In Part 2 of our conversation with Sam Junqua, we dive deeper into his MLS journey with FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake. Sam reflects on the realities of trades, adapting across multiple positions, and how mindfulness and journaling keep him grounded in high-pressure moments. He shares the differences in club culture, the value of versatility, and his advice for young players chasing the dream. From resilience to family support, Sam’s story is one of growth, grit, and perspective—with an eye still set on the World Cup stage.

Key Talking Points

• Transitioning from FC Dallas to Real Salt Lake

• Experiencing the shock of MLS trades

• Evolving into a consistent, versatile player

• Club culture: Houston vs Dallas vs Salt Lake

• Mindfulness, journaling, and reframing nerves as privilege

• Advice for kids: enjoy the game and embrace pressure

• The dream of playing in a World Cup still alive

Tune In to Learn

How Sam Junqua built resilience through change, embraced mindfulness, and found consistency across his MLS career.

Quotes from Sam

“At Dallas, I matured into a player who could perform consistently across 90 minutes.”

“In MLS, you can be traded without even knowing—it happened to me on vacation.”

“Salt Lake emphasizes grit, and that’s become our identity as a team.”

“Versatility is both a blessing and a curse, but it’s shaped who I am as a player.”

“Mindfulness and journaling have been game-changers for me.”

“Nerves mean the moment matters—you just have to embrace it.”

“Pressure is a privilege—it means you’re playing in something that counts.”

“You don’t have to be great at everything; you need to master your strengths.”

“My parents have been the greatest influence on my career.”

“Playing in a World Cup still remains a dream of mine.”

Hashtags

#ChatByThePitch #SamJunqua #RealSaltLake #FCDallas #SoccerMindset #SoccerJourney #SoccerAdvice #SoccerParents #MLSTrades #SoccerPodcast

📲 Connect with Sam Junqua

📷 Instagram: @sjunqua Instagram+1

🐦 X (Twitter): @SJunqua X (formerly Twitter)

🌐 Website / Player Profile: RSL.com – Sam Junqua

Follow Chat By The Pitch:

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#ChatByThePitch #SamJunqua #MLS #SoccerJourney #CollegeSoccer #HoustonDynamo #SoccerDevelopment #USSoccer #SoccerLife #SoccerPodcast

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Join Chat By The Pitch for Part 1 of our conversation with Sam Junqua, defender for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. Sam takes us through his journey from playing AYSO in Santa Barbara to competing in Japan, rising through Bay Area clubs, and becoming a standout at UC Berkeley. He opens up about the challenges of balancing academics with soccer, navigating the MLS draft, and breaking into the league with Houston Dynamo. Sam also reflects on the unique experience of playing through the COVID-19 bubble and shares how pickup soccer and adaptability shaped his game. Packed with insights for parents, players, and fans, this episode pulls back the curtain on the realities of chasing a professional soccer dream.

Key Talking Points

• Growing up in Santa Barbara and discovering soccer through family

• Playing in Japan and the discipline of youth soccer abroad

• The role of pickup play and guesting with teams in development

• Journey through De Anza Force, San Jose Earthquakes, and academy soccer

• College years at UC Berkeley, balancing economics and athletics

• The whirlwind of MLS combines and draft day with Houston Dynamo

• Adapting to the unique challenges of MLS contracts and rights

• Surviving the COVID-19 bubble and its impact on his career

Tune In to Learn

How Sam Junqua turned backyard ball, discipline, and resilience into an MLS career while navigating the challenges of contracts, transitions, and the grind of professional soccer.

Quotes from Sam Junqua

• “I knew I wanted to play professionally when I was 11 or 12 years old—I just didn’t know the path yet.”

• “I was always kicking the ball in the backyard, even when my parents got mad at me for breaking things.”

• “Watching Ronaldinho and Cristiano Ronaldo on YouTube made me fall in love with the game.”

• “Guest playing and adapting to new teams helped me learn how to adjust in any environment.”

• “Academics never came before soccer, but I made sure they never got in the way of soccer.”

• “Going through the MLS Combine felt like an open tryout—you had to adapt fast.”

• “Being the last player invited to the MLS Combine changed the trajectory of my career.”

• “The draft was a whirlwind; I didn’t even know I’d be picked until the morning of.”

• “The bubble during COVID was strange but gave me the mental reset I needed.”

• “Structure is important, but kids still need freedom to just play the game.”

📲 Connect with Sam Junqua

📷 Instagram: @sjunqua Instagram+1

🐦 X (Twitter): @SJunqua X (formerly Twitter)

🌐 Website / Player Profile: RSL.com – Sam Junqua

Follow Chat By The Pitch:

🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Leave a Review: Please subscribe to Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review! Your support helps us grow and bring more in-depth conversations with players, coaches, and industry leaders.

#ChatByThePitch #SamJunqua #MLS #SoccerJourney #CollegeSoccer #HoustonDynamo #SoccerDevelopment #USSoccer #SoccerLife #SoccerPodcast

Mentioned in this episode:

TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

TeamPlayr

Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast. Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

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Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

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Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete

In Part 2 of our powerful conversation with Dr. Hillary Cauthen — licensed clinical sport psychologist, author, and President-Elect of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology — we dive deeper into the culture of youth sports, the pressures athletes face, and the role coaches and parents play in creating safe, healthy environments. From the hidden costs of monetized youth sports, to the importance of leadership, to the fine line between resilience and burnout, Dr. Cauthen shares hard truths and practical strategies for building a culture of care in athletics. Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete, this episode will leave you rethinking how we measure success on and off the field.

🔑 Key Talking Points

How parents can evaluate clubs and coaches for athlete safety and development.

The importance of SafeSport training, background checks, and coach education.

Why 70% of athletes quit sports by 13 — and how to fight the dropout crisis.

Toxic cultures, sideline fights, and referee shortages: the dark side of youth sports.

The impact of monetization and NIL trickling down to youth levels.

Simone Biles, Michael Phelps, Kevin Love, and Naomi Osaka — lessons from elite athletes on mental health.

The dangers of “mental health days” becoming a crutch vs. being used for recovery.

How parents can celebrate small wins and build resilience at home.

The power of player-driven culture and empowering athletes as leaders.

Dr. Cauthen’s vision for trauma-informed practices in youth sports and her upcoming mastermind projects.

Quotes

“Culture builds development — and development builds everything else.”

“Seventy percent of kids drop out of sports by 13. That’s not just a stat, that’s a crisis.”

“We wouldn’t accept certain behaviors in a classroom — why do we allow them on the sidelines?”

“It’s never okay to not be okay. If you’re not okay, we need to intervene.”

“Simone Biles didn’t quit — she protected her health and came back stronger.”

“Every athlete wants to be seen as more than the number on their back.”

“The monetization of youth sports is changing culture, and not always for the better.”

“As parents, our job isn’t to remove failure. It’s to teach our kids how to respond to it.”

“Leadership isn’t about captains — it’s about every player taking ownership.”

“Sport should be about fighting with care and empathy, not just competition.”

Connect with Dr. Hilary Cauthen

🌐 Website: www.txopps.com

🎥 YouTube: Watch Here

🎙️ Podcast: Highs & Lows of X’s & O’s

📚 Book: Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate

📸 Instagram: @drcmindset | @toppstalks

✖️ X: @TOPPSTIP

👍 Facebook: @TXOPPS

Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations with players, coaches, and leaders that matter.

#YouthSports #MentalHealthInSports #CultureOfCare #SportsPsychology #CoachingMatters #PlayerDevelopment #ParentingInSports #SimoneBiles #MichaelPhelps #AthleteWellbeing #ChatByThePitch #DrHillaryCauthen

Mentioned in this episode:

Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast. Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

Soccer Coach Weekly

Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage accessible to teams, families, and athletes of all backgrounds.

Reeplayer

Soccer...