The Truth About Pro/Rel in USL | A USL Owner and Player Discuss the Future
Huge thank you to Sean Mann for sitting down to discuss the future of the USL with me today in this special episode of The Against All Odds Podcast!
Sean Mann is one of the co-founder, co-owner, and CEO of Detroit City FC. Today we sit down and discuss the future of the USL with regards to Pro/Rel, Division One, and DCFC!
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1:11:28
"The CEO of the Club Told Me to Stop Playing Football..." | Darren Smith's Story
Big thank you to Darren Smith for coming on the podcast this week! You guys can follow him here: https://www.instagram.com/darrensmithofficial?igsh=MXJ4b3M4MGYwMjdpcQ==
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Timestamps:
0:00-11:29 - Intro and Rapid Fire Questions
11:29-31:35 - Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa and developing a love for track and soccer
31:25-54:28 - The Controversy behind Darren Signing his first professional contract
54:28-1:11:33 - Struggling to get minutes in the PSL and trying to find a coach that believes in him
1:11:33-1:18:34 - Being told to pursue a different career by the CEO of a professional football club
1:18:33-1:58:55 - Finding success on and off the field in Finland
1:58:55-2:13:38 - Playing in Morocco and then heading back to Finland
2:13:28-2:31:00 - Settling into Detroit and the USL as well as Three Final Questions
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2:31:00
Cold Tubbing with David Beckham, Marking David Silva, and Winning an MLS Cup | The Jay Chapman Story
Big thanks to J-Boogie for coming on the podcast! You can follow him on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jaychaps/?hl=en
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Timestamps: 0:00-8:19 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions
8:19-19:28 - Growing up in outside of Toronto
19:28-35:18 - Canada Youth National Team and Early Pro Trials
35:18-47:31 - Playing Collegiate Soccer at Michigan State
47:31-57:52 - Signing an MLS Homegrown Contract with Toronto FC
57:52-1:09:54 - Playing for Inter Miami FC
1:09:54-1:19:40 - Jay's experience with the Canadian National Team
1:19:40-1:33:48 - Signing to play overseas for Dundee FC
1:33:48-1:43:21 - Going 6 months as a Free Agent before Signing with Colorado Switchbacks
1:43:21-1:51:48 - Signing with Hartford Athletic and loaned out to Charleston Battery
1:51:48-2:03:47 - First impressions with Detroit City FC
2:03:47-2:10:16 - Final Questions and Outro
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2:10:16
From Delivery Driver to Professional Footballer | Jeciel Cedeño's Path to Pro
Big thank you to Jeciel Cedeño for hopping on this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast! Be sure to follow Jeciel below: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jecielcedeno/?hl=en
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Timestamps:
0:00-8:33 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions
8:33-30:00 - Playing Street Football in Guayaquil, Ecuador
30:00-38:28 - Moving to New Jersey, but Struggling to Find a Team
38:28-47:20 - Bouncing Around Different Youth Teams in New Jersey
47:20-52:57 - Moving Back to Ecuador to Join a Football Academy
52:57-1:02:52 - Signing an Academy Contract with NY Red Bulls 2
1:02:52-1:09:18 - Facing Rejection by NY Red Bulls 2
1:09:18-1:34:41 - Entering the Real World. Working 9 to 5 Jobs to Get By...
1:34:41-1:44:40 - Signing His First Professional Contract with Hartford Athletic
1:44:40-1:50:50 - Being Traded Twice in Two Years (Hartford to Oakland, Oakland to Detroit)
1:50:50-1:56:52 - Final Three Questions
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1:56:52
Training with Bastian Schweinsteiger at Chicago Fire | Victor Bezerra's Path to Pro
Big thanks to Victor Bezerra for hopping on this week's episode! Vic's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vbezerra7/?hl=en
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Timestamps:
0:00-11:04 - Introduction and Rapid Fire Questions
11:04-25:06 - Growing Up in Downtown Chicago
25:06-33:09 - Training with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Chicago Fire as a Teenager
33:09-40:04 - Taking a Gap Year to just Train with Chicago Fire First Team
40:04-1:04:57 - Attending Indiana University and Transitioning to College Soccer
1:04:57-1:18:17 - Signing a Homegrown Contract with Chicago Fire
1:18:17-1:28:45 - Heading out on Loan to Detroit City FC
1:28:45-1:40:25 - Final Questions and Outro