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This week on The Back Stick Podcast, Dom Okus and Jamil Roberts are joined by Chattanooga Red Wolves striker Matt Bentley!

We delve into Matt’s incredible football journey, from a whirlwind MLS Draft experience with Minnesota United to battling through the chaos of non-league football in England with Dover and Hornchurch. Matt opens up about his time at Richmond Kickers, his return to the UK with Maidstone, and how he found his way back to the United States to chase new dreams with Chattanooga in USL League One.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Settling into Chattanooga and bonding with a young squad
• The madness of draft day and why the MLS Draft system needs major changes
• Life grinding in non-league football, balancing work at Amazon, and never giving up
• Signing his first professional contract and the emotional highs and lows
• How community, culture, and opportunity brought him back to the USA

Matt’s story is an inspiring reminder of resilience, persistence, and chasing your passion despite all odds.

⚽ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review – it helps more people find incredible football stories like Matt's!

🎧 Available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify & everywhere you listen to podcasts!

00:00 "Warm Welcome" For Matt...

03:14 Settling into Chattanooga and Team Dynamics

06:06 Crazy MLS Draft Story!

08:27 Is The MLS Draft A Flawed System?

17:11 Non-League Football With Dover & Hornchurch

21:57 San Diego Stories

29:58 Transitioning to Professional Football

32:57 Signing Your First Professional Contract

38:59 Perceptions of USL Football

43:51 Reflections on Richmond and Moving Back to the UK

50:58 Returning to the US and New Opportunities

56:21 Chattanooga Rivalry

01:01:00 Community and Soccer Culture in Chattanooga

01:02:50 Extra Time

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