In Episode 27 of The Soccer Ladder, we’re joined by Jeroen Chantrain, a Belgian youth coach who has worked at two of the most iconic clubs in European football — RSC Anderlecht, Belgium’s most successful club, and Royal Antwerp FC, the oldest club in the country.

Jeroen brings a rare inside look at elite European player development, sharing how top academies think about technical skill, mentality, patience, and the long-term pathway from grassroots football to the first team.

This episode is a must-listen for players, parents, and coaches who want to understand how Europe develops talent — and what truly matters beyond the badge.

In this episode, we cover:

• What it means to coach at Royal Antwerp, known as “The Great Old”, and why club identity matters
• Key similarities and differences between Anderlecht and Antwerp’s youth development models
• Why individual player development always comes before team results
• How Belgian academies prepare players from U10 all the way to the first team
• Why technical ability stands out immediately — and why coaches love “the king of the ball”
• The role of school, discipline, and sacrifices in elite player pathways
• When nutrition, recovery, and education should begin (earlier than most think)
• How coaches handle talented players with difficult personalities
• Why patience is the most underrated trait for young players and parents
• Why going “too fast” to a big-name club can hurt long-term development
• How Belgian clubs scout and develop talent from the United States
• Thoughts on young American players transitioning to Europe
• World Cup insights and why Belgium remains a dangerous outsider

Key Takeaway

Guest & Club Handles

• Jeroen Chantrain: @jeroenchantrain
• Royal Antwerp FC: @royal_antwerp_fc
• RSC Anderlecht: @rscanderlecht
• Anderlecht Academy (Neerpede): @rscaneerpede

Hosts

🎙️ Megan Linke – @meganlinkeofficial
🎙️ Liam Linke – @liamlinke18

🎧 Listen to Episode 27 now on all major podcast platforms
📲 Follow along on Instagram: @thesoccerladder

Local Football, Access, and the Future of the American Player Pathway

In Episode 26 of The Soccer Ladder, Megan sits down for a solo-hosted conversation with the voice behind ⁨@TheExchangeFc⁩ a platform deeply rooted in local football culture and grassroots storytelling.

With Liam at school for the day, this episode becomes a deep dive into the local soccer ecosystem, access to the game, and how untapped talent across the U.S. could change the future of American soccer if given the right opportunities.

This conversation challenges the traditional pay-to-play model and explores what real inclusion, early access, and community-based development could look like.

🎙 Episode Highlights

Why some of the most gifted players grow up playing with no lines, no shoes, and no formal fields — yet possess elite instincts

How access, not talent, is often the biggest barrier in U.S. youth soccer

The importance of lower-level entry points connected to elite academies

Why free, local training programs in parks and city spaces matter

How clubs like New York Red Bulls and New York City FC can identify talent earlier through community presence

What makes the Red Bull system so unique — structure, consistency, and a unified philosophy

Thoughts on MLS teams, player development, and who’s standing out locally right now

A candid look at who has the brighter future: Red Bulls or NYCFC?

🔍 Topics We Explore

Grassroots soccer vs. elite academy environments

Inner-city programs as scouting pipelines

Creating sustainable access without sacrificing standards

European development influence on American systems

Why structure and identity matter at every level of a club

The long-term impact of investing in community football

👥 Hosts & Guest

Host:
🎙 Megan Linke – @meganlinkeofficial
Co-hosted normally with her son Liam (Red Bulls Academy), who was at school for this episode

Guest:
⚽️ Exchange FC – @theexchangefc
Local football media voice covering the culture, players, and stories shaping the game from the ground up

🎧 Listen Now

Available on all major podcast platforms.
Follow along for more conversations focused on development, mindset, access, and the real path to the top of the game.

This one really is legendary — we’re welcoming our first-ever NWSL player to The Soccer Ladder! In this episode, we’re joined by Haley McCutcheon of the Orlando Pride, and she brings such real, grounded insight into what it takes to develop, stay mentally strong, and build a career that lasts.

Also… quick behind-the-scenes moment: I usually record with Liam, but I accidentally scheduled studio time on a school day (mom fail 😅) — so Liam pops in with a few questions and we keep it moving.

🎙️ Guest

Haley McCutcheon
Instagram: @hayhanson
Orlando Pride: @orlpride
NWSL: @nwsl

⚽ What We Talk About

• Haley’s early years in ECNL and how intense travel + year-round soccer shaped her discipline
• The role her parents played in helping her manage the demands of youth soccer
• Why her biggest early habit was focusing on the process and keeping the game fun
• What drew her to Nebraska (Midwest girls 🫶) and how the environment helped her max out her potential
• The truth about the mental game: adapting to coaches, pressure, and competition for minutes
• “Control what you can”: Haley’s core focus on attitude + effort
• Her experience having three coaches in one year and how she stayed grounded through change
• Why young players should embrace playing different positions (and how it makes you smarter on the field)
• Her “welcome to the league” moments: playing against legends like Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Julie Ertz — and having Marta as a teammate
• What Orlando Pride taught her about leadership, balance, and enjoying the full experience again
• Locker room culture, unity, and why being a great teammate can elevate performance
• Winning both the Shield + Championship — and why it felt like relief + joy
• The difference between players who think they want to go pro vs. players who actually make it
• Patience for kids who aren’t starters yet — and why progress isn’t always tied to accolades
• The mindset shift: focusing on who you’re being, not just what you’re achieving
• What Haley’s most excited for in the women’s game: more access, more visibility, more fans in seats
• The responsibility pro players feel as role models for the next generation (boys AND girls)

🔑 Key Takeaways

• If you want longevity, you have to love the process — not just the outcome.
• You can’t control coaches, minutes, or preferences — but you can control effort and attitude.
• Sleep and nutrition are not optional. Recovery is performance.
• Versatility isn’t a setback — it’s a superpower.
• Team culture matters: unity + buy-in can change everything.

📲 Connect + Follow

Guest: @hayhanson
Team: @orlpride
League: @nwsl

Podcast: @thesoccerladder

⚽ Hosts

Meg Linke
Instagram: @meglinkeofficial

Liam Linke
Instagram: @liamlinke18