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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

In this episode of Chat By The Pitch, we sit down with Dr. Hilary Cauthen — clinical sports psychologist, certified mental performance consultant, and author of Hello Trauma, Our Invisible Teammate. Dr. Cauthen opens up about her journey as a competitive runner, her TEDx talk on the toxic culture of sport, and how trauma shows up in ways athletes, coaches, and parents often overlook.

We dive into the invisible pressures athletes face — from injuries to fear of evaluation, from peer criticism to the weight of coach expectations. Dr. Cauthen shares how coaches can be emotional role models, why free play matters, and how clubs need to normalize mental performance coaching as a proactive tool instead of a last resort.

If you’re a parent, coach, or player, this conversation will change how you view resilience, identity, and wellbeing in sports.

Key Talking Points

• Why trauma is the “invisible teammate” athletes carry

• Lessons from Dr. Cauthen’s running career and early challenges

• How coaches shape athletes as emotional role models, not just tacticians

• Fear of evaluation and fear of failure: the biggest barriers young athletes face

• Free play as a tool for risk-taking, growth, and creativity

• Parents’ role in supporting players post-game (car ride conversations that build confidence)

• Why professional clubs and youth programs must invest in mental performance coaching

Quotes from Dr. Hilary Cauthen

• “Trauma is your teammate now. It can be your best teammate that helps you thrive or a detrimental one that keeps you on the bench.”

• “Mental health is not mental illness. We all have mental health; it’s about how we manage our thoughts and feelings.”

• “Connection is essential. Coaches need to be present, make eye contact, and assess how athletes show up to practice.”

• “Free play allows athletes to make mistakes, take risks, and grow without fear of punishment.”

• “The two biggest fears athletes carry are fear of evaluation and fear of failure.”

• “Coaches are emotional role models. Their feedback can shape an athlete more than a parent’s words.”

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.

#ChatByThePitch #DrHilaryCauthen #SportsPsychology #YouthSports #MentalHealth #TraumaInSports #Coaching #SoccerParenting #MentalPerformance #Resilience #AthleteWellbeing

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 Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

Soccer Innovations

TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

TeamPlayr

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

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Review: Support Chat By The Pitch on your favorite podcast platform!

#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

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 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

• Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

• Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

• 🎧 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