In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone welcomes Seamans Media Managing Editor and Girls Prep Soccer writer Mike Zhe. They discuss the upcoming NEPSAC 2024 prep soccer season, focusing on top teams and players in both girls and boys prep soccer. Key highlights include in-depth prospects for perennial powerhouses like Buckingham, Brown, and Nichols (BB&N) on the girls' side and Milton Academy on the boys' side, along with insights into other competitive teams like Taft, Northfield Mount Hermon, and Worcester Academy. The episode also features an engaging ‘extra time’ segment with creative and insightful soccer-related questions.

Topics

01:06 Previewing the Girls Prep Soccer Season

01:58 Top Teams to Watch in Girls Prep Soccer

05:12 Founders League Powerhouses

09:15 Class B Contenders: Pingree and Dexter Southfield

11:02 ISL Teams to Watch: Thayer Academy and Nobles

13:38 Teams Outside the Top 10 to Watch

16:08 Transition to Boys Prep Soccer

16:28 Milton Academy: The Team to Beat

17:57 Challengers to Milton Academy

20:53 Western Massachusetts Contenders: Taft, NMH, and Berkshire

22:37 Worcester Academy's Prospects

23:38 Founders League Boys Teams: Loomis Chaffee

23:53 Loomis Chaffee's Promising Season

24:21 Choate: The Team to Beat

24:59 Kimball Union Academy's Rise

25:57 Avon Old Farms and Nobles in the Rankings

26:52 Potential Top 10 Contenders

28:24 The Passion of Prep and High School Soccer

30:11 Extra Time: Fun and Creative Soccer Questions

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, hosted by Matt Langone, University of Maine women’s soccer head coach Scott Atherley joins the show. They discuss the upcoming 2024 season, reflecting on Maine’s historic 2023 NCAA tournament appearance. Coach Atherley shares his insights on the evolution of the game, team dynamics, the influence of Canadian recruitment, and strategic preparations for the season. The conversation also covers Atherley's approach to developing players' mentality and handling transitions within the sport.

Topics

00:47 University of Maine Women's Soccer: Season Preparation

01:24 Reflecting on the Historic 2023 Season

02:42 Maine's Soccer Philosophy and Recruitment

06:24 Spotlight on Abby Kramer

07:42 Recruiting Strategies and Challenges

09:48 Selling the University of Maine Experience

13:19 Upcoming Season and Team Mindset

24:14 Extra Time: Fun Soccer Questions

31:56 Conclusion and Farewell

Damario McIntosh: Journey to the MLS Next All-Star Game

In this episode of New England Soccer Journal's The Goal Podcast, host Matt Langone interviews Damario McIntosh, a 16-year-old midfielder for New England Revolution II, about his soccer journey. Damario discusses his recent honor of being selected for the MLS Next All-Star Game, his experience traveling, and his developmental journey from Jamaica to California to Boston. They also cover his transition from striker to right back, his soccer influences, and future goals. The episode concludes with a fun segment inspired by Ted Lasso quotes, touching on sports philosophy and personal challenges.

Topics

00:44 Damario McIntosh's MLS All-Star Game Experience

03:15 Journey from Jamaica to the USA

07:26 Switching Positions: From Striker to Right Back

12:09 Future Goals and Development

14:20 Extra Time: Fun Soccer Questions

21:27 Conclusion and Farewell