World Cup Ep 1-Kick It 3v3 Soccer Podcast

World Cup Ep 1-Kick It 3v3 Soccer Podcast

Zico and Dan’s June 29 World Cup podcast focuses on how the tournament is being shaped by tactical evolution, North American momentum, cultural identity, and the need for deeper soccer commentary. The discussion opens with the U.S. Men’s National Team under Mauricio Pochettino, whose approach has brought a more aggressive, modern identity: high pressing, vertical attacking, quick transitions, patient buildup, and a clear focus on fitness and youth development. Dan and Zico contrast this with past U.S. teams that often played more reactively and lacked a defined style. The hosts highlight the U.S. team’s early goals, intensity in warm conditions, and ability to pressure opponents into mistakes. They also note smart squad management, including heavy use of substitutions to build depth, rest key players, and give bench players meaningful World Cup experience. Despite the progress, the U.S. still has clear weaknesses. Defensive transition remains the biggest concern, especially when players overcommit in the defensive third and leave gaps behind them. The hosts question how the back line will respond against elite forwards such as Mbappé or Harry Kane. They also emphasize that the team’s mentality must evolve from simply reaching the knockout rounds to believing it can make a much deeper run. A U.S. final or title run, Dan argues, would dramatically shift soccer culture in America. The episode also previews the North American picture. Canada, under Jesse Marsch, is praised for its aggressive pressing style, physicality, and strong round-of-16 performance after a tense 1-0 win over South Africa. The hosts view Canada as dangerous but still an underdog against higher-level opposition such as the Netherlands or Morocco. Mexico is recognized for winning its group with clean sheets, but the upcoming Ecuador match is framed as a difficult, physical test that could extend Mexico’s long quarterfinal drought. The U.S. matchup with Bosnia and Herzegovina is described as a tactical challenge, with Bosnia expected to defend compactly and counter through experienced striker Edin Džeko. A major theme is the cultural and historical context behind World Cup teams. Brazil vs. Japan is highlighted as more than a stylistic contrast between Brazilian flair and Japanese discipline. The hosts explain Brazil’s deep Japanese community, Zico’s influence on Japanese soccer, and the shared history behind technical ideas such as the Elastico. They also discuss how U.S. and Canadian teams reflect immigrant roots and diverse soccer influences, creating flexible, eclectic styles rather than one traditional national identity. Netherlands vs. Morocco is framed through shared heritage, with many Moroccan players born, raised, or developed in the Netherlands. Criticism of mainstream soccer commentary. Dan argues that many American broadcasts rely too heavily on generic terms like “in-swinger” & “out-swinger” without providing meaningful tactical insight. Zico adds that commentators often judge players without enough context, such as ignoring defensive work, team structure, or opponent quality. They argue that expanded World Cup fields create more underdog stories but also more uneven matches, making it even more important for analysts to explain tactics, history, player roles, and team identity clearly. Tactical details from current matches also stand out, including intentional kickoffs or long balls into defensive throw-ins near the opponent’s goal to trigger an immediate high press. The hosts see this as a clever way to disrupt rhythm, trap teams deep, and create early pressure. The podcast’s broader plan is to provide daily, succinct World Cup recaps and previews that combine match analysis with historical, cultural, and tactical storytelling. Dan and Zico position the show as a smarter alternative to surface-level coverage, built around Zico’s deep soccer knowledge and Dan’s ability to shape the conversation for fans who want more than scorelines and clichés.

Tito Ward/Ward Brothers Interview

Dan Stratford is joined by Zico and Tito for a raw and insightful conversation about growing up with soccer across Brazil, Canada, and the United States, the lessons learned from playing and coaching, and what it takes to develop better youth players. They discuss coaching philosophy, player motivation, technical development, the growth of soccer in America, and their predictions for the upcoming World Cup. In this episode, Dan Stratford sits down with longtime friends and soccer coaches Zico and Tito for a wide-ranging conversation about soccer, coaching, culture, and the lifelong lessons learned through the game. Tito shares his unique background growing up between Brazil, Canada, and the United States, including how soccer became a common language across cultures, from the Amazon to rural Manitoba. The conversation dives into Tito’s journey from player to coach, the influence of family and mentors, and the coaching philosophies that shaped his approach to youth development. Dan, Zico, and Tito discuss the importance of technical ability, decision-making, attention to detail, defensive organization, player motivation, and why coaching the youngest players can be one of the best ways to truly learn how to teach the game. They also explore the evolution of soccer in the United States, what still separates American players from the world’s top soccer cultures, and why passion, creativity, and self-driven development remain essential. The episode wraps with thoughts on the upcoming World Cup, Brazil’s chances, and the role that heat, talent, coaching, and a little bit of luck may play on the world stage.

Kick It 3v3 Soccer - The Amanda Pierson Episode

Today we are so excited we got to sit down with Amanda Pearson, the co-head coach of the Texas Spurs Women's team in the UPSL. Kick It 3v3 Soccer Podcast Transcripts [https://www.kickitsoccer.com/blogs-podcasts/https://www.kickitsoccer.com/blogs-podcasts/] She's a longtime youth club coach at the a and at the club's academy level. She used to coach for the Spurs. Now she still coaches the semi-pro team and she's also coaching for Dallas Surf. And we're they hosted a tournament for us this last summer. And the Spurs, or rather the surface hosting another tournament with us in a couple weeks coming up in December. But she has an amazing background, zko, and man, what a bottle of energy. Huh? Yeah, I've known Amanda, I'm gonna say for 15 years 15 years-ish. And, you just introduced her and she's got a title. The truth of the matter is she's way beyond the title really because as you guys will see today, the words that I use to describe her and you're gonna see it is eclectic and always growing. Always growing. She's one of these people who say, Hey, I'm better at 30 than I was at 20, and I'm better at 35 than I was at 30. And better being the, knowledge and everything. So what I also like is that she's a young version of you and I, because she's talking about all this experience and so much of it is, it fell into her lap. She had to step up and do it or nobody else would. And it's really neat. You get a lady who's so good for. Women's sports women's soccer and girls soccer. And she's coached guys and she's played with guys. Yes, ball of energy. Have your ears on and turn that off. Full speed because there's a lot said really quickly and Amanda brings the energy and she's a great friend.

Episode 3: Esse Baharmast – The Referee Who Made History | The Kick It Soccer Podcast |

In this episode, hosts Dan Stratford (Danny) and Zico sit down with Esse Baharmast — a true legend in the world of soccer refereeing. Known affectionately as “Esse”, he’s not just any referee. Esse has officiated multiple CONCACAF Gold Cups, the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, and even the first-ever MLS match and MLS Championship game. 🇺🇸⚽🌍 From his early days growing up in Missouri to his deep passion for Brazilian soccer, Esse’s story is filled with inspiration, insight, and behind-the-scenes moments from some of the most memorable matches in soccer history. Now based in Colorado, Esse continues to give back to the game — mentoring referees around the world and helping develop the next generation of officials right here in the U.S. 💬 In this episode, we cover: * Esse’s journey from player to world-class referee * What it was like to officiate at the FIFA World Cup * Stories from the first MLS game and championship * How refereeing has evolved over the years * His passion for mentoring and developing referees globally 🎧 Whether you’re a player, coach, or lifelong fan, this conversation will change how you see the game — from the man in the middle’s point of view.

Ep 2: Alan Jones Interview - Kick It 3v3 Soccer Podcast

we had, just an amazing interview yesterday and it was our, the first person we've interviewed on our podcastAlan Jones. I didn't realize his pedigree as much as I do now. And after that conversation, IWI, I felt wow, we were so lucky to have him as our first guest, a guest in, Just in general, right? So he was one of the, founding members of British soccer camps, which became challenger sports. he has been inducted to the Kansas Hall of Fame, which if you don't understand Kansas [00:03:00] City and you just think Kansas, you might think Wizard of Oz and all that stuff. but really in, in Kansas City, the powerhouse, a lot of the soccer there is on the Kansas side where I grew up. sadly because it's a more affluent, suburban area. And sadly, that's where it's where we tend to get our soccer players in the United States until people like Ellen Jones who are putting effort into getting into the inner city, overcoming this pay per play type of thing, and helping out kids who can't afford, where we can find talent that just isn't based on, how much money you have, so you can afford to play ECNL, right?So you can afford to play MLS one or what, whatever the case may be. So just an amazing, coach inducted into the Kansas Hall of Fame coach Matt Beasley. For the majority of his youth, I would say sounds like from about eight to 16 years old who played for the US National team and the KC Sporting. He also coached Seth Kovich, who, played for the KC Sporting.He was also one of my coaching mentors, even though he is only six years older than me. I was 19 or 20 when I met him. [00:04:00] getting to be taught, licensing programs, by him, getting to play with him on amateur teams and, coach for British soccer camp even in my early twenties, was great.He's a Welshman who came to the States. and his story just does a great job of showing what it was like to be an entrepreneurial soccer coach back in the late eighties and early nineties when a lot of us were trying to figure out how do we make a living and how do we build and grow soccer across the country