The Soccer Ladder with Li & Me

Local Football, Access, and the Future of the American Player Pathway

In Episode 26 of The Soccer Ladder, Megan sits down for a solo-hosted conversation with the voice behind  ⁨@TheExchangeFc⁩   a platform deeply rooted in local football culture and grassroots storytelling.

With Liam at school for the day, this episode becomes a deep dive into the local soccer ecosystem, access to the game, and how untapped talent...

This one really is legendary — we’re welcoming our first-ever NWSL player to The Soccer Ladder! In this episode, we’re joined by Haley McCutcheon of the Orlando Pride, and she brings such real, grounded insight into what it takes to develop, stay mentally strong, and build a career that lasts.

Also… quick behind-the-scenes moment: I usually record with Liam, but I accidentally scheduled studio time on a school day (mom fail 😅) — so...

This week on The Soccer Ladder, we’re joined by Bryan Jordan (@bj_6) — former LA Galaxy winger, two-time MLS Cup champion, and one of the hardest-working pros of his era. From grinding through trials to sharing a locker room with David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane, Bryan gets real about what it actually takes to climb — and stay on — the ladder.

What we cover

• From LA kid to pro: Growing up in ultra-competitive Los An...

In this inspiring episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Mike Chabala (@michaelchabala) — former Houston Dynamo defender, two-time MLS Cup Champion, and founder of @sphere.club — to explore the full-circle journey from professional athlete to purpose-driven entrepreneur. ⚽️

From playing in Europe at just eight years old, to earning his way onto one of the best teams in MLS history, to now creating a global movement...

This week on @thesoccerladder, hosts @meganlinkeofficial and @liamlinke18 sit down with Chijioke Akujuobi (@choppaholic5) — the creator and host of @victorychatterpodcast / @victorychatterpod — for a powerful conversation on mindset, mentorship, and what it really takes to make it in the world of soccer.

From street soccer in Texas to playing professionally in Denmark,  Chijioke’s story is one of grit, faith, and relentless belief i...

Guest: Fre Frans, former pro defender turned coach at RWDM Brussels
📲 IG: @frefrans

In this inspiring and globe-spanning episode, we sit down with Belgian footballer and coach Fre Frans (@frefrans), who shares his journey from debuting at 17 in Belgium’s top league to coaching one of the youngest squads in Europe today.

Fre played professionally for clubs like Lierse SK, Beerschot, and Partick Thistle in Scotland, and...

MLS veteran. U.S. National Team defender. College champion. Youth trainer. In this episode, A.J. DeLaGarza opens up about what it really takes to have a 14-year career in Major League Soccer—and the moments on and off the field that shaped him most. From Maryland to Miami, and Galaxy to Gold Den, A.J. shares the mindset, heart, and leadership it takes to stay at the top, adapt through change, and give back to the next generation.

🔥...

In this episode, Megan Linke sits down with Tristan Bowen, the first-ever MLS homegrown player, who went pro at just 17 with LA Galaxy. From training alongside icons like David Beckham and Landon Donovan to launching a media brand that gives voice to the athlete journey—Tristan’s story is filled with real-world lessons for players and parents alike.

Inside the episode:

• How Tristan’s path to LA Galaxy unfolded—and the mindset that...

This week on The Soccer Ladder, we dive into the physical, mental, and emotional performance demands of elite youth soccer with Ruben Cisneros (@rubencisneros), the U15 Academy Performance Coach for Chicago Fire FC. From boxing roots to building top-level athletes, Ruben shares his full-circle journey back to the Fire, where he now helps shape future pros from the inside out.

⚽️ What We Cover:

• Ruben’s unexpected path from competi...

In this episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with John Davis—co-founder of @ULETEsports, one of the top multi-sport performance centers in the country—to unpack what it really takes to build elite athletes today.

From growing up on cow-patch soccer fields in Texas to building a world-class training facility guided by faith, vision, and a generational entrepreneurial spirit—John shares the story behind ULETE and what makes it a ...

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

In this special father-son episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with the Daughtridges—a powerhouse duo in both soccer and entrepreneurship.

Roark shares what it’s like training with the DC United Academy, balancing school, practice, and friendships, and how he mentally resets after setbacks on the field. Meanwhile, Ryan offers a unique parent perspective on raising a high-level athle...

In Episode 15 of The Soccer Ladder, we welcome a true American soccer icon: ⁠@michaelbr4dley⁠ — former USMNT captain, two-time World Cup player, MLS Cup champion with Toronto FC, European veteran, and a leader who’s played the game at every level, around the world.

Michael sits down with Lee and Megan to share his journey from growing up on the sidelines with his dad, legendary coach Bob Bradley, to turning pro at 16, adapting ...

In this high-energy episode of The Soccer Ladder, we’re joined by the inspiring brothers behind @game_awareness, the Canadian-based trainers revolutionizing youth soccer with cutting-edge awareness training.

From scanning and shoulder checks to creating elite-level soccer IQ, these coaches are showing young players what it really takes to stand out on the pitch—not just with skill, but with vision, intelligence, and mindset.

In this can’t-miss episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Michael Parkhurst @mikeparkhurst3—former USMNT captain, MLS Cup champion, European pro, and co-founder of @beyondgoalsmentoring—to go deep on the sacrifices, mindset, and structure required to go pro and stay pro.


Whether you’re an academy parent, a player chasing the dream, or a coach shaping the next generation, this episode is filled with gold.
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In this episode, we sit down with Alessio Carlone, a former professional footballer and co-founder of FPD Academy in Genk, Belgium. Alessio shares his inspiring journey from signing his first pro contract at 16, navigating international club moves, and ultimately being forced to retire early due to a genetic heart condition. But Alessio didn’t stop there—he channeled his passion into building a next-level training academy that focu...

This week on The Soccer Ladder, we’re joined by the incredible Larrys Mabiala  (⁠@mynameislarrys)⁠—former PSG Academy player and Portland Timbers pro, now author of Soccer Dreams to Reality. We dive into his journey from juggling a ball in a tiny Paris apartment to signing a professional contract at just 17.

Larrys' path is one of grit, resilience, and generational impact. He shares the raw truth of what it takes to go pro...

In this special milestone episode, we're joined by former pro players and now elite-level coaches, Libor Volf and Alex Jakubov, the founders of Volf Soccer Academy. With academies across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and even Uganda, these two bring a wealth of international experience to the table.

They dive deep into: 

⚽ Their personal journeys from small villages and top European academies to professional contracts 

⚽ The truth ab...

In this jam-packed episode of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Coach Juan Ocampo—founder of Pro Soccer Academy and mentor to some of the top youth players in the state. Known for cultivating what he calls the “dog mentality,” Coach Juan shares the real behind-the-scenes of what it takes to rise through the youth soccer system and develop not just talent, but true toughness.

🔥 In this episode, we cover:

• Juan’s powerful journey...

In this episode of The Soccer Ladder, we're honored to be joined by the iconic Shep Messing — former U.S. Olympic goalkeeper, New York Cosmos star, broadcaster, and lifelong ambassador of the game. Known for his time alongside legends like Pelé and Beckenbauer, Shep brings not only decades of soccer experience but also unfiltered wisdom, powerful stories, and refreshing perspective on what the game is truly about.

What You’ll H...