THE Soccer Dad-Pod

When you hear the name “Lombardo” in St. Louis, you think of great food and sports. When you hear the name Karen Lombardo-Baker, you also think of women’s soccer! Host Jen Siess caught up with this trailblazer who, with her peers, found a way to pitch up and play no matter the uniforms, conditions, resources, or fans. As a member of the first intercollegiate women's soccer team for the University of Missouri-St. Louis, Karen was a three-time leading goal scorer, helping UMSL burst onto the college soccer scene with rapid success, then finished at Cardinal Newman with All-American honors. After rounding out her playing career with STL Championship Cup and Regional/Open National teams … she got the coaching bug - assistant at Incarnate Word (5 trips to the Final Four with 2 Missouri State titles) - women’s head coach at Florissant Valley CC (3 Conference titles and 2 NJCAA Championships) - first AND youngest woman to receive the NJCAA Coach of the Year Award TWICE! Listen in for Karen’s soccer start story, what she’s gotten from and given to the game, and wisdom for players and parents just starting their soccer journeys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

This episode is one of my favorites, hands down. Recorded live from our Air-BnB, JB, Jarod, and Zach chatted the MLS Next Flex event, the scouts, the tournament, and then were joined by Drew & Grady chatting about their recruiting experiences, FOLLOWED by 3 soccer mom's all in the weeds of getting their kids to the next level of soccer from pro to college! Intro 00:00-21:30 The Boys 21:30-48:45 The Moms 48:45-End Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Author of "American Soccer: Great on Paper, S**T on Grass" Enough said. This Brit ex-pat joined Zach and I to chat youth soccer, overkill, pay to play, and more! #podcast #soccer #youthsoccer #development Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Danny Clark is an Ace. One of the toughest CB's out of the East Side, and an even better steward of the game. Joined by fellow teammate from back in the day, Rick Artime, we talk about Dan's role with the CASA (rec local league in Collinsville IL), and the relationship his club plays in the community, as a feeder, and more. Lot's of stories, theories, and viewpoints! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Sometimes, The Beautiful Game never quite lets us go! Joining Jen Siess this Soccer Mom Sunday was St. Louis soccer star, Annie Wayland. Like a lot of girls growing up in soccer “back in the day”, Annie’s start was wherever she could find competitive play (lucky those boys’ teams figured out she could find the back of the net and stopped hiding her on defense). Dad was her first coach and moved her onto a more competitive scene with JB Marine Soccer Club - where she was around so many top players in the area. In her time playing at Illinois State University, she smashed just about every record or achievement she could. And, this Hall of Famer has given back to the game ever since, coaching high school soccer for over 20 years now. Listen in for stories of Annie’s start, how her parents’ support kept her lifted the entire way, and her perspectives on what the game CAN and SHOULD give to our youth players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]