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Jim Kilmeade speaks with NPSL Commissioner Cindy Spera about her journey from Wall Street executive to soccer leadership and the evolving landscape of American soccer.

• Cindy shares stories of playing with the pioneering Long Island Lady Riders team that became national champions within two years
• The Lady Riders played an exhibition match against the 1996 US Women's National Team before they won Olympic gold, holding them to a 3-0 score
• Long Island was once the epicenter of youth and senior soccer talent that the American Soccer Club is working to revitalize
• Cindy describes her transition from Morgan Stanley executive to becoming the first employee of the NPSL
• The NPSL provides autonomy to clubs while maintaining minimum standards that differentiate it from other amateur soccer leagues
• Success stories like Hickory FC in North Carolina demonstrate how smaller markets can build thriving soccer communities
• The league is exploring a "3.5 level" that would bridge the gap between amateur soccer and Division III professional standards
• Unlike franchise models, the NPSL focuses on sustainable growth and turns away applications that don't meet their business viability standards

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What does it take to build a thriving soccer culture in America? Michael Hitchcock, the self-described "ninja of American lower division soccer," has spent 30 years answering that question from every angle of the game.

From his early days selling tickets at DC United to executive roles with LA Galaxy and FC Dallas, Hitchcock witnessed the birth and growth of MLS firsthand. Now as an investor and operator of over 20 soccer clubs worldwide, he's pioneering a new model for community-based soccer that's changing the American landscape.

The results speak for themselves. His clubs regularly draw thousands of passionate fans in markets of all sizes—nearly 9,000 in Annapolis, 5,600 in Lubbock, Texas, and even 3,500 in McKinney where games are played in high school stadiums without beer sales during scorching Texas summers. These success stories challenge conventional wisdom about where soccer can thrive in America.

Hitchcock's philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: good people, good plan, good execution. While the fundamentals remain consistent, he emphasizes that each market requires a tailored approach. In major metropolitan areas where traditional advertising is cost-prohibitive, success comes through grassroots marketing, community events, and building support one fan at a time.

Drawing from mentors like Tim Laiweke and Lamar Hunt, Hitchcock believes America will truly become a soccer nation when every community has a locally-relevant team that authentically connects with residents. As MLS clubs have become less community-focused, lower-division teams are filling that vacuum of opportunity by creating the authentic connections fans crave.

Ready to experience the soccer revolution happening in communities across America? Follow Michael Hitchcock's journey and discover how the beautiful game is finding its American identity from the ground up.

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What does it take to build a soccer development system that truly serves American players? Bob Montgomery, the architect behind Red Bull New York's academy that produced stars like Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic, reveals the blueprint on American Soccer Club Zone.

Montgomery brings decades of wisdom from coaching US National Team captains Mike Windischman and Chris Armas at Adelphi University to establishing one of America's most productive youth academies. Now, as sporting committee member for American Soccer Club New York, he's helping create new pathways for local talent.

The conversation unpacks why American youth soccer often misses talented players through exclusive club affiliations and prohibitive costs. "It's about building bridges," Montgomery explains, describing ASC's open-door approach that contrasts with typical MLS academy models. He challenges common development myths, particularly around playing up age groups, explaining players should only advance "when they're ready."

Most compelling is ASC's proof-of-concept: giving 16-year-old Dylan Lopez first-team minutes during their inaugural NPSL season. This bold move demonstrates their commitment to development over immediate results. As Montgomery reflects on his experiences grooming future stars, he emphasizes that technical ability and decision-making—not size or strength—ultimately determine which young players succeed professionally.

Ready to see American soccer development reimagined? Join the conversation about creating accessible pathways for talented players regardless of background or club affiliation. The future of American soccer depends on it.

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A soccer revolution is brewing on Long Island, and the American Soccer Club New York is at its center. In this revealing conversation, host Jim Kilmeade welcomes Sporting Director Brian Neumeier to reflect on the club's inaugural season and share their bold vision for rekindling Long Island's soccer heritage.

Neumeier, a Suffolk County native who witnessed firsthand the region's golden era of soccer talent, brings decades of coaching experience from his successful career in Connecticut. From building championship high school programs to managing national title-winning clubs, his journey embodies the grassroots passion that ASC hopes to cultivate.

The discussion ventures beyond typical season recaps to explore something more profound: how soccer's commercialization has created barriers to participation and development. While modern "academies" chase the elite 5% of players, smaller community clubs maintain the pure joy of the game. ASC positions itself as the bridge between these worlds, aiming to create accessible pathways without excessive cost barriers.

What truly sets this conversation apart is its authenticity. When Neumeier shares, "We stayed true to the vision and didn't chase wins... that is not going to be how this club is ever defined," it reveals an organization measuring success differently. Through community appearances, youth engagement, and genuinely accessible players, ASC is building meaningful relationships one interaction at a time.

For anyone who believes soccer should be more than just business, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what's possible when community takes center stage. As Neumeier poignantly reflects: "One goal makes that much of a difference to what we accomplished... we look at wins and losses and we're much deeper than that."

Discover how American Soccer Club is working to reclaim Long Island's soccer identity and create something that transcends the scoreboard. Follow their journey as they aim to conduct 100 community appearances this offseason and develop the next generation of local talent through authentic connection.

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Long before MLS dominated the American soccer landscape, grassroots clubs and passionate players were building the foundation for today's thriving soccer scene. The American Soccer Club Zone podcast takes us back to those formative days through the remarkable journey of Jim Rooney, whose career spans from Deer Park Celtic Soccer Club to Major League Soccer and coaching the U.S. National Youth Teams.

Host Jim Kilmeade and Rooney share stories from the early days of the Long Island Rough Riders, where professional contracts started at just $800 a month and players balanced construction jobs with soccer dreams. What emerges is a fascinating portrait of American soccer's evolution – from makeshift fields with "Roach Coach" concession trucks to today's professional pathways.

The conversation reveals the intense competitive culture that transformed the Rough Riders from an 0-2 start to championship contenders. "Practices were tougher than games," Rooney explains, describing daily training sessions where teammates battled for starting positions with such intensity that fistfights weren't uncommon. This fierce competitive spirit, managed by coaches like Alfonso Mandela, created a winning environment that propelled players like Rooney to MLS with the MetroStars and Miami.

Particularly compelling is Rooney's perspective on coaching the U.S. U-17 National Team, where he applied lessons from his playing days while adapting to a new generation. He shares insights on developing young talent and building the mental toughness needed for international competition, wisdom he now brings to the American Soccer Club New York's sporting committee.

For soccer fans interested in how American soccer grew from local leagues to today's professional structure, this episode offers a treasure trove of firsthand history and insights about the continuing evolution of the sport. Through Rooney's journey, we see how passion, sacrifice, and community-building created the foundation for American soccer's current success.

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Soccer lifers John Fitzgerald and Ronan Weissman share their journey from coaching youth teams to leading Long Island's soccer development, while discussing how the American Soccer Club NY is creating new pathways for talented players.

• LIJSL remains one of America's largest youth soccer leagues with 50,000+ registered players and about 100 community clubs
• The league is reviving its annual convention and the historic Liberty Cup tournament for its upcoming 60th anniversary
• Modern soccer development faces challenges with numerous competing leagues creating confusing pathways for players and families
• American Soccer Club NY demonstrates its commitment to youth development by signing 16-year-old Dylan Lopez from Ronkonkoma
• The club aims to rebuild Long Island as soccer's epicenter by developing pathways for local talent to reach professional and international levels
• Fighting Tomcats are making a playoff push with their final regular season games approaching

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Thank you for listening! Visit us at ASCNewYork.com