Over The Line

Turning Kids Into Soccer Players: The Vision Behind Vedral Soccer Academy

Vedral Soccer Academy is setting a new standard for elite youth soccer in the Dallas area — developing high-level players, refining established athletes, and building confident leaders through fast-paced, high-intensity training. In this episode of The Over the Line Podcast we sit down with Dillon Vedral — founder of Vedral Soccer Academy and former FC Dallas youth coach — to unpack his journey from player to coach, and how his commitment to youth development sparked the founding of Vedral Soccer Academy, with the goal of shaping players who thrive on and off the field. They explore what it means to “turn kids into soccer players,” diving into Dillon’s coaching philosophy, the traits that separate top-level athletes, and what U.S. soccer can learn from player-first environments. From technical growth to character development, this episode offers insight, strategy, and inspiration for anyone invested in the future of the game. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player — there’s something in this episode for you. Time Stamps: 01:13 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=73s] - 02:03 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=123s] — Dillon Vedral Introduction 02:03 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=123s] - 03:13 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=193s] — Vedral Soccer Academy: Turning Kids Into Soccer Players    03:13 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=193s] - 07:38 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=458s] — The Start of Dillon's Coaching Journey  07:38 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=458s] - 09:32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=572s] — Building Vedral Soccer Academy  09:32 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=572s] - 12:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=771s] — Why Coaching Is Personal  12:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=771s] - 16:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=965s] — What Separates Top Players from the Rest  16:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=965s] - 19:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1180s] — The Reality of Professional Soccer: Sacrifices and Mental Fortitude  19:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1180s] - 21:27 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1287s] — The Mentality Difference at the Top Levels  21:27 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1287s] - 24:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1479s] — Lessons from Top MLS Players  24:39 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1479s] - 27:46 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1666s] — Coaching at FC Dallas Youth Academy  27:46 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1666s] - 32:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1940s] — How U.S. Soccer Can Improve Youth Development  32:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=1940s] - 34:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=2063s] — The Future of U.S. Soccer Talent  34:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=2063s] - 39:14 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=2354s] — Lessons from Running Vedral Soccer Academy  39:14 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=2354s] - 44:59 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=2699s] — The 10-Year Vision for Vedral Soccer Academy  44:59 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=2699s] - 48:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=2897s] — Translating Skills from Training to Games  48:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=2897s] - 51:33 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=3093s] — Advice for Young Players and Their Parents  51:33 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWcVstfUnO4&t=3093s] - End — Where to find Vedral Soccer Academy & Closing remarks

Developing Players the Right Way | Over The Line Podcast ft. Bryan de la Fuente

In this episode of the Over The Line Podcast, we sit down with Bryan de la Fuente — former professional player and now a youth coach working to shift the culture of American soccer. From his days at Chivas USA to his coaching work in Las Vegas, Bryan brings a unique perspective on the U.S. soccer landscape, what’s broken, and how we can fix it. We cover everything from the chaos of youth soccer leagues, the overemphasis on winning, and the lack of technical foundation in early development — to what parents should actually be looking for when choosing a club. Bryan also shares his coaching philosophy, why long-term development matters more than short-term trophies, and how to keep young players engaged and progressing through the ages. If you’re a parent, coach, or player trying to navigate the U.S. soccer system, this episode is for you. Timestamps: 01:13 - Introduction and Background of Bryan de la Fuente 03:14 - Differences Between Chivas USA Academy and MLS Youth Systems 08:14 - Challenges and Changes in Youth Soccer Leagues 11:60 → 12:00 - Bryan's Journey into Coaching 20:17 - Balancing Development and Team Results 26:06 - The Importance of Technical Foundation 33:51 - Development vs. Results at Different Ages 50:13 - Parental Advice for Choosing a Soccer Club 56:02 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Building a Soccer Culture: ViaFooty’s Mission to Bring Community & Creativity to U.S. Soccer

In this episode of Over The Line Podcast, we explore the intersection of street soccer, professional player development, and the current state of the U.S. soccer system. We start with a conversation about ViaFooty, a growing street soccer brand dedicated to bringing creativity and flair back to the game. We dive into their mission, the importance of unstructured play, and how street soccer can create more dynamic and skillful players. From there, we shift into an in-depth discussion with two professional soccer players, breaking down their personal journeys through the U.S. soccer system—from youth development to the professional ranks. They share their thoughts on the challenges of youth soccer, the pay-to-play system, the lack of creativity in American player development, and what needs to change for the U.S. to compete at the highest level. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - Talking about ViaFooty 14:45 - Creativity and flair in U.S. soccer—why it’s lacking and robotic 23:00 - Current state of soccer in the U.S. 24:30 - The importance of 1-on-1 training sessions 30:00 - The business of U.S. youth soccer vs. the European system 32:30 - Individual development in club soccer—why I do what I do 34:30 - Issues with U.S. soccer at the professional level 43:00 - Where does college soccer fit in? 45:00 - How can we fix U.S. soccer? What is our goal as a country? 48:00 - The more opportunities, the better 51:00 - Advice for a 12-year-old dreaming of becoming a professional What do you think? Does the U.S. need more street soccer-style training to develop top-level talent? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

Beyond the Bright Lights: Ron Gilmore on Lower-Division Soccer’s Role in U.S. Development

In this episode of Over the Line, we sit down with Ron Gilmore, founder of Stadia Sports & Event Management, to explore the ever-evolving landscape of lower-division soccer in the U.S.. From the rise of USL Championship and MLS Next Pro to the challenges of youth development and player pathways, Ron shares his firsthand insights into how the system can be improved to create more opportunities for players at every level. We discuss the regionalization of talent, the financial burden of youth travel, and why lower-division clubs play a critical role in shaping the future of American soccer. Ron also dives into the NCAA’s potential changes, the importance of structured career pathways for players post-retirement, and what truly defines a successful soccer club. If you're passionate about player development, grassroots soccer, and fixing the gaps in U.S. Soccer’s structure, this episode is a must-listen. Time Stamps 0:00 - 1:13 | Intro 1:13 - 2:43 | Introduction of Ron Gilmore and his career highlights 2:43 - 6:03 | Founding Stadia Sports & Event Management 6:03 - 7:58 | The challenges and growth of lower-division soccer in the U.S. 7:58 - 11:48 | Changes in the USL Championship and league structure 11:48 - 15:53 | Growth of MLS Next Pro and development opportunities 15:53 - 20:03 | The evolving role of youth academies in U.S. soccer 20:03 - 24:23 | Regionalization of talent and youth travel challenges 24:23 - 30:13 | The NCAA’s potential changes for collegiate soccer 30:13 - 35:23 | Career pathways for professional players post-retirement 35:23 - 39:53 | Key attributes of successful soccer clubs 39:53 - 44:13 | Developing youth players and the challenges of non-MLS-affiliated clubs 44:13 - 48:13 | The importance of January camps for U.S. Soccer 48:13 - 54:43 | Advice for parents with aspiring soccer players 54:43 - 58:03 | How to choose the right club for young players 58:03 - End | Closing remarks and reflections on the future of U.S. soccer

Saving U.S. Youth Soccer: Kyle Wilson’s Mission to Put Players First

In this episode of Over the Line, we sit down with Kyle Wilson, a passionate advocate for saving U.S. soccer for the players and the founder of Beast Residency in Florida—an elite development program designed to provide young athletes with the right environment to reach their full potential. Kyle shares his insights on the systemic flaws, parental influence, and the lack of long-term player investment that hinder young athletes in the U.S. We explore the role of coaching education, the importance of early development, and how initiatives like Beast Residency are paving the way for holistic, high-level training environments. Kyle also offers valuable advice for parents navigating the soccer landscape and explains why going "all in" on a child's dream is crucial for success. If you're a parent, coach, or aspiring player, this episode is packed with honest insights and actionable takeaways to help you understand what it truly takes to develop elite talent in the U.S. Time Stamps: [0:00:00 - 0:01:16] Podcast Intro [0:01:16 - 0:01:43] Kyle's Intro and Welcome [0:01:43 - 0:05:24] Kyle's Mission to Save US Youth Soccer [0:05:24 - 0:07:23] Challenges in the US Youth Soccer System [0:07:23 - 0:09:55] Parental Influence and Systemic Flaws [0:09:55 - 0:12:20] The Importance of Early Development [0:12:20 - 0:22:10] Individual Development vs Team Success [0:22:10 - 0:23:25] Where Does Kyle's Passion Come From [0:23:25 - 0:31:10] The Impact of Pickup Culture and Creativity [0:31:10 - 0:33:15] The Mental Aspect of Soccer [0:33:15 - 0:38:30] Addressing the Lack of Coaching Education [0:38:30 - 0:42:25] Division of Current US Youth System [0:42:25 - 0:45:00] We Should be Putting the Kids First [0:45:00 - 0:47:00] Grand Vision for Beast Residency [0:47:00 - 0:48:25] Successes and Challenges of Beast Residency [0:48:25 - 0:53:35] Advice for Parents and Children Aiming for Pro  [0:53:35 - 0:55:14] Podcast Outro