Jason Sacks on Changing the Culture of Youth Sports

Jason Sacks on Changing the Culture of Youth Sports

In this episode of Offside in the Bay, Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban sit down with Jason Sacks of the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to discuss youth sports culture, positive coaching, burnout, mental health, and the future of soccer development in America. Guest Jason Sacks has spent nearly 20 years helping coaches, parents, and organizations create healthier sports environments through the Positive Coaching Alliance. Episode Highlights [00:00:30] Introducing Jason Sacks [00:13:22] Emotional control for parents and coaches [00:24:35] Why kids need more free play [00:42:46] Coaching with empathy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

From MLS to Equity — Reimagining Youth Soccer with Matt Fondy

Former MLS striker and USL MVP Matt Fondy joins Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban to share his journey from professional soccer to community impact in Oakland. After navigating the highs and lows of a pro career—open tryouts, contracts, releases, and resilience—Matt found a new purpose off the field. Through his nonprofit, Oakland Genesis, he’s working to dismantle the pay-to-play model by providing free access to elite soccer, transportation, and academic support for underserved youth. This episode explores how soccer can be more than a game—it can be a vehicle for opportunity, education, and social change. Guest: Matt Fondy - Former MLS striker & USL MVP - Bay Area native (Foster City) - Founder of Oakland Genesis - Focused on equity and youth development through soccer Episode Highlights [00:00] From Pro Soccer to Purpose [05:00] Falling in Love with the Game [12:00] The Reality of Going Pro [20:00] Highs, Lows & Career Turning Points [26:00] Rethinking the Game [30:00] Building Oakland Genesis [33:00] The Three Pillars [38:00] Real Impact [42:00] Challenges & Growth [45:00] The Future of U.S. Soccer Why This Conversation Matters Youth soccer in the U.S. is increasingly expensive—and increasingly exclusive. Matt Fondy is proving there’s another way. By treating soccer as a public good rather than a private luxury, Oakland Genesis is opening doors for the next generation—on and off the field. Connect with Us Offside in the Bay https://www.ktvu.com/tag/podcasts/offside-in-the-bay Claudine Wong Facebook & Instagram: ClaudineWongKTVU TikTok: ClaudineKTVU YouTube: ClaudineWong Alex Lobban Instagram: @thealexlobban Matt Fondy & Oakland Genesis Website: https://www.oaklandgenesis.org/ Instagram: @oaklandgenesis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

The Winding Path to the Pros with Jordan Jeslova

In this episode, Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban sit down with former professional soccer player Jordan Jeslova to explore a journey that was anything but linear. From falling in love with the game at just three years old to competing at Santa Clara University and reaching the professional level, Jordan’s story is one of passion, resilience, and determination. But it is also shaped by injuries, setbacks, and difficult decisions that ultimately led her to redefine her relationship with the game. Now, Jordan is building something new through the Neighborhood Sports Club in Oakland—creating a space centered on community, inclusivity, and bringing the joy back to soccer. Guest Jordan Jeslova - Former Division I athlete at Santa Clara University - Played professionally with OL Reign (NWSL) and Stabæk (Norway) - Youth National Team experience - Co-founder of Neighborhood Sports Club (Oakland) Episode Highlights [00:00:28] Early beginnings and growing up in a soccer family [00:05:00] The importance of watching the game and self-practice [00:08:31] Role models and early development [00:13:09] A coaching experience that nearly led her to quit [00:14:26] Finding the right environment and support system [00:19:47] Recruiting journey and choosing Santa Clara [00:24:41] ACL injury and the mental toll of recovery [00:27:20] Staying connected to the team during rehab [00:31:36] Health challenges before entering the professional level [00:33:08] Playing abroad and facing additional injuries [00:33:56] Making the decision to step away from playing [00:35:30] Why every athlete’s path is unique [00:36:50] Rediscovering love for the game [00:39:53] Founding Neighborhood Sports Club [00:43:16] Creating inclusive soccer spaces for all levels Key Takeaways - There is no single or perfect path to becoming a professional athlete - Passion and self-driven effort are essential to long-term success - Coaching and environment play a critical role in development - Injuries require both physical and mental resilience - The game can evolve into new forms beyond competition Why This Episode Matters Jordan’s story offers a real and honest look at the journey to professional sports—the highs, the setbacks, and the resilience required to navigate both. It also highlights an important truth: stepping away from playing does not mean losing the game. Soccer can continue to shape identity, community, and purpose in meaningful new way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Tommy O'Hare: Getting San Jose Ready for the 2026 World Cup

Offside in the Bay goes behind the scenes of the 2026 World Cup build-up with Tommy O'Hare-1998 U.S. Olympic short track speed skater and a longtime sports-media/technology executive. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan tapped Tommy to lead the city's big-event planning-everything from fan experiences to funding to safety. Tommy breaks down what it takes to create a true ‘fan fest' environment, why community sentiment is often the biggest hurdle, and how San Jose's diversity, culture, and downtown energy can turn major sporting moments into something the whole region feels proud of. 🎙 Guest • Tommy O'Hare is a 1998 U.S. Olympic short track speed skater and a sports business executive working at the intersection of media and technology. • Experience: Built major streaming and digital platforms (including Olympic and pro sports initiatives) and brings big-event perspective to city planning. • Role: Leading San Jose's preparations for major events including the World Cup-funding, programming, fan experiences, and coordination. ⏱ Episode Highlights • [00:00:48] Meet Tommy O'Hare: Olympian turned "World Cup czar" for San Jose. • [00:01:48] The "boulder": how perception and skepticism can be the first obstacle to hosting big moments. • [00:02:13] From athlete to exec: Tommy's path through sports media, tech, and the Olympic digital world. • [00:03:55] What athletes want fans to understand: love of sport, sacrifice, and the goal behind the goal. • [00:04:33] Olympics vs. World Cup: different energy, different loyalties, same global magic. • [00:06:08] Building a playbook from the Super Bowl: concerts, sponsorships, and raising $5M+. • [00:07:18] The learning points: security, logistics, and scaling up from one weekend to a month-long event. • [00:16:34] Why watch parties matter: sport as community, connection, and culture. • [00:21:51] Safety planning at scale: 72 agencies working together inside the emergency operations center. • [00:23:39] Best part of the job: seeing residents proud of what the city can pull off. • [00:25:52] The promise: a watch party for every single World Cup game in San Jose. • [00:26:34] Practical tips: microclimates, no humidity, and how visitors can enjoy the city. ⚽ Why This Conversation Matters Episode 24 is a rare look at what it takes to ‘host the world.' Tommy O'Hare explains the real work behind the headlines-funding, planning, security, and community buy-in-while keeping the focus on what sports are supposed to do best: bring people together and leave a city better than it found it. 🔗 Connect with Us • Claudine Wong - Facebook & Instagram: ClaudineWongKTVU | TikTok: ClaudineKTVU | YouTube: ClaudineWong • Alex Lobban - Instagram: @thealexlobban• San Jose World Cup / City initiatives - World Cup Santa Clara: FIFA World Cup 2026 at Levi Stadium Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Trailblazer: John Harkes on U.S. Soccer's Growth and the Road to 2026

Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban welcome a true pioneer of American soccer: former U.S. Men's National Team captain John Harkes-MLS champion and the first American to play in the English Premier League. John reflects on breaking barriers overseas, the early ‘Wild West' years of the U.S. game, and why patience has always been part of the American soccer story. The conversation spans 1994's lasting impact, why TV and media mattered to MLS survival, what today's players need to thrive, and how parents and coaches can protect the fun-so the love of the game lasts long after the final whistle.   🎙 Guest ·         John Harkes is a former U.S. Men's National Team captain, MLS champion, and the first American to play in the English Premier League. ·         Coaching/Leadership: Former head coach of FC Cincinnati and Greenville Triumph; currently serves as Technical Director and U.S. Youth National Team (U-15) assistant coach (as referenced in the transcript intro). ·         Legacy: A trailblazer who helped open doors for generations of American players abroad.   ⏱ Episode Highlights ·         [00:00:26] Alex introduces John's groundbreaking career-and what it meant for American soccer. ·         [00:02:11] From ODP to the 1990 World Cup: punching through ceilings in the early days. ·         [00:05:15] "Go home and play baseball": what the reception was like in England-and how it's changed. ·         [00:06:41] Why TV exposure mattered: MLS nearly folding early on, and the turning point for visibility. ·         [00:08:02] Can this generation surpass 1994? John's optimism, reality checks, and what tournaments demand. ·         [00:13:41] Pathways today vs. then: what's improved-and why development still takes time. ·         [00:22:14] The fun factor: keeping joy central in development, even at the highest levels. ·         [00:25:25] Pickup soccer and street play: what we've lost, and why it matters. ·         [00:28:33] Promotion/relegation and system talk: what could push the game forward in the U.S. ·         [00:39:37] World Cup watch list: players to watch, staying healthy, and giving coaches time. ·         [00:41:44] Handling pressure: why every game is high stakes-and what separates teams who advance. ·         [00:43:48] Iconic memories: John relives the 40-yard screamer and other career highlights.   ⚽ Why This Conversation Matters Episode 23 connects the dots between where U.S. soccer came from and where it's headed. John Harkes offers perspective only a trailblazer can-on patience, pressure, pathways, and how we build a culture that helps players (and fans) stick with the sport for the long haul.   🔗 Connect with Us ·         Claudine Wong - Facebook & Instagram: ClaudineWongKTVU | TikTok: ClaudineKTVU | YouTube: ClaudineWong ·         Alex Lobban - Instagram: @thealexlobban Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]