Couverture de Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond

Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond

Offside in the Bay: 2 the Pitch and Beyond

De : KTVU Fox 2 (Bay Area)
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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 Politique et gouvernement
Épisodes
  • Kelly Gray — Why He Chose MLS and Why Youth Soccer Needs to Change

    Kelly Gray — Why He Chose MLS and Why Youth Soccer Needs to Change
    Oct 15 2026
    Former MLS player and San Jose Earthquakes standout Kelly Gray joins Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban for a candid conversation about his journey from Bay Area youth soccer to the professional ranks — and why he believes American youth soccer has lost some of its joy. After playing at the University of Portland under legendary coach Clive Charles and representing the United States at the 2001 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Gray faced a defining choice: pursue opportunities in Europe or sign with Major League Soccer. He chose MLS, beginning an eight-season career that included Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo. Now the founder of Cinch Sports, Gray discusses expensive club programs, excessive training, parental pressure, burnout and why giving kids more freedom to play could change the game. The conversation also explores coaching, team chemistry and the future identity of American soccer. Guest: Kelly Gray is a former Major League Soccer player, youth soccer coach, commentator and founder of Cinch Sports, a youth sports management company. A Bay Area native, he represented the U.S. at the U-20 World Cup and won the Supporters’ Shield with San Jose in 2005 and MLS Cup with Houston in 2006. Episode Highlights: [00:01:39] Growing Up with the Game — Playing multiple sports, pickup soccer and developing a love of competition. [00:03:42] The Importance of Perseverance — Overcoming a difficult stretch in youth soccer and rediscovering confidence. [00:06:45] The Coach Who Changed Everything — How Clive Charles shaped Gray as a player and person. [00:13:34] The Road to the U-20 World Cup — From college soccer to the U.S. national youth team. [00:15:39] Why Gray Chose MLS Over Europe — Weighing overseas opportunities against a professional pathway at home. [00:20:52] MLS Success, Burnout and Walking Away — Championship seasons and the personal choices behind retirement. [00:26:20] Life After Professional Soccer — Finding a new purpose through coaching and youth sports. [00:31:19] Has Youth Soccer Lost Its Way? — Why the sport has become too expensive and overstructured. [00:33:59] Why Kids Need More Free Play — Pickup games, creativity and independent decision-making. [00:39:16] The Reality of Pay-to-Play — Educating parents and changing club incentives. [00:44:40] The Cost of Competitive Soccer — Travel, fees and the missing middle between recreational and elite soccer. [00:47:49] Talent vs. Team Chemistry — Why the best players do not automatically make the best team. [00:52:21] Finding an American Soccer Identity — How U.S. Soccer can develop its own approach. [00:56:17] The Future of MLS — Gray’s vision for the league’s continued growth. Why This Conversation Matters: Youth soccer has evolved from an affordable way to play and build friendships into an increasingly expensive, highly structured industry. Gray challenges parents, coaches and clubs to ask whether more training really means better development — and whether the game can become more fun, creative and accessible again. Connect with Us: Offside in the Bay: https://www.ktvu.com/tag/podcasts/offside-in-the-bay Claudine Wong: Facebook & Instagram: ClaudineWongKTVU | TikTok: ClaudineKTVU | YouTube: ClaudineWong Alex Lobban: Instagram: @thealexlobban Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 h
  • Chris Dangerfield on the Growth of Soccer in America

    Chris Dangerfield on the Growth of Soccer in America
    Sep 9 2026
    In this episode, Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban sit down with San Jose Earthquakes Hall of Famer Chris Dangerfield for a wide-ranging conversation about his remarkable soccer journey, the evolution of the game in the United States and where American soccer goes next. Originally from England, Dangerfield turned professional at 17 before coming to the United States during the heyday of the North American Soccer League. He shares stories from a career that put him on the field with some of the biggest names in soccer history, including Johan Cruyff, Pelé, Eusébio, George Best and Franz Beckenbauer. Dangerfield also reflects on more than four decades as part of the San Jose soccer community—as an Earthquakes player, broadcaster, club ambassador and Hall of Famer. The conversation turns to the growth of Major League Soccer, the impact of the World Cup, the U.S. national team, youth academies, pay-to-play soccer and what American soccer needs to do to continue closing the gap with the world's top soccer nations. 🎙 Guest Chris Dangerfield Chris Dangerfield has been part of the San Jose soccer scene for more than 40 years. Originally from England, Dangerfield turned professional as a teenager and played in the English system before coming to the United States in the 1970s. He eventually joined the San Jose Earthquakes, scoring 14 goals and recording 14 assists during his NASL career with the club. Dangerfield was an important part of the memorable 1983 Earthquakes team that went unbeaten at home and came within one game of reaching the Soccer Bowl. His career also gave him the opportunity to share the field with some of the sport's greatest players. He played alongside Johan Cruyff with the Los Angeles Aztecs, where he was coached by legendary Dutch manager Rinus Michels, and experienced the NASL era that brought stars including Pelé, Eusébio, George Best and Franz Beckenbauer to North America. After his playing career, Dangerfield remained deeply connected to the Earthquakes as a broadcaster and club ambassador. He was inducted into the San Jose Earthquakes Hall of Fame in 2018. ⏱ Episode Highlights [00:00:30] Introducing Chris Dangerfield Chris joins the podcast to look back at more than four decades in the Bay Area soccer community and his journey from England to San Jose. [00:01:27] From Multi-Sport Athlete to Professional Soccer Player Chris describes growing up playing rugby, cricket, golf and soccer—and the chance encounter with a scout that changed the direction of his life. [00:04:34] Playing for England as a Teenager After joining Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chris earned a spot with England's under-18 national team and began testing himself against some of Europe's best young players. [00:05:13] Why America Changed Everything A summer with the Portland Timbers in 1975 gave Chris a completely different experience from English soccer: packed stadiums, enthusiastic fans and an environment that made the game fun again. [00:07:09] “Get Your Hair Cut” Chris tells the story of returning from playing for England and encountering his manager in the hallway. Instead of asking about the match, the manager had just one piece of advice: get a haircut. [00:08:42] Growing Soccer One Fan at a Time Chris remembers NASL players visiting schools, assemblies, community events and even birthday parties as they worked to introduce American children and families to soccer. [00:10:20] Finding a Home With the Earthquakes Chris explains why San Jose immediately felt like home and how the atmosphere at Spartan Stadium helped make the Earthquakes such an important part of his life. [00:11:53] How Far MLS Has Come The conversation turns to Major League Soccer's growth since its launch in 1996 and how the success of the 1994 World Cup helped establish the foundation for a sustainable professional league. [00:13:38] The World Cup Opportunity Chris believes the World Cup has created another enormous opportunity for American soccer—giving MLS greater visibility internationally while introducing U.S. fans to players and clubs from around the world. [00:15:50] Is MLS Still a Development League? Chris describes MLS largely as a developing and selling league, while acknowledging how much the quality and international reputation of the league have grown. [00:16:53] Niko Tsakiris, Beau Leroux & the Next Generation The group discusses young Earthquakes players Niko Tsakiris and Beau Leroux, the importance of MLS academies and when talented American players should consider opportunities overseas. [00:18:30] Navigating America's Youth Soccer Maze MLS NEXT. ECNL. Academies. ODP. College soccer. The group discusses how complicated the American development pathway can be—and how difficult it can be for parents to figure out where their children belong. [00:20:13] When Can the U.S. Expect to Win a World Cup? How far away is the U.S. men's national team from entering a World Cup with a genuine expectation of winning it? Chris and...
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    47 min
  • Building a Soccer Future for Oakland | Cody Pillon, Oakland United & Oakland Genesis

    Building a Soccer Future for Oakland | Cody Pillon, Oakland United & Oakland Genesis
    Aug 26 2026
    In this episode, Claudine Wong and Alex Lobban sit down with Oakland native Cody Pillon, Executive Director of Oakland United and co-founder of Oakland Genesis. Cody shares how his journey took him from youth soccer in the East Bay to UC Santa Cruz, coaching and playing overseas, and eventually back home to Oakland, where he is working to remove the financial, transportation, academic and facility barriers that prevent many young people from accessing the game. The conversation explores Oakland Genesis’ soccer-based college and career pathway program, Oakland United’s plans to renovate and maintain public playing spaces, and Oakland’s selection as a U.S. Soccer Soccer Forward community. Through that initiative, U.S. Soccer invested just under $400,000 in Oakland to support field improvements, coaching education and expanded access to quality soccer programs. The episode also examines the challenges of the pay-to-play system and how investment connected to the World Cup can create a lasting legacy for Oakland’s young athletes. Guest Cody Pillon is the Executive Director of Oakland United and a co-founder of Oakland Genesis. Born and raised in Oakland, Cody grew up playing multiple sports before soccer became his primary focus. He competed in the Olympic Development Program, played collegiately at UC Santa Cruz and later pursued opportunities overseas. After returning to the Bay Area, Cody began coaching in the traditional pay-to-play system. That experience highlighted the unequal opportunities available to young players based on their families’ financial resources, transportation options and access to information. In 2019, Cody and former professional player Matt Fondy founded Oakland Genesis to provide Oakland students with free soccer, transportation, academic support, mentorship, and college and career guidance. Cody now leads Oakland United, an organization focused on identifying, renovating and stewarding public athletic spaces throughout Oakland. Episode Highlights [00:00:31] Introducing Cody Pillon Cody discusses growing up in Oakland, playing multiple sports and the coach who gave him an opportunity through the Olympic Development Program. [00:04:16] Why Soccer Brings People Together Cody explains how soccer’s simplicity and diversity distinguished it from the other sports he played growing up. [00:06:46] Choosing UC Santa Cruz Cody reflects on the college recruiting process, choosing a school where he felt wanted and learning to manage the responsibilities of being a student-athlete. [00:08:58] Pursuing the Professional Dream The conversation explores Cody’s decision to play overseas, the opportunities created by his Italian citizenship and the realities of pursuing soccer professionally. [00:11:48] When Playing Becomes a Job Cody discusses the difficult transition away from professional soccer and why playing at that level was not always as glamorous as it appeared from the outside. [00:14:48] The Beginning of Oakland Genesis While coaching in Marin, Cody saw how strongly a player’s opportunities could depend on money, transportation, equipment, nutrition and access to recruiting information. [00:17:53] Discovering the Need in Oakland At Oakland Genesis’ first school program, approximately 60 children attended—but almost none were playing organized club soccer despite wanting the opportunity. [00:20:13] More Than a Free Soccer Club Cody describes Oakland Genesis as a college and career pathway program that “masquerades as a free soccer club.” The program combines soccer with transportation, academic support, nutrition assistance, mentorship and college and career exposure. [00:21:03] The Cost of Providing Access It costs approximately $3,000 per year for Oakland Genesis to support each participant, with funding coming from grants, individual donors and corporate partners. [00:21:54] Growing the Program Oakland Genesis reached its initial goal of providing boys’ and girls’ teams from middle school through high school and has since expanded into elementary school programming. Limited field space remains one of its largest barriers. [00:23:07] Looking Beyond the National Team Cody argues that conversations about improving the U.S. national team often miss the larger issue: every child should have access to a quality local soccer experience, whether or not they become an elite player. [00:24:30] U.S. Soccer Invests in Oakland Oakland’s designation as a U.S. Soccer Soccer Forward community brought just under $400,000 in investment to support field rehabilitation, coaching education and licensing, greater access to quality youth programs, and long-term soccer development. Cody says the backing also gives Oakland United added credibility with future donors and corporate partners. [00:28:44] Why Oakland United Was Created A shortage of safe, affordable and high-quality fields led Cody and his partners to establish Oakland United. Its mission is to renovate and maintain ...
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    49 min
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