

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

Apr 13, 2022 • 46min
Breaking the Line: Episode 40 (Feat. Walker Zimmerman and Nuno Piteira)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Walker Zimmerman, two-time MLS Defender of the Year and USMNT standout, and Nuno Piteira, GSA Executive Director and former coach for Zimmerman. Breaking the Line Podcast host Dean Linke chats sits down with the pair, chatting about Zimmerman's experiences in youth soccer, how youth soccer has changed since he was a kid, how Piteira helped foster Zimmerman's leadership qualities and more.

Mar 30, 2022 • 44min
Breaking the Line: Episode 39 (Feat. Ben Pirmann)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Ben Pirmann, Head Coach of Memphis 901 of the USL Championship. Breaking the Line Podcast host Dean Linke sits down with the former NCAA and pro player, chatting about his experience playing youth soccer with current ECNL club Vardar, his journey through the coaching ranks, and more.

Mar 16, 2022 • 42min
Breaking the Line: Episode 38 (Feat. Warren Barton, Lee Morris and Brian Quinn)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Warren Barton (Del Mar Sharks), Lee Morris (South Carolina United) and Brian Quinn (SDSC Surf), all former professional soccer players who are now coaching in the ECNL. Breaking the Line Podcast host Dean Linke chats with the three pros about their time playing professional soccer in Europe, what brought them over to the United States, how the game is taught differently in North America vs. Europe, and much more.

Mar 2, 2022 • 59min
Breaking the Line: Episode 37 (Feat. Jason Kutney, Darel Russell and Andrea Wheeler)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Jason Kutney, ECNL Boys Commissioner, Darel Russell, Heat FC coach and ECNL Boys social media personality and Andrea Wheeler, ECNL Director of Creative Services. Breaking the Line Podcast host Dean Linke chats with all three about everything that goes into the ECNL Boys social media creative process, getting insights and a behind-the-scenes look at the strategy and development of the creative ideation. Linke also sits down with ECNL Communications Manager Jacob Born for an employee spotlight, discussing his journey to the ECNL and what he's doing for the league now.

Feb 21, 2022 • 39min
Breaking the Line: Episode 36 (Feat. ECNL Leadership)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Christian Lavers and Doug Bracken, the ECNL's President and Vice President, respectively. Breaking the Line Podcast host Dean Linke sat down with the duo at the ECNL Coaching Symposium in Las Vegas, discussing the state of the ECNL, what the future holds for the league and more.

Feb 2, 2022 • 36min
Breaking the Line: Episode 35 (Feat. ECNL Leadership)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!Ahead of the ECNL's Coaching Symposium in Las Vegas, Breaking the Line Podcast host Dean Linke brings in the ECNL Leadership for Episode 35 of the ECNL Podcast. Linke chats with ECNL President Christian Lavers, ECNL Vice President Doug Bracken, ECNL COO and Girls Commissioner Jen Winnagle and ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney about the ECNL Coaching Symposium, asking them about their favorite memories of the convention, what attendees can expect this year, the star-studded lineup of guest speakers, and more.

Jan 19, 2022 • 31min
Breaking the Line: Episode 34 (Feat. Geoff VanDeusen)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Geoff VanDeusen, the newly hired CEO of United Soccer Coaches. Breaking the Line Podcast host Dean Linke chats with VanDeusen about his excitement for starting his new role, his vision for United Soccer Coaches, his winding path playing and coaching through the club, high school and collegiate levels, what's in store at the United Soccer Coaches Convention from Jan. 19 - 23, featuring ECNL President Christian Lavers, and more.

Jan 5, 2022 • 36min
Breaking the Line: Episode 33 (Feat. Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak and Tim Sahaydak)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak and Tim Sahaydak, a husband and wife coaching duo leading the charge at UCF for the women's soccer program. ECNL Podcast host Dean Linke chats with the couple about their beginnings at North Carolina - Chapel Hill, how the two began dating while also pursuing professional soccer dreams, Tiffany's national team experience, their children now playing in the ECNL and more.

Dec 29, 2021 • 48min
Breaking the Line: Episode 32 (Feat. Alexi Lalas)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features US Soccer Hall of Famer Alexi Lalas, current Fox Sports soccer broadcaster and former MLS and USWMT star. ECNL Podcast host Dean Linke chats with Lalas about growing up in Michigan playing ice hockey and soccer, his time with the USMNT playing in two World Cups and two Olympics, transitioning from playing soccer to working in soccer after retirement, and more.

Dec 13, 2021 • 42min
Breaking the Line: Episode 31 (Feat. Dean Linke)
Let us know the topics of interest to you!The ECNL Podcast features Dean Linke, the Breaking the Line Podcast Host and broadcaster for more than 20 years, covering sports such as soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, gymnastics, basketball, baseball and more. This edition of Breaking the Line is hosted by ECNL Boys Commissioner Jason Kutney, and he chats with Linke about his time with US Soccer, his journey throughout broadcasting, his hobbies outside of broadcasting and more.


