Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond cover art

Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond

Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond

By: KTVU Fox 2 (Bay Area)
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About this listen

 This podcast covers everything soccer, from the grassroots level of youth soccer and recruiting to the excitement of the World Cup. Get ready for in-depth discussions and one-on-one interviews with players, coaches, and the influential figures shaping the soccer world.KTVU, 2025 Football (Soccer) Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Sarina Bolden – Philippines Women’s National Team Forward

    Sarina Bolden – Philippines Women’s National Team Forward
    Oct 4 2025
    In this episode, Claudine Wong and co-host @thealexlobban sit down with Sarina Bolden, the Bay Area–born striker who made history for the Philippines by scoring the country’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup goal. From her youth soccer days in Milpitas to representing her heritage on the world stage, Sarina shares her journey of resilience, family influence, and chasing dreams across continents. She opens up about navigating burnout, choosing between sports, overcoming an ACL injury, and finding pride in inspiring the next generation of players. Whether it’s grassroots development, international play, or her ambitions to compete in the NWSL and beyond, Bolden’s story is one of grit, identity, and unshakable love for the game. Key Topics - [00:01:17] Making history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup - [00:02:33] Growing up in Milpitas & choosing soccer over softball - [00:07:31] Burnout, pressure, and the importance of balance - [00:09:21] Navigating the Bay Area club scene & college recruiting - [00:13:29] Choosing LMU over her dream of UCLA - [00:16:13] Setting her sights on playing professionally - [00:18:19] Joining the Philippines Women’s National Team - [00:22:49] Scoring *the* goal — emotions and global impact - [00:25:41] Becoming a finisher: lessons from coaches & repetition - [00:29:40] Playing abroad: Australia, Italy, and career aspirations - [00:31:21] ACL injury, recovery, and advice for young athletes - [00:35:41] Staying motivated, setting new goals, and seeking opportunity - [00:36:59] Reflections on the U.S. youth soccer system & global game growth - [00:40:21] Advice to her younger self and what’s still ahead Connect with Us Hosts: Claudine Wong & @thealexlobban Visit us at ktvu.com and foxlocal.com Watch on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • Building Soccer Community with Town FC

    Building Soccer Community with Town FC
    Sep 19 2025
    Episode Summary What does it take to build a professional soccer club from the ground up—and make it matter to the community it serves? In this episode of Offside in the Bay: To the Pitch and Beyond, Claudine and Alex sit down with Tennyson Wilson, co-founder of Town FC, the Bay Area’s MLS Next Pro affiliate of the San Jose Earthquakes.From youth academies to the pro pathway, Town FC is working to create opportunities for players, families, and fans while growing the game in the East Bay. Tennyson shares the origin story of the club, its unique partnership with the Earthquakes, and why building a true community hub matters just as much as what happens on the pitch. You’ll hear about: The vision behind Town FC and why “The Town” represents more than a name. How MLS Next Pro bridges the gap between youth soccer, college, and the first team. The importance of family-friendly game day experiences that make fans come back. Challenges and opportunities in the U.S. soccer landscape, from pay-to-play to pathways. Town FC’s new academy merger and upcoming women’s program launch. Episode Highlights (Timestamps) 00:03 – Welcome to Offside in the Bay 02:15 – Tennyson Wilson’s personal soccer story 03:38 – Founding Town FC: grassroots beginnings and Oakland roots 06:47 – How MLS Next Pro creates a player pathway 09:11 – Town FC’s partnership with the San Jose Earthquakes 12:24 – Building first-team experiences for young players 15:41 – Balancing college eligibility and pro opportunities 18:47 – The long-term vision: independence, academies, and women’s programs 23:29 – Growing soccer culture in the U.S. 25:29 – Launch of the Town FC Academy (and merger with Diablo Valley) 29:46 – The politics of youth soccer and pay-to-play challenges 37:45 – From Town FC to MLS and beyond: player success stories 39:42 – What’s next for Town FC Whether you’re a youth player, a parent, or just a Bay Area soccer fan, this conversation gives you a window into how Town FC is building a future for the sport.Connect with Us Follow Claudine Wong: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | TikTok | ⁠YouTube⁠ Follow Alex Lobban: ⁠@thealexlobban⁠ More from us: ⁠KTVU.com⁠ | FoxLocal | Podcast Pagefacebook.com ⁠Log in or sign up to view⁠ See posts, photos and more on Facebook. YouTube⁠ Claudine Wong⁠ Share your videos with friends, family, and the world Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Soccer Fandom with Steve Powell

    Soccer Fandom with Steve Powell
    Sep 10 2025
    Hosts: Claudine Wong & Alex Lobban Guest: Steve Powell Vice President, For Soccer; former executive with Oakland Roots, Houston Dynamo, San Jose Earthquakes) This week, Claudine and Alex sit down with longtime soccer executive Steve Powell to dig into the evolving world of soccer fandom in the U.S. Steve has spent decades shaping the sport from the inside — from MLS beginnings to grassroots development — and now helps brands and clubs connect authentically with fans at 4soccer.They discuss what draws Americans to the game, how fandom is shifting with new media and investment, and what the 2026 World Cup could mean for soccer’s long-term future here. What You’ll Hear in This Episode The fan journey – why U.S. soccer fandom doesn’t always mirror Europe, and how community ties are growing. Media explosion – from a single PBS highlights show in the ’70s to 3,000 live matches available to U.S. fans today. Opportunities for growth – the rise of USL, the youth game, and unaffiliated Hispanic leagues as hidden talent pools. Commercialization vs. authenticity – how brands can engage without exploiting the sport. The World Cup factor – defining success in 2026 and why underdog stories matter. [00:01:02] Steve’s background in global soccer and career in MLS and club management. [00:04:42] How broadcasting transformed soccer fandom in the U.S. [00:08:33] Why clubs should focus on multicultural communities instead of converting NFL/NBA fans. [00:13:45] Over-coaching, pay-to-play, and the importance of unstructured soccer. [00:17:27] Inside 4soccer’s mission: research, marketing, and authentic brand connections. [00:23:23] The growth of fan culture — pubs, bars, and local club adoption in the U.S. [00:30:23] Why the U.S. Men’s National Team struggles to shed its “underdog” identity. [00:33:27] How the 2026 World Cup could plant lasting seeds for American soccer. [00:38:29] The slow but steady cultural shift toward promotion/relegation and grassroots passion. Episode Highlights Listen now on ⁠KTVU.com ⁠or stream on the FOX Local app. Follow Claudine: Facebook & Instagram: ⁠⁠@claudinewongktvu⁠⁠ YouTube: ⁠⁠ClaudineWongKTVU⁠⁠ TikTok: @claudinektvu Follow Alex: Instagram: ⁠@thealexlobban⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 mins
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