The Soccer Ladder with Li & Me

Episode 37: Lou Ruffien — From the French National Team to Harvard Soccer

In Episode 37 of The Soccer Ladder, Megan and Liam sit down with Lou Ruffien, French Youth National Team player, Paris FC academy standout, and incoming Harvard Women's Soccer student-athlete. After representing France at the UEFA U-17 European Championship and FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, Lou shares what it's really like to compete at the highest levels of youth soccer, adapt to life in Europe, and prepare for the next chapter at Harvard. She also opens up about resilience, mental performance, and the lessons she's learned through both triumphs and setbacks.  In this episode, we discuss:  ⚽ Representing France at the U-17 Euros and FIFA U-17 World Cup ⚽ Choosing Harvard over a professional contract ⚽ The differences between academy soccer and international football ⚽ The importance of versatility and adapting to new positions ⚽ How mental coaching transformed her confidence and consistency ⚽ What French coaches value most in young players ⚽ Balancing pressure, setbacks, and confidence ⚽ Why surrounding yourself with the right people matters ⚽ Advice for young girls pursuing high-level soccer ⚽ Her goals of playing professionally and representing France's senior national team  Follow:  📲 Lou Ruffien: @lou.ruffien11 📲 Paris FC Féminines: @parisfc_feminines 📲 Harvard Women's Soccer: @harvardwsoccer Follow The Soccer Ladder: 📲 Instagram: @meganlinkeofficial 📲 Instagram: @liamlinke18 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with elite players, coaches, and leaders shaping the future of the game. ⚽️🔥

Episode 36: Matteo Masucci — Building Better Players Through Development, Mindset & Innovation

In Episode 36 of The Soccer Ladder, Megan and Liam sit down with Matteo Masucci, founder of Juventus Academy Los Angeles, entrepreneur, coach, and creator of innovative AI-powered coaching technology. Born and raised in Italy, Matteo shares his journey from professional soccer and sports science to building one of the premier youth development environments in the United States alongside Alessandro Del Piero. He offers valuable insight into player development, technical training, decision-making, and what today's players and parents should really be focusing on.  In this episode we discuss: ⚽ The biggest differences between European and American youth soccer ⚽ Why individual development should come before team trophies ⚽ What players ages 12–15 should focus on during key growth years ⚽ The impact of physical growth on coordination and performance ⚽ Why technical skills should be developed before soccer IQ ⚽ What defines a strong midfielder in today's game ⚽ Common mistakes ambitious soccer parents make ⚽ The importance of 1v1 play and shooting development ⚽ How neuroscience influences player decision-making ⚽ The future of AI in coaching and player development Learn more: ⚽ Juventus Academy Los Angeles 📲 Instagram: @juventusacademyla ⚽ Zone360 AI 📲 Instagram: @zone360.ai Follow: 📲 Matteo Masucci: @Matteo_masu 📲 Juventus Academy Los Angeles: @juventusacademyla 📲 Juventus Academy Phoenix: @juventusacademyphoenix 📲 Layout HM MLS Next: @layouthmlsnext 📲 Zone360 AI: @zone360.ai 📲 Alessandro Del Piero: @alessandrodelpiero 📲 N10 Los Angeles: @n10losangeles Follow The Soccer Ladder: 📲 Instagram: @meganlinkeofficial 📲 Instagram: @liamlinke18 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with elite players, coaches, and leaders shaping the future of the game. ⚽️🔥

Episode 35: Tab Ramos — World Cups, Youth Development, & The Future of American Soccer

In Episode 35 of The Soccer Ladder, Megan and Liam sit down with soccer legend Tab Ramos. A three-time FIFA World Cup player, Olympian, former U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team Head Coach, and MLS Head Coach, Tab shares lessons from decades at the highest levels of the game. In this episode we discuss: ⚽ Playing in three FIFA World Cups ⚽ What players ages 12–15 should focus on right now ⚽ Why technical ability and ball mastery still matter most ⚽ The realities of pay-to-play soccer ⚽ Early vs. late developers ⚽ What separates elite midfielders from everyone else ⚽ Expectations for the United States at the next World Cup ⚽ The vision behind the U.S. National Soccer School Learn more: ⚽ U.S. National Soccer School Goalkeeper Talent Identification Events https://www.usnationalsoccerschool.com/talent-identification-events ⁠U.S. National Soccer School Goalkeeper Talent Identification Events⁠ ⚽ U.S. National Soccer School Follow: ⁠U.S. National Soccer School Official Website⁠ 📲 Instagram: @tabramosofficial 📲 Inside American Soccer: @insideamericansoccer https://www.usnationalsoccerschool.com/ Follow The Soccer Ladder: 📲 Instagram: @meganlinkeofficial 📲 Instagram: @liamlinke18 🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with elite players, coaches, and leaders shaping the future of the game.

Episode 34 | Janine Willis (Soccer in the Streets)

A conversation on access, opportunity, and using soccer to change communities. Hosts Megan Liam About This Episode In Episode 34 of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Janine Willis, former Canadian Women’s National Team player and Board of Directors member for Soccer in the Streets (@soccerstreets). From her journey playing at Princeton and with the Canadian National Team to now helping lead one of the most impactful soccer nonprofits in the country, Janine shares how soccer can become a vehicle for access, mobility, mentorship, and community transformation. We dive into Atlanta’s pay-to-play challenges, youth development, mental health, social-emotional learning, and how Soccer in the Streets is creating safe spaces where every child can thrive.  In This Episode *  Janine Willis’ journey from Canada to the collegiate and national team level  *  Growing up playing on boys teams due to limited girls infrastructure  *  Playing Division I soccer at Princeton University  *  Transitioning from soccer into law school and life after sport  *  Why identity outside of soccer matters for young athletes  *  The realities of pay-to-play and the participation gap in youth soccer  *  Why Atlanta ranks among the highest in income inequality  *  How Soccer in the Streets is using soccer to create opportunity  *  Inside the organization’s “Station Soccer” initiative near MARTA transit stations  *  How public transportation access impacts youth participation  *  Bringing soccer directly into underserved schools and communities  *  The importance of social-emotional learning in youth sports  *  Trauma-informed coaching and mentorship  *  Opening circles, closing circles, and teaching values like grit and joy  *  Creating pathways beyond playing through referee and coaching development  *  Building community ecosystems through soccer programming  Key Takeaways ✔ Soccer should be accessible to every child  ✔ Development is about building the whole person, not just the player  ✔ Identity outside of sport matters for long-term well-being  ✔ Community and mentorship can change the trajectory of a child’s life  ✔ The game can create economic and social mobility when barriers are removed Notable Mentions: *  Princeton University  *  Canadian Women’s National Team  *  MARTA transit system in Atlanta  *  Station Soccer initiative  *  Social-emotional learning in sports  *  Pay-to-play barriers in youth soccer  Connect: Soccer in the Streets [https://www.soccerstreets.org/] 📸 Instagram: @soccerstreets Nonprofit organization equipping Atlanta’s youth through soccer programming, building connections, and providing safe spaces where every child can thrive. 🎙 Hosted by @meganlinkeofficial & @liamlinke18  🎧 Listen now on The Soccer Ladder

Episode 33 | Jose Angulo (New York Cosmos, USL MVP)

A conversation on player pathways, local talent, and building the next generation through community. Hosts Megan  Liam About This Episode In Episode 33 of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Jose Angulo (@j_angulo), Scout and Manager of Youth Partnerships for the New York Cosmos (@nycosmos). A North Jersey native from Paterson, Jose Angulo’s journey through the local soccer scene led him to a professional career — where he was named USL Championship MVP. Today, he’s giving back to the game by identifying talent, building pathways, and strengthening relationships between clubs and communities across New Jersey. We also touch on the legacy of Pelé (@pele) and the lasting impact the Cosmos brand has had on the global game. In This Episode *  Jose Angulo’s journey from Paterson, NJ to the professional level  *  What it takes to stand out in the New Jersey soccer landscape  *  The transition from player to scout and youth development leader  *  How the New York Cosmos identify and develop talent  *  The importance of local pipelines and community relationships  *  What scouts are actually looking for in young players  *  Why exposure alone isn’t enough — and what really separates players  *  The role of mindset, consistency, and coachability  *  How youth clubs can better connect with higher-level opportunities  *  The balance between development and competition  *  The long-term vision for soccer growth in North Jersey  Key Takeaways ✔ Your environment matters — but your habits matter more  ✔ Exposure doesn’t guarantee opportunity — preparation does  ✔ Relationships in soccer open doors  ✔ Development pathways are not one-size-fits-all  ✔ The best players are consistent, coachable, and disciplined Notable Mentions *  New York Cosmos legacy and global impact  *  Pelé’s influence on the club and the sport  *  Growth of soccer in North Jersey  *  Youth-to-pro development pathways  Connect Jose Angulo  📸 Instagram: @j_angulo New York Cosmos  📸 Instagram: @nycosmos  🔗 https://t.mtrbio.com/nycosmos [https://t.mtrbio.com/nycosmos] 🔗 www.nycsomos.com Pelé  📸 Instagram: @pele  🔗 www.pelebrand.com [http://www.pelebrand.com] 🎙 Hosted by @meganlinkeofficial & @liamlinke18  🎧 Listen now on The Soccer Ladder