Join Chat By The Pitch for an engaging conversation with Lana Van Deusen, Angel Cuevas, and Sebastian Östergren from Atlético Dallas Youth. These experienced leaders share their journeys, from military service to international coaching influences, and discuss what it takes to build a positive club culture in North Texas. They break down player development, retaining talent, fostering love for the game, and creating pathways for every level. Tune in for inspiring insights on mentoring young athletes, balancing ambition with life skills, and growing soccer communities. Subscribe on Spotify and follow @ChatByThePitch on X!

Key Talking Points

• Building a positive club culture and breaking from traditional North Texas norms

• Player retention through communication, mentorship, and support systems

• Game models, coaching frameworks, and adapting styles for growth

• Handling late bloomers, growth spurts, and emotional development

• College pathways, alumni involvement, and preparing players for life beyond soccer

Tune In to Learn

Discover how Lana, Angel, and Sebastian transform teams, inspire players, and navigate the challenges of U.S. youth soccer.

Quotes from Guests

• “I've never had a player stop playing soccer.” – Sebastian Östergren

• “We want to help our players and our families be leaders within our communities.” – Sebastian Östergren

• “Soccer isn't gonna be there for most of these people beyond high school.” – Lana Van Deusen

• “It's about building those people for the next generation of soccer players.” – Angel Cuevas

• “We have to find different ways to cater to everyone.” – Sebastian Östergren

• “Creating a culture where they wanna come back to.” – Lana Van Deusen

• “We think that soccer should be for everyone.” – Sebastian Östergren

• “Over communicate... parents are our customer.” – Angel Cuevas

Connect with Guests

🌐 Website: atleticodallasyouth.com

Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

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#ChatByThePitch #AtleticoDallasYouth #YouthSoccer #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerCulture #CoachingJourney #CollegePathway #NorthTexasSoccer #SoccerForAll #Mentorship #CommunityLeaders #GameModel #InspirePlayers

Mentioned in this episode:

Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

Soccer Innovations

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

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

Join Chat By The Pitch for an in-depth conversation with Brian Corcoran, Sporting Director of Atlético Dallas. Brian shares his journey from college and professional soccer to building a brand-new USL club in Dallas. He discusses the pivotal partnership with Renegades, creating youth-to-pro pathways, and laying the foundation for long-term community ties. From the vision of free academies to designing world-class facilities, Brian explains what it takes to grow the game in North Texas.

Key Talking Points

• Forming Atlético Dallas and partnering with Renegades for youth growth

• Building pathways from youth to pro with community-first focus

• Challenges in U.S. youth soccer and the push toward free academies

• World-class facility plans, education support, and merit-based opportunities

• Shifting from league-centric thinking to true club culture

Tune In to Learn

Learn how Brian Corcoran is shaping the future of Dallas soccer, building opportunities for players, coaches, and families to thrive.

Quotes from Brian Corcoran

• “We wanna be competitors on the field, but cooperative off the field.”

• “Soccer should be free... that’s where we're headed.”

• “We want to grow the game and there's plenty of room for everybody.”

• “Our ultimate prize is when a local kid can step onto the field.”

• “We do not want to be a destination club. We wanna be a stepping stone.”

• “Football’s nothing without the community.”

• “Iron sharpens iron — the better everyone is, the better we’ll become.”

Connect with Brian Corcoran

🌐 Website: atleticodallas.com

Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

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📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Review: Please leave us a review to help the show grow!

#ChatByThePitch #BrianCorcoran #AtleticoDallas #YouthPathways #ProSoccer #USL #SoccerForAll #CommunityGrowth #AcademyDevelopment #DallasSoccer #SteppingStone #FreeFootball #ClubCulture #IronSharpensIron

Mentioned in this episode:

Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

Soccer Innovations

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

TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

TeamPlayr

In Part Two of our Chat By The Pitch conversation with Tracey Leone—assistant coach for the University of North Carolina Women’s Soccer program, former U.S. Women’s National Team player, and 1991 World Cup champion—we dig deeper into her coaching philosophy, her experiences at the highest levels of the game, and the lessons she’s passing on to the next generation. Tracey shares stories from her time with the national team, the evolution of the women’s game, and why character and joy are just as important as skill. This episode is filled with insight for coaches, parents, and players chasing both success and fulfillment.

🧠 Key Talking Points

• Transition from player to coach and the challenges that came with it

• Coaching at the collegiate, national, and professional levels

• Lessons learned from the U.S. Women’s National Team experience

• The growth of women’s soccer over the last three decades

• Building a competitive yet joyful environment for players

• How UNC maintains its winning culture year after year

• The role of character and leadership in building successful teams

• Advice for young players and their parents in today’s soccer landscape

🎧 Tune In to Learn

How Tracey Leone blends competitive drive with a deep love for the game—and why that balance is the key to long-term success on and off the field.

💬 Quotes from Tracey Leone

• "Coaching is about developing people, not just players."

• "The best environments challenge you while making you feel valued."

• "You can’t fake passion—players know if you love what you’re doing."

• "Character is the foundation for everything we do."

• "The game has grown in incredible ways since my playing days."

• "We keep the UNC culture alive by focusing on relationships."

• "Every generation of players brings new energy and ideas."

• "Joy in the game is not a luxury—it’s essential."

• "Pressure is part of sports, but so is the love that keeps you playing."

• "Winning matters, but so does who you become in the process."

Connect with Tracey Leone

• Website: UNC Bio

Follow Chat By The Pitch

• X: @ChatByThePitch

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• 🎧 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform & leave a review—your support helps us grow!

#ChatByThePitch #TraceyLeone #SoccerPodcast #YouthSoccer #WomenInSports #Leadership #SoccerCulture #Motivation #UNCSoccer #Coaching #SoccerJourney #TeamBuilding #PassionForSoccer #AnsonDorrance #WomensSoccer

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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