01:06:35

Tom Byer on Ball Mastery, Parents, and Player...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/12/04

World-renowned development leader Tom Byer joins the show to break down where real soccer development truly begins — inside the home. Tom explains how early touches, simple routines, and parent involvement build confidence, coordination, and long-term potential. We explore culture, neuroscience, at-home training, and why the U.S. continues to struggle with building a true development identity.This episode gives parents, coaches, and clubs practical steps to build a stronger foundation for young

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44:35

The Truth Behind Pathways: How Juan Martinez Opens...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/11/27

In Part 2 of our two-part series with Juan Martinez — founder of JMS Soccer and president of DKSC — we move beyond the academy structure and dig into the deeper layers of development that parents rarely see. Juan opens up about the realities of North Texas soccer culture, the misconceptions around “connections,” and how he uses his network not as a selling point, but as a responsibility to serve disciplined players who put in the work.Juan explains what it really takes for an athlete to earn his

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44:02

How JMS Trains the Next Generation of North Texas...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/11/20

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Juan Martinez — founder of JMS Soccer and President of DKSC — opens up about the journey behind JMS Academy, his daytime elite training environment built for disciplined, goal-driven young athletes. Juan walks through how JMS started in 2018, why it shut down during COVID, and how it returned in 2023 with a renewed mission: character, mental toughness, individualized development, and a one-stop shop of services for players chasing big goals.Juan breaks down the

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47:20

Building Culture That Wins — Lessons from Dr. Travis...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/11/13

In Part 2 of The Return on Investment Myth — Rethinking Youth Sports, Dr. Travis Dorsch returns to Chat By The Pitch to go even deeper into the real work of parenting athletes. From accountability and culture to failure and social media, Dr. Dorsch shares how parents can reflect, recalibrate, and reconnect with the reason they signed their kids up in the first place.We talk about how good intentions can cross the line, why “culture is king,” and what clubs can do to build a healthier ecosystem for

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47:41

The Real ROI of Youth Sports: Lessons from Dr. Travis...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/11/06

In Part 1 of The Return on Investment Myth — Rethinking Youth Sports, Dr. Travis Dorsch joins Chat By The Pitch to explore what families are truly getting from youth sports. As a professor at Utah State University and founding director of the Families in Sport Lab, Dr. Dorsch shares how his research — and his own parenting journey — reveal the tension between performance, pressure, and purpose.We unpack why so many parents chase the wrong outcomes, how goal misalignment drives kids out of the game,

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53:48

Crossbar: Building a Soccer Community Center in North...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/10/30

In this episode, Tom Boyce, co-owner of Crossbar and London Calling TX, shares how these two soccer spaces are redefining culture in North Texas.From weekday pickup and late-night leagues to homeschool sessions and family-friendly weekends, Crossbar has created a space where adults can play, relax, and connect while their kids grow up around the game.Tom and Ian dive into:• How the adult-first, kid-friendly model changes the soccer experience.• The “winner-stays-on” pickup system that keeps games

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38:53

Brenden Lee: Rooftop Futsal With Vanta Athletics ,...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/10/23

In Part 2 of our conversation with Brenden Lee, founder of Project 214, we go deeper into how futsal connects people, purpose, and personal growth. Brenden shares the next phase of his vision — from partnering with Vanta Athletics to bring rooftop futsal to downtown Dallas, to shaping a mentorship culture built on empathy and expression. He opens up about the challenges that shaped him, the role of mental health in coaching, and how Project 214 is evolving into a creative hub where players, parents,

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40:22

Brenden Lee: From the Court to the Culture — The...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/10/16

Join Chat By The Pitch for an inspiring and creative conversation with Brenden Lee, founder of Project 214 and a driving force in Dallas’s futsal community. Brenden shares how Project 214 evolved from a simple idea into a cultural movement — blending futsal, art, music, and mentorship into one collective. He dives deep into the roots of street culture, the influence of skateboarding, and why creating safe, expressive spaces for players to grow matters more than ever. From local training sessions to

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43:56

Sam Junqua: Resilience, Trades, and MLS Life

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/10/09

In Part 2 of our conversation with Sam Junqua, we dive deeper into his MLS journey with FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake. Sam reflects on the realities of trades, adapting across multiple positions, and how mindfulness and journaling keep him grounded in high-pressure moments. He shares the differences in club culture, the value of versatility, and his advice for young players chasing the dream. From resilience to family support, Sam’s story is one of growth, grit, and perspective—with an eye still set

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41:42

Sam Junqua: From Backyard Ball to the MLS Draft

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/10/02

Join Chat By The Pitch for Part 1 of our conversation with Sam Junqua, defender for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. Sam takes us through his journey from playing AYSO in Santa Barbara to competing in Japan, rising through Bay Area clubs, and becoming a standout at UC Berkeley. He opens up about the challenges of balancing academics with soccer, navigating the MLS draft, and breaking into the league with Houston Dynamo. Sam also reflects on the unique experience of playing through the COVID-19

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52:23

Dr. Hillary Cauthen: Leading with Empathy in Sport

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/09/25

In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Dr. Hillary Cauthen — licensed clinical sport psychologist, author, and President-Elect of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology — we dive deeper into the culture of youth sports, the pressures athletes face, and the role coaches and parents play in creating safe, healthy environments. From the hidden costs of monetized youth sports, to the importance of leadership, to the fine line between resilience and burnout, Dr. Cauthen shares hard truths and

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52:23

Hello Trauma: Dr. Hilary Cauthen on Sports,...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/09/18

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we sit down with Dr. Hilary Cauthen — clinical sports psychologist, certified mental performance consultant, and author of Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate. Dr. Cauthen opens up about her journey as a competitive runner, her TEDx talk on the toxic culture of sport, and how trauma shows up in ways athletes, coaches, and parents often overlook.We dive into the invisible pressures athletes face — from injuries to fear of evaluation, from peer criticism to the

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01:05:52

Inspiring Athletes: The Art of Development at...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/09/11

Join Chat By The Pitch for an engaging conversation with Lana Van Deusen, Angel Cuevas, and Sebastian Östergren from Atlético Dallas Youth. These experienced leaders share their journeys, from military service to international coaching influences, and discuss what it takes to build a positive club culture in North Texas. They break down player development, retaining talent, fostering love for the game, and creating pathways for every level. Tune in for inspiring insights on mentoring young athletes,

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50:46

Atlético Dallas Youth: Building for the Future with...

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/09/04

Join Chat By The Pitch for an in-depth conversation with Brian Corcoran, Sporting Director of Atlético Dallas. Brian shares his journey from college and professional soccer to building a brand-new USL club in Dallas. He discusses the pivotal partnership with Renegades, creating youth-to-pro pathways, and laying the foundation for long-term community ties. From the vision of free academies to designing world-class facilities, Brian explains what it takes to grow the game in North Texas.Key Talking

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01:00:40

Coaching with Joy and Purpose – Tracey Leone’s Approach

Chat By The Pitch ·

2025/08/28

In Part Two of our Chat By The Pitch conversation with Tracey Leone—assistant coach for the University of North Carolina Women’s Soccer program, former U.S. Women’s National Team player, and 1991 World Cup champion—we dig deeper into her coaching philosophy, her experiences at the highest levels of the game, and the lessons she’s passing on to the next generation. Tracey shares stories from her time with the national team, the evolution of the women’s game, and why character and joy are just as

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155 results

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