4TheFutbol: Inside Soccer w/ Uri Rosell

How Soccer Creators Are Changing MLS and the World Cup

The way people experience soccer is changing fast. Fans aren’t only getting their football from TV broadcasts anymore. They’re getting it from creators filming outside stadiums, reacting during matches, arguing in comment sections, and documenting the culture around the game in real time. Eli Lesser and El Soccer Guy sit down with Uri Rosell to talk about what soccer content creation actually looks like behind the scenes, how MLS fans consume the game today, and why creators are becoming part of the sport’s growth in the United States. This conversation goes way beyond social media clips. Uri, Eli, and El Soccer Guy talk about the pressure of posting during live matches, turning soccer content into a career, balancing fandom with work, and why the 2026 World Cup could completely change soccer culture in America. They also break down where MLS stands globally, the future of soccer media, and how creators are filling gaps traditional broadcasters still miss. Eli Lesser built his audience by covering MLS, supporter culture, transfer news, and the stories shaping soccer in the United States. What started as graphics during high school turned into a full-time career and a growing voice in American soccer media. El Soccer Guy grew through humor, fan interviews, skits, and matchday content centered around LAFC, Liga MX, and soccer culture across North America. His content mixes personality, fandom, and real matchday experiences that connect with younger fans. You'll Hear: * Why speed matters more than ever in soccer content creation * How MLS rivalry culture fuels engagement online * The reality of making content during games instead of enjoying them as fans * What creators sacrifice behind the scenes to build an audience * Why both guests believe the 2026 World Cup is a turning point for soccer in the U.S. * The difference between growing slowly and going viral overnight * How brand deals actually work for soccer creators * Why MLS has become more exciting for younger fans than Liga MX * The dream projects both creators still want to build * Their honest predictions for the USMNT at the World Cup If you love soccer culture, MLS, the World Cup, or you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a career around the game online, this episode is for you. From creators and fans to players and future media personalities, there’s something here for anyone passionate about where soccer is heading next in the U.S. Follow 4TheFutbol on social media @4TheFutbol for more behind-the-scenes content, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow [https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow]

Lauren Sesselmann on World Cup, Olympics, Concussions and ACL

Lauren Sesselmann’s career was never supposed to happen. She grew up in Wisconsin, got told “no” at every level, made almost no money early in her pro career, then fought her way onto Canada’s national team and won an Olympic bronze medal. But this conversation goes way beyond football. Lauren opens up about tearing her ACL before the World Cup, dealing with severe concussions, battling depression after a public mistake on the world stage, and how she rebuilt her life after the game. This is a real conversation about what it actually costs to become a professional player. The sacrifices, the pressure, the locker room moments people never see, and the mental side of competing at the highest level. Uri and Lauren also talk about the growth of the women’s game, the early days of the NWSL, Kansas City soccer culture, retirement, identity after football, and why helping young players matters so much to her now. Lauren Sesselmann represented Canada at the Olympics and FIFA Women’s World Cup, earning more than 40 caps and helping Canada win Olympic bronze. Originally a striker, she reinvented herself as a defender after joining the national team under John Herdman. Since retiring, she’s built a second career in media, hosting, acting, stunt work, and content creation while mentoring young players around the world and working on football development projects across multiple countries. You’ll Hear: * Why she almost quit soccer before her very first youth practice * The moment a coach called her out as the hardest worker on the team in front of everyone * What it was really like making $600 a month as a professional player * How she switched from striker to left back at her first Canada camp * The dark period after her ACL injury, concussions, and World Cup criticism * Stories from the early Kansas City NWSL days alongside Sporting KC * Why she believes women’s football is finally entering a new era For soccer fans, athletes, and anyone chasing a dream while fighting through setbacks, pressure, or self doubt. If you’ve ever wondered what life at the highest level of football really feels like, on and off the pitch, this conversation is for you. Follow 4TheFutbol on social media @4TheFutbol for more behind-the-scenes content, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow [https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow]

From PES Edits to Shaping Football Manager at SEGA | Robbye Ron’s Journey

He left Ecuador at 17 with two bags and no English, landing in small-town America before finding his way into football through gaming. Robbye Ron didn’t become a pro player. He became part of the system shaping how millions experience the game through PES, Konami, and now SEGA’s Football Manager. This is a conversation between two people who lived football differently but still ended up inside it. Uri Rosell, former MLS midfielder and Barça academy player, sits down with Robbye to connect the pitch to the digital world running alongside it. They talk about early PES editing communities, YouTube uploads filmed off TV screens, and how online football gaming created friendships across continents. Robbye also shares stories involving Nicolás Tagliafico, Memo Ochoa, and how Football Manager data connects to real scouting decisions inside clubs. You'll Hear: * How Robbye Ron went from Ecuador to Iowa and into football gaming and community building * The early PES editing and YouTube era that built a global Spanish speaking fan base * Why Football Manager data is referenced in real scouting conversations * Stories with Tagliafico and Memo Ochoa reacting to their in-game ratings * How esports and football gaming communities mirror real locker rooms For anyone who grew up playing football games, follows how real clubs use data and scouting tools, or wants to understand how football culture now lives equally on the pitch and inside gaming communities that shape the modern game. Follow 4TheFutbol on social media @4TheFutbol for more behind-the-scenes content, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow [https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow]

MLS, Bachelor & River Plate: Juan Pablo Galavis & Jonathan La Rosa

Football careers don’t end the way players expect. One day you’re inside a locker room, the next you’re figuring out what comes next. This conversation brings together two very different exits from the game and what followed after. Juan Pablo Galavis went from professional football in the US and Venezuela into media, music, and eventually becoming a global TV figure on The Bachelor. Jonathan La Rosa built his path inside River Plate, moving from player to coach to leading methodology across one of South America’s most respected academies. Uri Rosell sits with both to talk about the shift most players face, leaving football, rebuilding identity, and learning how to operate in completely different worlds while still staying connected to the game. A conversation about life after football and the different roads players take once their career stops. From River Plate’s academy system to MLS and entertainment, this is about structure, pressure, and adapting when the game changes direction. Uri brings a player’s perspective into a conversation with two guests who lived both the professional and post-career reality in very different ways. Juan Pablo Galavis is a former professional footballer who played in the United States and Venezuela before moving into entertainment and media. His career later expanded into music, artist management, and global television. Jonathan La Rosa is an ex-professional player turned River Plate methodology director. He works across youth development, coaching structure, and building a unified playing identity across all academy levels at River Plate. You’ll hear: * Why Jonathan La Rosa believes River Plate’s academy model starts with a shared playing identity across every age group * How River prepares teenagers for the jump from youth football to playing in front of 90,000 fans * Juan Pablo Galavis on leaving football early and rebuilding his career in entertainment and music * What The Bachelor taught Juan Pablo about media, narrative, and public perception * How MLS, South American football, and youth development are evolving in different directions For players, coaches, and football fans who want to understand what it really takes to make it in the game and what life looks like once the boots come off. Follow 4TheFutbol on social media @4TheFutbol for more behind-the-scenes content, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow [https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow]

How Inter Miami Built the Messi Dream, Xavier Asensi’s Vision

Few people have had a front-row seat to soccer’s biggest transformations quite like Xavier Asensi. From building FC Barcelona’s commercial presence in Asia & later becoming the CCO to helping shape Inter Miami’s rise into a global club, his story sits right at the intersection of soccer, business, and vision. This conversation goes inside the decisions, pressure, and long-term thinking that changed the course of MLS. Uri sits down with Xavier Asensi, Inter Miami’s Chief Business Officer, for a real conversation about how clubs grow beyond the pitch. They talk about leadership, building culture across continents, working with David Beckham and Jorge Mas, and the strategy that made Messi to Miami a real possibility long before it happened. Because Uri has lived the pro game himself, this conversation goes deeper than headlines. It gets into what players, clubs, and executives actually think about when building something that lasts. Born in Sabadell (Barcelona) and shaped by years working across Asia, Xavier Asensi built FC Barcelona’s Asia-Pacific business from the ground up, taking it from zero to more than €75 million in annual revenue. He later returned to Barcelona as Chief Commercial Officer before joining Inter Miami in 2020. At Inter Miami, Xavier has been a key figure in the club’s growth, from major sponsorship deals and long-term infrastructure planning to the club’s most historic move, bringing Lionel Messi to MLS. You’ll Hear * How Xavier helped grow Barcelona’s Asia business from 0 to €75M * Why he left Barça for the Inter Miami project * What it’s really like working with David Beckham and Jorge Mas * The long-term strategy behind bringing Messi to Miami * How Inter Miami planned commercially for a possible Messi signing years in advance * The vision behind Miami Freedom Park and the club’s future after Messi For soccer fans, players, coaches, and anyone curious about what it really takes to build a world-class football club, from the locker room to the boardroom. Follow 4TheFutbol on social media @4TheFutbol for more behind-the-scenes content, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow [https://youtube.com/@4TheFutbolShow]