SA Interviews 2021: Voices from the soccer world

• by Soccer America , Dec 29, 2021

As we enter a new year, here's an archive of our 2021 interviews from various sectors of the soccer world.

Mike Noonan
On Clemson's College Cup title, the Tigers' recruiting formula, and his coaching journey

Charles Altchek
MLS Next Pro president on the new league's launch, how it will grow, and why soccer enchants him

Toby Rappolt
Sunset Soccer Supply: The corner store that spread jogo bonito vibes through San Francisco

Benny Feilhaber
On bringing a global playing experience to coaching MLS academy kids

Shalrie Joseph
On becoming a coach, the Bruce Arena effect, and MLS boosting the youth game

Jaime Garzon
On leading the USA's blind soccer team Paralympics quest

Connor Tobin
On the USL's historic CBA: Partnering for growth and protecting players

Trish Hughes
Leading college soccer advocacy: 'We'll keep making sure coaches' voices are heard'

Fred Lipka
On MLS Next: The quest to deliver high-level youth competition with a sense of community

Robin Fraser
On Colorado's stellar season, the American pro game's evolution, and his Jamaican roots

Simon Kuper
On seeing Messi's Barcelona impact up close, the Cruyff phenomenon, and Soccernomics' latest twists

Brad Evans
On his goal and glory in Jamaica, and coaches Bradley, Schmid, Klinsmann and Arena

Roberto Abramowitz
On USA-Mexico, El Tri fandom, and how MLS can catch up to Liga MX

Aliceann Wilber
On her 600 wins with William Smith and how the journey began

Haley Carter
Coach and former Marine Corps officer, on helping Afghan women players flee the Taliban

Steve Cangialosi
On broadcasting the Red Bulls, soccer vs. hockey, and the 2026 World Cup boost

Our recent interviewees span men's and women's world championships, the college game, and  MLS.

Steve Swanson
Coach of world champions, has a special fondness for the college game

Oguchi Onyewu
On his second home in Europe, the 99ers generation, and the USA's youthful roster

Jim Curtin
On his coaching rise from toddlers to pros, what makes Philly special, and Chicago locker room lessons

Geoff Wheeler
Wesleyan's coach on D-III appeal: A healthy balance for elite players

Jim Piddock
On helping save Crystal Palace, goalkeeping on Broadway, and the charm of Ted Lasso

Jamie Clark
Washington Huskies thrives under a coach inspired by his father's 'amazing impact'

Dan Stratford
On emerging from Fulham to find a soccer home in West Virginia

Sian Hudson
On finding women's soccer joy in the USA, leading the LSU Tigers, and Becky Burleigh's support

Nico Cantor
On proudly following in his father's footsteps, growing up Spanglish, and 'La Seleccion de Todos'

Glenn Crooks
On his broadcasting career, New Jersey soccer culture, the youth landscape, and coaching Carli Lloyd in college

Amber Steele
The global sports executive rose through American soccer with IU Hoosiers, U.S. Soccer and MLS

Todd Yeagley
On college ball amid a changing landscape -- and IU's family tradition

Hugo Perez
Reflecting on El Salvador's Octagonal start

Trevor Banks
Steering men's D1 newcomer Chicago State: 'Being part of something special'

Frank Yallop
Canada is well equipped to finally return to the World Cup

Brian Bliss
On the USA's historic 1987 win at El Salvador -- and the impressive depth of today's USMNT

Hugo Perez
Parallels between El Salvador's World Cup quest and his U.S. playing experience

Heather Dyche
On New Mexico soccer, females coaches in college ball, and Girls Academy vs. ECNL

Roger Bennett
On 'Reborn in the USA,' fandom based out of love, and the demise of Eurosnobs

Freddy Juarez
On his unique path to the Real Salt Lake helm, growing up in Las Cruces, and the Buzz Lagos influence

Seamus Malin
Part 1 -- Harvard and UK coaching courses in the 1970s
Part 2 -- The NASL and the evolution of the American fan

Rachel Markus
On the amazing films that look at life through soccer

Andrew May
Southern California soccer experience serves Coach Andrew May well with Real Salt Lake Academy

Anson Dorrance
On getting vaccinated, U.S. women's post-Olympic future, 2021 fall college season, and youth landscape

Gerson Perez
El Salvador rises with help from up north: Hugo and Gerson Perez eye World Cup qualifying

Sandra Cress
The magnificent 1996 Olympics: USA seized the Games to propel women's soccer

Tomas Romero
The remarkably rapid rise of LAFC's young goalkeeper

Alecko Eskandarian
On MLS youth, American players moving abroad, and growing up a Cosmos kid

Kyle Martino
Sets new goals -- from the ground up

Lauren Gregg
Trailblazer adds a new chapter to her storied career -- and hails her mentors

Brian Quinn
On the USA's greatest Gold Cup, impressing Bora, and coaching youth soccer

Bruce Arena
On building winners, his coaching role models, the honor of national team duty, and American soccer progress

Matt Eliason
The man in 'Messi & Me' on going pro, scoring, struggling, and being grateful

Christina and Ted Unkel
Elite refs provide insight into the complexities of soccer officiating

Jovan Kirovski
On Christian Pulisic following in his footsteps, his LA Galaxy director role, and his vision for MLS

Weston McKennie
On how FC Dallas youth experience shaped him and what he's learned from Cristiano Ronaldo

Francisco Marcos
American soccer pioneer remains connected from Portugal

Peter Vermes
His Journey through American soccer's evolution, his pursuit of excellence, and enjoying the moments

Caleb Porter
On how MLS challenges coaches like no other league in the world

Gloire Amanda
After embracing the special joy of soccer in a refugee camp, Gloire Amanda became men's college soccer's top player

Mat Dunn
On the appeal of NAIA ball, recruiting worldwide, and Keiser University's second straight women's national title

Chris Grassie
On West Virginia embracing his Marshall. national champs and team chemistry amid adversity

Jerry Smith
On his enormous pride in his Santa Clara's national champions and how he almost messed things up

Didier Chambaron
On steering U.S. Soccer's coaching education 'evolution'

Lisa Cole
On coaching in the USA and abroad, the state of women's soccer, and mentoring Brandi Chastain

Ali Riley
On an NWSL homecoming after starring in Europe, her eclectic off-field projects, and her Olympic quest with New Zealand

Michael Hoyos
On his Copa Libertadores quest with Ecuador's Barcelona SC after his Argentine pro career launch

Betty Ellis
An icon among referees made history on Mother's Day 40 years ago

Anson Dorrance
On this NCAA season's unique title quest, the new youth landscape, women's pro soccer and U.S. Soccer's gender equity challenge

Steve Cherundolo
On fame in Germany, World Cups with the USA, and coming home to coach the Las Vegas Lights

Mostafa Edders
On soccer during Ramadan, respecting diversity, and coaching education around the world

Tony Quinn
On seeing and sharing the soccer world through his camera lens

Alexi Lalas
On the former U.S. men's and women's players in power, diversity of opinion, and the new generation of Americans abroad

Eloisa Borreguero
From Spain to the USA: Climbing soccer's male-dominated coaching ladder

Katie-Jay Scott, Gabriel Stauring, Ben Grossman
Children's rights include playtime: iACT sets up soccer in refugee camps

Bill Taylor
U.S. Soccer's new vice president on his Maui soccer roots, getting up to speed at the federation and bringing futsal into elementary schools

David Caetano
Portugal's player development, mental fitness and the importance of nurturing creativity

 

Lesle Gallimore
On the Girls Academy's creation, its first season, and plans for the future

Imani Dorsey
NWSL forward on the Black Women's Player Collective's quest and the women who inspired her

Chris Blundell & Marcia Mintz
Police join the coaching crew for Arizona youth

Dave Sarachan
Rapidly prepares Puerto Rico for World Cup qualifying

Owen Finberg
Improvised scheduling creates unique season amid the pandemic for New England high school

Michael 'Mac' McBride
On the eye-opening attractions of junior colleges

Alessandro Milesi
A young American in Malta: Honed his skills in Peru, the USA and Italy

Bryheem Hancock
UConn alum on facing Ronaldinho at U-17 World Cup, taking UT-Rio Grande Valley's helm and learning life lessons from his mom

Sebastian Saucedo
On playing for UNAM Pumas, his rise with Real Salt Lake, and aiming for the Olympics

Brian Wiese
On defending a national title during the pandemic: 'Getting on the field is a win'

Cobi Jones
Player power at U.S. Soccer: Cobi Jones is the latest former star aiming for a leadership role

Brian Schmetzer
On Seattle soccer culture, his family, his mentors and lessons from his playing career

Paul Krumpe
On the key college soccer issues, American talent growth, and his Olympic & World Cup experiences

Tim Weah
On USMNT ambitions, Lille's title chase, his famous father and advice for Americans going abroad

Bryan Turner
On understanding the pressures faced by teenage athletes

Greg Lalas
On soccer cinema: outstanding documentaries; inspiring, informative and fun films; and the eternal appeal of 'Victory'

Rubio Rubin
On being coached by Maradona, Donovan, and his hopes for Real Salt Lake

Steve Klein
PA Classics director on the post-DA landscape, the pandemic effect, and Pulisic in perspective

Esmeralda Negron
On bringing women's soccer into fans' 'hearts, minds and homes'

Djorn Buchholz
On the Hall of Fame's new selection process and working amid American soccer greatness

Jason O'Keefe
Rebounding at Robert Morris after App State shuttered the program he rebuilt

Mary Harvey
On the crucial connection between sports and human rights

Hugo Perez
On taking charge of El Salvador's Olympic quest, rising U.S. talent, and Mexico's 'excellent' setup

Ralph Perez
On his 46-year coaching journey with U.S. national teams, the pros and college -- and the icons he worked with

Greg Vanney
The right man to return the Galaxy to glory

Lynn Berling-Manuel
On the attraction of the digital Coaches Convention and COVID's effect on the U.S. soccer community

• Soccer America's 2020 Interview Archive

• Soccer America's 2019 Interview Archive

• Soccer America's 2018 Interview Archive