Pitch to Pro

Want a front-row look at how sports careers actually start, and how a young club becomes a community heartbeat? Wes sits down with Professor Craig Schmitt of the University of Arkansas to connect the dots between classrooms, street teams, stadium design, and the human moments that make match days unforgettable. Craig’s path runs from youth hoops and nonprofit programs to graduate study and a faculty role where he “coaches” students...

The whistle blows and the pace changes, faster touches, sharper decisions, cleaner movement. That’s the moment a young player realizes he’s entered a different world of soccer, and we unpack exactly why it feels so different: buy-in, culture, and coaching that sticks. From the delicate handoff between being dad on the sideline and letting a coach’s voice lead, to the first kick in a higher league where everything clicks, this highl...

What does it really take for a young player to chase a professional dream beyond their hometown club scene?

Wes sits down with Ozark United FC Academy goalkeeper Zach Taylor and his parents, Beth and Joel, to unpack the family, sacrifice, and belief behind a 14 year old’s journey from Olive Branch, Mississippi, to MLS NEXT soccer in Northwest Arkansas.

Zach shares how his life has been “soccer, soccer, soccer” for as long as he can r...

Supporter culture doesn’t start with a logo. It starts with people who show up, test ideas in the real world, and build a sound that carries a team. We share a stoppage-time highlight reel on how our Arkansas community is shaping a fortress before a pro side even takes the field, dry runs at college matches, chant writing in multiple languages, and a clear plan to make visiting teams dread our end line.

We break down the n...

Today, we revisit a lively conversation with members of Ozark United FC’s youth program as they reflect on their recent tournament experiences. The players share what stood out most to them: the pace and physicality of the competition, the importance of communication on the field, and how small details—like warm-up routines and game-day habits—mirror what they’ve learned under their own coaches.

As they discuss what it takes to play...

A scouting weekend can change how young players see the game, and our trip to the MLS Next Talent ID Invitational in Houston did exactly that. We sit down with three OZFC Academy players who were selected among the top 50 in the region to talk about the pressure, the pace, and the joy of competing against elite talent. From intense rondos and 2v2s to a 9v9 tournament win, they share the moments that stretched their decision-making,...

Pressure reveals culture. When a match started sliding the wrong way, we broke down the split-second coaching choice that changes everything: speak and control, or listen and trust. What followed was a raw look at accountability on the field, no finger-pointing, just honest self-checks, sharper communication, and a team that chose ownership over excuses. We talk through what calm leadership actually looks like, the subtle cues that...

Two goals down in 11 minutes, then a 4–2 lead before halftime, what kind of locker room creates that kind of turnaround on the field? We sat down with JBU head coach Samuel Estrada to explore the answer, starting where his game began: street soccer in San Salvador. Samuel’s path from El Salvador youth international to Northwest Arkansas coach reveals why decision speed beats raw speed, how small-sided chaos teaches real game intell...

This Stoppage Time release brings you an excerpt from Episode 6 where we traced the unlikely rise of Arkansas adult soccer. In this segment, we spotlight how late-80s street games grew into a full league by the early 90s, weathered disputes and mismatched divisions, and eventually gained official city backing after a period of chaos and community perseverance.

We walk through the origin, eight teams, one division, and more passion t...

Mental health has finally entered the sports conversation, but how much progress have we really made? Our latest Stoppage Time episode brings you powerful insights from sports psychology experts who are transforming how we think about the mental game.

Gone are the days when sports psychologists merely played "deficit detective." Today's approach balances identifying weaknesses with amplifying strengths, crea...

Soccer history unfolded right in our backyard as the Marshall Islands national team made its international debut at Springdale High School in Northwest Arkansas. What makes this story extraordinary isn't just the debut itself, but the remarkable spirit and progress shown by a team where nearly half the players had never competed in an official 11v11 match before. Coming primarily from futsal backgrounds, these athletes didn&ap...

Dean Johnson is transforming soccer in Northwest Arkansas through a remarkable dual role that few coaches would dare attempt. With one foot firmly planted in the OZFC Academy as U19 boys head coach and the other pioneering Northwest Arkansas Community College's first-ever men's soccer program, Johnson brings championship-winning expertise to a region hungry for soccer development.

The London native's journey...

This Stoppage Time release features a powerful excerpt from our earlier conversation with Woody Watson. In this segment, we spotlight the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Soccer Tournament — an event that made history by hosting the first-ever Marshallese national team matches at Springdale High School.

You’ll hear how what began as a grassroots effort has grown into a community-driven movement, building long-term partnerships...

Soccer history is coming to Northwest Arkansas! The Ozark United FC team reveals exclusive details about the upcoming Outrigger Challenge Cup, a groundbreaking international soccer tournament featuring teams from the US Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, and most notably, the Marshall Islands, who will be playing their first-ever international match.

Set for August 13-16 at Springdale High School's Jarrell Williams Sta...

Soccer history unfolded right here in Northwest Arkansas as the Outrigger Challenge Cup brought FIFA-sanctioned international matches to Springdale. Kevin Tello, Ozark United FC MLS Next Technical Director, joins host Wes Harris to break down this landmark event that put our region on the global soccer map.

The tournament featured the senior men’s national teams of Turks and Caicos and the US Virgin Islands, along with the...

Our latest Stoppage Time episode reveals the extraordinary efforts of a volunteer team spanning three continents who are determined to ensure the Marshall Islands' place in football history.

The urgency is palpable as Woody Watson explains why this initiative matters: "A nation that possibly might not exist in some capacity in 10 years is able to get their first matches played, is able to have something out there...

The beautiful game of soccer has reached nearly every corner of the globe, but until now, one nation has remained on the sidelines. The Marshall Islands stands as the last UN-recognized country never to have played a match, a distinction about to change thanks to an extraordinary grassroots effort with surprising ties to Northwest Arkansas.

Woody Watson, VP of North American Operations for the Marshall Islands Soccer Feder...

In this special Stoppage Time edition of the Pitch to Pro podcast, we dive into one of the show’s most personal and vivid storytelling moments: a heartfelt memory about watching MLS veteran Jack Jewsbury in action. The segment from Episode 46 with Ross Cully features reflections on how an unassuming trip to Portland turned into a deep lesson in soccer culture, as he recalls traveling with his young son to see Jewsbury captain the T...

What happens when passion for soccer meets the explosive growth of Northwest Arkansas? Ross Cully, founder and CEO of Harvest Group and early investor in Ozark United FC, reveals the powerful vision behind bringing professional soccer to this dynamic region.

Ross shares his personal connection to the beautiful game, from youth leagues in Missouri to watching his former teammate Jack Jewsbury captain the Portland Timbers. T...