Episodios

  • How JMS Trains the Next Generation of North Texas Talent With Juan Martinez
    Nov 20 2025

    In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, Juan Martinez — founder of JMS Soccer and President of DKSC — opens up about the journey behind JMS Academy, his daytime elite training environment built for disciplined, goal-driven young athletes. Juan walks through how JMS started in 2018, why it shut down during COVID, and how it returned in 2023 with a renewed mission: character, mental toughness, individualized development, and a one-stop shop of services for players chasing big goals.

    Juan breaks down the full structure of the academy day: early drop-offs, morning training, strength and conditioning with Juan Robles, nutrition habits, multiple school blocks, afternoon sessions, tactical work, recovery routines, and the mental side of the game. He shares how he intentionally builds an environment focused on quality over quantity, creativity over rigid systems, and long-term growth over short-term results.

    For any parent curious about homeschool-based soccer development, elite training routines, or what it really takes for a player to chase a college or professional pathway — this conversation gives a raw, detailed look inside JMS Academy’s first year.

    📌 Key Talking Points

    • Juan’s origins: Classic League player in the late 80s/early 90s; coaching since 2005

    • Why JMS was originally created in 2018

    • The impact of COVID shutting JMS down and the decision to relaunch

    • “Empty the Bucket”: the philosophy behind JMS

    • Why JMS is a one-stop shop for character, mental toughness, and recruiting

    • How “Seleção” inspired Juan’s approach to identifying elite players

    • The launch of JMS Academy in August

    • JMS Academy is not a school — it is a training program with academic support

    • How homeschool programs fit into the model (Texas Tech K-12, iPrep, etc.)

    • The structure of the daily schedule (7 AM–5 PM, Monday–Friday)

    • Morning technical sessions and strength/conditioning with Juan Robles

    • Nutrition routines inspired by Brazil: daily fruit/snack breaks

    • Classroom blocks, supervision, and the expectation of discipline

    • Why school comes first and how academic accountability works

    • Weekly training themes: Mental Monday, tactical Wednesdays, competitive Fridays

    • How JMS avoids overtraining and emphasizes recovery

    • The five facets of development: mental, technical, tactical, physical, social

    • The role creativity and pickup play in player growth

    • Why Juan keeps the program focused on individual development over team structure

    • Current group size (12 players) and commitment to quality

    • The goal of eventually growing to ~20 athletes

    • Balancing self-motivation, discipline, and personal goals

    • How Juan’s network (college, Mexico youth national team, agents, international scouts) supports players

    • How JMS educates families on sacrifice, commitment, and realistic pathways

    • Why Juan intentionally avoids selling himself as a “gatekeeper”

    💬 Guest Quotes

    • “J-M-S stands for Juan Martinez Soccer, but it's more than just soccer.”

    • “I realized I had built a good network of college recruiting and international scouts and didn’t want that to go in vain.”

    • “One of the sayings for JMS that I use is ‘empty the bucket.’”

    • “Every program we have started from a simple idea.”

    • “We are not a school — we’re more of a training program trying to create a professional environment.”

    • “School is very, very important… if you don’t take care of your school, you’re not going to be able to come and do academy training.”

    • “We check continuously on their work. We’re not a school, but we provide the environment.”

    • “We didn’t want to put a standard GPA… players learn differently.”

    • “It’s not that everybody’s going to be a professional, but if you chase that dream and get college paid for, that’s a good investment.”

    •...

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    44 m
  • Building Culture That Wins — Lessons from Dr. Travis Dorsch
    Nov 13 2025

    In Part 2 of The Return on Investment Myth — Rethinking Youth Sports, Dr. Travis Dorsch returns to Chat By The Pitch to go even deeper into the real work of parenting athletes. From accountability and culture to failure and social media, Dr. Dorsch shares how parents can reflect, recalibrate, and reconnect with the reason they signed their kids up in the first place.

    We talk about how good intentions can cross the line, why “culture is king,” and what clubs can do to build a healthier ecosystem for players and families alike. From letting kids fail to redefining success after COVID, this conversation is a master class in perspective, patience, and purpose for every parent, coach, and club leader.

    💬 Key Talking Points

    • Treating kids as kids — not miniature adults

    • Setting boundaries between good intentions and over-involvement

    • The power of an accountability partner for parents

    • How culture outweighs budget in building winning teams

    • Reflection as a missing habit for most sports parents

    • Why parents must allow failure to build resilience

    • Social media and the “Gucci parent” era

    • Bringing back discipline and the value of the name on the back of the jersey

    • Inclusion, respect, and cheering for the competition

    • Helping parents feel unstuck and regain balance

    • Volunteering and being a helper in club culture

    • Three keys to supporting your athlete: show up, be present, celebrate both wins and losses

    • Parent education that works vs. programs that don’t

    • Defining success for communities and clubs

    • How COVID reshaped youth sports and perspective

    • Coaches as the “missing piece” for family balance

    • The importance of humility and apology as a parent

    • What today’s generation of athletes is teaching us about resilience

    Quotes from Dr. Travis Dorsch

    • “Our kids aren’t miniature adults — we have to stop treating them that way.”

    • “Accountability partners on the sideline can save you and your kid a lot of pain.”

    • “Culture is king — and it’s free if you do it right.”

    • “Parents have the potential to be incredibly reflective, but most of us choose not to be.”

    • “Failure is a safe space for learning if we let it be.”

    • “Social media shows the best five percent of every season and hides the 95 percent of growth.”

    • “Let’s cheer for our kid’s competitors the same way we cheer for our own.”

    • “Show up. Be present. Celebrate success and failure alike.”

    • “Competitive outcomes and character development aren’t mutually exclusive — you can have both.”

    • “Be humble enough to apologize when things go sideways. We only get one shot at this as parents.”


    Connect with Chat By The Pitch

    🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

    🎧 Listen: Chat By The Pitch on Apple Podcasts


    Connect with Dr. Travis Dorsch

    🌐 Families in Sport Lab — Utah State University

    ▶️ TEDx Talk: “Should Parents Expect a Return on Investment?”


    #YouthSports #ParentingInSports #SportsCulture #SportsParenting #DrTravisDorsch #ChatByThePitch #CultureIsKing #PlayerDevelopment #FamilyInSport #ResilientAthletes #ParentEducation #YouthAthletes #SportsEcosystem #FailureIsLearning #ParentCoachPlayer #SportsPsychology #CommunityCulture #AthleteMindset #PodcastDFW #YouthDevelopment

    Mentioned in this episode:

    Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

    Soccer Innovations

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
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    Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete the opportunity to develop and be seen. Reeplayer is committed to making footage...

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    47 m
  • The Real ROI of Youth Sports: Lessons from Dr. Travis Dorsch
    Nov 6 2025

    In Part 1 of The Return on Investment Myth — Rethinking Youth Sports, Dr. Travis Dorsch joins Chat By The Pitch to explore what families are truly getting from youth sports. As a professor at Utah State University and founding director of the Families in Sport Lab, Dr. Dorsch shares how his research — and his own parenting journey — reveal the tension between performance, pressure, and purpose.

    We unpack why so many parents chase the wrong outcomes, how goal misalignment drives kids out of the game, and what it really means to “invest” in your child’s sport journey. From NIL deals to the cost of club soccer, Travis challenges families to define success differently — not in scholarships or stats, but in the lessons that last a lifetime.

    💬 Key Talking Points

    • Why parents should expect a return on investment — but not the kind they think

    • The dangers of chasing scholarships and pro dreams too early

    • Goal alignment: how parents, coaches, and players get out of sync

    • What keeps kids in the game past age 13

    • The problem with commodifying young athletes

    • Systems thinking: placing the child at the center of the sport ecosystem

    • Communication tips for the car ride home

    • What questions parents should ask after every game

    • Modeling behavior and emotional control on the sidelines

    • How family dynamics shape athlete development

    • “Snowplow” vs. “scaffolding” parents

    • Defining success beyond wins and goals

    • Building lifelong movers instead of short-term stars


    🗣 Quotes from Dr. Travis Dorsch

    • “Parents should expect some form of return on their investment — but the real question is how we define that return.”

    • “When parents define success as scholarships or contracts, the pressure skyrockets for everyone.”

    • “Goal alignment is everything. If parents and kids aren’t chasing the same thing, conflict is inevitable.”

    • “The child needs to remain at the center. When parents or coaches make it about themselves, that’s when problems start.”

    • “If we can just get kids to come back next season, we’re winning.”

    • “You can’t name Christian Pulisic’s U12 record — because it doesn’t matter. What mattered is that he kept playing.”

    • “Parents are role models first. Kids don’t just hear us — they watch how we act.”

    • “Ask better questions on the ride home. Not ‘Did you win?’ but ‘What was the most exciting thing you did today?’”

    • “Work hard, listen to the coach, and have fun — that’s our family mantra.”

    • “Youth sport is a vehicle to raise better humans, not just better athletes.”


    Connect with Chat By The Pitch

    🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

    🎧 Listen: Chat By The Pitch on Apple Podcasts


    Connect with Dr. Travis Dorsch

    🌐 Families in Sport Lab — Utah State University

    ▶️ TEDx Talk: “Should Parents Expect a Return on Investment?”


    #YouthSports #ParentingInSports #SportsCulture #PlayerDevelopment #SportPsychology #YouthAthletes #TravisDorsch #FamiliesInSport #SportsParenting #ChatByThePitch #SoccerCulture #SportsEcosystem #PlayerCenteredDevelopment #NIL #ReturnOnInvestment #ParentCoachPlayer #YouthDevelopment #SportsEducation #AthleteMindset #PodcastDFW


    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

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
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    TeamPlayr

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    48 m
  • Crossbar: Building a Soccer Community Center in North Texas — with Tom Boyce
    Oct 30 2025

    In this episode, Tom Boyce, co-owner of Crossbar and London Calling TX, shares how these two soccer spaces are redefining culture in North Texas.

    From weekday pickup and late-night leagues to homeschool sessions and family-friendly weekends, Crossbar has created a space where adults can play, relax, and connect while their kids grow up around the game.

    Tom and Ian dive into:

    • How the adult-first, kid-friendly model changes the soccer experience.

    • The “winner-stays-on” pickup system that keeps games competitive and fun.

    • Why Denton’s cash-rollover challenge became a local legend.

    • The crossover between Crossbar and London Calling in growing community culture.

    • How partnerships with leagues, gyms, and coaches expand opportunity across DFW.

    This episode is a reminder that soccer isn’t just a sport — it’s a community heartbeat.

    ⚽ Key Talking Points

    • Crossbar’s mission: create adult-first soccer community centers where parents can play too.

    • Locations: Dallas (formerly Richardson) and Denton, both with full-service bars and turf.

    • League nights: Open, Co-Ed, and Over-30 divisions.

    • Pickup culture: 5v5, first to two goals, winner stays — no cleats allowed.

    • GoodRec and FieldSpace apps for sign-ups and scheduling.

    • The cash-rollover pickup pot that’s become part of Denton soccer lore.

    • Daytime blocks for homeschoolers, youth training, and open play.

    • Community partnerships with gyms, coaches, and local soccer groups.

    • Expansion plans: new outdoor turf and long-term franchise potential.

    • “Happy parents = better players.” The ripple effect of Crossbar’s culture.

    💬 Quotes from Tom Boyce

    “We’re adult-first, but kids are always welcome. It’s a soccer community center.”

    “If parents are comfortable, coaches can coach and kids can just play.”

    “Pickup should be fun — 5v5, winner stays, no pressure, no cleats.”

    “That cash pot in Denton? It started small, now it’s legendary.”

    “We’re not here to nickel-and-dime. We’re here to belong.”

    “Think the Cheers bar — but for soccer.”

    📲 Connect with Tom Boyce

    📷 Instagram: @crossbar.dallas

    📷 Instagram: @londoncallingtx

    🌐 Websites:

    🔗 www.crossbardallas.com

    🔗 www.londoncallingtx.com

    ⚽ Follow Chat By The Pitch

    🐦 X (Twitter): @ChatByThePitch

    📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

    📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch


    #ChatByThePitch #Crossbar #LondonCallingTX #DallasSoccer #DFWSoccer #AdultSoccer #PickupSoccer #IndoorSoccer #DentonTX #RichardsonTX #SoccerCommunity #SoccerParents #YouthSoccerParents #TexasSoccer #NorthTexasSoccer #SoccerCulture #FiveASide #CommunitySoccer

    Mentioned in this episode:

    ***Cursing Warning***

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
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    TeamPlayr

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    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 Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

    Soccer Innovations

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    54 m
  • Brenden Lee: Rooftop Futsal With Vanta Athletics , Mental Health, and the Heart Behind Project 214
    Oct 23 2025

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Brenden Lee, founder of Project 214, we go deeper into how futsal connects people, purpose, and personal growth. Brenden shares the next phase of his vision — from partnering with Vanta Athletics to bring rooftop futsal to downtown Dallas, to shaping a mentorship culture built on empathy and expression. He opens up about the challenges that shaped him, the role of mental health in coaching, and how Project 214 is evolving into a creative hub where players, parents, and mentors come together through the love of the game. This episode is equal parts inspiration, vulnerability, and vision — a reminder that sport is just the beginning. (138 words)

    Key Talking Points

    • Partnering with Vanta Athletics to launch rooftop futsal at Plaza of the Americas

    • How futsal becomes a platform for mentorship and community impact

    • Creating safe spaces for kids and families to connect beyond the game

    • Blending art, culture, and sport into a creative ecosystem

    • Building confidence and self-expression through the game

    • The importance of mental health and self-awareness for coaches and players

    • Lessons from personal struggles and rediscovering purpose through service

    • Bridging generations and cultures through pickup play and shared experiences

    • The rise of futsal facilities and grassroots energy across North Texas

    • How Project 214 is inspiring the next generation to play, create, and belong

    Tune In to Learn

    How Brenden Lee is redefining what futsal means for Dallas — as a game, a community, and a space for healing, growth, and connection.

    Quotes from Brenden Lee

    • “Project 214 feels like servitude — a way to give purpose and connection to something bigger than me.”

    • “I want kids to feel seen, heard, and safe — that’s what this project is about.”

    • “Futsal is just the bridge; what we’re really building is community.”

    • “Vanta Athletics shares the same ethos — it’s about people coming together through the game.”

    • “Sometimes you have to shed old versions of yourself to find the authentic you.”

    • “Sports culture rarely talks about mental health — but it’s okay to say you’re down and seek help.”

    • “Project 214 was born from pain but built on love — that’s what makes it real.”

    • “The World Cup will bring energy, but our goal is to sustain that culture long after.”

    • “Every kid deserves a place to belong, to create, to express who they are.”

    • “My greatest inspiration is the little kid version of me who just needed a hug and a chance to be seen.”

    📲 Connect with Brenden Lee

    📷 Instagram (Personal): @brendenlee17

    📷 Instagram (Project 214): @project_2.1.4

    🌐 Website: theproject214.com

    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 authentic conversations with players, coaches, and creators driving the game forward.

    #ChatByThePitch #BrendenLee #Project214 #DallasFutsal #VantaAthletics #RooftopSoccer #FutsalCulture #FutsalTraining #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerCommunity #SportsMentorship #CreativeCoaching #YouthSoccer #SoccerPodcast #TexasSoccer #MentalHealthInSports #GrowTheGame #StreetSoccer #DallasSoccer #PlayWithPurpose

    Mentioned in this episode:

    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
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    TeamPlayr

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    39 m
  • Brenden Lee: From the Court to the Culture — The Vision of Project 214
    Oct 16 2025

    Join Chat By The Pitch for an inspiring and creative conversation with Brenden Lee, founder of Project 214 and a driving force in Dallas’s futsal community. Brenden shares how Project 214 evolved from a simple idea into a cultural movement — blending futsal, art, music, and mentorship into one collective. He dives deep into the roots of street culture, the influence of skateboarding, and why creating safe, expressive spaces for players to grow matters more than ever. From local training sessions to community impact, this episode explores how futsal can reconnect people, creativity, and purpose — both on and off the court. (128 words)

    Key Talking Points

    • The origin and inspiration behind Project 214

    • Bridging futsal, skateboarding, and creative expression

    • Building a community-first, culture-driven environment

    • Creating safe spaces for players and families

    • Balancing structure with freedom in player development

    • The role of parents in aligning with their athletes’ goals

    • Mentorship through futsal and creativity

    • Finding joy and authenticity in the process

    • How futsal becomes a bridge for art, music, and life

    • Why Project 214 is always evolving — never finished, always growing

    Tune In to Learn

    How Brenden Lee is using futsal as a platform for culture, creativity, and connection — building an ecosystem where athletes, artists, and dreamers can grow together.

    Quotes from Brenden Lee

    • “Project 214 is about creating a safe place — safe to train, safe to play, safe to just be creative.”

    • “Futsal is the bridge between structure and street — it’s raw, expressive, and human.”

    • “Community is culture. It’s about breaking bread, not breaking each other.”

    • “We’re all weird in some form or fashion — and that’s what makes us special.”

    • “I skateboarded growing up, and that freedom of being yourself is what I want players to feel in futsal.”

    • “If I can help one kid find joy in the game again, that’s success.”

    • “I’m not trying to own the culture — I’m just trying to add to it.”

    • “When players and parents align their goals, real growth happens.”

    • “This project feels like the most authentic version of me.”

    • “It’s called Project 214 for a reason — it’s always evolving.”

    📲 Connect with Brenden Lee

    📷 Instagram (Personal): @brendenlee17

    📷 Instagram (Project 214): @project_2.1.4

    🌐 Website: theproject214.com

    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 authentic conversations with players, coaches, and creators driving the game forward.

    Thanks to Soccer Coach Weekly for supporting the podcast.

    Plan - Fast - Coach - Smart (GET YOUR 50% OFF WITH CODE IAN50) at Soccer Coach Weekly

    https://soccercoachweekly.net/scw-usa...

    #ChatByThePitch #BrendenLee #Project214 #DallasFutsal #FutsalTraining #FutsalCommunity #SoccerCulture #YouthSoccerDevelopment #CreativeCoaching #StreetSoccer #DallasSoccer #FutsalLife #PlayerDevelopment #SportsCulture #GrowTheGame #SoccerPodcast #TexasSoccer #SoccerMentorship #CommunityThroughSport #PlayWithPurpose

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    TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
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    40 m
  • Sam Junqua: Resilience, Trades, and MLS Life
    Oct 9 2025

    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:

    🐦 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

    Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

    Soccer Innovations

    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

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    44 m
  • Sam Junqua: From Backyard Ball to the MLS Draft
    Oct 2 2025

    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

    Soccer Coach Weekly

    Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

    Soccer Innovations

    Reeplayer: Greater access to footage gives every young athlete

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    42 m