Urban Pitch Podcast - The Beautiful Game of Life

241. LA City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 7 Apr 2026 12:58:37 +0000

As Los Angeles prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, we sit down with City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez to discuss making the game more accessible for everyone, the challenges that come with such a massive event, and what makes LA so special.

Timestamps

(01:47) How he became an LAFC fan
(08:00) Interacting with the LA soccer community from his work as a LA City Councilmember
(17:40) How LA is preparing for the 2026 World Cup
(29:27) The USMNT and Mexico: Who'll do better at the World Cup?

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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240. A Crossover Episode with LatiNation FC!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:37:43 +0000

We took an away days trip for this special episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast with our good friends at LatiNation FC! Shot at their TV studio under the bright lights, we chop it up with Marcelino, El Chiva Mayor, and Cami, discussing everything from the World Cup qualifying playoffs to the new kits and looming issues surrounding this summer's massive tournament. 01:00 World Cup qualifying playoffs: Who's in, who's out?

Timestamps

(13:57) Our favorite World Cup kits
(18:00) NWSL thoughts: the league's growth and the new kit drops
(28:37) The issues looming around the 2026 World Cup
(42:30) What to expect from the World Cup: How LA will be as a host city and what the US and Mexico will accomplish on the pitch
(49:20) Players to make the biggest impact at the World Cup

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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239. Kids of Immigrants Co-Founder Daniel Buezo

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 12:42:55 +0000

Kids of Immigrants has long been a brand that has inspired us. Its authentic messaging, eye-catching design, and collaborations with vaunted brands has led it to become one of the most recognizable streetwear labels out there, and a major part of that is co-founder Daniel Buezo.

Ahead of Kids of Immigrants' soccer-inspired collaboration with Buchanan's Whisky, Buezo sits down with us to discuss his soccer background, the connection between sport and fashion, and how the The First FIFA World Cup 26 Spirit Collection with Buchanan's Whisky came about.

Timestamps

(01:27) The connection between Kids of Immigrants and soccer
(09:20) Collaborating with Buchanan's Whisky for a limited edition collection
(19:20) Hype for the World Cup
(37:21) Blind ranking: Items at the carne asada

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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238. NWSL Fever and Checking In With Julio in the Dominican Republic

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:27:15 +0000

In honor of women's history month, we break down the best in women's soccer, from the start of the 2026 NWSL season to the recent SheBelieves Cup. In addition, we check in with Julio, who spent a week in the Dominican Republic on vacation, to get all the island vibes.

(02:00) Women's history month and the SheBelieves Cup
(13:26) The 2026 NWSL season
(29:22) Atletico Madrid's partnership with "Peaky Blinders"
(38:40) Checking in with Julio in the DR

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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237. Paige Nielsen Returns!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:18:55 +0000

Two years ago, we bestowed the title of Angel City FC Director of Vibes to Paige Nielsen. Now in a new city on a new team, we catch up with her to get her candid thoughts on the NWSL CBA, life in Houston, and how she's become quite interested in the business side of sports.

Timestamps

(02:00) The challenges and rewards of moving from LA to Houston
(12:06) The new generation of NWSL players
(22:00) Thoughts on the trade approval clause in the NWSL CBA
(37:07) Her relationship with Ali Riley and her impact on soccer

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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236: Our Favorite NWSL Kits

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 11:51:02 +0000

The NWSL kit drop was another success...or was it? We name some of our favorite and least favorite designs on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!

Timestamps

(01:00) An eventful soccer weekend in Los Angeles
(08:37) Does the wave belong at sports games?
(15:12) Our thoughts on the new NWSL jerseys

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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235. Our Favorite MLS Kits! Plus: The Disappointing Vini Jr.-Benfica Situation

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 14:30:57 +0000

It's that time of year again. With MLS fully back, we share our thoughts on the new jerseys as a whole, and name our three favorite designs from the bunch. In addition, we discuss the fallout from the recent Real Madrid-Benfica UCL match, where Vinicius Jr. was once again allegedly subject to racist taunts.

Timestamps

(02:15) Adventures with Coach Brigitte
(05:45) MLS is back: Our favorite new kits of the year
(34:11) Vinicius Jr. and more racism in football

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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234. Tristan Bowen Returns!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:27:59 +0000

Tristan Bowen was one of the earliest guests on the Urban Pitch Podcast, dropping by the show back in 2017 to talk about his pro career and what was next in store for him. Nearly a decade later, and he's back!

We catch up with the former LA Galaxy homegrown product, discussing everything from his venture into the world of media, his thoughts on the USMNT's chances at the 2026 World Cup, and hanging out at house parties in South Central LA as a teenager.

Timestamps

(01:13) Tristan's childhood in Los Angeles growing up in Koreatown
(09:23) Being the LA local on the Galaxy and giving tips to his teammates
(26:20) The current MLS academy system compared to when he played
(36:44) Thoughts on the USMNT and expectations for the 2026 World Cup

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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233. World Cup Parking Costs How Much??

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:00:30 +0000

From the reports of parking for World Cup matches in LA costing between $250 and $300 to the latest jersey releases, we get into the latest happenings in the soccer culture-verse on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch podcast!

Timestamps

(00:37) Buchanan's and the impact in the Hispanic community
(05:47) Crazy prices for World Cup parking in LA
(24:47) Super Bowl weekend and Bad Bunny's takeover
(36:30) The adidas x Bape collaboration and other new jersey releases
(45:04) Trinity Rodman as the future of marketable athletes

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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232. The 2016 Episode

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 3 Feb 2026 13:57:51 +0000

It's been a viral trend all over social media, so we hopped on it and took a look back at 2016 — where we were personally as well as where the world of soccer and culture were too. From our favorite moments in soccer to our favorite albums from the year, we throw it back to 10 years ago on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!

Timestamps

(03:20) Looking back at the year of 2016: Who we were 10 years ago
(17:35) 2016: The year in football
(38:22) 2016: The year in music

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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231. Korea, Away ft. Ray An and Josh Lee

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:22:22 +0000

Born from their love for soccer and dual national experience, Ray An, Josh Lee, and Emmanuel Hahn created "Korea, Away," an upcoming docu-series that recently hit its fundraising goal on Kickstarter. Despite the name, "Korea, Away" tells the story of many dual nationals in the United States, and how they balance their identities with their soccer fandom. An and Lee join the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the project, the Korean-American soccer fan experience, and how Son Heung-min brought a new wave of soccer fever both in Los Angeles and beyond.

Timestamps

(00:01:40) Pouring up some somaeks
(00:08:27) The Korea, Away project and Korean fan culture
(00:23:00) The LAFC TSG supporters' group experience and American soccer culture as a whole (00:41:27) The origins of Korea, Away
(00:48:20) The Son Heung-min effect in LA

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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230. Favian Renkel Returns!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:13:52 +0000

"If you don't celebrate your wins, then no one else will."

Longtime friend of the podcast Favian Renkel returns to drop some gems like the quote above, and he also shares the major moves he's been making. Renkel recently moved from the Bay Area to New York City, and is now with Kickbase USA in addition to freelancing for The Athletic.

He shares some insight into what went into his success, and also some of the biggest MLS moves this offseason that caught his eye.

Timestamps

(00:53) Getting acclimated to NYC lifestyle
(09:00) New roles at Kickbase and The Athletic and tips for young journalists
(28:16) The MLS offseason: Big moves and storylines to follow

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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229. Drinking Like Messi, USMNT Kit Leaks, and Bold Predictions for 2026

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:35:56 +0000

Wine and Sprite? Don't knock it 'til you try it! Lionel Messi moved the wine and spirits market when he revealed his favorite drink: tinto de verano. Naturally, we had to see what the GOAT was onto for the latest Urban Pitch Podcast, and turns out, it's pretty dang good. We also discuss the recent USMNT kit leak, and give some bold predictions for the rest of the year.

(00:49) Drinking Messi's favorite drink, tinto de verano
(04:15) Brigitte's recap of her trip to Peru
(14:45) Our thoughts on the USMNT kit leaks and how they compare to Mexico's released jersey
(29:00) Our bold predictions for 2026

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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228. Content Creator Ashley Niveth. Plus: Brigitte in Brazil!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 6 Jan 2026 13:45:56 +0000

We're starting the new year off strong with Ashley Niveth, a soccer content creator who's quickly burst onto the scene. In addition to getting her soccer background, we discuss her upcoming Niveth Futbol Fest in Los Angeles, and what it was like working for Jordan Belfort.

Then, we check in with Urban Pitch co-executive director of vibes Brigitte Flores, who took in the new year in Rio de Janeiro, to see how they really do things in Brazil.

(02:39) Ashley's background in soccer and how she started creating soccer content
(23:29) What we're looking forward to in 2026 outside of the World Cup
(29:50) Checking in with Brigitte Flores in Brazil

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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227. Live at The Kickback!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:32:51 +0000

Closing out 2025 with a bang, we and adidas threw The Kickback, a celebration of the beautiful game, at The Football Boutique. In addition to live music performances, art installations, and giveaways, we shot a special episode of The Urban Pitch Podcast, discussing the hype around the 2026 World Cup with two of our best friends -- Tony Magaña, founder of The Football Boutique, and content creator extraordinaire Eli Lesser.

It was a fantastic night, and we can't wait to do it again!

(01:19) Welcoming Tony Magaña to the stage
(03:45) 2026 World Cup hype
(06:55) What is the greatest World Cup song of all time? Featuring Eli Lesser
(09:07) What Eli is gonna be up to in 2026

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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226. The Best of 2025

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:44:18 +0000

As we reach the end of 2025, it's time to look back at what was a jam-packed year in the world of soccer. From our favorite kit releases to the most memorable moments, today's episode is all about the best of the year.

Timestamps

(01:00) The Kickback at The Football Boutique
(07:10) Doing pilates with Katie Johnson
(12:10) Our favorite moments of 2025
(28:47) Our favorite kit releases
(33:14) Assessing our favorite teams - what happened in 2025 and what's next
(48:06) Our Spotify Wrapped/Apple Music Replay

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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225. The World Cup Draw: A Cringe Ceremony and Group Analysis

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 9 Dec 2025 12:28:09 +0000

Aside from a few playoff teams still looking to qualify, the field for the 2026 World Cup is now clear after last Friday's highly anticipated draw in Washington, D.C. We get into everything that went down at the draw, from the cringe-worthy ceremony to the actual results themselves! The time for speculation, predictions, and anticipation is here as we inch closer to next summer's tournament.

Timestamps

(02:30) The World Cup Draw ceremony
(18:17) Group analysis: USMNT, Mexico, and potential groups of death
(39:57) Another Ronaldo-Messi matchup?

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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224. Feefa on Working in Dr. Dre's Studio and AI in Music

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Thu, 4 Dec 2025 15:34:15 +0000

We've been rocking with our guy Feefa since day one, and he returns to the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss what he's been up to -- from working on his new project at Dr. Dre's studio, to the politics in the West Coast music scene.

In addition, we discuss AI's growing prevalence, and its place, if it has one at all, in music.

Timestamps

(01:16) The connection with El Salvadoran club FAS
(03:32) Feefa's music journey and getting a spot in Dr. Dre's studio
(23:40) The use of AI in music
(34:00) The West Coast music scene
(47:40) Our favorite music projects of the year

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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223. World Cup Qualifying Surprises and a Resurgent USMNT

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:27:01 +0000

As World Cup qualifying nears its end, the field of 48 teams at next summer's tournament is starting to come into focus. So far, we've seen some surprise qualifiers including the likes of Cape Verde and Curaçao, who will both be making their debuts, while other nations like Italy and Nigeria are either out of the running completely, or will have to win a playoff to get in.

On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the crew gets into some of the best moments from World Cup qualifying, while also looking at the USMNT's dominant November window in which it defeated Paraguay and Uruguay handily.

Timestamps

(00:41) What the crew has been up to
(12:20) World Cup qualifiers: Surprises, disappointments, and everything in between
(27:20) The USMNT's hot streak

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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222. The adidas World Cup Home Kits: What Worked, What Didn't?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 14:43:37 +0000

You know the World Cup is coming soon when we start to see kits release -- and adidas was first to the party with its release of 22 national team home jerseys. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, we discuss the best and worst from the bunch, as well as what we're looking forward to from upcoming releases.

Timestamps

(02:19) The adidas World Cup home kits -- what worked, what didn't?
(26:57) Hot takes: jerseys and crest design
(36:40) Wild card shoutouts: Korean fried chicken and getting named to Forty-One Magazine's 41 List!

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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221. The Sports Gambling Problem. Plus: Ex-MLS Goalkeeper Spencer Richey's Thriving New Career

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 4 Nov 2025 14:25:13 +0000

Most athletes retire after their peak playing days, but they are still in the primes of their lives. Some transition into coaching, while others may find themselves on TV as analysts or commentators. But Spencer Richey has taken a different path after his 10-year MLS career.

The former Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, FC Cincinnati, and Chicago Fire goalkeeper has carved a new career for himself in the real estate industry, managing several properties including Missing Hotel, a boutique experiential resort in Marble Falls, Texas.

He joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss his post-soccer pivot, what he misses from the game, and how he got into the world of real estate.

But first -- Julio and Ramsey discuss the ongoing infiltration of gambling in the world of sports, and how its prevalence has led to several scandals both in and out of soccer.

Timestamps

(02:02) Has sports gambling gone too far?
(21:47) Spencer Richey joins the Urban Pitch Podcast

Check out Spencer's Missing Hotel property here.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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220. Toronto FC Midfielder Malik Henry

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:24:31 +0000

We catch up with Toronto FC's Malik Henry, who's fresh off his rookie season in MLS, to discuss his atypical journey to the league, what he's working on in the offseason, and how he got into making beats.

Timestamps

(00:30) What he's been up to so far in the offseason
(02:40) The highs and lows of his rookie pro season and his overall soccer journey
(16:00) Getting acclimated to Toronto both on and off the pitch
(20:28) The budding LA-Toronto rivalry
(22:39) Athletes turning to music for a creative outlet and his journey making beats
(40:00) Goals for the offseason and outlook for next year

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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219. The MLS End-of-Year Superlatives with Favian Renkel

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 12:36:38 +0000

MLS expert and Urban Pitch contributor Favian Renkel joins the squad to talk all things MLS, including his pick for MVP, MLS Cup favorites, and biggest surprises of the year!

(00:15) Balling with Justin Bieber
(02:08) Christen Press' retirement
(05:15) LAFC's hot streak heading into the MLS Cup Playoffs
(12:20) Favian Renkel joins the show to discuss the MLS end-of-year superlatives

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218. Fans Getting Priced Out of the Game ft. Matt Marshall

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:09:42 +0000

As prices continue to rise on everything from kits to tickets, we discuss how it's becoming harder for fans to experience the game with EatPrayBall's Matt Marshall!

(00:01:47) The new format of the Urban Pitch Podcast and Matt Marshall's soccer background
(00:13:50) Today's main topic: Fans getting priced out of the game
(00:37:50) The hot take round

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217. North Carolina Courage Midfielder Brianna Pinto

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 7 Oct 2025 13:07:00 +0000

Whether it's on the pitch with the North Carolina Courage, or off the pitch through her work with her foundation and the NWSL BWPC, Brianna Pinto is an extremely high achiever. We were able to sit down with the talented midfielder to discuss her family's athletic pedigree, how growing up in Durham, North Carolina shaped her as a player, and the upcoming Black high school player showcase she's helping put together alongside Black Star and the BWPC.

Timestamps

(02:30) Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min: The best duo in MLS?
(09:10) Should Carlos Vela get a statue for LAFC?
(13:53) Brianna Pinto joins the show!
(22:00) Her college career at UNC and how growing up in North Carolina shaped her
(30:28) The Black high school players showcase she's helping put together with Black Star and the BWPC

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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216. Angel City FC Rookie Sensation Riley Tiernan

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 13:10:38 +0000

We're back! After our end-of-summer sabbatical, we had to do things big in our return -- so we headed to the Angel City FC training facility to do our first on-the-road podcast recording, with special guest Riley Tiernan.

From getting a non-roster training camp invite to becoming one of the top goal scorers in the entire NWSL, Tiernan has burst onto the scene in her rookie season with Angel City FC. We discuss her stellar work ethic, how growing up in an athletic family helped shape her playing style, and what her experience with Angel City has been like so far in her young career.

(01:11) Getting acclimated to Los Angeles after growing up on the East Coast
(04:19) Growing up in an athletic family and having a sister that also played in the NWSL
(08:00) Her experience with Angel City FC
(22:20) How she developed her style of play
(27:55) Who's on AUX duty in the Angel City FC

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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215. More USMNT Drama?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:00:23 +0000

The summer may be winding down, but the heat around the United States men's national team keeps going up. A longstanding feud between current and former stars was reignited when Christian Pulisic and Timothy Weah addressed comments from former US players in the nine-part 'Pulisic' docu-series.

We address the controversy (again) and see if the USMNT can get through the strife ahead of next summer's World Cup.

(03:10) How summer 2025 has panned out
(18:00) Christian Pulisic's USMNT drama

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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214. Puerto Rico national team forward Sky Rodriguez

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:47:44 +0000

Growing up in Southern California, Sky Rodriguez was more in touch with her Mexican side than her Puerto Rican side. But that all changed in college, when she got the opportunity to play with the Puerto Rican women's national team. Since then, she's been an ambassador to help grow the sport in the country, and continues to spread the love for the game across the island. She joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss her journey with the national team, the various club teams she's played for, and the increased opportunities for professional women's soccer across North America.

01:36 Playing in the same rec league as Brigitte
08:36 Her experience with the Puerto Rican national team and soccer culture in the country
25:10 Her current training regimen and her search for a club team
31:42 Playing with Cruz Azul
43:33 Growing up in a soccer and sports family
49:03 The growing opportunities for women's soccer in North America

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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213. AmirSaysNothing Returns

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 5 Aug 2025 13:51:54 +0000

The last time we spoke to AmirSaysNothing, he was coming off a tour for his 2021 album "Endless Brightside," and fully coming into his own as one of the top independent artists in the Los Angeles scene.

Now, he's preparing for the release of "We Are Who We Say We Are," his debut on the Fat Beats label, which has artists like the El Michaels Affair, Danny Brown & Black Milk, and Masta Ace on their roster.

With features from Killer Mike and Project Pat, "We Are Who We Say We Are" is slated to be Amir's biggest release yet, but it's also his most personal, diving into the importance of creating your own narrative and pathway as an artist and human being.

He joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the upcoming release on August 8, the current state of rap, and the ongoing civil war in music: Sales vs. Quality.

Timestamps

(00:01:41) Amir's growth as an artist since the last time we spoke with him
(00:06:40) The state of rap today
(00:23:25) Quality vs. sales and the industry machine
(00:34:15) His upcoming album "We Are Who We Say We Are"
(00:49:44) Ghostwriting in rap

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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212. Chicharito Controversy, Coldplay Concerts, and Nike's Total 90 Resurgence

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 15:44:44 +0000

Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has long been outspoken on social media, candidly sharing his reflections on everything from mental health to his overall career in general. But his transparency recently got him into hot water, as his comments on gender roles and norms received plenty of backlash, and led to a fine from the Mexican Football Federation.

We discuss his comments, the response, and footballers' responsibilities as role models on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!

Timestamps

(00:20) The infamous Coldplay concert
(08:25) Chicharito's comments and the ensuing backlash
(36:08) Nike's Total 90 resurgence

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

211. Content Creator Adi Azran

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 15:38:16 +0000

From playing college soccer to creating viral videos, Adi Azran has long had a love for the beautiful game. He's behind some of the funniest clips on the internet, and we sit down with him to discuss his journey in soccer, the culture of the game in America, and some of his favorite moments both playing and creating content.

(01:01) His most viral video and the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate
(09:13) Adi's soccer journey playing college soccer and transitioning into making soccer videos
(21:10) The summer of soccer 2025 and how it sets us up for next year's World Cup
(28:00) American soccer and sports culture
(41:57) Favorite soccer moments as a creator
(49:30) Goals for the future

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

210. 'El Soccer Guy' Leo Hernandez

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:26:53 +0000

One of our favorite soccer content creators, El Soccer Guy's journey in the soccer media space started with an accidental viral video. Since then, he's traveled the country watching countless games and documenting his experiences. He joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the growth of soccer culture in the United States, how things went in the new format Club World Cup, and Mexico's latest Gold Cup triumph.

Plus, we got sent our newest Urban Pitch jerseys for the most recent Icarus Cup!

(00:34) The Urban Pitch Icarus Cup jerseys
(02:15) Leo's background in soccer and how he became "El Soccer Guy"
(07:00)Thoughts on the Club World Cup from start to finish
(25:07) Mexico's turnaround and Gold Cup victory, and how they compare to the USMNT
(42:30) NWSL and the growth of women's sports in the US

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

209. Sporting Kansas City Winger Dániel Sallói

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 1 Jul 2025 14:35:49 +0000

A homegrown player for Sporting Kansas City, Dániel Sallói has become a fan favorite and mainstay on the KC roster throughout his career. We sit down with the talented winger to discuss his MVP candidate season in 2021, growing into a leadership role, and who the best trash talker on the team is!

(01:00) Getting a nice break in the middle of the season and the incredibly busy soccer calendar
(04:42) Playing padel and investing into courts in Kansas City
(11:02) Becoming a mainstay player with Sporting Kansas City
(22:35) Growing up in a soccer family with a pro footballer as a dad
(33:31) His vlog from the 2020 MLS is Back tournament and what it was like in the bubble
(40:20) Trash talking and the vibe in the locker room
(45:44) His playlist and newfound love for Kendrick Lamar

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

208. The Summer of Soccer is Here

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 13:51:14 +0000

With the Club World Cup and Gold Cup in full swing, it's set to be another busy summer for soccer in the United States. But are we doing everything we can as a country to capitalize on all of these opportunities to grow the sport? We discuss this and more on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!

Timestamps

(00:30) The summer of soccer and the hype around the Club World Cup
(18:18) The Gold Cup and US Soccer's missed opportunities to grow the sport in the country
(37:12) Our goals for the summer

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

207. A World Class Episode ft. Ricky Canales!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:33:29 +0000

Based in Jacksonville, Florida, World Class Football brings a fresh take on soccer storytelling in the country. Brand founder Ricky Canales joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the latest headlines across the soccer culture-verse, including protests in LA, the not-so-great USMNT vibes, and what CONCACAF World Cup qualifying could look like without the United States, Mexico, or Canada in the mix.

Timestamps

(01:17) World Class Football's origin story and Ricky's background in the sport
(07:20) The situation in Los Angeles: Lots of footy on the pitch, protests in the streets
(16:25) USMNT's bad vibes
(27:56) Landon Donovan vs. Christian Pulisic
(37:46) CONCACAF's World Cup qualifying with the US, Mexico, and Canada already in

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

206. The MLS Mount Rushmore with Favian Renkel

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 3 Jun 2025 16:27:51 +0000

It was an incredibly busy weekend in the world of football, and we recap some of the biggest moments with the help of Favian Renkel. One of the top voices when it comes to North American soccer, Renkel has written for sites like SBI Soccer, Upper 90, and Sports Illustrated, and perhaps most importantly he is the newest contributor to the Urban Pitch staff.

We get into the LAFC vs. Club America Club World Cup play-in match, Carlos Vela's retirement, and more! Be sure to stay tuned for more stories and podcast episodes with Favian in the future.

(00:02:10) The LAFC-Club America FIFA Club World Cup qualifying match
(00:14:35) Does MLS have an East Coast bias?
(00:23:49) Christian Pulisic's USMNT legacy
(00:41:44) Carlos Vela's retirement and the MLS Mount Rushmore
(01:02:40) Favian's background in the sport and how he fell in love with the game

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

205. LAFC's Chance at the Club World Cup and Our UCL Final Predictions

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 27 May 2025 13:58:32 +0000

The biggest game of the club season is upon us, so you know we had to predict a winner. Can Julio continue his hot streak?

But before we get into that, we discuss the latest El Trafico match, the controversy surrounding Marky Delgado's 2024 MLS Cup ring presentation, and the monumental opportunity that LAFC has to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Timestamps

(01:16) The El Trafico rivalry and how the Galaxy handled Marky Delgado's ring presentation
(09:15) The Galaxy's struggles throughout 2025 and the MLS rules restrictions
(17:41) LAFC's opportunity to qualify for the 2025 Club World Cup
(25:38) Our UCL final predictions
(31:04) The new FIFA transfer window for the Club World Cup

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

204. New Kit Szn!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 20 May 2025 15:36:23 +0000

With the summer rapidly approaching, we've seen a slew of national team kits drop from the world's biggest brands. But whose have been the best: Nike, adidas, or PUMA? We get into it all on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!

Plus: check out the incredibly dope kits we're rocking from Oakland Soul!

Timestamps

(00:30) The Oakland Soul kits we're rocking
(02:08) Our thoughts on recent kit releases, starting with Nike
(15:50) The new slate of adidas kits
(21:24) PUMA's recent offerings
(24:31) Why these US kits are the best in quite some time
(27:30) Barcelona's fantastic run

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

203. 5ASIDE and Vino Vriday's Gabriel Guisado

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 14 May 2025 15:39:27 +0000

Co-founder of 5ASIDE Media and WavyFooty, and founder of Vino Vriday and Vino Conversations⁩, Gabriel Guisado has been making big moves in the soccer and culture space in recent years. His most recent Vino Vriday event hit Los Angeles, and we caught up with him while he was in town to discuss the growth of soccer culture in the United States, R&B's different eras, and the ongoing comparisons between New York City and LA.

Timestamps

(00:01:30) The growth of 5ASIDE Media and starting Vino Vriday
(00:08:10) The different iterations of R&B and why the current era is under appreciated
(00:21:14) Keeping up with the wild storylines throughout the 2024-25 season
(00:42:36) The 5ASIDE movement
(00:49:24) NYC vs. LA
(00:56:10) Gabe's pre-game playlist

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

202. Poch vs. Arena, UCL Predictions, and the Issues at Inter Miami

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 6 May 2025 15:45:22 +0000

As we near the end of the 2024-25 international football season, there's been a hot stove of storylines firing from all corners of the globe. We start things off in the United States, where the Vancouver Whitecaps have continued a surprise dominant campaign by advancing to the finals of the CONCACAF Champions Cup over Inter Miami. In addition to Vancouver's success, we discuss the issues at Inter Miami, who have struggled to win major trophies with their star-studded roster.

We then get into the national team setup, where former USMNT manager Bruce Arena made headlines with his comments about current boss Mauricio Pochettino, followed by the UEFA Champions League and Real Madrid's mercurial first season with Kylian Mbappe.

(02:17) Vancouver Whitecaps' upset of Inter Miami in the CONCACAF Champions Cup
(14:40) Should national team coaches be from the same country they coach?
(26:40) The major coaching shuffle heading into the 2025 offseason
(30:17) Real Madrid's disappointing 2025 and Lamine Yamal's ascendence
(36:10) Predictions for the UCL semis second leg

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

201. Who's Performing at the World Cup Halftime Show? Plus: Our Favorite Kits From America's Lower Divisions!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 16:52:40 +0000

The 2026 World Cup is going to be different. Three host nations and 48 participating teams are perhaps the most notable changes to the tournament's format, but, as purveyors of all things soccer culture, one new addition has piqued our interest the most: a Super Bowl-style halftime show during the final.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called it a "can't-miss event," and many have speculated as to who is the right artist to perform. Including us. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, we go through our picks to headline the landmark performance, from Drake to Taylor Swift and beyond.

In addition, we get into some of our favorite kits from America's lower leagues, a conversation spurred by the new Forward Madison home kits that the club was kind enough to send us!

Timestamps

(01:15) Forward Madison's fantastic approach to lower league soccer
(08:54) Our favorite kits from America's lower leagues
(15:07) Potential US Open Cup upsets in the round of 32
(21:35) The lawsuit against the USWNT
(25:28) Who should perform at the 2026 World Cup Final halftime show?

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

200. A 200th Episode Special with Denise Jones and Eli Lesser!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 17:09:09 +0000

Episode 200 of the Urban Pitch Podcast is here, and it's a special one. We wanted to discuss the evolving soccer culture in the United States, and couldn't think of two better people to do it with than Denise Jones and Eli Lesser! Having both been in the soccer and media spaces for quite some time, both Denise and Eli have a unique insight and voice on all things soccer, and they join us for a fun conversation that covers everything from the 2026 World Cup to the overall experience of the American soccer fan. We hope you enjoy the discussion as much as we did, and here's to 200 more!

Timestamps

(00:00:30) Celebrating 200 episodes
(00:06:30) New trends and the growth of soccer in the US leading up to the 2026 World Cup
(00:29:17) The overall fan experience in the US — supporters' groups for clubs vs. the national team (00:37:02) Our favorite US Soccer kits
(00:46:40) The USMNT's chances at the 2026 World Cup
(01:01:00) What lies in the future of American soccer

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

199. Seattle Reign Defender Madison Curry

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 1 Apr 2025 15:32:21 +0000

A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NWSL Draft, Madison Curry quickly went from unheralded prospect to everyday starter for Angel City FC in her rookie season. After signing with the Seattle Reign in free agency ahead of the 2025 season, her journey as a starter continues, having played in every minute of the team's first three games.

She's found a new home in Seattle, one where she can flourish in a different playing style that suits her offensive capabilities as a wing back, while also connecting to the beautiful scenery and nature away from the pitch. She joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss how she's settled into her new team and city, how the league has changed in the short time she's been in it, and her experience going from Princeton to the pro ranks.

Timestamps

(01:41) Signing with Seattle after her rookie season with Angel City FC, and getting settled with her new team
(20:28) Going the college route with Princeton and the trend of going pro at a younger age
(24:50) Making her return to LA on the other side of things
(31:50) Interacting with fans in Seattle
(35:40) Her off the pitch interests and fashion sense
(45:30) Advice to kids wanting to go pro
(49:10) Music in the Reign locker room and the music on Madison's playlist

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

198. Another Disappointment from the USMNT

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:40:11 +0000

The USMNT's recent CONCACAF Nations League crash out once again shows that there's still plenty of work cut out for this "Golden Generation." We break down the loss to Panama in the semis, then get into if the squad needs to go all-out in the Gold Cup. Then, we get into the upcoming Club World Cup and the opening stages of the US Open Cup!

(00:33) The USMNT's loss to Panama and the team's disappointment
(13:39) Does the USMNT need to go all-out for the Gold Cup
(19:16) The upcoming Club World Cup: Are we hyped for it?
(39:36) The 2025 US Open Cup

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

197. Ranking All the 2025 NWSL Kits!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 14:41:44 +0000

As the 2025 NWSL season kicked off last weekend, the action on the pitch was only matched by the hype surrounding the new jersey releases. We go through each team's new jersey and rank them in a tiered list. Where did your team end up?

(01:50) Some background behind the 2025 NWSL kits
(07:17) Our rankings of each NWSL kit

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

196. Angel City FC Forward Casey Phair

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:56:52 +0000

"New year, new me."

That's the mantra that 17-year-old Angel City FC forward Casey Phair has going into the 2025 NWSL season. The youngest player on the team, Phair was understandably a bit shy throughout her rookie season, but now with a year of experience under her belt, she's ready to make an impact in year two. She joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss her growth as a player during the offseason, bonding with her fellow young teammates, and learning valuable lessons from veterans like Christen Press and Sydney Leroux.

In addition, we chat about her experience on the South Korean national team, and getting to hang out in Los Angeles' Koreatown.

Timestamps

(01:15) Angel City FC's outlook for 2025 and Casey's growth
(12:00) The bond between the young players at Angel City
(19:44) Who's on AUX duty in the locker room and general vibes within the team
(23:30) The Korean population in LA and her favorite places to hang out in Koreatown
(30:50) Going to Korea for national team duty and interacting with fans
(38:03) Angel City's commitment to fashion and the best dressed players on the team
(42:33) Before/In/After 2007: A new quiz show
(47:34) Turning pro instead of going to college and the dynamic with her family
(57:04) Thoughts on the new Angel City FC kits

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

195. LAFC Striker Jeremy Ebobisse

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 4 Mar 2025 18:37:18 +0000

The last time we had Jeremy Ebobisse on the podcast, he was bagging goals for the San Jose Earthquakes. Just over a year later, he's made the trip to Southern California with LAFC, where he's already scored a pivotal goal in the club's 2025 season opener.

He re-joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss his move to LA, the vibes in the LAFC locker room, and helping those around him to succeed as much as possible.

Timestamps

(01:04) Getting adjusted to Los Angeles and thoughts on his new club
(15:55) Getting involved in the LA community
(21:50) LAFC's 2025 season and the league-wide camaraderie between players
(27:10) Being an amateur foodie and trying spots in LA
(35:37) Being a mentor in the locker room to younger players
(45:07) Who runs AUX in the LAFC locker room and Jeremy's playlist
(50:32) The pressure of winning in Los Angeles

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

194. The Best and Worst MLS Kits, and Pro/Rel Coming to the USA?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:12:23 +0000

The 2025 MLS season kicked off over the weekend, which means we got a slew of new kits to parse over. We take a look at some of the best and worst new releases, while also looking ahead at what should be another fantastic season.

In addition, we go over the recent USL division 1 application news, and take a look at if the country is ready for another top flight. Could pro/rel finally be coming to the U.S.?

Timestamps

(01:33) USL's division 1 ambitions and the possibility of pro/rel in the United States
(14:34) The start of the MLS season and our thoughts on the best and worst kits

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

193. Brooklyn FC's Samantha Rosette & Allison Pantuso

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:18:43 +0000

Holding down the back line for Brooklyn FC in the USL Super League, Allison Pantuso and Samantha Rosette have been valuable veteran presences for the new club in the startup league. Currently sitting in first place heading into the spring half of the 2024-25 season, Brooklyn has emerged as one of the strongest clubs both on and off the pitch in the Super League.

They drop by the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the experience of joining a first-year club, their midseason trip to Italy, and the vibes of playing in the heart of New York City.

(01:13) Brooklyn FC's midseason trip to Italy
(07:20) Coming together as a new team and the vibes in the locker room
(17:47) The process of joining Brooklyn FC after lengthy careers playing overseas
(23:30) What it's like playing in New York, and the differences between each neighborhood
(31:10) The Player's Network and connecting pro soccer players from all around the world
(37:20) Pre-game rituals and what's on their playlist

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

192. FC Dallas Defender Marco Farfan

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 17:40:09 +0000

Since making his debut with the Portland Timbers at 18 in 2017, Marco Farfan has become a staple in MLS, and has found a solid role with FC Dallas. He joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss turning pro while he was still in high school, his thoughts on the 2025 season, and the challenges of playing for a new coach.

Timestamps

(00:55) Preseason vibes and the hype for the 2025 season
(05:02) The nature of being traded and Luka Doncic's impact on Dallas
(13:20) Growing up in Portland and signing with the Timbers while he was still in high school
(26:30) MLS fans and the differences in fan bases between Portland, LA, and Dallas
(32:39) FC Dallas' outlook for 2025
(39:30) Differences between Portland, LA, and Dallas
(41:20) His style and getting into fashion
(44:23) The music on his playlist
(46:33) Julio's hot seat

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

191. Mega Transfers, Bigger Tournaments, and Cobi Jones' Statue

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 4 Feb 2025 17:40:49 +0000

The winter transfer window has heated up, with big moves on both the men's and women's side of things. After an injury-filled spell at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Neymar is making his return to Brazil and his childhood club, Santos. Elsewhere, Naomi Girma became the first million-dollar transfer in women's soccer, joining Chelsea and bolstering a super-team that also features fellow USWNT stars Catarina Macario and Mia Fishel.

We get into all of this and more on the latest Urban Pitch Podcast episode, in addition to discussing the jam-packed league phase of the Champions League, Cobi Jones' statue for LA Galaxy, and more moves across the world of football.

Timestamps

(01:02) Neymar's return to Santos
(16:10) Naomi Girma: Women's soccer's first million-dollar transfer
(27:33) The new Champions League format and the expanding nature of major tournaments
(38:32) Cobi Jones' statue for LA Galaxy
(48:32) Mateusz Bogusz leaving LAFC for Cruz Azul

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

190. Ambiente Central DJ Henrry Rza

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 18:04:08 +0000

A founding member of Ambiente Central, one of LA's hottest events, Henrry Rza has become a sought after DJ and expert vibe curator over the past few years. He's also a passionate footy fan with supreme ball knowledge, and he joins the squad to discuss some of his favorite soccer moments, controversial VAR calls, and his love for Arsenal, in addition to starting Ambiente Central and uniting LA's vibrant Central American community.

Timestamps

(00:03:05) The art of being a good DJ and the various styles of DJing
(00:11:15) Growing up in LA and his soccer background
(00:16:44) How his love for hip-hop got him into DJing
(00:22:37) His Ambiente Central event, and uniting LA's Central American community
(00:31:39) Liga MX vs. MLS
(00:38:50) Becoming an Arsenal fan and the fall of Manchester United
(00:44:30) VAR and its implementation across various leagues
(00:52:37) The music-sports crossover
(00:57:08) The music in his rotation

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

189. Katie Johnson Returns!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:57:12 +0000

Fresh off her retirement announcement, Katie Johnson returns to the Urban Pitch Podcast! The last time we spoke to her, she was on the San Diego Wave, but shortly after our discussion she returned to her hometown and joined Angel City FC. We discuss her two-year stint in Los Angeles, in addition to what went into her decision to retire, her new journey in pilates, and what she is currently listening to.

Timestamps

(01:56) The impact of the LA fires on Katie's family
(03:10) Retiring from pro soccer and making the adjustment to post-playing days
(17:10) Her experience with Angel City FC for the past two seasons
(33:17) Getting certified as a pilates instructor and new avenues moving forward
(42:00) Navigating the highs and lows of a career as a pro athlete
(52:25) The USC experience
(56:58) Her music playlist and favorite artists

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

188. What We're Hyped for in 2025, and the "Tweaker" Phenomenon

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 17:15:50 +0000

From major tournaments to surprising league title races, 2025 has plenty in store for the world of football. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, we break down what we're most hyped for, before getting into the Ball Brothers' hit "Tweaker," and the athlete-musician crossover.

Timestamps

(00:10) The wildfires in Los Angeles
(02:06) What we're looking forward to in 2025
(15:23) The 2025 Women's EUROs and the streaming wars in live sports
(26:46) The "Tweaker'" phenomenon and the athlete-artist crossover

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

187. Pro Baller Darielle O'Brien

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 7 Jan 2025 17:15:33 +0000

Making her professional debut at 26, Darielle O'Brien's pathway to the professional ranks was far from typical.

After playing collegiately at UC Riverside, she spent the next few years playing semi-professionally with United City FC in Southern California, still searching for an opportunity to play at the pro level. In 2024, she'd get her shot. With the Summer Olympics enlisting numerous players across the NWSL to national team duty, O'Brien signed with the Utah Royals as a replacement player. She'd eventually sign to the club through the rest of the year, although her contract wasn't renewed come the end of the season.

Now a free agent, she understands that this is still the beginning of her journey, and she's eager to make an impact with whichever team signs her next. She joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss her atypical journey, the grind of making it out of a smaller school, and her overall experience in the NWSL.

Timestamps

(01:32) Her experience in the NWSL and her unorthodox journey getting there
(18:29) Signing with the Utah Royals and finding her footing at a new level
(28:53) Upcoming goals and her options in the offseason
(40:12) Her off-pitch hobbies and love for coffee

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

186. Pro Center Back Robert Castellanos

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 16:00:59 +0000

From moving to Mexico as a teenager to play for the Xolos academy to making his MLS breakthrough with Sporting Kansas City, it was never a straightforward path to the pro ranks for Robert Castellanos.

Now a free agent with multiple options in front of him as he's proven his value on the pitch, Caste joins the crew to discuss the lessons he's learned, the adversity he's faced, and how that's prepared him for whatever lies ahead. In addition, he touches on his Rooted foundation, which is providing youth players in Palmdale and the Antelope Valley with proper infrastructure to develop their talents.

Timestamps

(01:50) Growing up in Palmdale and going to Mexico with Xolos' academy
(20:10) Going to Atlas and getting advice from first team veterans
(33:17) The funniest trash talk he's ever heard
(37:51) The difficulties of coming back to the US after his time in Mexico
(50:50) His Rooted foundation and giving back to the community he grew up in

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

185. The Galaxy's Return to the Top, Angel City's Big Moves, and the Pulisic Documentary

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:01:18 +0000

After a decade in the doldrums, the LA Galaxy are finally MLS champions once more. Their record sixth Cup was the product of a front office turnaround, a trove of dynamic attacking players, and a grit that allowed the club to grind to a white-knuckle final victory over the New York Red Bulls. We discuss what went into the Galaxy's return to the top, in addition to other LA team moves, and the Christian Pulisic documentary.

Timestamps

(00:30) The wild MLS Cup Final
(15:54) Angel City FC's big moves
(23:52) San Diego FC's rollout
(28:37) Steve Cherundolo's job security
(32:50) The Christian Pulisic documentary and anti-American bias in soccer

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

184. Wrapping up 2024, and Brigitte's Colombian Adventure

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:29:05 +0000

2024 was a fantastic year for soccer, and now that we're reaching its conclusion we wrap up some of our favorite memories from the jam-packed calendar. In addition, Brigitte recounts her recent trip to Colombia, where she took in a fierce derby match between Atletico Nacional and Independiente Medellin.

Timestamps

(01:08) Brigitte's Colombian excursion
(26:09) Looking back at 2024: Our favorite moments and music

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

183. Martino Out in Miami, and Pulisic's Controversial Dance Moves

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:42:31 +0000

It was another wild week in the world of soccer. We get into Tata Martino's surprise resignation, the USMNT's resounding victory over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, and Christian Pulisic's controversial goal celebration.

(00:55) What we're thankful for
(03:05) Tata Martino out at Inter Miami
(19:19) USMNT's victory over Jamaica and Christian Pulisic's goal celebration
(29:46) Mexico vs. Honduras and fan misconduct

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

182. Hija de tu Madre Founder Patty Delgado

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:27:16 +0000

With an uncompromising commitment to Latina fashion, Hija de tu Madre has quickly become a staple in communities across the globe. Founder and head designer Patty Delgado has used her experiences growing up in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas to create a brand that showcases Latina culture in a vibrant style.

Her brand's momentum has led to a handful of high profile collaborations, including with Angel City FC. Along with club sponsor Klarna, Hija de tu Madre linked up with ACFC to create a "Del Alma de Los Angeles" collection, which features a zip jacket, tee, hat, and tote bag.

Patty joined the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to talk about the collab, growing up in LA, and how her hustle and intuition led to her brand's growing success.

Timestamps

(01:50) Growing up in Los Angeles
(10:00) Choosing the name Hija de tu Madre and building momentum
(20:41)Collaborating with Angel City FC
(29:30) Soccer's influence in fashion and the growing Mexican x Central American alliance
(33:30) Advice to those starting out
(44:34) Creating the Preguntas card game
(50:09) Her music playlist

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

181. San Jose Earthquakes Midfielder Niko Tsakiris

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:01:27 +0000

At just 19 years old, Niko Tsakiris already has a wealth of experience both for club and country. He made his first team debut with the San Jose Earthquakes as a homegrown player at just 16, and has since blossomed into a key player for the club. For the United States, Tsakiris has featured for the United States youth national team in multiple tournaments, including the 2023 U-20 World Cup, and 2024 U-20 CONCACAF Championships, where he won the Golden Ball.

He stops by the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss his international experience, making his pro debut at such a young age, and his thoughts on Bruce Arena joining the Earthquakes as head coach and sporting director.

(01:18) Growing up in San Jose and rising up the ranks with his hometown club
(07:21) His academy experience and the future of youth development in the U.S.
(13:30) Making his first team debut
(19:58) Thoughts on Bruce Arena joining the Earthquakes as head coach and sporting director
(22:18) Locker room dynamic and playing with leaders like Jeremy Ebobisse
(25:23) Winning the golden ball at the 2024 U-20 CONCACAF championship
(28:13) The atmosphere at youth international tournaments
(32:00) His education process and getting his high school diploma
(37:02) Offseason goals
(43:04) What's on Niko's playlist

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

180. LA is So Back! Plus: Ballon d'Or Controversy & MLS Playoffs

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 5 Nov 2024 16:58:47 +0000

Dodgers are World Series Champs, LA Galaxy is cruising, and LAFC won the MLS Western Conference — it's a good time to be in Los Angeles. Ramsey and Julio get into the latest LA happenings, including a new album from Tyler, the Creator, before getting into the thick of the Ballon d'Or controversy and the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs!

Timestamps

(00:37) The Dodgers winning the World Series and LA being the city of champions
(07:48) Tyler, the Creator's new album
(14:58) Ballon d'Or controversy
(28:02) Real Madrid's bigger problems
(33:02) MLS Playoffs

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

179. CBS Sports Personality and Fit Merchant Aaron West

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 16:21:25 +0000

If you're a fan of soccer, you've probably come across Aaron West at some point or another. Whether it's his video work with COPA 90, covering the 2019 Women's World Cup with FOX, or his current position on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, Aaron has brought his unique insight, sense of humor, and sartorial acumen to countless outlets and mediums.

On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, we were able to sit down with the multi-talented analyst to reminisce on our 2018 photoshoot, his journey in soccer from player to pundit, and his love for fashion and becoming known for dressing.

(03:33) The growth of women's soccer across the globe
(10:55) Aaron's soccer background growing up in North Carolina
(25:10) The development of young American talent
(38:25) Aaron's sense of fashion and how he got his love for putting that sh*t on
(46:50) The music on his playlist

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

178. Pulisic's Load Management and BOS Nation FC's Balls-y Debut

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 15:55:19 +0000

They say first impressions are everything, and the NWSL's new Boston expansion franchise didn't pass the test. BOS Nation FC is an interesting name on its own, but not as interesting as the club's "Too Many Balls" campaign that was quickly erased upon the backlash it received. We get into the botched introduction and more — including the Christian Pulisic load management issue — on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!

(00:48) Julio's appearance at LA's Broadway Nights futsal event
(04:14) Pochettino's debut as USMNT coach
(14:23) Christian Pulisic's load management controversy
(25:53) BOS Nation FC's wild introductory campaign

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

177. The MLS MVP Race, New Venezia Kits, and Pochettino's USMNT Debut

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 15:54:46 +0000

The football world doesn't stop spinning, and neither do we. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, Ramsey and Julio sit down to discuss the newly-released Venezia FC x NOCTA kits, the MLS MVP race, and expectations for Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT debut.

Timestamps

(01:01) Drip check: The new Venezia FC x NOCTA kits
(10:42) Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT debut
(20:40) The MLS MVP race

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

176. Favorite EA FC/FIFA Soundtrack Memories & Pulisic's Hot Streak

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 8 Oct 2024 16:07:23 +0000

Another Tuesday, another UP Podcast! This week, the crew sits down to discuss their fondest EA FC/FIFA soundtrack memories, Christian Pulisic's hot streak, and Brigitte's recent trip to Mexico!

Timestamps

(00:42) Brigitte's Mexico trip
(14:55) EA FC 25's soundtrack
(31:06) Christian Pulisic's hot streak
(41:01) Julio and Brigitte's rec league adventures

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

175. DJ Vinnie Mack

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 16:51:11 +0000

The radio industry has gone through numerous changes in the streaming era, but one thing that has remained constant: quality shines through. Whether it's the quality of the music, artist, or set list, audiences can always differentiate the good from the bad.

DJ Vinnie Mack is always about quality. Whether it's his daily set on Cali 93.9 or the Pa La Calle Podcast, he brings a highly curated taste and perspective to all of his work. We sit down with the LA native to discuss how he made it in the radio industry, his advice for up-and-coming artists on the rise, and how he came to love the beautiful game.

Timestamps

(01:45) Vinnie's soccer background and growing in Los Angeles
(10:20) Getting into the radio industry and how he programs his music
(41:04) The LA soccer scene and the El Trafico rivalry
(53:55) The Pa La Calle Podcast

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

174: A New Start for USMNT, Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl, and Panic Time for LAFC?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 14:34:53 +0000

The Urban Pitch Podcast is back for another episode covering the latest news and updates in the soccer culture-verse. In this episode, Julio and Ramsey discuss Mauricio Pochettino officially becoming the next USMNT manager, LAFC's latest chance for a trophy at the US Open Cup, and Kendrick Lamar's highly anticipated Super Bowl performance.

Timestamps

(00:49) Mauricio Pochettino officially unveiled as USMNT head coach
(16:40) MLS's failure to recognize international breaks
(20:29) Another chance for LAFC to win a trophy
(28:02) Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show announcement
(37:05) Music we've been listening to
(40:51) Nike's Cortez x Tiempo fusion shoe

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

173. Ballon d'Or Hype and Alex Morgan's Farewell to Soccer

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 14:48:45 +0000

The Ballon d'Or shortlists are out, and the debates on who should win football's most prestigious award are raging. From our picks to win it to egregious snubs left off the lists, we get into it all in the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast. In addition, we also discuss the legendary career of Alex Morgan, who just announced her retirement and played in her final match last Sunday.

Timestamps

(00:30) The Overtime FC x Kappa x Klarna kits we're rocking
(07:20) The Ballon d'Or shortlist and our picks to win it
(19:17) Kylian Mbappe's early struggles with Real Madrid
(29:46) The women's Ballon d'Or
(36:56) Alex Morgan's retirement from soccer
(44:08) Don Kennedy's LA concert and our favorite LA artists

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

172. Pochettino to USMNT, Nike's New Third Kits, and CR7's YouTube Channel

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 3 Sep 2024 14:42:16 +0000

The summer's coming to a close, and that means a wild stretch of footy is now behind us. But the soccer world doesn't rest, and we're already into a new European season, while MLS and the NWSL sprint to the finish of their respective seasons as well.

On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the crew discusses the potential announcement of Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT manager, in addition to the polarizing new slate of third kits from Nike and CR7's venture into content creation.

Timestamps

(02:19) Thoughts on the summer of footy
(09:32) Mauricio Pochettino's potential USMNT manager position
(26:14) The new Nike third kits
(34:35) Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube channel

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

171. A New NWSL CBA, the Start of the EPL Season, and Our Fav New Kits ft. Jessica Black!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 15:54:38 +0000

We've got new season fever. With every new year comes a fresh wave of optimism and hope, and with a new EPL campaign underway, there wasn't anyone else we'd rather chat with than Jessica Black! The SheKnowsArsenal star discusses her thoughts on the 2024-25 season, and where the Gunners' priorities should lie after two straight second-place finishes.

But first, we dig into the new collective bargaining agreement in the NWSL, and the historic implications that it could bring across American sports.

Timestamps

(00:01:25) The new NWSL collective bargaining agreement
(00:13:50) The return of the NWSL and Angel City FC's strong Summer Cup
(00:23:58) The start of the English Premier League season
(00:38:20) Our favorite kits across Europe for the 2024-25. season
(00:55:34) Puppy corner

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

170. Host and Creator Megan Reyes

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 15:04:42 +0000

Over the past few years, Megan Reyes has emerged as one of the most engaging voices in sports, covering everything from women's soccer and basketball to the X Games and Olympics. A first generation Filipino-American, her four-part audio documentary "Between Two Worlds" covered the Philippines women's national soccer team's journey to the 2023 World Cup, and she is currently the host of "The Good Follow Show" on DraftKings Network.

From her love of the beautiful game to her passion for the culture that surrounds it, Megan was a perfect fit for the Urban Pitch Podcast, and our conversation ranged from how she found her love for sports, to her Filipino background, to the growth of women's sports in recent years. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!

Timestamps

(00:02:04) Megan's background in sports and her journey into working in the sports industry
(00:09:30) Fashion's growth in sport, specifically soccer
(00:12:00) Her Filipino background and covering Filipino athletes
(00:31:35) The growth of women's sports
(00:42:45) Staying up to date with various different sports without getting burnt out
(00:56:54) The music in Megan's playlist lately

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

169. A Wild Olympics and Giroud's Aura

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 14:38:40 +0000

Every four years, we're treated to the Summer Olympics — a three-week span of pomp, circumstance, and national pride. This year's games in Paris were among the best in recent memory, and featured countless jaw-dropping moments, including on the football pitch. From a USWNT gold medal to another crash out from a United States men's team, we recap the footy that took place across France over the past few weeks, in addition to a few of our other favorite moments from other sports. We also get into Olivier Giroud's arrival in Los Angeles, and how both LA MLS teams are looking dangerous as the season ramps up for its final quarter.

(02:37) The Olympics and soccer's history at the games
(27:06) How concerned should U.S. men's soccer be after a disappointing summer?
(36:37) Olivier Giroud's aura and the final stretch to the MLS season

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

168. Colorado Rapids Midfielder Cole Bassett

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 6 Aug 2024 15:11:04 +0000

After finishing last in the Western Conference last season, the Colorado Rapids have made a major turnaround in 2024, and find themselves comfortably in the playoff hunt three quarters through the season.

A major part of the turnaround has been the stellar play of midfielder Cole Bassett, a homegrown product and one of the bright young talents across MLS. The 23-year-old playmaker already has hit career high marks in goals and assists this season, and will be key if the team wants to make a deep playoff run.

He drops by the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the Rapids' newfound success in 2024, the team's dynamic, as well as his loan spell to Feyenoord and Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Timestamps

(01:40) The Rapids' massive turnaround from last season to this season
(06:50) The attacking quality across MLS, and how Djordje Mihailovic and Zack Steffen have affected the locker room
(12:11) Coming up through the Rapids Academy as a homegrown player
(16:31) Getting an opportunity to play for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie
(22:02) Leagues Cup and the intensity of the mid-season tournament
(23:20) Growing up with athlete parents
(26:00) His experience playing with the USMNT
(27:56) The Colorado vs. RSL rivalry
(33:04) The fashion atmosphere within Colorado Rapids and his style
(38:50) The Rapids' dynamic both on and off the pitch
(41:26) The music Cole has been listening to

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

167. Max Ornstil

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 15:33:01 +0000

Most sports fans grow up rooting for their hometown teams. But few ever get to actually play for them. Max Ornstil is part of that select few.

The Oakland, California native got a chance to play for the Oakland Roots, and ended his eight-year professional career with the club in 2022. In the two years since, he's been busy establishing his brand, Neighborhood Sports Club.

In addition to some of the coolest merch and apparel out there, Neighborhood Sports Club is about building community through the beautiful game and various art forms. The latest NSC project was 'Dare to Dream,' a short film recounting Ornstil's journey through pro soccer, visualized in a letter to his younger self. We sit down with Ornstil to discuss his love for the game, life after retirement, and all the things he's working on with Neighborhood Sports Club.

Timestamps

(01:33) Max's journey over the past two years after retiring from pro soccer
(16:30) What it's like growing up playing soccer in the Bay Area, and the personal connection to his short film
(22:25) Getting to play for his hometown club, the Oakland Roots
(32:12) Neighborhood Sports Club
(45:54) The music in Max's rotation

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

166. Copa America Chaos, USMNT Manager Developments, & Mbappe's Madrid Intro

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:09:19 +0000

With the Copa America and EUROs now over, we're in the backside of the summer of footy — but that doesn't mean things are slowing down. From all the chaos that took place both before and after the Copa America final in Miami to potential USMNT managers coming out of the woodwork, there's been plenty to discuss in the football universe. We get into it all on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!

Timestamps

(01:30) The chaotic conclusions to the EUROs and Copa America
(19:45) Argentina's controversial post-match celebrations
(28:34) The USMNT manager situation
(41:00) The state of El Tri
(43:32) Kylian Mbappe's introduction to Real Madrid

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

165. A Post-Berhalter USMNT Era: How Much Will Actually Change?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 15:37:36 +0000

The 2024 Copa America saw yet another disappointing performance from the USMNT, not making it out of a favorable group draw. Getting grouped out of the tournament led to the team parting ways with head coach Gregg Berhalter, something a staunch group of fans have been calling for for years now. But how much will actually change with a new coach?

We also dive into Cristiano Ronaldo's tough EURO 2024, and examine how much he was holding back the team he has carried for so long. In addition, we got outfitted by our friends at Icarus Football, who held their annual 2024 Icarus Cup in Philadelphia over the weekend. The new kits might just be our favorite yet.

Timestamps

00:44 The Icarus Cup and the fire Urban Pitch Icarus kits we're wearing
06:54 The USMNT's disappointing run at Copa America and finding a replacement for Gregg Berhalter 32:30 Cristiano Ronaldo's miserable EUROs and the youth movement in the tournament

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

164. The Summer of Footy: EUROs vs. Copa America

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 2 Jul 2024 14:34:56 +0000

Footy fever has fully hit, and we're waist deep in a summer chock full of international goodness. As the EUROs and Copa America continue to unfold, we break down the vibes in each tournament, and pick a winner for each competition that has its own specific brand of chaos!

Timestamps

(00:30) The PUMA x Neymar 'Forever Brasilero' event
(06:05) Does Neymar have enough juice in the tank to make a return?
(12:52) The vibes around Copa America and EURO 2024
(18:53) Why have there been empty stadiums in Copa America?
(31:40) Our picks to win each tournament

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163. Live Breathe Futbol Founder Ebun Olaloye

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:03:10 +0000

We've seen plenty of footy-inspired fashion brands pop up over the last few years as the beautiful game's influence in the sartorial world has increased. But one of the labels that has been around for quite some time is Live Breathe Futbol, which was founded in 2011 by Ebun Olaloye.

From a college passion project to a full-fledged brand coming off a major partnership with Major League Soccer, Olaloye's dedication to his craft and willingness to take risks has paid off handsomely. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, we sit down with him to discuss some of those risks, his vision for the brand, and the music he currently has in rotation.

Timestamps

(01:04) How Ebun stays organized during incredibly busy stretches and rapid growth
(09:45) The origins of LBF, and landing a collection with MLS
(24:47) The growth of fashion in football
(27:00) Urban Pitch's origins
(33:20) The music Ebun currently has in rotation

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

162. The Vibes Surrounding USMNT and Mexico Heading into Copa America 2024

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:44:11 +0000

The 2024 Copa America is upon us! On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, Ramsey and Julio sit down to discuss the chaos surrounding the United States and Mexico following a pair of less-than-stellar friendly tuneups against CONMEBOL opponents.

Timestamps

(02:08) The vibes surrounding the USMNT entering the 2024 Copa America
(27:10) Mexico's frustrations and El Tri's chances at Copa America
(34:09) The fan disparity at USMNT home matches

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

161. AJ Ajeakwa on Playing Pro Football, Working With Nike, and Storytelling Through Design

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 15:52:09 +0000

He's a former pro footballer turned corporate pro with the product creation team for global football at Nike. But above all, AJ Ajeakwa is a storyteller. His brand Mahwa Studios has adopted the motto "All We Have Are Memories," and Ajeakwa has done his best to illustrate his life experiences through each release. We sit down with the talented creative to discuss his pro soccer journey, transitioning to Nike, and the challenges and rewards of creating your own brand.

Timestamps

(01:23) The Nike Mercurial Superfly "SoCal" boot
(07:52) AJ's journey growing up in LA and playing soccer
(23:00) Getting a chance to work at Nike and his own brand, Mahwa studios

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

160. A New Women's Super League and the Death of the Superstar Footballer

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 4 Jun 2024 15:33:26 +0000

A new women's soccer league is coming to the United States this summer, and we couldn't be more pumped for it. The USL Super League has made waves over the past few weeks with announcements of schedules, celebrity owners, and new player signings. Kicking off in August, the league has earned Division I status from U.S. Soccer and will compete at the same level as the NWSL. We discuss the new league's ambitious plans, and what we can expect when it kicks off in a few months.

Elsewhere, we get into the Kylian Mbappe move and the star power that he commands, which is a rarity in today's football landscape. The mega-star footballer isn't quite what it used to be, but in Mbappe's case, he still has the juice. We get into all of this and more on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!

Timestamps

(00:59) The 2nd Annual Urban Pitch Golf Invitational
(08:12) The USL Super League kicking off
(29:28) Kylian Mbappe and the death of the superstar footballer
(42:17) Our Champions League Picks

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

159. The Best and Worst Kits at the EUROs and Copa America

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 28 May 2024 15:10:41 +0000

Last week, we dove into the upcoming summer of footy, featuring among other tournaments, the EUROs and Copa America. This week we stay in that zone, but shift our focus onto the kits we'll be seeing on the pitch. From some absolutely stunning designs to those that could use another go around, we take a look at the best and worst EURO/Copa America kits on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast! In addition, we discuss the latest mental health-centered collection from our friends at Forward Madison, who were nice enough to send us over some pieces.

Timestamps

(00:30) The Forward Madison Mental Health collection
(10:41) Our favorite kits at the 2024 EUROs and Copa America
(27:20) Mexico's roster controversy

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

158. Giroud to LA, and a Packed Summer of Footy

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 21 May 2024 15:23:21 +0000

As the temperatures in the northern hemisphere rise, so does the anticipation for what is sure to be a fantastic summer of football. Between the Copa America, EURO 2024, and the Paris Olympics, we have a packed slate of international tournaments that we can't wait to take in. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, Ramsey and Julio sit down to discuss the highly anticipated competitions, as well as a certain French superstar who'll be making his way to LAFC later in the summer.

Timestamps

(04:05) Olivier Giroud coming to LAFC
(07:27) The "MLS is a retirement league" narrative
(18:32) Which neighborhood in LA would Giroud fit in best?
(21:53) The summer of footy

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

157. Sam Fisher Returns!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 14 May 2024 15:00:25 +0000

Since we last spoke to Sam Fisher in August 2022, a lot has changed. The biggest update: She was called up to the El Salvador National team, and made her debut at the Gold Cup, where she scored the team's first goal in the competition.

Then came the not-so-good news. After returning from international duty, she was released from the Chicago Red Stars, and is currently in the market for a new club team (although she said there are a few options looming).

Such is the life of a pro athlete. One moment you might be celebrating your biggest accomplishment, only to turn around and face a setback. But Fisher has her eyes ahead to the future, and has been training non-stop since she's returned to Southern California. She re-joins the show (in person this time!) to discuss her experience with the Salvadoran national team, bouncing back from getting released, and what her goals are over the next few years.

Timestamps

(01:45) Sam's selection to the El Salvador national team
(10:57) Making her debut at the Gold Cup
(16:22) Getting released from the Chicago Red Stars and bouncing back
(26:14) Looking for a new club and staying focused on training
(30:50) Pupusas and the local cuisine in El Salvador
(35:24) What's on her music playlist and the goals she has for the next few seasons

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

156. The Shirtless Plantain Show

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 7 May 2024 15:46:02 +0000

With a multitude of hosts and a vast breadth of topics covered, The Shirtless Plantain Show has been one of our favorite podcasts and platforms in the soccer space for some time now. So when we heard they joined the BLEAV network, we had to link up.

Tosin and Coach join Ramsey and Julio for a discussion about American soccer culture vs. European football culture, the global spread of the game, and our favorite kits of all time.

Timestamps

(02:13) The global nature of the Shirtless Plantain Show, and keeping up with all of the top leagues (18:40) How soccer culture has grown in the United States
(21:50) How the Shirtless Plantain Show network came to be
(28:50) Is the push to capitalize on the US soccer market becoming overdone?
(40:42) What's on our current playlists
(48:30) Our favorite kits of all time

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

155. Drake vs. Kendrick, USMNT's Chances Without Dest, & Angel City FC's Big Moves

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 1 May 2024 15:06:30 +0000

It's been another busy week in the soccer culture-verse. From Sergino Dest's devastating injury to Angel City FC's big moves, we cover some of the biggest stories in American soccer, in addition to what's been dominating the headlines in the hip-hop world: The Drake vs. Kendrick beef.

Timestamps

(01:34) Angel City's big moves
(16:53) Sergino Dest's injury and the USMNT's chances at Copa America without him
(32:44) LA Galaxy: Contenders?
(35:27) The Kendrick vs. Drake beef

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

154. The Town FC Co-Founder Min Park

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:35:27 +0000

Starting a new pro sports team is never easy, no matter the level. But minor league clubs can be especially tough, as margins become smaller. The Town FC, which recently announced it would become the San Jose Earthquakes' MLS Next Pro affiliate, is all too aware of these challenges.

Teaming up with the Earthquakes gives The Town FC some stability in its early days, and it also allows the Earthquakes to have a fully-focused operation for its second team, rather than having to split the work with the first team. The Bay Area has also seen a fair share of its sports teams depart, so early stability is especially important for fans looking for new teams to support.

The Town FC co-founder Min Park joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss how the team is looking to establish itself in the Bay's sports landscape, creating a culture and identity, and becoming as sustainable as possible, so that the club will be here 30-plus years from now.

Timestamps

(01:30) Min's journey to becoming successful and what it was like for him growing up in the Bay Area (05:11) The decision to partner with the Earthquakes and building the Town FC's identity and brand (16:48) The Bay Area sports landscape and how it's evolved over the years
(23:45) Challenges of owning a soccer team
(27:58) Visions of the future for The Town FC and trying to make the team as sustainable as possible (37:28) Co-existing alongside the Oakland Roots
(44:00) The Bay-LA rivalry

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

153. Another Banger El Trafico

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 15:10:26 +0000

Year in and year out, the El Trafico derby between LAFC and LA Galaxy fails to disappoint us. Whether it's exciting action on the pitch or the raucous fans in and out of the stadium, the rivalry game is a must-watch every time. The latest edition was no different, as a 2-1 LAFC victory rife with controversy and heated play thrilled us all (except for maybe Galaxy fans upset at that penalty decision).

On this episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the crew dissects everything that went down both on and off the pitch in the latest showdown between the two Los Angeles clubs.

Timestamps

(01:23) Another wild El Trafico derby match
(14:30) Healthy banter amongst the fans
(29:40) John McCarthy's return to BMO and LAFC fans paying respect to former players
(40:02) The latest El Trafico tifo

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

152. The Wild Start to the 2024 NWSL Season ft. Jessica Black

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 15:09:37 +0000

We're one month into the 2024 NWSL season, and to no one's surprise, there's been a ton of chaos so far. From raucous crowds to shocking moments, there's been plenty of action to take in through the league's first set of matches. We link up with friend of the pod Jessica Black to recap some of the biggest storylines from the 2024 season so far, while also looking ahead to what we can expect moving forward.

Timestamps

(02:31) The start of the NWSL season so far -- wild opening matches and new atmospheres
(09:41) Angel City FC's identity on the pitch
(16:55) Portland Thorns in trouble?
(19:22) Teams at the top of the table: Kansas City and Chicago
(25:54) Gotham FC's mid-table start
(29:30) NWSL new expansion locations?
(50:00) Angel City's offensive struggles
(56:00) Bold predictions for the 2024 season

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

151. The Fashion Episode With Christian Ferretti and Tony Magaña

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 2 Apr 2024 15:38:29 +0000

There are many moving parts in the world of fashion. From a consumer perspective, we're focused on trends, brands, and what's currently in— and that's enough to keep anyone busy. But for those in the industry itself, there's a million more things to worry about. With the help of designer Christian Ferretti and The Football Boutique founder Tony Magaña, we get some insight into what goes on behind the scenes in the world of fashion, and how soccer always seems to be a relevant influence across the entire space.

Timestamps

(02:43) Christian's background in fashion
(07:52) What makes the football kit so appealing to fashion designers
(14:40) How Tony and Christian fell in love with soccer
(18:14) The nature of jersey releases
(27:20) Thoughts on current trends in fashion
(34:50) Christian's do's and don't for fashion
(40:00) Pieces to watch for at The Football Boutique and what Tony looks for when sourcing new pieces
(43:40) What's on their playlists

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

150. Portland Timbers/Indy Eleven Goalkeeper Hunter Sulte

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 23:33:17 +0000

Since joining the Portland Timbers academy at the age of 13, goalkeeper Hunter Sulte has steadily risen the ranks, and made his first-team debut at the age of 19 in 2021. Now looking to become a full-time starter with the Timbers, Sulte will spend the 2024 season on loan to USL Championship side Indy Eleven, where he will compete for the team's starting role and gain valuable experience.

We sit down with the promising prospect to discuss his youth days in Alaska, what it was like making the move to Portland away from his family at a young age, and some of the wildest things he's heard from fans while in the net.

Timestamps

(01:08) Being on loan to Indy Eleven and going back and forth to Portland
(04:52) Growing up in Alaska, and picking soccer in a hockey-dominated state
(14:34) Getting acclimated to Indianapolis and joining Indy Eleven
(21:28) The growth of MLS, and the wildest crowds he's played in front of
(27:02) The expectations and goals he's set for himself this season with Indy Eleven
(32:38) What's on his current playlist
(34:40) Getting into golf

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

149. Angel City FC Defender Paige Nielsen

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:16:14 +0000

Angel City FC center back Paige Nielsen has not only emerged as one of the team's most dependable players, but she's also had a massive role in the team's chemistry. Whether it's showing off her dance moves or amping up the pregame playlist, it's enough to earn her the title of ACFC director of vibes. We sat down with the NWSL veteran to discuss her time with Angel City, her outlook for the 2024 season, and co-hosting the In These Cleats podcast alongside comedian and soccer super-fan Tien Tran.

Timestamps

(01:20) Paige Nielsen's role as Angel City's executive director of vibes
(05:55) The team's competitive spirit and preparing for the 2024 season
(20:38) Her experience at 'The Offseason' reality show
(25:20) The range of ages within Angel City FC and interacting with the younger players
(34:30) Her fitness regimen and taking new supplements
(38:57) Starting the In These Cleats podcast
(48:25) What's on Paige's playlist

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

148. San Jose Earthquakes Defender Jamar Ricketts

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:26:05 +0000

Jamar Ricketts doesn't have a typical journey to the professional ranks. He wasn't a highly touted recruit — he only played one year of varsity soccer in high school — yet he was able to blossom into a professional prospect while in college at California State University, Northridge, and earn a contract with the San Jose Earthquakes after being selected with the 14th pick in the MLS Super Draft.

But he's not ready to say he's made it yet. Getting to the pros was just another item on his career goal checklist, and now he's focused on staying there and making an impact with his new team. He joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss his underdog journey, getting adjusted to the pro ranks, and the vibes in the San Jose Earthquakes locker room.

Timestamps

(01:16) Growing up in New Jersey, attending St. Benedict's prep, and only playing one year of varsity soccer
(14:30) Committing to CSUN to play collegiate soccer
(29:13) Making the adjustment to the pro ranks and the vibes in the Earthquakes locker room
(42:28) Jamar's fashion and sense of style and his pregame playlist

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

147. Claudia Pagán and the Dímelo Podcast

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 5 Mar 2024 16:39:58 +0000

DC United reporter Claudia Pagán joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss her journey in sports and sports media, the importance of Latino and Latina voices in MLS coverage, and her new upcoming Dímelo podcast, which we are honored to be one of the first guests on!

(03:55) The vibes at the LAFC 2024 home opener
(09:49) Claudia Pagán joins the show
(12:17) How Claudia got into soccer and sports media growing up in the DMV
(27:51) Starting the Dímelo Podcast
(39:54) Latino and Latina representation in sports media
(50:37) Claudia's favorite music artists and what she's currently listening to

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

146. MLS Kits and Matt Pollard of the Holding the High Line Podcast

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:32:13 +0000

As the new MLS season kicked off over the weekend, we had a chance to finally see some of the new kits in person and in action. We went through some of our favorites on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, just before we had a chance to chop it up with one half of the Holding the High Line Podcast, Matt Pollard!

Holding the High Line does an amazing job covering the Colorado Rapids, and as a fellow BLEAV pod, we had to link up to get a glimpse at what the Rapids gameday experience is like. He drops recommendations and tips, while also describing why Colorado might be the most underrated away days destination in the league.

Timestamps

(02:00) Our thoughts on the new MLS kits
(16:29) Matt Pollard of the Holding the High Line Podcast joins the show
(19:03) The Rapids' new home shirt and Matt's favorites from across the league
(24:50) The fan experience at Colorado Rapids home matches
(43:08) Our tips for an away days trip to LA

Subscribe to the Holding the High Line Podcast to stay updated with their latest episodes!

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

145: A 2024 MLS Season Preview With Eli Lesser

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:18:40 +0000

MLS is back! After a hectic offseason, we're finally getting into the action this week, and we couldn't be more excited. To take a look at what lies ahead for this year, we enlist the help of Eli Lesser, an MLS expert and social media superstar. We discuss which teams had the biggest offseasons, dish out hot takes, and predict which team will win the 2024 MLS Cup.

Timestamps

(01:59) The biggest movers in the MLS offseason
(11:00) Chicharito's era at Galaxy and the growing rivalry between Liga MX and MLS
(19:55) Griffin Dorsey's status as the MLS community GOAT
(25:38) MLS hot takes 36:35 Inter Miami's disastrous preseason tour
(49:32) Our picks for the MLS Cup winner

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

144. Blue Cards, the World Cup Schedule, and a Wild 2024 Summer of Soccer

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 16:26:48 +0000

It was another wild week in the world of football, and two-thirds of the Urban Pitch Podcast broke it down on the latest episode! With Brigitte out, Ramsey and Julio sit down to discuss the rumors of blue cards coming to the game, the recently announced 2026 World Cup schedule, and more young footballers choosing MLS over lower-tier European leagues.

Timestamps

(01:00) Blue cards coming to football?
(09:08) The 2026 World Cup schedule release
(24:33) Atuesta's return to LAFC and more young players choosing MLS over European leagues

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

143. Dumb American Soccer Fans

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 6 Feb 2024 16:01:21 +0000

On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the crew sits down to discuss some of the latest headlines in the soccer-verse, including USWNT captain Lindsey Horan's latest comments on American soccer fans, big-time NWSL signings, and why LAFC fans have been able to trust the process for so long.

Timestamps

(02:21) Lindsey Horan's comments about American soccer fans and U.S. Soccer culture
(18:29) Bay FC's major signings in Deyna Castellanos and Asisat Oshoala
(24:25) Angel City adding Messiah Bright and Rocky Rodriguez
(27:41) MLS and NWSL kit leaks on EA FC
(34:34) Inter Miami's Saudi Arabia tour
(42:36) LAFC's signing announcement and trusting the process

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

142. Streamer Kacee Anderson aka Chi_Kacee

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 16:40:42 +0000

To many video game aficionados, Kacee Anderson lives the dream. She's made a career out of playing video games, most notably the FIFA/FC series, and has had opportunities to work with some of the world's biggest names and clubs in the world of football and gaming. Add onto that an ambassador and content creator role with Manchester City, and things become even more dream-like.

But there is a certain grind to the streamer lifestyle, and Kacee didn't get here by accident. Prior to making the jump into streaming full time, she'd stream for hours after her day job with the Chicago Fire, not leaving her a lot of spare time to do much else. Now that she's broken through, she's not slowing down either. We sit down with Kacee, aka Chi_Kacee, to discuss her origins in the world of gaming, the commitment to women's football in FC 24, and advice on making it into the streaming space.

(01:45) The growth of the eSports world over the past few years, and her introduction into the world of video games
(11:40) Jumping into the streaming world full time and becoming an ambassador for Man City
(22:06) FC 24's commitment to including female footballers
(30:18) The change from FIFA to FC
(32:55) Her streaming playlist, and balancing out her content throughout her various platforms
(38:10) The viability of a career in streaming, and her advice to anyone wanting to break into the space

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

141. The World Cup Final in Dallas, NWSL's Youth Movement, and Drake: Pop Artist?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 16:27:44 +0000

The Urban Pitch Podcast crew is back with a fresh new episode, discussing Dallas' viability as a World Cup final venue, the NWSL draft and new young players being signed, Lionel Messi's controversial FIFA Best Men's Player of 2023 award, and Yasiin Bey's recent comments about Drake being a pop artist rather than a hip-hop artist.

Timestamps

(00:53) Julio and Brigitte's dry January experience
(07:39) Our thoughts on the World Cup Final being in Dallas
(23:49) NWSL offseason: The draft, new signings, and the youth movement across the league
(35:24) Lionel Messi's FIFA Best Men's Player of 2023 award
(40:50) Is Drake a pop artist?

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

140. Offseason Blues

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:20:34 +0000

It might be the offseason for both the NWSL and MLS, but that doesn't mean there isn't still plenty to talk about when it comes to either league. As the winter hot stove continues to heat up, we discuss some of the moves that USMNT players have made, in addition to the outlooks for Angel City FC and LAFC — who still have a few questions remaining on their respective rosters.

Timestamps

(02:57) LAFC and Angel City FC's offseason moves
(18:37) USMNT players on the move — are non-European transfers steps down for MLS players?
(34:46) MLS kit leaks

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

139. New Year, New Drama: MLS vs. USSF, Lloris to LA, and Gotham FC's Super Team

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 9 Jan 2024 15:51:15 +0000

In the first Urban Pitch Podcast episode of the new year, the crew gets into the latest happenings across the soccer-verse, including LAFC's newest big signing Hugo Lloris, the massive offseason from Gotham FC, and the drama between U.S. Soccer and MLS.

Timestamps

(00:30) A happy new year from the Urban Pitch Podcast
(05:09) Hugo Lloris' arrival in Los Angeles
(15:05) John McCarthy moving from LAFC to LA Galaxy
(23:24) Gotham FC's massive offseason and some potential Angel City FC moves
(33:39) MLS pulling out of the U.S. Open Cup

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

138. Angel City FC Center Back Sarah Gorden

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 26 Dec 2023 17:31:17 +0000

She's back! After becoming a free agent in the offseason, NWSL star Sarah Gorden recently announced she'd be re-signing with Angel City FC. The veteran center back joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss free agency, making the transition from Chicago to LA, and her fabulous fashion game.

Timestamps

(02:00) The NWSL's embrace of free agency and her massively successful 2023 season
(10:26) Angel City's mid-season turnaround to make the 2023 NWSL Playoffs
(15:00) Growing up in Chicago and making the move to LA
(21:44) Getting drafted to her hometown team, the Chicago Red Stars
(23:54) How Sarah describes her style and the importance of fashion to her
(35:17) Getting to train with Gisele and Alyssa Thompson
(39:54) Her music playlist
(42:47) Her work with her non-profit HoodSpace
(47:53) What she's got going on in the offseason

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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137. San Jose Earthquakes Striker Jeremy Ebobisse

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:17:38 +0000

Wherever Jeremy Ebobisse has gone in his career, he's made sure to make an impact in the community. It's a testament to the 26-year-old's character that he's been a fan favorite in multiple cities.

Since truly breaking out onto the scene in 2018, Ebobisse has also been one of the most dependable strikers in MLS, scoring double digit goals three times throughout his career. The promising No. 9 joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss his career journey, how he's connected with communities from Portland to San Jose, and the non-profits he's partnered up with to make an impact beyond the touchlines.

Check out Jeremy's King Jebo foundation to learn more about how he's giving back to various communities across the country.

Timestamps

(01:42) How the offseason is going and what he's working on
(07:23) Growing up in the DMV, and what it was like playing soccer in Maryland
(12:41) Training at Fulham FC's academy
(23:14) Going the college route vs. signing a professional contract and making the transition to going pro
(30:40) Playing with veterans like Darlington Nagbe and Diego Valeri
(40:05) Going to San Jose and embracing the community
(47:35) His favorite goals that he's scored
(50:19) Jeremy's non-profit initiatives that he's been working on

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

136. St. Louis City SC's Akil Watts

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:43:15 +0000

Calm and chill. From our interview with St. Louis City SC right back Akil Watts, those are the two best words to describe him. But don't get it twisted — he's a competitor through and through.

After a promising youth career that saw him feature on the United States U17 World Cup squad, Watts has made stops in Mallorca, Louisville, and now St. Louis, where he was a part of one of the biggest surprises of the MLS season. St. Louis City SC took the league by storm in its debut season, finishing in first place in the Western Conference. Watts featured in 18 regular season matches for St. Louis, recording one assist while also contributing to one goal in the U.S. Open Cup.

He wants to get on the scoring train more often next year, and hopes to continue his success in the league next season. We sit down with the promising young defender to discuss his career journey, his time in MLS, and the all-important pregame outfits.

Timestamps

(01:19) Akil's origins in the game, where he started and how he progressed through the ranks
(03:52) Playing at the U17 World Cup and making a move to Europe with RCD Mallorca
(10:50) Transitioning back to the U.S. with Louisville City
(13:07) The amazing stadium atmosphere at St. Louis City SC
(19:30) The music in the St. Louis City SC locker room and his favorite music
(21:40) What it's like in St. Louis and traveling to other cities during the season
(24:30) Offseason training and goals for next season
(30:06) Akil's fashion game and the music he's currently listening to
(37:10) What's next for him

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

135. The Cooligans

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 5 Dec 2023 17:04:20 +0000

The gulliest podcast duo in the game, Alexis Guerreros and Christian Polanco, aka the Cooligans, have been putting out some of the funniest soccer analysis and content since they started in 2015.

We caught up with both of them in 2019 for an interview on the website, but a lot has changed since then — both with them and soccer culture in America. We discuss some of those changes, their growth, and what lies ahead for them on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast!

Timestamps

(05:09) The biggest changes in American soccer culture and media in the past few years
(16:39) The NYC footy scene
(24:15) Their origins and how they've grown
(35:37) Doing stand-up comedy sets with their busy schedule
(38:00) The new MLS playoffs format
(41:24) Inspiring more people to get into the soccer media space

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

134. Where Does the USMNT Rank Among CONMEBOL Opponents?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:29:57 +0000

It's another solo episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, and the crew discusses the latest USMNT escapades: An unconvincing aggregate victory against Trinidad and Tobago to advance to the Nations League semis and qualify for the Copa America, Sergiño Dest's temper tantrum, and where the team ranks among South American nations. In addition, they get into the recent skirmish between Brazil and Argentina fans, and the "Last Dance" friendly between Ronaldo and Messi.

Timestamps

(00:34) Brigitte's adventures at ComplexCon
(13:45) The USMNT's Nations League quarterfinal match against Trinidad and Tobago
(19:05) Where does the US rank among CONMEBOL nations?
(25:14) The Brazil-Argentina skirmish
(29:29) One last Messi-Ronaldo showdown: will it be worth watching?

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

133. 'Next Goal Wins' and our Favorite Soccer Movies

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:38:59 +0000

While there have certainly been a litany of sports movies over the years, an alarmingly few of them have been focused on soccer. With some exceptions, Hollywood has largely ignored the beautiful game and world's most popular sport. However, 'Next Goal Wins,' directed by Taika Waititi, made its theatrical release last week, and that got us thinking, what are some of our favorite films centered around soccer?

In addition, the UP Podcast crew discusses the footy-inspired NBA in-season tournament and what other elements from soccer the league can implement, a look ahead to the MLS Cup Playoffs, and more controversy surrounding Megan Rapinoe.

Timestamps

(00:02:31) The release of 'Next Goal Wins' and our favorite soccer movies
(00:18:44) Pitching our ideal soccer movie
(00:36:45) The NBA's in-season tournament and other things it could get from soccer
(00:48:50) The MLS Cup Playoffs
(00:51:26) The NWSL Championship game and Megan Rapinoe's controversial comments

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

132. No World Cup in LA?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 22:26:19 +0000

After hosting the past three World Cup finals in the United States, Los Angeles could miss out on the tournament entirely when it returns in 2026. The UP Podcast crew gets into the battle for Los Angeles, in addition to the MLS Cup Playoffs and the apparent end of Chicharito's time with the LA Galaxy.

Timestamps

(02:40) Is the 2026 World Cup going to miss Los Angeles?
(22:57) The MLS Cup Playoffs new format
(29:00) How does LAFC look heading into the next round of the playoffs?
(33:16) Chicharito's time in LA: How will it be remembered?
(41:30) The NWSL Championship Game

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

131. She Knows Arsenal's Jessica Black

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 7 Nov 2023 16:32:37 +0000

Like many of us, Jessica Black wasn't quite sure what was in her future during the early stages of the pandemic. A creative mind by nature and a die-hard Arsenal fan, she did what came naturally — created a few social media accounts and started talking about the team she loved. Her passion for her team resonated with fellow Gunners and EPL fans, and her She Knows Arsenal channel has nearly 20,000 subscribers and over 2 million total views.

She joined the Urban Pitch Podcast crew to discuss her origins in soccer media, being a woman in the industry and the chances of the current Arsenal squad to win a trophy this year.

Timestamps

(02:23) How Jessica became an LAFC fan
(06:40) Her Arsenal fandom and growing up as a soccer player and fan
(16:40) Living in London, getting used to the food and rabid soccer culture
(33:38) Being a woman in the sports space and dealing with trolls
(45:50) Playing college soccer
(50:00) The current Arsenal squad and their chances at winning a trophy this year

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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130. LAFC Forward Nathan Ordaz

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 15:08:31 +0000

Before LAFC had a first team, Nathan Ordaz was a part of the club. Rising through the youth ranks all the way up to the first team, Ordaz has shown plenty of promise despite still being in his teens. The 19-year-old forward has scored twice for LAFC, with both goals coming in back-to-back Leagues Cup matches. Despite playing alongside an extremely talented crop of attacking players, Ordaz has seen his playing time increase as the season has gone on, and is eager to take advantage of his growing opportunities with the club. He joins the Urban Pitch Podcast crew to discuss coming up in the LAFC Academy, making his club debut in a wild U.S. Open Cup match, and his go-to postgame vibe song.

Timestamps

(01:31) Growing up in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley
(05:25) Coming up in the LAFC Academy and the experience with the first team
(13:26) His debut against Monterey Bay in the US Open Cup
(19:35) Growing up in a Salvadoran and Mexican household
(21:09) Off the pitch: Go-karting, dirt biking, and his favorite music
(28:00) Getting prepared for the MLS Cup Playoffs

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

129. The Music Episode with Feefa

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:20:57 +0000

It's a music-centric episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, and friend of the show and multi-talented music artist Feefa drops by to share some knowledge about his time in the industry, how coming up with Kool & the Gang taught him about the ins and outs of creating music, and some of his favorite artists today.

Timestamps

(03:00) Feefa's background in music as a performing artist, writer, and producer
(14:20) The current state of the music industry
(39:25) Our favorite lyricists of all time and the best artists today

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

128. EA Sports FC 24 & the Ratings of UP Podcast Guests

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 15:11:42 +0000

As we can expect around this time of year, the newest soccer video game has hit the shelves — but this year things are a little different. As their rights contract with FIFA was not renewed last year, EA Sports had to switch up the title of their soccer franchise, aptly calling it EA Sports FC 24. Will it have an effect on sales and perception?

The UP Podcast crew (minus Brigitte) goes through the latest release as well as the ratings of some of the pro players that they've had on the show.

Timestamps

(02:15) EA Sports FC 24's release: will the new name affect its perception?
(12:25) The iconic FIFA soundtracks and online gaming
(20:09) The EA Sports FC 24 player ratings of Urban Pitch Podcast guests

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

127. Campeones Cup, the U.S. Open Cup Final, & Brigitte's New Job at LAFC

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 3 Oct 2023 20:28:16 +0000

Between the Campeones Cup between LAFC and Tigres and U.S. Open Cup Final between Miami and Houston, It was a busy week in North American soccer. Throw in the final push to the MLS Cup Playoffs and it's no wonder that players are beginning to complain about the packed schedule. Fortunately for us, all the games and competitions give us plenty to talk about on the Urban Pitch Podcast.

This week, Ramsey, Julio, and Brigitte discuss the two cup finals this week, along with Brigitte's new gig at LAFC and Angel City FC's bright future.

Timestamps

(08:36) The Campeones Cup: LAFC's tough loss, roster restrictions, and awkward timing
(24:00) Brigitte's corner: Her new role with LAFC
(32:23) The U.S. Open Cup Final
(44:00) Angel City' FCs push to the playoffs

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

126. Death at the Derby

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 16:31:46 +0000

Perhaps two of the world's most recognized cultures, it's only natural that hip-hop and soccer eventually would collide. For the Death at the Derby team of Cousin Feo, Lord Juco, and DJ Dubplates, it's been a slow burn of combining the two platforms over the past four years. With an upcoming "Capitano" project in the works, we sit down with the talented trio to discuss flying under the radar, building an international fan base, and being able to work with the LA Galaxy on various projects.

Timestamps

(02:19) The latest with the Death at the Derby crew and Cousin Feo getting banned on Instagram
(08:43) The strategy to push more physical media in a mostly digital landscape
(16:20) How they've been able to amass an international following
(21:40) The upcoming "Capitano" project and plans for the future
(30:00) Cousin Feo's opportunity to work with the LA Galaxy and Juco's Toronto FC fandom
(42:44) Staying true to their sound and mixing soccer culture with hip-hop

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125. Messi in LA, El Trafico, & the Push to the MLS Cup Playoffs

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:25:24 +0000

It's another Ramsey-less episode, and it looks like Julio and Brigitte are getting used to it. The co-executive directors of vibes get into the latest happenings in MLS, including the recent El Trafico derby, Messi's pit stop in LA, and the late-season push to the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Timestamps

(01:55) Julio's business trip to Portland
(12:39) Messi's arrival in Los Angeles
(31:16) El Trafico and the importance of the match
(41:48) Which club has a better chance at making the playoffs: LA Galaxy or Inter Miami?
(47:47) Brigitte's golf escapades

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

124. Apple TV/MLS Broadcaster Moises Linares

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 18:45:10 +0000

Whether he was getting into fights as a kid or fighting to break into the sports broadcasting industry, Moises Linares' perseverance has carried him to great success. Now a part of Apple TV's MLS broadcasting crew, he joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss how he got into the world of sports journalism, his proud El Salvador roots, and what games he has on his bucket list.

Timestamps

(03:31) Moises' background in broadcasting and his journey in soccer
(19:35) Breaking into the industry as a Salvadorian
(28:00) Growing up in Los Angeles and getting into fights as a kid
(36:34) Getting brought on to Apple TV
(41:53) What's next for Moises

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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123. The Give N Go Podcast Linkup

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 11:09:48 +0000

It's only top level guests on the Urban Pitch Podcast, which is why we were stoked to host The Give N Go Podcast's co-hosts Reynoso and Soltero in our latest episode. They join us to discuss their origins and rise to success and notoriety, Messi's impact in MLS, and why Christian Pulisic is the greatest USMNT player of all time!

Timestamps

(02:35) The vibes during Reynoso and Soltero's trip to LA so far
(05:59) The start of The Give N Go Podcast and its growth
(18:00) Messi's impact in MLS 28:06 An upcoming trip to Argentina
(32:33) Christian Pulisic stans and his place on the USMNT

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

122. Neymar's Big Move

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 13:44:49 +0000

It's been a busy week in the world of football, and the Urban Pitch Podcast crew is back with another episode to discuss it all. This week, Ramsey, Julio, and Brigitte get into Neymar's move to Al-Hilal and what it means to the Saudi Pro League, in addition to the Women's World Cup and the USWNT's disappointing early exit.

Timestamps

(01:30) Neymar's move to Al-Hilal and the Saudi Pro League
(19:47) The Women's World Cup without the USWNT

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

121. Colorado Rapids/USMNT Winger Jon Lewis

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 14:34:13 +0000

Colorado Rapids winger Jon Lewis is easily one of the drippiest ballers in MLS. He also has a lot to say — be it about how MLS stacks up against other leagues across the world, why the USMNT isn't quite in the top 10 nations in the world yet, or which brands he likes the most.

Thankfully for us, he was very candid when he dropped by the podcast to discuss all things footy, fashion, and nightlife.

Timestamps

01:55 The growing soccer atmosphere in MLS and American soccer
17:30 Differences between MLS and Europe, and where the USMNT stands against the rest of the world
28:06 Growing up with Caribbean roots and the age old question: Jamaican vs. Trinidadian KFC
34:57 His background in fashion and his favorite brands to wear

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

120. The Vibes at the Women's World Cup ft. Lizzy Calderon

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 8 Aug 2023 15:38:03 +0000

With the 2023 Women's World Cup in full swing, the Urban Pitch Podcast crew linked up with pro freestyler and soccer influencer Lizzy Calderon to discuss all things WWC: From the USWNT's struggles to some of the biggest surprises in the tournament.

Timestamps

02:35 The Urban Pitch fitness challenge
12:11 The Women's World Cup: Vibes and memories
20:55 The USWNT's struggles
38:30 Surprises and disappointments

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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119. The 5ASIDE Podcast

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Thu, 3 Aug 2023 16:16:50 +0000

It's a link up a long time in the making. Our East Coast counterparts at 5ASIDE have been holding it down as one of the waviest podcasts in the game, and they made it out West to come by and kick it with us. We discuss everything from how they met and their backgrounds in soccer to the growth of soccer culture in America and the future of outlets like theirs.

Timestamps

(01:40) Getting to know the squad and how they started 5-a-Side
(23:48) The growth of soccer in the United States
(31:25) The USWNT's chances at the World Cup
(35:54) Soccer rivalries in the US and how they've grown
(46:00) The expansion of California teams in the NWSL
(48:06) The future of American soccer media

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

118: The World Cup Starts, MLS vs. Saudi Pro, Pro/Rel to USL

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the crew shows off the incredible third kit from Forward Madison FC, while also getting into the start of the 2023 Women's World Cup, the comments from Cristiano Ronaldo saying that the Saudi Pro League is above MLS, and the addition of pro/rel to the USL.

Timestamps

(01:00) The crazy Forward Madison FC third kits and lower division teams that are creating their own culture
(8:00) The addition of promotion/relegation in the USL
(14:10) Cristiano Ronaldo's comments about the Saudi League vs. MLS
(30:47) The Start of the Women's World Cup: Surprises, our picks to win, USWNT's three-peat chances

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 117: This Week in MLS's Eli Lesser

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Eli Lesser is a busy guy. As one of the more prominent content creators in MLS, he has consistently been covering the league and all of its drama since 2015. As an adamant LA Galaxy fan, much of his coverage has surrounded the vibrant El Trafico rivalry, and we discuss his thoughts on how its helped the league, how the LA soccer scene has changed since LAFC joined the fray, and how he's dealt with sticky situations involving rival fans.

Timestamps

(02:0)1 Eli's status as an LA Galaxy fan and his thoughts on the LA soccer scene and rivalry
(10:25) The El Trafico Derby at the Rose Bowl and the state of MLS
(24:00) The origins of This Week in MLS and how Eli got into the league
(31:24) Dealing with haters and negative comments
(40:00) The most hyped stadiums and supporters' sections in MLS

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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116: A 4th of July Special — The Best USMNT/USWNT Kits and Moments

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 4 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0000

On America's birthday, 2/3 of the Urban Pitch Podcast crew sit down to discuss their favorite USMNT/USWNT kits and moments, while also diving into the recent MLS x Marvel collection and how the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup has played out so far.

Timestamps

(02:26) The MLS x Marvel collaboration
(08:28) A 4th of July look at some of our favorite USMNT/USWNT kits and moments
(18:12) The USMNT Gold Cup roster and MLS vs. European players
(25:44) El Salvador's struggles at the Gold Cup
(31:40) A look ahead to the future of the USMNT

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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115: Berhalter Back...Plus: Why a USWNT Three-Peat Won't Be a Cake Walk

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 14:46:55 +0000

After months of deliberation, Gregg Berhalter has officially been brought back into the fold as the United States men's national team head coach. Of course it was met with plenty of controversy and complaints — because this is U.S. soccer after all. The crew gets into the weeds about the American manager, in addition to taking a look ahead at the 2023 World Cup, the USWNT roster, and their chances at a three-peat.

Timestamps

(01:47) Gregg Berhalter back -- what does this mean for USMNT?
(17:45) Thoughts on the USWNT roster and predictions for the 2023 World Cup
(36:30) Is the Saudi Arabian league sustainable?

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

114: The Ted Lasso Episode. Plus: Panic Time for LAFC?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 15:33:10 +0000

It's been a few weeks since the final episode of "Ted Lasso" aired, which has given us some time to digest the end of a surprising three-season run. What started as an original and heartwarming comedy evolved into something much more, tackling heavy themes like mental health, familial relationships, and emotional expression amongst men. The ambitious series wasn't without flaw, however, and the Urban Pitch Podcast crew sit down to discuss what they loved and didn't like about the concluding season of "Ted Lasso," in addition to their thoughts on the show as a whole.

In addition, they discuss recent happenings in LA soccer, including LAFC's recent dip in form and Angel City FC head coach Freya Coombe departing the club.

Timestamps

(01:23) LAFC's dip in form: is it time to panic?
(14:38) Freya Coombe out at Angel City FC
(27:19) Ted Lasso final season thoughts
(53:04) The Reggae Girlz' fight for proper treatment

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

113. Messi-mania in MLS! Plus: USMNT Alums Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 14:59:26 +0000

You might've heard already, but the world'd biggest name in soccer is heading to MLS. The crew had to get together to discuss the impact that Lionel Messi will have in Miami and across the country. But that wasn't all they had to share.

USMNT alums Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea join Ramsey, Julio, and Brigitte to discuss their recent experience at TST, what they've been cooking up in retirement, and their thoughts on the perfect head coach for the current crop of USMNT players.

Timestamps

(01:01) Messi to MLS
(18:36) The CONCACAF Champion League final
(30:10) Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea join the podcast

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

112. Klein Out, the USMNT Manager Situation, and a UEFA Champions League Final Preview

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 6 Jun 2023 15:10:09 +0000

The Urban Pitch Podcast crew is back to talk all things happening in the soccer-verse! Ramsey, Julio, and Brigitte get into Chris Klein and the LA Galaxy parting ways, who is the best fit for the USMNT manager, and if it could finally be City's time to hoist the elusive Champions League trophy.

Timestamps

(01:23) Chris Klein is out at LA Galaxy
(19:19) The USMNT manager situation
(30:49) Is every CONCACAF tournament a must-win for the USMNT?
(35:40) Previewing the UEFA Champions League final

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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111. Ratcheton

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 30 May 2023 15:35:17 +0000

With a diverse sound that comes from his eclectic taste in music, it's hard to pigeonhole Ratcheton into one genre. From metal to cumbia to trap, the LA-based artist is versatile enough to do it all. On the latest episode of the podcast, Ratcheton joins the crew to discuss his journey in the music industry, how he reps hard for El Salvador, and what he's got cooking in the future.

Timestamps

(00:01:23) How Ratcheton became a friend of the pod
(00:13:39) Getting into music, from working as an A&R to getting signed to a label himself
(00:36:30) The rush of performing live
(00:44:37) Being Salvadorian in the music industry and navigating the business side of things
(00:53:08) Making a case for more plus-sized jerseys
(01:05:00) What he's got in the works

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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110. Portland Thorns Defender Tegan McGrady

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 23 May 2023 14:26:35 +0000

Tegan McGrady is a serial winner. Even before winning consecutive NWSL championships in 2021 and 2022, she was a national champion with Stanford in 2017. And while winning heals most problems, there are still plenty of ebbs in the career of a pro athlete. McGrady joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the highs and lows of her time in the NWSL — from contemplating retirement to the wild championship celebrations.

Timestamps

(01:30) Playing at Stanford and winning a national championship in 2017
(07:50) Tegan's experience with the Washington Spirit
(10:40) Going to San Diego then getting traded to Portland
(35:20) The young player takeover in the NWSL and the toughest players she's had to defend
(45:00) Getting settled in in Portland and some of her favorite spots to hang out in the city
(49:03) Her favorite Bay Area slaps
(52:20) The new NWSL club coming to the Bay Area

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

109. LA Soccer Hub's Gio Garcia

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 16 May 2023 15:24:29 +0000

Soccer has long thrived in Los Angeles. Whether it's pickup games, rec leagues, or the various pro teams, there's never a shortage of footy in La La Land. Helping cover the vibrant LA soccer scene is Gio Garcia, founder of LA Soccer Hub.

Mainly focusing on LA Galaxy and LAFC, Garcia can be seen on his podcast, at the various tailgates before El Trafico interviewing fans, or covering the games themselves from the press box. We sit down with him to discuss whose tailgates are better, why LAFC runs LA, and how he's dealt with the fiery fan bases' banter in the comments section of his videos.

Timestamps

(01:53) Gio's journey in sports and the start of LA Soccer Hub
(10:27) Whose tailgates are better — LAFC or LA Galaxy?
(17:50) Dealing with fan banter in the comments section and differences between the LAFC and Galaxy fanbases
(35:04) The LA Galaxy disconnect with the fans
(47:58) Gio's football fandom between LAFC or LA Galaxy

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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108: Messi's Next Step, LA Galaxy Supporters' Slight Return, and the Young Player Takeover of the NWSL

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 9 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the crew discusses the latest happenings in the soccer culture-verse, including the LA sports takeover, where Lionel Messi is headed next, and why the next generation of NWSL players are already making their marks across the league. Plus, they unbox a special gift from FanInk!

Timestamps

(01:11) A special uboxing from FanInk
(06:01) Angel City Brigade returning to LA Galaxy home matches
(22:35) Messi's next chapter
(33:37) LAFC's CONCACAF Champions League final run
(42:44) The young player takeover in the NWSL

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

107. Minnesota United/CanMNT Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 2 May 2023 10:00:00 +0000

Coming off of a year where he won the MLS All-Star Game MVP and traveled to Qatar with the Canadian national team for a World Cup, the expectations surrounding Dayne St. Clair have risen. He's shown he's up to the task, and continues to show why he's one of the best young goalkeepers in MLS. He joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss Canada's "Golden Generation," the experience at Qatar 2022, and what he gets up to off the pitch.

Timestamps

(01:19) The pressure to win a trophy during the Canada national team's "Golden Generation" and Dayne's thoughts on their performance at the 2022 World Cup
(10:22) Looking ahead to the Nations League and Gold Cup competitions this summer
(17:50) The differences between the CanMNT players in Europe vs. those playing in MLS
(19:54) His experience with Minnesota United and making the 2022 MLS All-Star Game
(35:40) Taking things off the pitch: His taste in music, cooking, and places to hang out in Toronto

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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106. Gotham FC Chief of Staff Darian Jenkins

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 14:23:09 +0000

After retiring from pro soccer at just 28, Darian Jenkins knew she had a future on the business side of sports, but she didn't think she'd land a job so quickly. As chief of staff with Gotham FC, she's in a position to continue the growth of the league and usher it into a new era.

We sit down with Jenkins to see how she landed the gig so quickly, reminisce on her playing days, and see where the future of women's soccer is headed.

Timestamps

(01:13) What "chief of staff" of Gotham FC entails
(11:30) Darian's decision to retire and head into the front office
(14:02) The college experience at UCLA
(21:47) Differences in playing in the U.S., France, and Australia and the growth of the women's game
(36:40) Some of the toughest players she played against

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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105. An El Trafico Overview, USMNT vs. Mexico, and the State of the USWNT

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +0000

With another installment of the LAFC vs. LA Galaxy behind us, the Urban Pitch Podcast crew discusses the current state of both clubs — from the Galaxy fan situation to the pressure on LAFC to repeat or bring home additional hardware this season. Then, they take a look at both the USMNT and USWNT's upcoming matches, including the Allstate Clasico and Gold Cup for the men's side and the 2023 World Cup on the women's side.

Timestamps

(02:05) The current state of the El Trafico derby between LAFC and LA Galaxy
(27:00) The upcoming USMNT vs. Mexico showdown at the Allstate Clasico
(41:15) The current state of the USWNT after the recent string of friendlies

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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104: The Urban Pitch Podcast Guest 5-a-Side Draft. Plus, World Cup 2023 Kits & a New NWSL Club in the Bay

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +0000

In a special episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the crew each drafts seven former guests for their ultimate 5-a-side squad! In addition, they discuss the new 2023 World Cup kit releases, the NWSL expansion side coming to the Bay, and more headlines from the soccer-culture verse.

Timestamps

(02:17) The 2023 World Cup kit releases, and adidas vs. Nike
(15:40) Denis Bouanga's hot streak
(18:00) The Urban Pitch Podcast guest draft
(46:58) The new NWSL club expansion team coming to the Bay Area

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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103. Colorado Rapids Defender Keegan Rosenberry

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 4 Apr 2023 10:00:00 +0000

With a solid MLS career under his belt, Keegan Rosenberry has built a reputation for himself as one of the top defenders in the league. Since being traded from the Philadelphia Union to the Colorado Rapids in 2019, he's been a mainstay in the Mile High City's backfield.

We catch up with Rosenberry to get his thoughts on playing in Denver, how he became the team barber, and what MLS players look for in a significant other.

Timestamps

(01:25) Keegan's soccer background and early days in soccer
(06:39) Playing in college at Georgetown and making a transition to the pro ranks
(15:11) Making the MLS All-Star team his rookie season and how that set up the rest of his career
(21:28) Getting traded from Philadelphia to Colorado and getting used to his new club
(35:55) Becoming the team barber
(44:51) Brigitte's corner: Keegan's private IG, his family life, and what MLS players look for in a partner

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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102. Is There Too Much Soccer in America? Plus: MLS/NWSL Updates and 'Ted Lasso' Season 3

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 19:06:19 +0000

In another solo episode, Ramsey, Julio, and Brigitte catch up on the latest soccer headlines, including the start of the MLS and NWSL seasons, the new MLS All-Star Game format, and the return of 'Ted Lasso.'

Timestamps

03:00 Getting back into the MLS season and the vibes in the LA stadiums
18:40 The new MLS All-Star Game format
23:37 Are there too many competitions in American soccer?
35:30 NWSL: Kits, FIFA renderings, and Angel City FC's outlook for 2023
46:37 Ted Lasso season 3 and overall thoughts on the show

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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101. LA Galaxy Midfielder Memo Rodriguez

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

With a new club and new family, it's been a wild past few years for Memo Rodriguez. After spending over a decade in the Houston Dynamo organization — from the youth ranks to the USL affiliate to the first team — Rodriguez joined the LA Galaxy this offseason, where he's looking to not only continue his solid MLS career but also compete for trophies.

We sat down with the veteran midfielder to discuss how he's gotten on with his new club, what he misses most from Texas, and how he spends his time with his teammates off the pitch (spoiler: it involves reality dating shows).

Timestamps

02:08 Getting married, having a kid, and getting used to playing for a new club
26:49 California vs. Texas and getting used to the LA lifestyle
39:40 What he gets up to off the pitch
48:39 Start, Bench, Cut round

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 100th Episode Special!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 18:57:15 +0000

You know we had to do it big for episode 100! We brought on some of the Urban Pitch fam that has been with us since day one to celebrate the momentous occasion and look back on our collective growth in our respective fields. The guest list includes: Olympic medalist and ex-pro Lauren Sesselmann, music artist Feefa, pro freestylers Caitlyn Schrepfer and Lizzy Calderon, Urban Pitch founder John Lee, and a special cameo from LAFC goalkeeper Abraham Romero. Things get super chaotic and crazy, but would you expect anything less from the Urban Pitch crew?

Timestamps

00:07:00 An opening toast and looking back at our respective journeys in soccer and together 00:15:36 Men vs. women in co-ed pickup games
00:28:42 Cait and Lizzy's growth in the freestyle scene both competitively and commercially
00:39:45 The development of soccer IQ in the United States
01:00:18 The This or That drinking segment
01:14:45 LAFC goalkeeper Abraham Romero joins the show

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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99. Kellyn Acosta

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 16:53:09 +0000

From winning an MLS Cup Championship to playing in a World Cup, 2022 was a landmark year for Kellyn Acosta. But the midfielder has his eyes set on more in 2023. We were able to sit down with the LAFC star to discuss his iconic foul on Gareth Bale and the overall experience at the 2022 World Cup (01:20), the current USMNT and what it was like breaking through with the team (07:25), coming up in the renowned FC Dallas Academy and making his MLS debut (16:40), the upcoming MLS season (21:49), his interest in fashion and taking his game to the next level in LA (30:39), who has the best shoe game on the USMNT and LAFC (39:28), his thoughts on LAFC's prospects in 2023 (44:33), and his skincare routine (48:06).

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98. MLS Kit Szn

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:26:17 +0000

A new MLS season is upon us, which means new kits! The Urban Pitch Podcast sits down to unbox a special gift from the Colorado Rapids (00:01:43), then they discuss their favorite (00:07:48) and least favorite (00:42:50) 2023 MLS kits.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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97. Jesse Marsch's Short Leash and a Potential New MLS Playoff Format?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 16:41:15 +0000

Covering everything from a potential new 18-team MLS format to kit leaks and the next USMNT manager, the Urban Pitch Podcast crew is back with all the vibes and headlines in the soccer-verse. Ramsey, Julio, and Brigitte sit down to discuss potential changes to the MLS Playoffs format (03:21), LAFC's "savvy" business moves (18:13), 2023 MLS kit leaks (26:20), Jesse Marsch's short tenure at Leeds United and the potential next USMNT manager (35:28), and what's next for the LA Galaxy (48:00).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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96. The MLS Storytelling Problem and New-Look USMNT

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 7 Feb 2023 16:22:53 +0000

After a one-week hiatus, the Urban Pitch Podcast crew is back to give you the hottest takes on all things football culture. Today's episode covers the USMNT friendlies in LA (01:45), Chicho Arango leaving LAFC (08:47), Weston McKennie's loan to Leeds United (12:21), LAFC 2's announcement and MLS Next Pro vs. USL Championship (17:17), MLS' storytelling problem (24:36), and Julian Araujo's failed transfer to FC Barcelona (44:55).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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95. Empty Galaxy Stadiums and the Diss Track Heard 'Round the World

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 11:00:00 +0000

The soccer world knows no shortage of drama. The latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast covers only but a few of the burning topics that have been coursing through the veins of the beautiful game. Ramsey, Julio, and Brigitte sit down to discuss their thoughts on LAFC and Angel City's new stadium name: BMO Stadium (01:56), LA Galaxy supporters' threat to boycott games (08:39), Shakira's Gerard Piqué diss track (32:10), and the greatest diss tracks of all time (42:30).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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94. USMNT Host Devin Kirtz

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 17 Jan 2023 16:02:57 +0000

An artist, host, and entrepreneur, Devin Kirtz is a man of many talents — so much so that even his own wife has trouble explaining his multi-faceted career. At the root of Kirtz's versatility is a passion for music and soccer. He played on the Wingers, Red Bull's freestyle football team that has been described as the "Harlem Globetrotters of Soccer," and while touring with the team he would record music in his hotel room. His background in soccer and comfortability on the mic led him to hosting soccer events with brands like Nike and adidas, which eventually led him getting linked up with U.S. Soccer.

Recently removed from his trip to Qatar as the United States men's national team's official in-stadium host, Kirtz joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss his many talents and how he describes himself (02:40), becoming the official MC for U.S. Soccer (07:38), playing with the Red Bull Wingers against professional competition (12:50), why Messi is his GOAT, but not favorite (17:09), inventing the Baden Strata, a ball that blends soccer tech with basketball aesthetics (23:50), his Argentinian background, and his reaction to winning the World Cup (31:48), and some of the restrictions in Qatar and the overall experience at the 2022 World Cup (40:05).

Check out Devin's Bada Strata official match ball here.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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93. USMNT Drama and a Look Ahead at the 2023 World Cup

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 20:27:10 +0000

New year, new drama. As if we hadn't been talking about the United States men's national team enough, it found itself back in headlines once again last week. The Urban Pitch Podcast crew reconvenes for the first time in 2023 to discuss the USMNT drama between Gregg Berhalter and the Reyna family (01:21), the futures of Berhalter and Gio Reyna (18:22), options for the next USMNT coach( 22:45), the 2023 World Cup (30:11), diversity on the USWNT (41:08), and LAFC's new signing (47:41).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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92. 2022: A Year in Review

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 13:07:08 +0000

We made it to the end of the year! In a special episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the Urban Pitch Podcast crew recounts some of their favorite memories from 2022, in addition to looking ahead to 2023 and beyond.

Ramsey, Julio, and Brigitte sit down to discuss the wild 2022 World Cup final (02:18), overall takeaways from Qatar 2022 (14:50), highlights from the year (26:47), and New Year's resolutions (32:49).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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91. Jamaica NT & Vancouver Whitecaps Defender Javain Brown

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 20 Dec 2022 15:55:31 +0000

A regular face in the Jamaican national team back line, Javain Brown has emerged as a promising young player since fully turning pro in 2021. Now heading into his third professional season, Brown is looking to learn from the ups and downs in his career so far with both club and country.

He's seen significant time on the field in his two MLS seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps, and now that he has proper footing in the league, Brown can now establish himself as a force. He joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss what he has been up to in the offseason (01:01), thoughts on the World Cup and how difficult it is to watch after not qualifying with Jamaica (06:18), what it's like to play for the Jamaica national team (10:03), how the Jamaican soccer federation can take the country to the next level (21:02), getting used to Canada and playing with the Whitecaps (26:27), and the grind of MLS and where Javain sees himself in five years (37:50), before taking on Julio's rapid fire round (41:18).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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90. FTCUTD's TK Edmondson and Devin Pugh

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +0000

When it comes to the beautiful game "culture" has a few different meanings. If you're talking about things on the pitch, the definition is pretty straightforward — the values a certain team or manager has instilled within its players. And while that's all great, off the pitch is where things get really interesting.

Here, culture has a multitude of connotations ranging from how we watch the game to how we become fans in the first place. It covers things adjacent to the sport — from art, to fashion, to music — in addition to customs, superstitions, and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. Needless to say, we love the culture here at Urban Pitch, and if you couldn't tell by their name, so do the good folks at the For the Culture Podcast, aka FTCUTD.

Originally started by a group of Atlanta United fans, the movement has spread across the country and the collective has become part of the 2Cents FC umbrella. Covering everything the beautiful game has to offer — most notably Black Culture's impact on it and vice versa, we have been fans of theirs for quite some time.

Which is why we were very excited to have two of their members, TK Edmondson and Devin Pugh, join the Urban Pitch Podcast. We sat down with the duo to discuss Devin and TK's involvement with FTCUTD and how they got started with the podcast (01:40), Atlanta United's involvement with rappers from the city and TK's extensive background in music (05:04), thoughts on the USMNT performance at the World Cup (08:25), how the 2022 World Cup has played out overall (31:50), and the expansion of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams (44:48), before they take on Julio's rapid fire round (48:27).

Check out the FTCUTD podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, and visit their official site for more info.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

89. Toluca Forward Destinney Duron

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 6 Dec 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Plying her trade with Toluca, Destinney Duron has made a name for herself as one of the top goal scorers in Liga MX Femenil. A longtime friend of the podcast, we finally got her on to discuss the jump from college ranks to the pros (05:22), overcoming ACL tears in both of her knees (13:22), Good times at The Base LA and her first tryout with Club America (18:35), making the transition from Club America to Toluca (24:19), the treatment of the men's teams vs. the women's teams in Mexico (35:14), and what it's like living in Mexico (44:06), before taking on Julio's Rapid fire round (49:00).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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88. LA Galaxy Legends Sean Franklin and AJ DeLaGarza

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 14:58:27 +0000

In the early 2010s, the LA Galaxy were far and away the premier franchise in MLS. Three MLS Cup titles in four years is a run of success that hasn't been replicated since, and playing significant roles in that winning stretch was Sean Franklin and AJ DeLaGarza. Fan favorites amongst the Galaxy diehards, the defensive pair were lauded for their tenacity, versatility, and reliability — features any manager would want on their back line.

DeLaGarza recently signed a one-day contract with the Galaxy to announce his retirement, which gave him the opportunity for a proper farewell to the fans, one that he wasn't able to give upon being traded to Houston in 2017. He joins Franklin in the MLS alumni, who retired in 2018.

Franklin spent six seasons with the Galaxy, winning two titles in addition to rookie of the year in 2008. His goal against Real Salt Lake in the 2013 playoffs is still remembered amongst fans of the Galaxy and otherwise.

The duo join the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss AJ's recent retirement and signing a one-day contract with the LA Galaxy (01:15), Julio and Brigitte's statuses as LAFC fans and the El Trafico rivalry dynamic (03:19), Sean winning rookie of the year with the LA Galaxy and coming up in MLS together (08:11), the locker room dynamic with the LA Galaxy teams in the late 2000s-early 2010s (13:56), their current relationship with the LA Galaxy and their thoughts on the current team (17:00), how MLS has grown since they came into the league (21:46), Julio's status as "The First to One" guy and the intensity of LA Galaxy fans (24:30), their favorite moments with the Galaxy (29:10), thoughts on Angel City FC (32:50), Sean's retirement advice for AJ (35:20), AJ's memorable NYC experience (41:11), Favorite boots they've ever worn (43:45), and another memorable night out for AJ (45:04).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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87. A World Cup Preview Extravaganza

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 11:00:00 +0000

It might feel a little weird, but the World Cup is finally here. In what may very well be the most contentious one of all time, the Urban Pitch Podcast crew discusses all things around the tournament, including why this World Cup isn't hitting the same (04:08), favorite World Cup memories (14:57), thoughts on the USMNT's and Mexico's chances this year (22:47), our picks to make it through to the knockout rounds (37:23), and the recent Cristiano Ronaldo interview and our picks to win the World Cup (47:29).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

86. Angel City FC Defender Madison Hammond

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Although Angel City FC narrowly missed out on the playoffs, there's no way you could objectively say that the club's debut season wasn't a success. From leading the league in attendance to generating a reported $43 million in sponsorship revenue, there was plenty to cheer for in La La Land for women's soccer fans.

One of those also included Madison Hammond, a defender who joined Angel City just before the Challenge Cup preseason tournament commenced in March. Hammond played in nine matches for ACFC in 2022 and was part of a back line that was the strong suit of the club. Now in the offseason, Hammond is back in the lab six days a week, honing her skills and preparing for what she and the rest of the squad hope to be a more successful 2023 season both on and off the pitch.

She joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss what she's been up to in the offseason and her overall thoughts on Angel City FC's debut season (01:40), the stadium atmosphere at Angel City home games and the dynamic within the team (11:07), living in Los Angeles and marketing herself as a professional athlete (22:04), the MLS Cup Final at the Banc of California Stadium (26:50), being the first Native American player in the NWSL (30:39), the Angel City FC-San Diego Wave rivalry (35:30), and the importance of pregame fits at Angel City (43:40), before taking on Julio's rapid fire round (46:02).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

85. ESPN Staff Writer Ryan O'Hanlon

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 8 Nov 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Why is it so hard to quantify soccer? Advanced stat gurus have been able to do so with other sports, but still have issues in analyzing the beautiful game from a metrics perspective. In his new book "Net Gains: Inside the Beautiful Game's Analytics Revolution," ESPN staff writer Ryan O'Hanlon explores how some of the world's biggest clubs have begun to use cutting edge analytics and statistics to play more efficiently and effectively, ultimately in search of "the right way to play."

He joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss how playing the game at a high level made him a better writer (02:45), shere he finds himself amongst the "nerds vs. jocks" debate in advanced stats (11:37), why he decided to write a book and the work that went behind it (16:00), and working at Grantland and The Ringer under Bill Simmons and transitioning to ESPN (35:20), before taking on Julio's rapid fire round (48:14).

Net Gains: Inside the Beautiful Game's Analytics Revolution is available for purchase here.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

84. Amor Prohibido Founder Bryan Escareño

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 1 Nov 2022 17:03:55 +0000

When you read "Amor Prohibido" (forbidden love), your first thoughts may go to the iconic first track of Selena's "Dreaming of You" album. But for Bryan Escareño, it goes way deeper than that.

The namesake of his brand goes back to his origins in fashion. When the LA native decided to get into the game, he received pushback from his family, who didn't see fashion as a viable career path. The machismo present in many Mexican families often discourages its children from entering the arts, but Escareño is looking to change that with his creative designs that evoke images from his childhood, but with his own twist.

He's been able to work with the likes of adidas, creating a customized version of the widely acclaimed 2022 Mexico kit, in addition to big names like Tecate, Nike, and Union. But it doesn't matter who he works with, anything that Escareño puts his name behind will have his signature essence — that is, it'll be undeniably rooted in LA.

We spoke to the rising designer and creative mind about growing up playing soccer with Julio (00:01:00), how he got into the fashion world (00:23:21), coming up with the name "Amor Prohibido" (00:27:48), getting to work with big brands, including a recent adidas collaboration (00:36:35), and tips on getting started in the fashion industry (00:49:23), before he takes on Julio's rapid fire round (01:07:00).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

83. Was that the Best El Trafico Match Yet?

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In front of a deafening sold out crowd, LAFC willed their way to a 3-2 win over arch rival LA Galaxy in their second round matchup of the MLS Cup Playoffs.

The Urban Pitch Podcast crew was at the Banc to take in all the vibes, and sit down to recap the high octane match (1:00), the Rose Bowl El Trafico match to open the 2023 season (16:08) and the greatest El Trafico matches of all time (34:17).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online and Tricore Sports.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Xolos Midfielder Johana Rosas

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 18 Oct 2022 14:05:18 +0000

Johana Rosas played and trained with a broken wrist that required surgery for over a month. That's pretty much all you need to know about the way she plays the game. The injury has kept Rosas on the sideline for most of her first professional season with Xolos of Tijuana, but she sees it as a blessing in disguise.

Despite having torn both of her ACLs in the past, she says this injury has been the most frustrating, but it has shown her resilience and dedication to continue playing at the pro level. It's also given her a chance to get a glimpse of the professional lifestyle and dynamics from a different perspective, one that she could not have seen had she been playing and training every day.

We sit down with Rosas to discuss her surgery and injury recovery (03:10), her training schedule with Xolos and her journey to the pro ranks (08:30), adjusting to the pro game, and differences between the way the game is played in the US and in Mexico (15:32), the growth of Liga MX and the standard of play in the league vs. in the US (23:00), the vibes within the team in her first year with Xolos (37:34), playing with a broken wrist (39:57), and baseball players vs. soccer players (47:00), before Julio puts her through his infamous hot seat round. (52:48).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla and Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

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81. Las Vegas Lights Goalkeeper Abraham Romero

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Having played in two youth World Cups and one senior Club World Cup, Abraham Romero has seen the glamor that professional soccer has to offer. But he's no stranger to its struggle either. He was ready to retire following his 2020 season with LA Galaxy II, and despite signing with Orange County SC, he still had to work a construction job during the season to help make ends meet.

In the turbulent world of professional sports, things can change up on you quickly. One moment you've felt like you made it, and the next you're struggling to tread water. Romero's resolve and perseverance have kept him afloat over the past two years, but there is plenty of grinding left to do in his career.

We sit down with the 24-year-old goalkeeper, currently with the Las Vegas Lights, to discuss the rigorous travel between training in LA and playing home games in Las Vegas (02:59), the not-so-glamorous aspects of being a pro athlete (05:25), changing between 3 teams in 3 years and getting assimilated with Las Vegas Lights (10:40), the difference between average keepers and elite keepers (13:30), playing in the U17 and U20 World Cups with the Mexican national team (15:32), what it was like playing alongside Julio in rec league (18:58), the cars he's driving around, and how he got into cars (22:28), playing with both the US and Mexican youth national teams (25:01), how he stays grounded through all the constant change throughout his life (29:00), what is next for him and the struggle of looking for a new team in the offseason (31:10), the great food he had in Mexico and the difference in professionalism between the US and Mexico (38:06), how some of his World Cup teammates are currently faring (41:57), the difficulties of being a kid by himself in Mexico (44:40), and how Zlatan Ibrahimovic got Gigi Buffon to send him a video (46:49), before taking on Julio's rapid fire round (53:40).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

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80. The USMNT Panic, Best and Worst World Cup Kits, and Lil Baby's World Cup Anthem

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 4 Oct 2022 10:00:00 +0000

The 2022 World Cup is upon us, so of course that means that USMNT fans are in a downward spiraling frenzy about the status of their team. After a lackluster international window that featured zero goals scored, the calls for #BerhalterOut are as strong as ever. But is it really panic time for the USMNT?

The (not-so) Washed-Up Crew is back with another episode to answer that question (10:48), along with their thoughts on Mexico (23:20), the 2022 World Cup kits (24:50), Lil Baby's World Cup song (35:27), The push to the MLS Cup Playoffs (42:50), and Angel City FC's playoff hopes and brief season recap (48:16).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online and The Football Boutique.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

MLS Alum and Actor Bryan Jordan

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 27 Sep 2022 14:41:44 +0000

Whether it's lifting a pair of MLS Cup trophies or playing alongside and against the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Cristiano Ronaldo, Bryan Jordan had quite a career in pro soccer. But that's only part of his story.

The LA Galaxy fan favorite has transitioned into careers both adjacent to and beyond soccer, working closely with the Galaxy as well as getting into acting and modeling. The transition that followed his playing career wasn't easy, but Jordan has worked to carve a solid niche for himself while also remaining close to the game.

He joins the Washed-Up Crew to discuss LA Galaxy's playoff push and the up-and-down nature of the season so far (00:02:32), his role with the Galaxy and staying in contact with the club after his playing days (00:10:50), transitioning into a new career post-soccer and getting into acting (00:15:38), playing recreationally now, and trying to turn off that competitive edge (00:20:42), getting into scuffles during his playing days and MLS war stories (00:28:24), his "Welcome to MLS" moment, (00:42:18), and the nightlife during his playing days and rookie hazing (00:49:19), before taking on Julio's hot seat round (00:59:30).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online and The Football Boutique.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

San Diego Wave/CanWNT Goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Even before she was making incredible penalty saves in heated rivalry matches, we knew that San Diego Wave's Kailen Sheridan was a baller. One of the top goalkeepers in the NWSL and a reigning gold medalist with the Canadian national team, Sheridan has been on our radar for quite some time.

So when she stopped Savannah McCaskill's penalty shot in the 74th minute of the most recent Chanclasico rivalry match against Angel City FC, it wasn't that much of a surprise. (It didn't make it any less impressive, however.)

Now in her sixth year in the NWSL, we talk to Sheridan about her gold medal experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (02:10), the CanWNT - USWNT rivalry and winning the top goalkeeper award at the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship (16:06), the mental side of goalkeeping (18:56), playing alongside well established stars with the CanWNT (25:18), the Canadian men's national team and the upcoming Qatar World Cup (29:19), the Equal Pay settlement recently signed by the USWNT and the push to do something similar in Canada (35:16), the vibes with San Diego Wave (38:41), her ex-teammate DiDi Haracic's growth from backup to full-blown starter (44:34), the Angel City FC - San Diego Wave rivalry (46:37), and the growth of NWSL and where she'd like to see the league improve next (50:33), before going through Julio's hot seat round.

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nashville SC Defender Ahmed Longmire

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 14:54:05 +0000

It's another rookie on the show! For the third straight week, we have a first-year player looking to make their mark on their respective league. After Chicago Red Stars' Sam Fisher and Portland Timbers' Justin Rasumssen, Nashville SC center back Ahmed Longmire joins the Washed-Up Crew in search of that not-so-elusive Urban Pitch boost.

Longmire joins Ramsey Abushahla and special guest co-host Brigitte Flores to discuss growing up in Las Vegas and inside tips for a Vegas trip (01:19), his college experience and transferring from Utah Valley to UCLA (04:47), getting drafted and making a transition to the pro game (13:46), his thoughts on MLS as a whole (22:00), his time on loan with Orange County SC, and his infamous red card (23:25), making his return to Nashville and his impending MLS debut (29:56), the dynamic within the club and fanbase (32:34), and the nightlife in Nashville and what he gets up to off the pitch (35:13), before going through Brigitte's rapid fire round (49:45).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Brigitte Flores

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Portland Timbers Defender Justin Rasmussen is a Certified City Boy

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 6 Sep 2022 15:57:38 +0000

City booooooys! The ubiquitous rally cry has connected a network of like-minded individuals, most of whom have the latest Drake and Jack Harlow albums at the top of their most listened to playlists. Those just happen to be two of Portland Timbers defender Justin Rasmussen's favorite artists, so when he returned the rally call it was really no surprise.

The Las Vegas native is in his first professional season with the Portland Timbers, where he's seen time with both the first team and Timbers 2 in MLS Next Pro. He's shown plenty of promise as well, from scoring a banger of a goal in preseason to making a string of first team starts in May. Rasmussen joins the Washed-Up Crew to discuss how Las Vegas is a sneaky good soccer town (00:01:54), going the college route to getting drafted in MLS (00:03:56), differences between training in college vs. the pros (00:07:30), going to Bishop Gorman, a nationally recognized high school (00:09:14), the soccer-baseball team beef (00:15:00), getting adjusted to life in MLS (00:17:45), playing with Timbers 2 in MLS Next Pro and the biggest differences from MLS (00:27:17), the only time he's ever gotten a red card (00:38:24), his first MLS start vs. Austin FC (00:41:16), the vibe in Portland and what he gets up to outside the pitch (00:50:06), and his status as a hypebeast and how he got into sneakers (00:59:38), before taking on Julio's hot seat round (01:03:35).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chicago Red Stars Rookie Sam Fisher

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 14:45:53 +0000

An athlete's rookie season is an eye-opening experience. In many cases, they go from being the best player on their amateur team to a new face fighting for a role in the pros. Chicago Red Stars midfielder Sam Fisher knew she was up for the challenge of making the jump to the pro ranks, and she's adjusted nicely to her new home.

Across 11 appearances and four starts, Fisher has contributed a goal and an assist apiece in her debut campaign with the Red Stars, who are among the many NWSL teams log-jammed in the playoff hunt. Playing alongside the likes of Mallory Pugh, Morgan Gautrat, and Dani Colaprico, Fisher is among good company, and has taken the mentorship of her fellow teammates to heart.

In the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, she joins the Washed-Up Crew to discuss growing up in Simi Valley and attending Grace Brethren high school (01:20), transitioning to the college game at Notre Dame and playing college sports during COVID (07:15), entering the NWSL draft and realizing that going pro was a possibility (13:30), eye-opening moments in the NWSL and getting adjusted to the pro game (17:24), playing with top level talent with the Chicago Red Stars (19:50), the vibes within the team and how they get along outside the pitch (23:22), Chicago Red Stars' pregame fashion runway (24:55), playing in LA against Angel City FC and in Soldier Field in Chicago (30:15), the growth of the women's game (34:33), her "Welcome to the NWSL" moment (36:04), getting adjusted to life in the midwest (37:17), and the best parts of living in Chicago (40:30), before going through Julio's hot seat round (42:59).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

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The Angel City FC Effect, USMNT Kits, and Tailgate Rankings

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:53:25 +0000

It's hot in LA! From the actual weather to recent fights at the LAFC game, the temperature has been rising across the Southland as the summer draws to an end. In the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, the Washed-Up Crew and special guest co-host and friend of the show Brigitte Flores discuss the intra-LAFC fan fights (03:24), the rising tide behind Angel City FC (10:38), how Angel City FC has inspired Brigitte as a female athlete and sports fan (12:30), LAFC's fantastic season and the stakes for the rest of the year (19:07), the MLS Playoffs system and having a unique format of play in American soccer vs. conforming to the rest of the world (24:20), the new USMNT World Cup kit and some of our favorite designs from years past (30:12), ranking the different tailgates we've been to and what we look for in a good tailgate (40:01), and the go-to postgame routine (48:57).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online and The Football Boutique.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pushing the Culture Forward With Club Eleven

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 16 Aug 2022 14:33:35 +0000

As soccer and the culture that surrounds it continues to grow in the United States, we've seen more collectives and media outlets that cover the game emerge. One of our favorites is Club Eleven, whose nationwide network of writers and photographers provide some of the best coverage of American soccer that we've seen. With player interviews, photoshoots, and their new podcast Origins, Club Eleven tells compelling stories in an authentic fashion.

We sit down with Club Eleven co-founders and fraternal twins Pablo and Gabriel Bayona Sapag to discuss their background (00:01:42), building a nationwide network of contributors (00:06:19), the recent MLS All-Star Game and its evolution over the years (00:08:35), the LAFC vs. LA Galaxy debate and Wayne Rooney's new role with DC United (00:10:57), what American soccer culture means to them (00:23:22), The stories Club Eleven strives to tell (00:31:12), challenges they've faced with setting up the magazine (00:37:08), the bright spots in American soccer scene (00:44:05), some of the best interviews they've done (00:48:23), the DC United glory days, and clubs that rely on their history too much (00:55:54), Washington Spirit's title run in 2021 (01:00:00), and milestones they want to see American soccer hit in the next four years (01:07:29).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

San Diego Wave Forward Katie Johnson

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 9 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Despite being in their first year in existence, the San Diego Wave find themselves currently tied for the NWSL lead in points. Playing a role in that success is LA native and Mexican international Katie Johnson. Mostly utilized as a super-sub, Johnson's playmaking abilities often provide a spark of energy on the pitch for the Wave.

She joins the Urban Pitch podcast to discuss her experience growing up in Los Angeles (01:32), playing at USC and winning a national championship, (06:16), the vibes in the San Diego Wave locker room and being on top of the NWSL table (13:13), the Wave-Angel City FC rivalry (16:25), the Growth of the NWSL and future milestones she'd like to see reached (21:40), her fashion sense and a push to get San Diego on the pregame outfit runway trend (26:34), college memories off the pitch at USC (32:08), her experiences with the Mexican national team (35:00), her high school experience, and a personal connection to the Washed-Up Crew (39:50), before taking on Julio's hot seat round.

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oakland Roots Co-Founder Edreece Arghandiwal

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 2 Aug 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Since their formation in 2018, the Oakland Roots have been one of the most compelling American soccer clubs in existence. From their dope merch and jerseys to their community impact, the Roots, who compete in the USL Championship, have thrived at a higher level than many larger clubs across the country.

Roots co-founder Edreece Arghandiwal joins the Washed-Up Crew to discuss the uniqueness of the Bay Area music scene, both in sound and influence (00:01:30), starting the Roots and the vision behind the club (00:12:36), the inspiration behind building a brand and community presence before building an on pitch club (00:22:54), linking up with Oakland streetwear brand Oaklandish for the Roots' merch line (00:29:49), the strategy behind working with some of Oakland's most prominent athletes and figures (00:37:22) making the move from NISA to USL Championship (00:43:01), overcoming the challenges and conflicts with moving up a division (00:50:54), if he ever trains with the club (00:50:54), before going through Julio's hot seat round (00:50:54).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rapper and Activist Stix

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 26 Jul 2022 14:29:41 +0000

Music artist. Community activist. Builder of schools. Stix is out here making a difference. In the four years since we last had him on the Urban Pitch Podcast, Stix has blossomed through his work in the music industry, his ThinkWatts foundation, and theme songs for LA sports teams including LAFC, the Rams, and Clippers.

The do-it-all Watts native returns to the show to discuss what he's been up to lately (01:00), being able to work with LA sports teams including LAFC, the Dodgers, Rams, and Clippers (04:40), his thoughts on LAFC's season so far and the impact of the 3252 (10:01), how he influenced the LA Clippers' new stadium (16:19), his ThinkWatts foundation and its goals for the future (18:45), potential political aspirations (27:47), his Nike collaboration and the process of designing his own Air Force 1 (30:38), and where he's currently at with his music and how he balances everything he's got going on (36:08), before getting put through Julio's hot seat round.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SoHo House Shenanigans

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0000

They're not letting us back in at the SoHo House. The washed-up crew is back again to talk about Julio getting left out on the golf course (00:33), the Angel City FC-San Diego Wave "Chanclasico" experience (04:00), the Chelsea "Football Drives Culture" event in LA (06:30), the football offseason and transfer rumors (11:54), Julio's thoughts on the additions of Giorgio Chiellini and Gareth Bale to LAFC (15:00), and getting recognized at the El Trafico match (23:30).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Music Artist Feefa on El Trafico, Working with LAFC, and Learning How to Hustle

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 15:49:19 +0000

The grind never stops for Feefa. The LA-based music artist is constantly working on his craft, whether in the studio, on stage, or with his fellow LA-Tinos artists. We sit down with him to discuss the energy at the recent El Trafico derby (01:10), how he became an LAFC fan and getting opportunities to work with the club (05:19), making more fields more accessible for soccer and growing soccer culture in the US (10:50), getting on his grind in the studio (18:28), how he broke into the music industry (20:29), getting to perform at 92.3's REAL Street Festival (25:53), creating his own lane despite being told no multiple times (30:00), engaging with fans (41:37), what's on deck for Feefa and LA-Tinos (43:30), and how he learned how to hustle (48:32).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Kyle Scoble, & Jeremy Rist

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rivalry Week: A Look Into the El Trafico and Chanclasico Derbies ft. the Above the Clouds Podcast

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 5 Jul 2022 10:00:00 +0000

It's rivalry week! Between LA Galaxy vs. LAFC and Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave FC, tensions will be running high in Los Angeles this weekend. Jeremy Rist and Kyle Scoble of the Above the Clouds Podcast join us to discuss the gargantuan MLS-Apple TV deal and what it means for the league (01:28), the 2026 World Cup host cities (10:26), an overview of the Angel City FC vs. San Diego Wave matchup (20:57), and the LAFC vs. LA Galaxy matchup and the MLS media coverage issues (31:44), before making final score predictions.

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Kyle Scoble, & Jeremy Rist

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Friends of the Show: Caitlyn Schrepfer and Lizzy Calderon

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Call them what you want: pro freestylers, social media mavens, influencers. You can't put Caitlyn Schrepfer or Lizzy Calderon in a box. They've been our Urban Pitch resident pros (but more importantly our friends) for a while now, so it was only right to get Cait and Lizzy on the Urban Pitch Podcast for another friends of the show episode!

We discuss their backgrounds in freestyle and how they met (02:13), where the sport of freestyle football is today and why its growth has plateaued after its rapid rise (04:26), balancing between the competitive and commercial sides of freestyle and what makes a "true freestyler" (06:20), preparing for the upcoming Daytona Soccer Fest and the intensity of freestyle competitions (11:50), the commercial side of freestyle and business lessons learned along the way (15:50), giving back to the community and charity work (22:00), the biggest misunderstandings behind the "influencer" label (24:36), and the wildest DMs they've received (31:29), before getting put on the spot for the hot seat round.

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Gilbert Bita

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

LAFC Forward Danny Musovski

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000

"MOOOOOOOSE!" It's a chant you'll routinely hear at LAFC's Banc of California Stadium any time forward Danny Musovski starts/enters a game, scores a goal, or does anything else significant on the pitch. The 27-year-old Las Vegas native has quickly become a favorite amongst the LAFC faithful since signing on with the team in 2020, and he's broken out as a capable goal scorer for the black and gold.

Musovski joins the washed-up crew to discuss his time growing up in Vegas (01:59), staying near home to play college soccer at UNLV (04:24), getting drafted (and cut) by his childhood favorite team, the San Jose Earthquakes (07:29), signing with LAFC during a COVID-shortened season, and making the most of his opportunities (10:41), going from playing in front of no fans in Orlando to playing in front of the 3252, one of the loudest fan bases in MLS (15:45), the ins and outs of the fierce El Trafico rivalry (20:08), the LA lifestyle and what he gets up to off the pitch (29:08), and playing with his brother in college (35:30), before going through Julio's rapid fire round (39:42).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online and The Football Boutique.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Houston Dynamo Defender Daniel Steres

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Daniel Steres has carved out a nice career for himself. After starting out in the USL, he's made his way up the ranks and has become an MLS veteran. Now with the Houston Dynamo after several seasons with the LA Galaxy, he joins the Urban Pitch podcast to discuss getting acclimated to his new club and city (02:01), transitioning into a veteran role (7:20), playing on one of the best youth teams in the country growing up (8:52), the pathway to turning pro when he was coming up vs. now (16:35), his 'Welcome to MLS' moment (29:00), and crazy stories from his days playing with Zlatan Ibrahimovic (30:41), before taking on Julio's rapid fire round.

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rapper AmirSaysNothing on the Indie Grind, Tour Life, and Getting a Project Pat Feature

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 7 Jun 2022 10:00:00 +0000

In 2014, AmirSaysNothing took a full plunge into the world of music, and he hasn't looked back. In the eight years since his fateful decision, he's released a handful of projects, worked with illustrious artists and producers including Project Pat, Slug of Atmosphere, Mike Shinoda, and Evidence, and toured across the country.

Amir joins the Washed-Up crew to discuss his soccer background (01:47), dropping everything to fully pursue a music career (03:13), releasing his first song and realizing that music was a viable career (09:11), becoming becoming friends with Slug of Atmosphere on Twitter, and getting a feature from Project Pat (12:28), meeting DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia in an empty bar (18:30), rumors of him being in the Illuminati (22:16), the tour life (25:11), navigating the music industry as an independent artist (28:18), learning lessons about being an artist from Slug (37:35), and his thoughts on the new Kendrick Lamar album and his other music influences (40:43), before getting put on the hot seat for Julio's rapid fire round (50:27).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online and The Football Boutique.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vela's Legacy, Mbappe's Contract, & Kendrick's 'Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers'

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 31 May 2022 10:00:00 +0000

We may not have a special guest for this episode, but that doesn't make it any less special. In episode 62, we discuss Julio becoming a meme amongst LA Galaxy fans (00:42), the Urban Pitch Podcast guest boost (02:41), LA Galaxy vs LAFC in the U.S. Open Cup and Carlos Vela's legacy (04:14), rumors of Messi coming to Miami (07:55), the UEFA Champions League final (12:09), the Kylian Mbappe saga (27:32), and new music from Kendrick Lamar and Pusha T (27:32), before Julio puts Ramsey in his trademark rapid fire round.

This podcast was supported by Bet Online, Absolution Brewing Company, and The Football Boutique.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ex-Pro & Media Personality Jen Munoz

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 24 May 2022 14:39:44 +0000

Whether it's scoring goals for Club America or competing in the 'Exatlon' reality TV series, Jen Munoz is up for a challenge. Recently retired from pro soccer, Munoz joins the washed-up crew to discuss why she retired from pro soccer at 25 (02:59), how she got to Club America and the playing conditions in Liga MX (05:25), the increased interest level across women's soccer and the differences in playing style between NWSL and Liga MX (09:50), transitioning from pro soccer to media and current projects she's working on (12:30), her favorite Club America jerseys (15:49), the experience on the Exatlon reality TV show (18:06), and her ideal first date (24:13), before taking on Julio's rapid fire round (27:05).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Friends of the Show: Jessica Flores and Jenny Ortega

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 17 May 2022 15:09:24 +0000

With friends like ours, it's no wonder we continue to bring them onto the pod. In our latest "Friends of the Show" episode, Ramsey and Julio sit down with media personality multi-hyphenate Jessica Flores and LA sports super-fan Jenny Ortega to discuss Jessica's college experience playing soccer at USC (04:27), why she left the team after one season to pursue a career in the media industry (14:30), Jenny and Jessica's upcoming podcast and the current projects they're working on (19:46), Jessica's work in the media industry and hosting her own radio show on 93.9 (26:21), and their current relationship statuses and dating in Los Angeles (37:56).

We're also giving away a pair of LAFC tickets in conjunction with this episode! Head over to our Instagram and Twitter to see how you can enter.

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Angel City FC Striker Tyler Lussi

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 10 May 2022 17:07:19 +0000

From her non-stop motor to her trademark look on the pitch, Tyler Lussi figures to play an integral role with Angel City FC in 2022. The striker joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss her "Welcome to the NWSL" moment (00:55), where she gets her trademark energy and intensity on the pitch (01:58), her signature no-sleeves look (03:49), the Angel City FC team dynamic and thriving fanbase (06:17), the differences between Portland and LA (12:53), growing up in Maryland and going to college at Princeton (17:34), and her proposition of taking the NWSL public (21:41), before going through Julio's rapid fire round.

This podcast was supported by Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rapper Cousin Feo Returns

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 3 May 2022 16:25:13 +0000

We were on the Cousin Feo wave early. Since 2019, we've been rocking with the LA MC's raspy bars over booming beats, whether it be through his solo projects or his 'Death at the Derby' series with Toronto-based Lord Juco.

Feo re-joins the show to discuss his soccer-infused rhymes (01:13), the ups and downs of growing up in LA (07:02), some of the artists he grew up listening to (12:03), his upcoming projects and the difficulties of releasing new music in 2022 (20:29), the El Trafico rivalry and his work with the LA Galaxy (31:24), and starting his own record label "Alumni Records," before Julio puts him on the hot seat (55:00).

This podcast was supported by Bet Online & Absolution Brewing Company.

Purchase Death at the Derby Season 2 and Choripan vinyls, and check out Feo's website for more information on upcoming albums and projects.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Olympic Medalist and FIFA Agent Lauren Sesselmann

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 16:51:46 +0000

She may be jealous of players like Trinity Rodman getting million-dollar contracts, but Lauren Sesselmann has certainly played a role in making that happen. From winning a bronze medal at the 2014 Olympics to transitioning into her current role of mentorship, Sesselmann has both played and coached alongside some of the world's top athletes.

She joins the Urban Pitch podcast to discuss her Canadian women's national team experience (02:14), getting adjusted to Los Angeles (07:57), her role on the 'About the Game' podcast alongside former NFL pros Orlando Scandrick and TJ Houshmanzadeh (13:42), the recent growth of women's soccer and up-and-coming stars (15:30), the upcoming World Cup (20:16), and her relationship goals and tips for sliding in the DMs (28:09), before going through Julio's Rapid Fire Round (29:35).

Cast

Host: Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New England Revolution Defender DeJuan Jones

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 15:13:32 +0000

The washed-up crew is back with another MLS guest! This time, it's one of the brightest young talents in the league, New England Revolution left back DeJuan Jones. He's made huge strides in his game each season he's played, and recently received his first call-up to the United States men's national team.

Jones discusses his "welcome to MLS" moment and how he made a name for himself at the MLS Draft Combine (01:14), transitioning from winger to left back (05:47), that match against Real Salt Lake in freezing temperatures (09:16), his first USMNT call-up and future career plans (13:42), his past as a fan of "The Bachelor/The Bachelorette and his current favorite TV shows (17:05), the Kanye West documentary and his favorite Kanye albums (20:51), and his pregame match playlist (22:22), before Julio puts him in the hot seat for his trademark rapid fire round (22:22).

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Minnesota United Defender DJ Taylor

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 15:52:42 +0000

DJ Taylor wants you to know that his skills extend beyond the pitch. The 24-year-old Minnesota United defender has shown promise since joining the club last season, but he also has his own clothing label, Venci, which he has big plans for in the near future.

We spoke to Taylor about the best-dressed players on Minnesota United and the vibes in the locker room (00:53), the grind of playing in MLS (09:15), his experience in Spain with several youth academies (18:16), the origins of Venci (26:57), mental health and sports (30:00), and his pregame playlist and love for Drake (35:23), before Julio puts him on the hot seat (47:00).

This podcast was supported by Absolution Brewing Companyand Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Friends of the Show: Brigitte Flores and Gilbert Bita

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 5 Apr 2022 18:51:59 +0000

The LA soccer community is full of passionate individuals who not only love the game, but also the culture that surrounds it. Two of those individuals, Brigitte Flores and Gilbert Bita, join the podcast to discuss their soccer journeys, which includes getting into fights during Sunday league matches (17:20), and getting embarrassed by Edward van Gils (30:30), the godfather of street soccer.

In addition, Gilbert gives us a background of his childhood in Kenya playing soccer in the streets (12:00), and we debate which jerseys in MLS are the best (32:23).

This podcast was supported by Makku and Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

DARBY Magazine's Tagwa Moyo and Gisoo Kim

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 19:07:34 +0000

The pod has gone international! Canada-based DARBY Magazine's Tagwa Moyo and Gisoo Kim join us to discuss North American soccer culture and the differences between the US and Canada (04:49), the intersection between soccer and music and some of the artists Tagwa and Gisoo listen to (17:20), the Montreal-Toronto rivalry (24:00), the budding rivalry between the US and Canadian national teams (25:39), rising talents in both Canada and the US (35:27), and what's in and where to get the current DARBY Mag issue.

This podcast was supported by Makku, Athletic Greens, and Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Angel City FC Goalkeeper DiDi Haracic

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Our very first guest in our new podcast format is a legend in 2 games! A pro footballer and photographer, Angel City FC goalkeeper DiDi Haracic joins us to talk about moving to LA and the biggest differences from New York (1:00), the vibes with Angel City FC so far in training camp and creating a culture with a new team (08:30), balancing between being a pro athlete and photographer (19:23), how taking care of her mental health has played a huge role throughout her career (24:00), her hobbies outside her two careers (32:06), and why she loves that more teams around the world are embracing fashion (35:37).

This podcast was supported by Absolution Brewing Co., and Bet Online.

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We're Back!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Thu, 3 Mar 2022 01:36:42 +0000

After a year-plus hiatus, we’re proud to bring back the Urban Pitch podcast in an all-new format! Now part of the BLEAV podcast network, our first episode previews what to expect moving forward (02:31), gives a background of our two new co-hosts Ramsey Abushahla and Julio Monterroza (4:05), and debates which MLS club runs LA: Galaxy or LAFC? (21:35)

Cast

Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla & Julio Monterroza

Producer: Roy Cho

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 50: FOKOHAELA's Jason Lee Discusses His Absurdly Huge Arsenal Collection

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 2 Sep 2020 15:20:03 +0000

You may know him as the creative mind behind FOKOHAELA, but Jason Lee also has an amazing collection of Arsenal memorabilia. From jerseys to knickknacks, we get an inside glimpse at Lee's vault, while also getting a look into how he's found some of his rarest grails.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 49: Cousin Feo and Lord Juco Discuss 'Ballon d'Or,' Their New Death at the Derby Project

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 19:18:55 +0000

Hot off the heels of last year's stellar "Death at the Derby" series, rappers Cousin Feo and Lord Juco just dropped "Ballon d'Or," an 11-track album dedicated to some of football's most iconic players in recent memory.

We interviewed both of them via Instagram Live to discuss the new project (also getting an exclusive sneak peek at two tracks), some of their favorite MCs to work with, and what's next in store for them.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 48: Soccer Legend Cobi Jones On Overcoming Hardships Throughout His Storied Career

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 26 Feb 2020 19:21:12 +0000

One of the greatest American soccer players of all time, Cobi Jones' road to becoming a legend in the game wasn't a walk in the park. Whether it was being cut from the Olympic team multiple times or fighting to shed his redshirt status in college, Jones' never say die mentality is what separated him from the pack. For our latest podcast episode, he joins fellow ex-Galaxy player Bryan Jordan to discuss how he was able to overcome the numerous obstacles he faced throughout his journey through soccer.

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Ep. 47: Comedian Alexis Guerreros On The Growth Of The Cooligans, Haters, & That LAFC Bathroom Story

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 17:03:21 +0000

Outspoken and unapologetic, Alexis Guerreros is the louder half of The Cooligans, a comedic soccer podcast and TV show on the fubo Sports Network. We sit down with the Newark, New Jersey born and bred comedian to discuss the show's origins, haters, and that infamous LAFC bathroom incident.

Intro/outro track: "I Thought of You" by Nick at Night

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Ep. 46: River Plate's Jordan O'Brien On Her Well-Traveled Career & Argentina's Unreal Soccer Culture

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 16:30:49 +0000

A native of Southern California, Jordan O'Brien's pro soccer career has taken her to countless countries across the globe. From the NWSL to the Champions League, her experiences have taught her incredible life lessons, the biggest perhaps being perseverance. But it wasn't a straight line to where she is today. From playing for no pay to considering retirement, we talk to Jordan about the ups and downs of her career, how street football brought back her love of the game, and the unbelievable atmosphere that Argentinian football produces.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 45: Ex-La Galaxy Player Bryan Jordan On The Beckham Era, Move To Acting & LA Soccer Landscape

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 27 Nov 2019 20:12:37 +0000

A member of the dominant LA Galaxy team that won two MLS Cups at the beginning of the decade, Bryan Jordan stops by to discuss what it was like playing with and against legendary footballers including David Beckham, Robbie Keane, and Cristiano Ronaldo. We also discuss his transition to acting, the ever-changing U.S. soccer atmosphere, and of course, the ever-so polarizing Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

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Ep. 44: Meet Cousin Feo & Lord Juco, the Football-Crazed MCs Behind the Death at the Derby Series

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 19:43:54 +0000

Armed with booming beats and some of the best football references you'll find in all of hip-hop, Cousin Feo and Lord Juco have linked up to bless us with the phenomenal Death at the Derby series. With a vast knowledge of the game that comes from both a lifelong fandom and lengthy research, both artists are truly about that football lifestyle.

We get to know Feo and Juco, who respectively hail from South Central LA and Toronto, discussing how the project originally came to fruition, musical influences that range from Wu-Tang to Led Zeppelin, and the extent of their football fandom. They even get to spit an impromptu freestyle that harkens back to the school lunch yard days.

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Ep. 43: Chilean NT Goalie Ryann Torrero On The 2019 World Cup & Balancing Modeling and Pro Soccer

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 8 May 2019 18:04:06 +0000

Ahead of the 2019 Women's World Cup in France, Chilean national team goalkeeper Ryann Torrero joins us to discuss what she's looking forward to most about this summer's games, how she made a return to soccer after a serious car accident forced her to take a year off, and how she's able to balance her demanding careers as a pro athlete and model.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 42: Mexican U17 National Team Player Vanessa Buso On Her World Cup Experience & High School Life

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Fri, 1 Mar 2019 18:26:51 +0000

17-year-old forward Vanessa Buso has quickly become one of the game's most exciting prospects. Playing with both the U.S. and Mexican youth national teams, we spoke to Vanessa about the difference in playing styles between them, her upcoming collegiate career at Cal State Fullerton, and how she balances being an elite athlete with her high school social life.

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Ep. 41: Ian Edwards on Parallels Between Soccer & Comedy & Breaking Into the Circle of Elite Comics

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 20:03:14 +0000

A veteran in the comedy scene, Ian Edwards has traveled the country perfoming stand up as well as writing and producing shows on networks such as Netflix, HBO, and NBC. He also has his own podcast, The Soccer Comic Rant, in which he discusses current events in the soccer universe with his own unique take and outlook. We spoke to Ian about his comedy career, how the beautiful game is engrained in his blood, and the craziest and smartest comedians that he knows.

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Ep. 40: MLS Superstar Kei Kamara's Secret To Sustained Success Through His Well-Traveled Career

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 16:27:44 +0000

Going into his 13th year as a pro, Kei Kamara is one of the most successful strikers to ever play in MLS. One of just 10 players to have 100 career MLS goals, we sit down with Kei to discuss growing up in Sierra Leone, his well-traveled career, and the difference between playing in the Premier League and MLS.

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Ep. 39: Feefa Discusses His Growth As A Rising Latin Trap Artist And Upcoming Spot At SXSW 2019

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 19:48:51 +0000

LA hip-hop artist Feefa rejoins the podcast, discussing his growth as an artist over the past year, his upcoming performances and projects, and why 2019 is all about having fun and enjoying himself.

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Ep. 38: Christina Burkenroad's Journey From High School Homelessness To Professional Soccer

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 9 Jan 2019 22:37:42 +0000

From living in hotels and crashing at friends' houses in high school to playing in the Champions League, Sparta Prague forward Christina Burkenroad's journey through soccer is far from typical. We discuss how she overcame her obstacles and found her confidence on the way to achieving her lifelong dream of playing professional soccer.

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Ep. 37: How Artist Geoff Gouveia's Out-of-the-Box Hustle Put Him On The Track To Success

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 31 Oct 2018 20:11:40 +0000

Artist Geoff Gouveia has harnessed his creativity not only to create a distinctive art style, but also to forge a unique approach to business, establishing relationships like adidas, LAFC, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation in the process. He discusses how he got his start in art, how he formed his signature style, and future projects on the horizon.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 36: Watts Rapper Stix On Creating LAFC's Official Anthem And Positive Change Through Think Watts

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 17:34:00 +0000

Born and raised in Watts, California, Stix is a veteran in the music industry, working with and developing artists like Iggy Azalea and DJ White Shadow. He discusses the current state of the music game, how he came to be an LAFC fan and creator of their official anthem, and giving back to his community with his Think Watts foundation.

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Ep. 35: LA Galaxy II Midfielder Geoffrey Acheampong On His Journey Through France, Mexico & The US

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Fri, 7 Sep 2018 00:07:42 +0000

Geoffrey Acheampong is a 21-year-old Ghanian pro footballer with the LA Galaxy II. He discusses his unique pro career path through three different different countries, the development of his unique style, and his first interaction with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in which the Swedish legend spoke to him in a Ghanian dialect.

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Ep. 34: Strength, conditioning coach Julia Glanz on using love of soccer & fitness to empower others

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 6 Jun 2018 20:19:31 +0000

Julia Glanz is a strength and conditioning coach and former D1 soccer player. She discusses her rough start while playing at University of Arizona, transitioning into her current career, and emphasizing three key pillars of strength, health and gratitude.

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Ep. 33: LA Galaxy defender Daniel Steres on sticking in MLS & the huge impact of Zlatan Ibrahimovic

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 20:05:39 +0000

Daniel Steres is a defender for the LA Galaxy. He discusses getting drafted by Chivas USA, being waived and his journey before returning back to MLS, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's tremendous impact on the team.

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Ep. 32: DJ and producer DEMUR on world travel adventures and the current state of electronic music

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 11 Apr 2018 23:19:19 +0000

DEMUR is a DJ and producer currently based in Los Angeles. He discusses how he got started as a DJ in Miami, the current state of electronic music, various adventures around the world, and how watching and playing soccer helps keep him sane.

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Ep. 31: LAFC defender Tristan Blackmon on being 3rd MLS draft pick & high expectations with LAFC

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 22:29:58 +0000

Tristan Blackmon is a professional soccer player who was picked third in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by LAFC. He discusses the high expectations of being a high draft selection, pressures and expectations of playing in Los Angeles, and his preference for the laid back social scene versus a high profile nightlife.

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Ep. 30: Pro Freestylers Tobias Becs & PWG on friendship, competition & starting their own companies

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 18:37:19 +0000

Tobias Becs and PWG are top freestylers who have been friends for over a decade. Having competed at a world-class level for many years, they discuss the dynamics of competing against each other, who they think is the best freestyler in the world, and expanding their careers in creating their own freestyle companies.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ep. 29: Hip hop artist Feefa on growing up in South Central LA & generating buzz with his Latin trap

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 23:26:10 +0000

Feefa is a bilingual hip hop artist whose trademark sound can be described as Latin trap. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Feefa grew up playing street football and hustling on the basketball court between classes. A back injury resulted him in not being able to play and becoming depressed. He turned his focus to music and began writing verses and rapping which led to his now blossoming career in hip hop.

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Ep. 28: Pro Freestyler Laura Biondo gives the scoop on traveling & performing with Cirque du Soleil

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 22:46:29 +0000

Laura Biondo is a pro freestyler and 5x Guinness world record holder who has been living, traveling and performing with Cirque du Soleil for the past two years. Biondo discusses how she went from competing in freestyle to performing for the largest theatrical company in the world and some of the backlash that came with her decision.

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Ep. 27: Pro Footballer Travis Bowen on living in Macedonia, playing & growing up with a sibling pro

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 21:13:37 +0000

Travis Bowen is a professional soccer player who currently plays in the Macedonian First League. As a globe-trotting footballer, Bowen discusses how life is different in Macedonia, his fashion choices, and growing up competing against his professional soccer player brother.

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Ep. 26: FTBLR Co-Owner Tony Magaña on passion and challenges of launching streetwear soccer brand

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Thu, 21 Dec 2017 23:17:04 +0000

Tony Magaña is a former player who recently launched FTBLR, a streetwear inspired football apparel company. He shares his experiences of quitting a stable job to pursue his passion, thoughts on ways to improve the state of U.S. soccer, and why FTBLR has a higher mission beyond just selling clothes.

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Ep. 25: Pro Footballer Tristan Bowen on playing for LA Galaxy, Chivas USA & targeting hometown LAFC

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 22 Nov 2017 18:35:11 +0000

Tristan Bowen is a pro footballer with the distinction of being the first Homegrown Player to sign an MLS contract, making the LA Galaxy roster as the youngest player by way of an open tryout at age sixteen, and having highs and lows through a well-traveled playing career. He shares his experiences of playing alongside David Beckham and Landon Donovan as a young teenager, his current work of building his A Pro's Life podcast, and his goal of playing for new MLS team, LAFC.

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Ep. 24: Pro Footballer Lauren Sesselmann on winning an Olympic medal, life in LA, and being a Boss!

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 1 Nov 2017 21:05:59 +0000

Lauren Sesselmann is a pro footballer and Olympic bronze medalist as a member of the Canadian national team. She discusses growing up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, memorable World Cup and Olympic experiences, her recent move to Los Angeles, and transitioning to a life and career outside of soccer as a boss!

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Ep. 23: Mexican National Team player Janelly Farias on preparing for upcoming World Cup and Olympics

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 9 Aug 2017 23:19:45 +0000

Janelly Farias is a professional soccer player and represents "El Tri" as part of the Mexican National Team. As an established veteran, Farias discusses maintaining her role as a calming presence on the team, pursuing modeling opportunities and preparing for and staying focused on the upcoming World Cup and Olympics.

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Ep. 22: Crack FC Founder & soccer pro Jose "Choco" Gomez discusses crack adventures around the world

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 19:15:59 +0000

Jose "Choco" Gomez is a former pro soccer player with playing experience in the U.S., Mexico and Belgium. He recently launched Crack FC, an LA based football clothing brand that celebrates the player who stands out from the rest. Choco discusses growing up in Santa Ana while avoiding gang life, arriving in freezing Nebraska for college wearing only t-shirt and shorts, and the meaning and inspiration behind Crack FC.

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Ep. 21: Pro Swedish freestylers PWG And VLO share tips and lessons to their Bohemian lifestyle

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 18:07:34 +0000

Philip Warren Gertsson "PWG and Viktor Ludvig Olofson "VLO" are two world class freestylers from Sweden. While vacationing in Los Angeles, they stopped by to share how they got started in the freestyle scene, balancing friendship while competing for work, and how to have a great time in LA while still keeping their girlfriends happy back home.

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Ep. 20: Briana Aguila of Soccer Problems on turning Twitter venting into a social media powerhouse

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 18:30:44 +0000

Briana Aguila started "Soccer Problems" while still a junior in high school. What initially started as tweeting her frustrations with her high school team grew quickly into a social media presence. She stopped by to discuss her hopes of growing a hobby into a profession, some of her favorite fan girl moments, and the inevitable issue of who she supports when USA plays Mexico.

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Ep. 19: SoCal SC Co-Owner & GM Daniel Gamba reveals roller coaster ride of being a soccer club owner

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 29 Mar 2017 20:21:20 +0000

SoCal SC is a sports club founded in 2015 and currently competing in the NPSL, the 4th tier of American soccer. Co-Owner and GM, Daniel Gamba, discusses embracing the challenges of creating a successful club in San Bernardino, embracing community and club culture, and forgoing wins for development of young players.

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Ep. 18: City Of Angels FC Co-Owner PJ Harrison on merging the worlds of music & fashion with soccer

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 15 Feb 2017 21:59:22 +0000

City of Angeles FC is the newest addition to the Los Angeles football landscape. Co-Owner PJ Harrison discusses the initial stages of how the club began, incorporating his background in music and fashion, and partnering up with another creative Joe Sumner, singer-songwriter and bassist for Fiction Plane.

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Ep. 17: Jez Dior & 12AM on gypsies in Paris, crazy fans in Europe, and high school sweethearts

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 21:35:06 +0000

Jez Dior is a popular "grunge rap" music artist based in Los Angeles and son of British musician, Steve Dior, associate of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls. Along with his Funeral Crew's first signee, 12AM, they discuss their recent European tour, hanging out with fans in every city, and why high school sweethearts are the best.

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Ep. 16: Cobi Jones on overcoming challenges, having swagger, and playing with a chip on his shoulder

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 19:51:54 +0000

Cobi Jones is the all-time leader in USMNT appearances with 164 caps and represented the United States in the 1994, 1998, and 2002 FIFA World Cups. A former star player for the LA Galaxy, Jones discusses being a walk-on at UCLA, playing with swagger, and overcoming obstacles each step of the way to forge a pro career and play for the USMNT.

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Ep. 15: Soccer pro Lo’eau LaBonta on redefining Stanford nerds, dating adventures & life in the NWSL

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 4 Jan 2017 21:28:30 +0000

Lo’eau LaBonta is a pro soccer player currently playing for FC Kansas City in the NWSL. A recent Stanford alum, she discusses adjusting to the professional game, highlights of her life in Kansas City and Los Angeles, and preparing for life after soccer.

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Ep. 14: Rising pro player Jamia Fields on hustling in soccer and in life

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 20:05:24 +0000

Professional soccer player Jamie Fields is a forward for the NWSL's Orlando Pride. As she settles into her pro career, Fields discusses her goal of making the USWNT, what makes her a good teammate, and her current bicoastal lifestyle.

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Ep. 13: Creative Recreation’s Rich Cofinco on graffiti, starting ASIF and surviving the Apocalypse

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 7 Dec 2016 18:26:09 +0000

Rich Cofinco is founder and owner of footwear brand ASIF in addition to being the lead designer. He found early success with the lifestyle category brand Creative Recreation which he co-founded in 2002. He joins us to discuss his early graffiti roots, choosing function over fashion, and why everything he creates is actually designed to help you survive the apocalypse.

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Ep. 12: Brazilian celebrity trainer "Cuerpaso" on pro soccer career and the best butt in Hollywood

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 18:09:46 +0000

Tadeo was born and raised in Brazil, played professional soccer around the world, and now trains celebrities and athletes. He created Cuerpaso, a soccer inspired workout that takes place at Santa Monica beach. We discussed the cultural differences between Brazil, Kenya, and the U.S. and who has the best butt in Hollywood.

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Ep. 11: Actress Highdee Kuan on life in the Netherlands, facing bullies, and Dirty Old Dutchman

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 23:43:18 +0000

Highdee Kuan is an L.A. based actress and artist who grew up in a small village in the Netherlands. She discusses the difficulties she encountered, her love of soccer, and her artistic and fashion influences culminating with creating her own clothing line called Dirty Old Dutchman.

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Ep. 10: Pro soccer player & fashion model, Ryan Torrero, on why goalkeepers are a different breed

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 08:40:46 +0000

Ryann Torrero is a professional goalkeeper who also works in the fashion industry as a model during the off season. While breaking the mold in order to successfully navigate between two very different worlds, Torrero discusses playing abroad, cultural differences, and her equal love of soccer and fashion.

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Ep. 09: Singing comedian Brian O'Sullivan on hecklers, groupies and Weird Al

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 02:02:06 +0000

Brian O'Sullivan is a professional singing comedian. He dropped by to discuss the ups and downs of making a living from musical comedy, dealing with hecklers and "bros, and how he handles the occasional college groupie. Oh, and some soccer talk too.

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Ep. 08: LAFC s Patrick Aviles on music, fashion, food and tying them all into team culture

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 2 Nov 2016 17:57:19 +0000

Patrick Aviles is responsible for supporter relations at the Los Angeles Football Club. Growing up in LA's San Fernando Valley, Aviles was into skateboarding, hip hop, street culture, and soccer. He met with us to discuss LAFC's latest exciting news, their growing rivalry with LA Galaxy, and how he hopes to inject some of his urban style and influences into the club's atmosphere.

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Ep. 07: Pro street baller Kristoffer Liicht on world travel, gypsies & getting robbed in Mexico

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 15:12:45 +0000

Kristoffer Liicht is a professional street soccer player and founder of Copenhagen Panna House in Denmark. Liicht discusses traveling all around the world, Suell the Gypsy, getting robbed in Mexico, and the sometimes unglamorous side of being a pro street baller.

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Ep. 06: Pro skimboarder Yasmyn Andrade on bikinis, singing career, and college ball

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 19:45:02 +0000

Yasmyn Andrade is a professional skimboarder, singer/songwriter, and entrepreneur who also plays soccer on a college scholarship. Originally from Brazil, Andrade discusses some of her favorite beaches, her music influences, lack of boys in her life, and how college girls can play pretty rough.

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Ep. 05: Pro soccer player Yael Averbuch on playing against boys, USWNT, and life in LA

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 08:10:42 +0000

Yael Averbuch is a highly decorated midfielder for FC Kansas City, and has played for the U.S. at every level of the youth national teams in addition to having twenty six caps for the USWNT. Having recently finished the NWSL season with FC Kansas City, she dropped by to discuss her early beginnings, adapting to life in Los Angeles, her future plans, and some of the current happenings around the world of soccer.

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Ep. 04: Top pro freestylers reveal the hype, the sexy, and the dirt

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 5 Oct 2016 18:47:44 +0000

Caitlyn Schrepfer, Umar Dalati, and Tom Folan are top ranked professional freestylers. They describe both the good and bad of being pro freestylers. They give us some inside dirt that happens behind the scenes as well as some of the more outlandish characters in the freestyle community.

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Ep. 03: Tamra Dae on being a fitness model, entrepreneur, and owning her brickhausbody

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 07:10:25 +0000

Tamra Dae is a fitness model, actress, entrepreneur and creator of the brand and fitness movement: brickhausbody. She stopped by to discuss her latest projects, background in soccer, and give us her secret to building a large social media following.

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Ep. 02: Pro athlete Thiago Lusardi on juggling modeling, multiple sports and a pro skater girlfriend

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 03:19:41 +0000

Thiago Lusardi, current pro footvolley player and model, discusses living and working in Los Angeles and balancing modeling while training to revive his professional soccer career.

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Ep. 01: Jez Dior on music, love of soccer, and best places to party in L.A.

ramsey@urbanpitch.com (Urban Pitch) — Wed, 14 Sep 2016 06:45:33 +0000

Jez Dior is an emerging "grunge rap" music artist based in Los Angeles and son of British musician, Steve Dior, associate of the Sex Pistols and the New York Dolls. He and his producer, Smiles, dropped by to discuss how he got started in his music career, his love of soccer, and the best hidden spots to party in LA.

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