Breaking the Line: The ECNL Podcast

Let us know the topics of interest to you!Ever wonder how a podcast can sustain its passion and energy over 100 episodes? Join us as we celebrate this remarkable milestone on Breaking the Line, the ECNL podcast. From navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to highlighting the triumphs of ECNL alums in the US Women's National Team's recent Olympic gold win, this episode is a rich tapestry of soccer history and personal stories. Hosted by the ever-engaging Dean Linke, we journey through the legacy of legendary University of North Carolina coach Anson Dorrance and his lasting impact on the sport.

Let us know the topics of interest to you!Join us as we uncover the secrets behind the dominance of Southwest Conference clubs in the ECNL National and Regional League Championships. We bring you front-row tales of thrilling comebacks and the sheer joy of young players in moments of victory, capped by unforgettable Gatorade showers. Florida's soccer landscape is evolving, but how does it stack up against Southern California's talent hubs? We explore the critical differences in player development environments across the states. 

Let us know the topics of interest to you!Join us in this special episode of Breaking the Line, where we sit down with soccer icon Charlie Stilitano. Charlie takes us on an unforgettable journey, sharing personal stories that highlight his innovative spirit—like pioneering the use of virtual imaging on the field. Don't miss this episode filled with rich memories and behind-the-scenes insights from one of soccer's most respected figures.

Let us know the topics of interest to you!What fuels the underdog spirit in youth soccer playoffs? We spotlight the inspiring performances of teams from regions that barely made it to the postseason but went on to perform remarkably well. The conversation sheds light on the evolution of soccer culture in the U.S., balancing academic commitments, and the role of supportive college coaches in nurturing young talent.From the impressive upward trajectories of youth players joining professional teams to the integration of winning into youth development, this episode covers it all. We emphasize the critical role of creating competitive yet enjoyable training experiences, aiming to foster both a love for the game and the essential understanding of winning and losing. Don’t miss out on this deep dive into the ever-growing culture of youth soccer!

Ashley Willis, Partnership Activation and Alumni Relations Manager for the ECNL, shares her expertise on navigating the college soccer recruitment landscape. She highlights critical differences between boys' and girls' recruiting and the importance of genuine passion for the game. Listeners gain insights on self-presentation, teamwork, and selecting the right college fit. Throughout the conversation, Willis stresses maintaining a healthy perspective on recruitment while focusing on long-term development and team success.

Let us know the topics of interest to you!Following an enormous response from our previous episode where we discussed tryouts and relative age effect, this episode takes a deeper dive into the disputed topic with Dr. Drew Watson, the ECNL Chief Medical Advisor. Dr. Watson joins Christian Lavers and Doug Bracken in discussing relative age effect lasting outcomes across the youth soccer landscape. The honest discussion is capped off with the concept of biobanding, what is it, and how could it effect your player?

Let us know the topics of interest to you!Unlock the secrets of navigating youth soccer tryouts with the expert guidance of ECNL’s Christian Lavers and Doug Bracken, not to mention the firsthand tales from our own Ashley Willis. From the ethics of recruitment to the emotional toll on everyone involved, get ready for a candid discussion on the pressures of tryout season, the sometimes overlooked importance of loyalty, and the strategies clubs use to minimize disruptions.

Let us know the topics of interest to you!Join us as we peel back the curtain on the complexities of club promotion, where it's not just about a single age group's success but the collective performance of an entire organization. In this discussion, we shine a light on the varying regional league performances and the weight of postseason victories in the journey to ECNL elevation. We also tackle the controversial birth year versus school year registration debate, a hot-button issue that hits close to home for players and parents alike.

Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features ECNL President and CEO, Christian Lavers and ECNL Vice President, Doug Bracken. Breaking the Line Podcast host, Dean Linke, talks with Lavers and Bracken about the new format of the podcast, and what listeners can look forward to as the podcast looks to pivot to having more candid conversations amongst themselves and other special guests as they discuss all things ECNL, as well as youth and professional soccer in here in the States.

Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Pat McStay founder of The Heritage Project, MVLA’s boys technical director Michael Renwick and NWSL’s North Carolina Courage head coach Sean Nahas. Breaking the Line Podcast host, Dean Linke, talks with McStay about how the Heritage Project helps educate and connect players playing within the ECNL to countries with whom they could qualify to play for through their lineage. Linke also speaks with Renwick on his time as a professional player in Scotland and MVLA’s club philosophies within the ECNL pathway. And finally, Linke catches up with former ECNL coach, Nahas, and what he has learned in his time as the head coach for NC Courage.