Breaking the Line: The ECNL Podcast
Elite Clubs National League
The Elite Clubs National League was founded in 2009 and continues to lead by daring to do things differently, embedded with grit, collaboration and tenacity – all things learned from the beautiful game. The ECNL protects and propels the integrity of the game and everyone it impacts by facilitating the perfect symmetry of excellence and humility, exclusivity and accessibility, freedom and community. We believe that challenging everyone to rise to their best creates game-changers that live well, long after cleats are unlaced. Born out of the belief in a better way. Continued in the ever-evolving pursuit of excellence.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 23, 2021 • 45min
Breaking The Line: Episode 20 (Feat. Kevin Payne)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Kevin Payne, former DC United President and CEO, former Toronto FC President and member of the 2021 National Soccer Hall of Fame class. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, along with ECNL President Christian Lavers, chats with Payne about his soccer beginnings, his journey throughout pro soccer, what the future of soccer could look like and more.
Jun 9, 2021 • 32min
Breaking The Line: Episode 19 (Feat. Jen Winnagle and Shelley Smith)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features ECNL Girls Commissioner Jen Winnagle and special guest Shelley Smith, Head Coach of the South Carolina women’s soccer team. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, chats with Winnagle about ECNL South Carolina, having more than 900 college coaches back on the sidelines following the end of the Division I recruiting dead period and looking ahead to Playoffs. Linke then follows Winnagle with a conversation with Smith, discussing her career leading to South Carolina, being back on the recruiting trail and USC alumni playing professional soccer today.
May 26, 2021 • 1h 15min
Breaking The Line: Episode. 18 (Feat. Chris Grassie and Jerry Smith)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features special guests Chris Grassie, Head Coach of the Marshall University men's soccer team, and Jerry Smith, Head Coach of the Santa Clara University women's soccer team. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, along with ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney and ECNL President Christian Lavers, chat with Grassie and Smith respectively about their recent College Cup championships, the twists and turns of their coaching careers and more.
May 12, 2021 • 58min
Breaking The Line: Episode 17 (Feat. Ian Barker)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features special guest Ian Barker, the Director of Coaching Education for United Soccer Coaches. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, along with ECNL President Christian Lavers, chat with Barker about his coaching career, which has spanned multiple collegiate divisions and speaking internationally, how to measure success as a coach, how to mold the next generation of coaches and more.
Apr 28, 2021 • 50min
Breaking The Line: Episode 16 (Feat. Cobi Jones)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features special guests Cobi Jones, former USMNT standout, former LA Galaxy midfielder and current LA Galaxy broadcaster. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, along with ECNL President Christian Lavers, chat with Jones about his journey to become the most capped player in USMNT history, his post-playing broadcasting career, one of the most pivotal moments in his soccer career and more.
Mar 31, 2021 • 56min
Breaking The Line: Episode 15 (Feat. Paula Wilkins and Jordyn Bloomer)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features special guests Paula Wilkins, the current and all-time winningest head coach for the University of Wisconsin's women's soccer program, and Jordyn Bloomer, the Badgers' first-team All-American goalkeeper. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, along with ECNL President Christian Lavers, chat with the two about player development, the recruiting process for coaches and players, how important communication is on and off the field for building relationships and more.
Mar 17, 2021 • 50min
Breaking The Line: Episode 14 (Feat. Fergus Connolly)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features special guest Fergus Connolly, a performance coach and an expert in elite team performance, working with Liverpool FC, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, the Navy Seals and more. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, along with ECNL President Christian Lavers, chat with Fergus about what makes an athlete elite, Fergus' experiences and bringing in different elements from the different organizations, leaning on others and more.
Mar 3, 2021 • 36min
Breaking the Line: Episode 13 (Feat. Scott McDoniel and Kelsey Dinges)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features special guests Scott McDoniel, St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri Girls Director of Coaching, and Kelsey Dinges, St. Louis Scott Gallagher U16 and U18/19 Head Coach. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, along with ECNL President Christian Lavers, talk to both McDoniel and Dinges about SLSG MO's Leadership Initiative, having more females in coaching, if she can see it, she can be it and more.
Feb 17, 2021 • 49min
Breaking the Line: Episode 12 (Feat. Erica Dambach and Sam Coffey)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features special guests Erica Dambach, Head Coach of Penn State's Women's Soccer team, and Sam Coffey, ECNL alum and current senior with Penn State. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, along with ECNL President Christian Lavers, talk to both Dambach and Coffey about Penn State soccer, coaching strategies, the relationship between coaches and players, being a good teammate and more.
Feb 3, 2021 • 45min
Breaking the Line: Episode 11 (Feat. Grant Hill)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features special guest Grant Hill, co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, a 7-time NBA All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, 2-time NCAA Champion with Duke University and member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. ECNL Podcast host, Dean Linke, along with ECNL President, Christian Lavers, talk to Hill about him wanting to be the next Pele when growing up, transitioning into basketball, navigating his professional career and now being a soccer dad.
