Best Balones Podcasts (2026)

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#409 – Building a Youth Soccer Club in America: Challenges, Insights, and Toca FC’s Journey 2:02:16

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1h ago2:02:16

2:02:16

Building a Youth Soccer Club from Scratch: Challenges and Triumphs In episode 409, we bring on Alec Lemmon, founder of Toca FC, a youth soccer club based in Kansas City. Alec shares his journey of starting the club from ground zero, the challenges faced, and the importance of values like faith, family, and football. We […]…

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E19T17 (La prima de Arturo, el chat social y el pelo definitivo) 1:12:52

10d ago1:12:52

1:12:52

Pocos podcast os ayudaran tanto en la vida como el que presume ser nuestro ultimo podcast del año.By Pablo Castellanos

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#408 – World Cup 2026 Draw: USMNT Reactions, Media & USL Rants + Coaching Tips 1:16:16

9d ago1:16:16

1:16:16

In Episode 408, we react to the 2026 World Cup draw, highlighting the USMNT’s manageable group and debating home-field edges. Discussions turn to media missteps, like Jimmy Conrad’s flip on Pochettino, and how American soccer commentary often lacks nuance. The USL Players Union’s take on promotion/relegation gets called out for hurting player inter…

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#407 – 12 Lesson From Pochettino You Must Not Ignore 1:12:04

18d ago1:12:04

1:12:04

In this episode, we highlight an important interview with Mauricio Pochettino by Andres Cantor, which outlines critical insights often ignored by English-language media. We break down Pochettino’s key points on how the US can aspire to be a top-tier soccer nation, addressing issues of player entitlement, cultural differences, and systemic challenge…

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E18T17 (Crónicas Vallisoletanas) 1:47:46

23d ago1:47:46

1:47:46

Tenéis ganas de Arturo? pues os vais a hartar, un relato épico o no de como llegaron a tierras vallisoletanas para volver al Sur con un premio entre las manos.By Pablo Castellanos

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#406 – I TOLD YOU SO! A Foreigner as Coach for the USMNT is KEY 1:23:32

23d ago1:23:32

1:23:32

In this episode, we dissect Mauricio Pochettino’s game-changing approach with the USMNT, from their pressing prowess in beating Paraguay and Uruguay to his bold press conference challenging media disrespect and player entitlement. We examine fan and media U-turns, the benefits of a foreign coach in reshaping US soccer culture, roster insights inclu…

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#405 – How to Train an Organized High Press in Youth & Elite Soccer 1:10:50

1M ago1:10:50

1:10:50

Mastering the Art of Pressing in Soccer In this packed episode we pull back the curtain on exactly how we teach teams to press with lethal organization instead of random effort. We share the cone/flag method Brian used from the youngest ages, live training footage breakdowns, pressing triggers we stole from Bielsa and Pep, how […]…

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E17T17 (Agua muy caliente enfermedades del Lazarillo y jueguitos) 1:23:12

1M ago1:23:12

1:23:12

Pasamos de la hora en un episodio con historias de vivencias, rankings, agua caliente e historias de vida.By Pablo Castellanos

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#404 – The Dark Arts of Soccer: Why Gamesmanship Wins Games (And Why America Calls It Cheating) 1:25:14

1M ago1:25:14

1:25:14

In Episode 404 we went full savage on the dark arts of soccer. We explained why diving, time-wasting, shirt-pulling, ref manipulation, and mass confrontation aren’t cheating — they’re the actual game. We broke down how South American street culture creates winners while American soccer culture produces soft, naive players terrified of “unsportsmanl…

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E16T17 (Regalos perdidos, mensajeros que no llegan y Tokio Hotel) 1:08:08

2M ago1:08:08

1:08:08

Episodio triste donde la fatalidad se cierne sobre nosotros con nombre de empresa de transportes. Señores mayores arrastrados por un tsunami urbano y pajitas campestres.By Pablo Castellanos

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Chatting with Balon Loften about Social Work 30:43

2M ago30:43

30:43

In this episode of Chatting with Queen Marcie, host Marcie speaks with Balon Loften, the executive director of a women's shelter. They discuss Balon's journey, the importance of community service, and the realities of homelessness in America. Balon shares insights on the root causes of homelessness, the need for cultural sensitivity in services, an…

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Ep 403: “Winning at all Cost” is ESSENTIAL for Coaching Development! 1:26:03

2M ago1:26:03

1:26:03

In this episode, we continue our conversation about coaching development in the U.S., addressing the intense pressure to win and its impact on coaching effectiveness. We emphasize the importance of winning to provide coaches with breathing room to focus on player and team development. We discuss real-life scenarios, from dealing with star players a…

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E15T17 (Females o no females, demasiada humedad para estas sabanas) 1:00:42

2M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

Abrimos el melon de los viajes a zonas de chicas con sorpresa, conocer sitios nuevos es muy bonito y si puedes comer bichos vivos y conocer amigas con colita pues mejor que mejor.By Pablo Castellanos

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Ep 402: EPIC Rant on the USMNT – Pochettino’s Culture Shift & Real Coaching Development Secrets 1:24:25

2M ago1:24:25

1:24:25

In this explosive episode, we kick off with Gary’s no-holds-barred rant on the USMNT’s performance against Australia, highlighting Pochettino’s culture-over-strategy mindset and why our players lack true differentiation or winning nastiness. We break down the entitlement era’s end and draw lessons from Argentine grit. Shifting to coaching developme…

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E14T17(Beber con olor es otro sabor) 55:22

2M ago55:22

55:22

El amor se demuestra de múltiples maneras, esta es la nuestra.By Pablo Castellanos

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Love Chat with Michael and Juanita Walden: Love right around the Corner 23:54

2M ago23:54

23:54

In this episode of Chatting with Queen Marcie, host Marcie engages in a heartfelt conversation with Juanita and Michael Walden about their love story, marriage challenges, and the importance of communication. They share memorable moments from their wedding, discuss the obstacles they faced early in their marriage, and emphasize the significance of …

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Ep 401: WTF Happened to Youth Soccer in America? What You Need to Know and Nobody Tells You 1:16:09

2M ago1:16:09

1:16:09

In this episode of the 3four3 podcast, we take a hard look at the evolution of American youth soccer, reflecting on its past and critiquing its present. We discuss how the competitive, merit-based Coast Soccer League once set a high standard for youth soccer, producing top talent through a promotion-relegation system. Fast forward to today, […]…

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E13T17 (Miss empatia 2027 meando en balones ajenos) 47:04

3M ago47:04

47:04

Semejante titulo hemos puesto…By Pablo Castellanos

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Ep 400: Why US Soccer Sucks – Balon d’Or Nonsense, Rondos for Youth, and Brutal Fan Roasts! 54:43

3M ago54:43

54:43

In this episode of the 3four3 podcast, Gary Kleiban and Benny Rogers expose the ongoing “brain rot” in American soccer. They go over MLS and US Soccer’s outdated dismissal of rondos, the impossibility of “playing the right way” at youth, college, or pro levels, and the national team’s struggles under coaches like Berhalter. Kicking off […]…

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E12T17 (Buenos días con Encías) 1:12:21

3M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

La vida, la muerte, la superación, hoy traemos un programa muy terapéutico.By Pablo Castellanos

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Ep 399: Breaking Barriers in American Soccer – Oscar Reyes on Elevating Latino Talent in Santa Ana 55:54

3M ago55:54

55:54

In this powerful episode of the 3four3 Podcast, Gary Kleiban hosts Oscar Reyes, a Santa Ana native, former soccer player, and visionary club operator. Oscar, who grew up in the vibrant Latino soccer community of Santa Ana, shares his story of playing in competitive local leagues and training in Europe, only to return with a […]…

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E11T17 (Maricruz is back) 1:12:22

3M ago1:12:22

1:12:22

La gracia divina de Ramis ha querido que la vida es así vuelva a aparecer por Gravina y quizás se haga fija one more time.By Pablo Castellanos

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Ep 398: Unpacking Pochettino’s USMNT Strategy and How Coaches Climb the Soccer Ladder 1:03:56

4M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

In this episode, we discuss Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure with the USMNT, exploring how his bold approach—calling up MLS players and challenging the entitlement of A-listers—is shaking up the squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. We go into why his strategy to test depth and foster competitive fire is critical, even if it ruffles feathers […]…

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Ep 397: LEARN from Luis Suarez, Tryout Strategies, and the Pro/Rel Debate 1:17:06

4M ago1:17:06

1:17:06

In Episode 397, we unpack the Luis Suarez spitting controversy post-Leagues Cup final, diving into the hypocrisy of public outrage and what it reveals about soccer culture. We also provide actionable strategies for coaches conducting tryouts, sharing tips on identifying players suited for a possession-based system, drawing from our experiences at 3…

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Ep 396: MLS Next Initiatives EXPOSED – Playing Time, Talent ID, Scholarship Myths, and More 1:07:25

4M ago1:07:25

1:07:25

In this episode, we dive into MLS Next’s newly announced initiatives aimed at reshaping youth soccer in America. We break down the four key changes: 1) a scholarship requirement mandating one player per club, 2) an extension of the “Pro Player Pathway” adding U15 teams, 3) a Talent ID weekend for scouting, and 4) new […]…

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Ep 395: The Corrupt Pathway to the US Youth National Teams and Beyond 27:59

4M ago27:59

27:59

We tackle two audience questions. First, we explore how players get selected for youth national teams and discuss the challenges posed by the monopolistic control of MLS academies. We highlight the importance of MLS academy affiliation, coaching recommendations, and the limited pathways for non-MLS players. Second, we provide guidance to a parent c…