Matt Doherty and Matt Langone interview the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Men's Head Soccer Coach Rich Weinrebe. They discuss the complexities of building a college soccer roster, particularly in the context of the challenges posed by the transfer portal. The coach shares insights on maintaining team culture amidst high turnover and international recruiting, and elaborates on the changing dynamics of player development and resilience in modern college soccer. They also explore UNH's strategic recruiting efforts, the impact of the transfer portal on team building, and reflections on the success and rivalry within the America East Conference. Additionally, Coach Weinrebe discusses the importance of recruiting local talent, his growth as a young head coach, and the balance between professional responsibilities and personal life.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 Special Guest: UNH Men's Head Coach Rich Weinrebe

00:46 Building the 2025 Roster

03:57 Navigating the Transfer Portal

06:21 Challenges and Changes in College Soccer

08:57 UNH's Rise in College Soccer

11:05 Rivalry with Vermont and Conference Dynamics

16:26 Recruiting Local Talent

21:20 Coaching Philosophy and Personal Growth

24:58 The Journey Back to UNH

25:23 Summer Plans and Preparations

26:33 Excitement for the Upcoming Season

27:25 Extra Time: Unfiltered Soccer Opinions

31:05 Memorable Soccer Moments

34:02 Greatest Comebacks in Soccer

39:57 Wrapping Up and Farewell

Matt Langone amd Matt Doherty discuss the impactful work of Project GOAL with its executive director and co-founder, Darius Shirzadi. Founded to support inner-city youth in Rhode Island by combining academic mentoring and soccer, Project GOAL has thrived for over 21 years. Shirzadi shares insights on the challenges and successes of running a free, impactful program that addresses both educational and athletic development. The conversation covers the program's structure, its community impact, partnerships with schools and sports teams, and success stories of alumni. The episode concludes with a fun segment, 'Extra Time,' featuring soccer-related questions.

Topics

00:28 Meet the Guests: Darius Shirzadi and Project Goal

00:55 The Origins and Mission of Project Goal

02:19 Challenges and Community Impact

03:59 Program Structure and Success Stories

07:23 Soccer's Growth in Rhode Island

12:48 Future Aspirations and Expansion

18:30 Extra Time: Fun and Insights

22:05 Tales from the Sidelines

23:06 A Shocking Incident at an AAU Game

24:07 The Escalating Insanity of Youth Sports

25:35 Parental Behavior and Its Impact on Kids

27:35 Misconceptions About Soccer

30:17 The Athleticism Debate

34:01 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

The guest is Kelvin Martinez, the newly appointed head coach of Berkshire School Boys Soccer. Martinez discusses his excitement about leading one of the top prep programs in New England, touching upon his coaching philosophy, the talent in his roster, and his strategies for building a dynamic and competitive team. Martinez shares personal anecdotes about his upbringing in Honduras, his soccer journey, and the international influence in prep school soccer. The episode also delves into Martinez's endeavors in establishing a soccer academy in Honduras, emphasizing his commitment to giving back to his community. The show concludes with an engaging 'Extra Time' segment featuring thought-provoking questions about the intricacies and joys of soccer.

Topics

00:33 Meet Kelvin Martinez: New Berkshire School Boys Soccer Head Coach

01:25 Excitement and Expectations for Berkshire Soccer

02:53 Balancing Family and Coaching

04:16 Outdoor Adventures and Family Life

04:36 Berkshire's Soccer Legacy and Future

06:27 Coaching Philosophy and Team Dynamics

11:42 Kelvin's Soccer Journey from Honduras to the US

16:47 Giving Back: Building a Soccer Academy in Honduras

19:34 International Influence in New England Prep Soccer

22:39 Recruiting Talent from Around the World

24:23 Expectations for the 2025 Season

25:42 Extra Time

26:38 Kelvin's Insight on Soccer's True Essence

29:40 The Challenges of Being a Goalie

33:20 Debunking the Myth: Soccer is Boring

40:11 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Farewell