Over The Line

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Over The Line

James McGhee

6 episodes

6 months ago

The U.S. soccer system is broken—holding back countless young players from realizing their potential, not because of a lack of talent, but because the pathways to success are flawed. The Over The Line Podcast is here to change that. This podcast creates a space for powerful, brutally honest conversations about the state of US soccer, its challenges in succeeding on the world stage and the opportunities on the horizon. I, James McGhee, am on a hot pursuit for answers and am committed to bringing those answers to the soccer community nationwide. I agree with Christian Pulisic when he says, "The problem with American soccer… it isn’t talent." U.S. Soccer is failing the next generation of men—not because of a lack of ability, but because the system isn’t designed to help players reach their full potential. This podcast is about finding solutions by amplifying the voices of those already making a difference. Together, we’ll uncover their journeys, lessons, and strategies to transform youth soccer for the better. As for me, I’ve experienced the system firsthand. I played four years at the collegiate level and three years professionally, facing both triumphs and challenges along the way. Breaking through wasn’t just a physical battle; it was mental and systemic. Those experiences lit a fire in me to help develop the next generation of players into the best versions of themselves—on and off the field. If you’re passionate about elevating youth soccer and empowering young athletes, this podcast is for you. Let’s spark a movement and take the game over the line.

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Episodes (6/6)

Over The Line

Turning Kids Into Soccer Players: The Vision Behind Vedral Soccer Academy

Vedral Soccer Academy is setting a new standard for elite youth soccer in the Dallas area — developing high-level players, refining established athletes, and building confident leaders through fast-paced, high-intensity training.

In this episode of The Over the Line Podcast we sit down with Dillon Vedral — founder of Vedral Soccer Academy and former FC Dallas youth coach — to unpack his journey from player to coach, and how his commitment to youth development sparked the founding of Vedral Soccer Academy, with the goal of shaping players who thrive on and off the field.

They explore what it means to “turn kids into soccer players,” diving into Dillon’s coaching philosophy, the traits that separate top-level athletes, and what U.S. soccer can learn from player-first environments. From technical growth to character development, this episode offers insight, strategy, and inspiration for anyone invested in the future of the game.

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player — there’s something in this episode for you.

Time Stamps:
01:13 - 02:03 — Dillon Vedral Introduction
02:03 - 03:13 — Vedral Soccer Academy: Turning Kids Into Soccer Players
03:13 - 07:38 — The Start of Dillon's Coaching Journey
07:38 - 09:32 — Building Vedral Soccer Academy
09:32 - 12:51 — Why Coaching Is Personal
12:51 - 16:05 — What Separates Top Players from the Rest
16:05 - 19:40 — The Reality of Professional Soccer: Sacrifices and Mental Fortitude
19:40 - 21:27 — The Mentality Difference at the Top Levels
21:27 - 24:39 — Lessons from Top MLS Players
24:39 - 27:46 — Coaching at FC Dallas Youth Academy
27:46 - 32:20 — How U.S. Soccer Can Improve Youth Development
32:20 - 34:23 — The Future of U.S. Soccer Talent
34:23 - 39:14 — Lessons from Running Vedral Soccer Academy
39:14 - 44:59 — The 10-Year Vision for Vedral Soccer Academy
44:59 - 48:17 — Translating Skills from Training to Games
48:17 - 51:33 — Advice for Young Players and Their Parents
51:33 - End — Where to find Vedral Soccer Academy & Closing remarks

6 months ago

54 minutes

Over The Line

Developing Players the Right Way | Over The Line Podcast ft. Bryan de la Fuente

In this episode of the Over The Line Podcast, we sit down with Bryan de la Fuente — former professional player and now a youth coach working to shift the culture of American soccer. From his days at Chivas USA to his coaching work in Las Vegas, Bryan brings a unique perspective on the U.S. soccer landscape, what’s broken, and how we can fix it.

We cover everything from the chaos of youth soccer leagues, the overemphasis on winning, and the lack of technical foundation in early development — to what parents should actually be looking for when choosing a club. Bryan also shares his coaching philosophy, why long-term development matters more than short-term trophies, and how to keep young players engaged and progressing through the ages.

If you’re a parent, coach, or player trying to navigate the U.S. soccer system, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:
01:13 - Introduction and Background of Bryan de la Fuente
03:14 - Differences Between Chivas USA Academy and MLS Youth Systems
08:14 - Challenges and Changes in Youth Soccer Leagues
11:60 → 12:00 - Bryan's Journey into Coaching
20:17 - Balancing Development and Team Results
26:06 - The Importance of Technical Foundation
33:51 - Development vs. Results at Different Ages
50:13 - Parental Advice for Choosing a Soccer Club
56:02 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement

6 months ago

59 minutes

Over The Line

Building a Soccer Culture: ViaFooty’s Mission to Bring Community & Creativity to U.S. Soccer

In this episode of Over The Line Podcast, we explore the intersection of street soccer, professional player development, and the current state of the U.S. soccer system. We start with a conversation about ViaFooty, a growing street soccer brand dedicated to bringing creativity and flair back to the game. We dive into their mission, the importance of unstructured play, and how street soccer can create more dynamic and skillful players. From there, we shift into an in-depth discussion with two professional soccer players, breaking down their personal journeys through the U.S. soccer system—from youth development to the professional ranks. They share their thoughts on the challenges of youth soccer, the pay-to-play system, the lack of creativity in American player development, and what needs to change for the U.S. to compete at the highest level.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:22 - Talking about ViaFooty
14:45 - Creativity and flair in U.S. soccer—why it’s lacking and robotic
23:00 - Current state of soccer in the U.S.
24:30 - The importance of 1-on-1 training sessions
30:00 - The business of U.S. youth soccer vs. the European system
32:30 - Individual development in club soccer—why I do what I do
34:30 - Issues with U.S. soccer at the professional level
43:00 - Where does college soccer fit in?
45:00 - How can we fix U.S. soccer? What is our goal as a country?
48:00 - The more opportunities, the better
51:00 - Advice for a 12-year-old dreaming of becoming a professional

What do you think? Does the U.S. need more street soccer-style training to develop top-level talent? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

7 months ago

57 minutes

Over The Line

Beyond the Bright Lights: Ron Gilmore on Lower-Division Soccer’s Role in U.S. Development

In this episode of Over the Line, we sit down with Ron Gilmore, founder of Stadia Sports & Event Management, to explore the ever-evolving landscape of lower-division soccer in the U.S.. From the rise of USL Championship and MLS Next Pro to the challenges of youth development and player pathways, Ron shares his firsthand insights into how the system can be improved to create more opportunities for players at every level. We discuss the regionalization of talent, the financial burden of youth travel, and why lower-division clubs play a critical role in shaping the future of American soccer. Ron also dives into the NCAA’s potential changes, the importance of structured career pathways for players post-retirement, and what truly defines a successful soccer club. If you're passionate about player development, grassroots soccer, and fixing the gaps in U.S. Soccer’s structure, this episode is a must-listen.

Time Stamps
0:00 - 1:13 | Intro
1:13 - 2:43 | Introduction of Ron Gilmore and his career highlights
2:43 - 6:03 | Founding Stadia Sports & Event Management
6:03 - 7:58 | The challenges and growth of lower-division soccer in the U.S.
7:58 - 11:48 | Changes in the USL Championship and league structure
11:48 - 15:53 | Growth of MLS Next Pro and development opportunities
15:53 - 20:03 | The evolving role of youth academies in U.S. soccer
20:03 - 24:23 | Regionalization of talent and youth travel challenges
24:23 - 30:13 | The NCAA’s potential changes for collegiate soccer
30:13 - 35:23 | Career pathways for professional players post-retirement
35:23 - 39:53 | Key attributes of successful soccer clubs
39:53 - 44:13 | Developing youth players and the challenges of non-MLS-affiliated clubs
44:13 - 48:13 | The importance of January camps for U.S. Soccer
48:13 - 54:43 | Advice for parents with aspiring soccer players
54:43 - 58:03 | How to choose the right club for young players
58:03 - End | Closing remarks and reflections on the future of U.S. soccer

7 months ago

1 hour

Over The Line

Saving U.S. Youth Soccer: Kyle Wilson’s Mission to Put Players First

In this episode of Over the Line, we sit down with Kyle Wilson, a passionate advocate for saving U.S. soccer for the players and the founder of Beast Residency in Florida—an elite development program designed to provide young athletes with the right environment to reach their full potential. Kyle shares his insights on the systemic flaws, parental influence, and the lack of long-term player investment that hinder young athletes in the U.S. We explore the role of coaching education, the importance of early development, and how initiatives like Beast Residency are paving the way for holistic, high-level training environments. Kyle also offers valuable advice for parents navigating the soccer landscape and explains why going "all in" on a child's dream is crucial for success. If you're a parent, coach, or aspiring player, this episode is packed with honest insights and actionable takeaways to help you understand what it truly takes to develop elite talent in the U.S.

Time Stamps:
[0:00:00 - 0:01:16] Podcast Intro
[0:01:16 - 0:01:43] Kyle's Intro and Welcome
[0:01:43 - 0:05:24] Kyle's Mission to Save US Youth Soccer
[0:05:24 - 0:07:23] Challenges in the US Youth Soccer System
[0:07:23 - 0:09:55] Parental Influence and Systemic Flaws
[0:09:55 - 0:12:20] The Importance of Early Development
[0:12:20 - 0:22:10] Individual Development vs Team Success
[0:22:10 - 0:23:25] Where Does Kyle's Passion Come From
[0:23:25 - 0:31:10] The Impact of Pickup Culture and Creativity
[0:31:10 - 0:33:15] The Mental Aspect of Soccer
[0:33:15 - 0:38:30] Addressing the Lack of Coaching Education
[0:38:30 - 0:42:25] Division of Current US Youth System
[0:42:25 - 0:45:00] We Should be Putting the Kids First
[0:45:00 - 0:47:00] Grand Vision for Beast Residency
[0:47:00 - 0:48:25] Successes and Challenges of Beast Residency
[0:48:25 - 0:53:35] Advice for Parents and Children Aiming for Pro
[0:53:35 - 0:55:14] Podcast Outro

8 months ago

55 minutes

Over The Line

About the Podcast

About the podcast

8 months ago

1 minute