New England Soccer Journal’s The Goal

In this episode of The Goal Podcast, Matt Langone and producer David Yas discuss the television docuseries 'Welcome to Wrexham,' which follows Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they purchase and manage Wrexham AFC, a historic yet struggling Welsh soccer team. They delve into the show's influence on soccer's popularity, its appeal to a broader audience, and its representation of the sport's emotional and competitive aspects. The episode also covers the concept of relegation in soccer, the team's challenges and successes under new management, and the unique community support around Wrexham AFC. Additionally, they touch on a new venture by Reynolds and McElhenney into Mexican soccer with Club Nacaxa. Interviews, clips from the series, and discussions highlight key moments, fan culture, and the personal investment of the owners in the team's turnaround.
Topics:
00:27 Diving Deep into 'Welcome to Wrexham'02:18 The Hollywood Effect: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Impact03:25 The Emotional and Financial Investment in Wrexham AFC04:04 Exploring the Cultural Phenomenon of Soccer Through 'Welcome to Wrexham'11:36 Understanding Soccer's Relegation System and Its Impact19:32 Rob and Ryan's Strategy: Star Power and Community Engagement22:37 Fan Engagement and Ownership Dynamics23:31 SportsCenter Parody and Team Performance Analysis24:17 The Power of Self-Deprecation in Sports25:37 Cultural Impact and Audience Connection27:35 The Unique Charm of Soccer Chants30:57 The Evolution of Rob and Ryan's Public Persona32:28 Season Recap and Looking Ahead40:00 Expanding the Empire: New Ventures

The guests are Steve McAuliffe, Executive Director, and Brendan Hamilton, Academy Director, from South Shore Select. The episode delves into the club's significant transition to ECNL girls from the Girls Academy for the 2024-25 season, marking a major milestone. McAuliffe and Hamilton discuss the club's joy and competitive ambitions with this move, highlighting their long-term effort in fostering soccer talent and the club's development over the past 30 years. They share success stories, including nurturing players like number one NWSL draft pick Ally Sentnor. The conversation also touches on the club's strong community ties, the importance of maintaining a competitive yet respectful club culture, and their perspectives on future growth and challenges within the changing landscape of club soccer. The podcast concludes with a light-hearted Celebrity Soccer Fantasy Draft.
More at https://selectma.com/
Topics
00:00 Welcome to The Goal Podcast with South Shore Select Leadership00:41 Major Club Announcement: Transition to ECNL02:38 Reflecting on Club Success and Player Development07:50 The Competitive Spirit and Future Aspirations16:22 Navigating the Club Soccer Landscape and Focusing on Self-Improvement19:07 Exploring the Club's Unique Approach and Community Impact19:38 The Importance of Familiarity and Personalization in Club Sports20:59 Expansion Strategies and Maintaining Club Identity21:57 Transitioning to a New League: Expectations and Preparations23:14 Club and Community Excitement for the Upcoming Season23:56 Celebrity Soccer Fantasy Draft: A Fun Divergence

Scott Halpern was named head coach of Loomis Chaffee's soccer teaam in 2023. Halpern previously worked with the men’s soccer program at the University of Connecticut.
He joins the show to talk about this off-season, including adding some new students and off-season training and conditioning programs.

New England Revolution forward Olger Escobar joins the show to talk about the team's training in Florida and the excitement surrounding the new season.
Also covered in the show: Olger shares insights into his transition from youth soccer to professional soccer, emphasizing the motivation he draws from seeing young players progressing through the ranks and his determination to adapt quickly to the demands of professional play.
The conversation touches upon Older's accolades, such as being named the Revolution Academy Player of the Year for 2022-23, highlighting his journey from joining the academy to receiving recognition for his performance and dedication.
Olger discusses his international experience, including his call-up to the Guatemalan national team and his debut, offering insights into the emotions and significance of representing his country on the soccer field.
Olger also reflects on his personal soccer journey, discussing his early dedication to the sport, family influences, and experiences playing for various teams. He shares memorable moments, such as crucial penalty kicks and the impact of watching and learning from soccer legends like Lionel Messi

The guests are Boston Bolts MLS Next Director Shawn Napier and Director of Coaching Greg Robertson who join the show to look ahead to the MLS season and discuss how the Bolts are distinguished from the rest of the club landscape in New England.

The guest is Aztec Soccer Junior Boys Director Jeff Winterton. Jeff, a veteran of the club, discusses its new ownership, changes in structure and more.

Chris Watkins was named the new head women's soccer coach at Boston College this past December.  Watkins previously coached seven seasons at Gonzaga, where he compiled a 79-33-16 record.

Milton Academy recently claimed the the Class A championship, after a "gauntlet" of a tournament. Coach Chris Kane joins the show to talk about the achievement.

Host Matt Langone is joined by Seamans Media Managing Editor and Girls Prep Soccer writer Mike Zhe to preview the New England prep school playoffs.

The guest is Jennifer Epstein, one of the owners of Boston's brand new National Women's Soccer League franchise that will begin play in 2026.