The Soccer Ladder with Li & Me

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

Episode 32 | Dr Marc Bubbs (Performance Nutritionist, ProBio Nutrition)

A conversation on fueling youth athletes, building longevity, and mastering the fundamentals of performance. Hosts Megan Liam About This Episode In Episode 32 of The Soccer Ladder, we’re joined by Dr Marc Bubbs (@Drbubbs), a performance nutritionist working with professional and Olympic athletes across elite sport, including @canadabasketball, @usmnt, and @underarmour. With over 20 years of experience, Dr Marc Bubbs breaks down what truly matters when it comes to fueling development, recovery, and long-term performance — especially for young athletes navigating today’s demanding schedules.  From under-fueling and match day nutrition to supplements, habits, and cutting through online noise — this episode is a masterclass for players and parents alike. In This Episode *  Dr Marc Bubbs’ journey from athlete to elite performance nutritionist  *  What surprised him most inside professional team environments  *  Why nutrition and recovery weren’t always prioritized in sport  *  The biggest fueling mistake youth athletes make today  *  Why under-fueling is more common than people think  *  How busy schedules impact youth athlete nutrition  *  Smart snack strategies for pre-training and post-training  *  The difference between fast vs slow carbohydrates (and why it matters)  *  Simple, effective fueling ideas for tight time windows  *  What separates athletes who last 10–15 years  *  Why patterns and habits outperform short-term strategies  *  How to properly fuel on match day (timeline + structure)  *  Growth spurts and what parents need to know nutritionally  *  The role of protein, carbs, and total energy intake  *  Supplements: what actually matters vs what’s noise  *  How to filter misinformation in today’s nutrition landscape  *  The importance of sleep, recovery, and consistency  *  Why fundamentals still drive 80–90% of performance results  *  Inside ProBio Nutrition and how it supports athlete health  Key Takeaways ✔ Most young athletes are under-fueling, not overeating ✔ Total daily energy intake is the foundation of performance ✔ Fast carbs are critical around training and games ✔ Consistency beats perfection — build patterns, not quick fixes ✔ You don’t need trends — you need fundamentals ✔ Sleep, nutrition, and habits drive long-term success ✔ The best athletes master the basics repeatedly Notable Mentions *  Canada Basketball  *  U.S. Men’s National Team  *  Under Armour  *  Elite athletes across multiple sports  *  Youth athlete development systems  Connect Dr Marc Bubbs  📸 Instagram: @Drbubbs  🌐 Website: www.drbubbs.com [http://www.drbubbs.com] ProBio Nutrition  🌐 Website: www.drbubbs.com [http://www.drbubbs.com] (Co-Founder @probionutrition) 🎙 Hosted by @meganlinkeofficial & @liamlinke18  🎧Listen now on The Soccer Ladder

Episode 31 | Jozy Altidore (USMNT Veteran, Sogility)

A conversation on development, pressure, longevity, and building the next generation of players. Hosts Megan  Liam About This Episode In Episode 31 of The Soccer Ladder, we are joined by Jozy Altidore (@jozyaltidore) — a U.S. Men’s National Team veteran who signed professionally at just 16 and built a career across Europe and MLS. Now stepping into a new chapter, Jozy Altidore is focused on developing the next generation through @Sogility and @SogilityGO, bringing technology-driven training into the modern game. From early development and pressure, to parenting, longevity, and the future of soccer training — this episode is packed with real, honest insight for players and families navigating the game today.  In This Episode *  What coaches saw in Jozy Altidore at just 16 years old  *  The reality of kids signing younger and the importance of balance  *  How to manage intense training schedules at a young age  *  Why letting kids still be kids is critical in development  *  Jozy’s perspective as both a former pro and a parent  *  What academy players misunderstand about the pro pathway  *  Why being a good person and teammate matters just as much as talent  *  The moment pressure first felt real in his career  *  The difference between pressure that builds vs. breaks a player  *  Why there are multiple pathways to success in soccer  *  Lessons from playing in Europe and adapting to new environments  *  What actually creates long professional careers  *  The importance of being a well-rounded player and teammate  *  Why sleep, recovery, and rest are essential for performance  *  Inside @Sogility — technology-driven player development  *  How @SogilityGO is changing at-home training  *  The role of data and AI in modern soccer development  *  Why unstructured play and creativity still matter  Key Takeaways ✔ Talent gets attention — character and adaptability build careers  ✔ Balance is everything in youth development  ✔ Pressure should develop players, not overwhelm them  ✔ Being a great teammate extends your career  ✔ Recovery, sleep, and stretching are non-negotiable  ✔ Technology is shaping the future of training — but creativity still wins Notable Mentions *  Jozy Altidore — USMNT Veteran  *  Red Bulls / MetroStars development pathway  *  U.S. Youth National Team system  *  European club experience (Spain)  *  Sogility training ecosystem  Connect Jozy Altidore  📸 Instagram: @jozyaltidore Sogility:  📸 Instagram: @sogility  ⚽ Technology-Driven Soccer Training  #TrainDifferentGetBetter For more on Sogility: www.sogility.com SogilityGO:  📸 Instagram: @SogilityGO  📱 Interactive app + smart rebounder  🏠 Train at home For more on SogilityGO:  www.sogilitygo.com 🎙 Hosted by @meganlinkeofficial & @liamlinke18  🎧 Listen now on The Soccer Ladder

Episode 30 | Jesús Pérez (USMNT Assistant Coach)

A behind-the-scenes look at elite preparation, mindset, and what young players can learn from the highest level of the game.  About This Episode In Episode 30 of The Soccer Ladder, we are joined by Jesús Pérez (@jpp_71), assistant coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team (@usmnt) and longtime collaborator of head coach Mauricio Pochettino (@pochettino). With the next World Cup on the horizon, Jesús Pérez shares what elite tournament preparation truly looks like behind the scenes — and why this U.S. team genuinely believes it can compete to win it. From passion and commitment at the highest level to youth development, parenting advice, and the importance of unstructured play, this episode delivers a powerful perspective for players and families navigating today’s game. In This Episode * How Jesús Pérez transitioned from aspiring player to elite coach * The impact of sports science on his coaching philosophy * What makes his 15-year partnership with Mauricio Pochettino work * What fans don’t see during major tournament preparation * Why no one truly knows the final roster until the last moment * The two qualities Jesús Pérez values most in USMNT players: passion + commitment * How to reduce the gap between your best version and your worst version * The potential impact of hosting a World Cup in the U.S. * Advice for 12–15-year-old players dreaming of the national team * Why staying close to family matters during early development * Honest thoughts on rushing careers and early moves abroad * Clear advice for parents: be a parent, not the coach * Winning vs. development — and why competitive mentality still matters * Why young players should stop worrying about money * Why kids need more unstructured, free play * Rapid fire: the one word that defines a World Cup player Key Takeaways ✔ Passion and commitment separate elite players ✔Consistency matters more than occasional brilliance ✔Stay close to family during foundational years ✔Free play builds creativity that structured training cannot ✔Parents should support — not coach from the sidelines ✔Winning and development can coexist Connect Jesús Pérez  📸 Instagram: @jpp_71 U.S. Men’s National Team  📸 Instagram: @usmnt Mauricio Pochettino  📸 Instagram: @pochettino 🎙 Hosted by @meganlinkeofficial & @liamlinke18  🎧 Listen now on The Soccer Ladder