Kevin Ireland - The Ultimate Guide to Fixing the US Youth Soccer System (S2 E12)

The Insider's Lounge

In this episode of The Insider's Lounge, Kevin Ireland, Academy Director and Assistant General Manager of Northern Colorado Hailstorm, shares his journey and deep insights into the US youth soccer system. From his early football memories in Scotland to his current work building pathways for young players, Kevin provides a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities in player development.
Kevin discusses the differences between youth development in Scotland and the US, the lessons he learned from coaching in New Zealand, and his efforts to create a complete development pathway at NOCO Hailstorm. He also tackles critical issues such as transforming supporter culture in the US, navigating the complexities of US soccer pathways, and addressing the barriers created by the pay-to-play model.
With thoughtful reflections and actionable ideas, Kevin offers a roadmap for improving youth soccer in the US and building a better future for the sport.
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro & First Soccer Memory
01:31 Growing Up in Scotland & Youth Development
03:34 The Scottish Approach to Player Development
07:29 Discovering College Soccer as an International Player
13:12 Transitioning from Playing to Coaching
16:02 Lessons from Roles at Previous Clubs
19:41 Insights into New Zealand’s Soccer Ecosystem
24:30 Leading NOCO Hailstorm: Role & Vision
28:59 Building a Complete Development Pathway
34:34 Transforming Football Fan Culture in the US
36:37 What Defines Success in Player Development?
39:00 Academy Graduates & Their Unique Journeys
43:53 Navigating US Soccer Pathways
53:05 Fixing US Youth Soccer: What Needs to Change
56:18 Is US Soccer Heading in the Right Direction?
58:19 Pay-to-Play: Finding Solutions
1:05:27 Quick-Fire Q&A
1:09:38 Outro

Κεφάλαια

1. Intro & First Soccer Memory (00:00:00)

2. Growing Up in Scotland & Youth Development (00:01:31)

3. The Scottish Approach to Player Development (00:03:34)

4. Discovering College Soccer as an International Player (00:07:29)

5. Transitioning from Playing to Coaching (00:13:12)

6. Lessons from Roles at Previous Clubs (00:16:02)

7. Insights into New Zealand’s Soccer Ecosystem (00:19:41)

8. Leading NOCO Hailstorm: Role & Vision (00:24:30)

9. Building a Complete Development Pathway (00:28:59)

10. Transforming Football Fan Culture in the US (00:34:34)

11. What Defines Success in Player Development? (00:36:37)

12. Academy Graduates & Their Unique Journeys (00:39:00)

13. Navigating US Soccer Pathways (00:43:53)

14. Fixing US Youth Soccer: What Needs to Change (00:53:05)

15. Is US Soccer Heading in the Right Direction? (00:56:18)

16. Pay-to-Play: Finding Solutions (00:58:19)

17. Quick-Fire Q&A (01:05:27)

18. Outro (01:09:38)