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Chris Kessell is an agent for change and a leading advocate for the ProRelForUSA movement. In 2014, Chris started the ProRelForUSA blog, which has been an important repository and platform for soccer supporters looking to better understand the merits of an open system. Chris sums it up best in this episode when he says, "If you want there to be change, you can't just sit back and hope things change, because no matter how much you hope things change, somebody has to actually go and do it." We believe Chris is one of the most inspiring and important voices among soccer supporters in the country today. You can learn more about Chris and the #ProRelForUSA movement at www.prorelforusa.blogspot.com Thank you for finding this episode! We appreciate your support and interest in Non-League soccer. You can find us online @NonleagueCO on Twitter, on Instagram @nonleaguecolorado, and facebook.com/NonLeagueColorado.

Azteca FC of Denver is poised to make a deep run in the US Open Cup. With two qualifying games in the rearview, Azteca FC head to Kansas where they'll face a tough NPSL side in the first round, FC Wichita. Armando Chavira and Armando Gonzalez, current players from the club, join us as we talk Non League soccer in Colorado, their preparations for the US Open Cup, thoughts on ProRelForUSA, and the honoring of their hispanic heritage and backgrounds. You can find out more about Azteca FC at https://www.facebook.com/Azteca-FC-Denver-1146732418699378/ Thank you for finding this episode! We appreciate your support and interest in Non-League soccer. You can find us online @NonleagueCO on Twitter, on Instagram @nonleaguecolorado, and facebook.com/NonLeagueColorado.

Young, stubborn, and not ready to give up! Liviu Bird drops by the pod to talk all things Kitsap SC. From the recruitment process and building a roster each year, to making the switch from PDL to NPSL, Liviu shares several insights into sustaining a club at the lower tiers of American soccer. We talk the magic of the US Open Cup and Kitsap's impressive 2016 run. Mentions of Jurgen Klinsmann and the debate on potential benefits of an open, merit-based system make it into this one!   You can find out more about Kitsap SC at www.kitsapsoccerclub.com Thank you for finding this episode! We appreciate your support and interest in Non-League soccer. You can find us online @NonleagueCO on Twitter, on Instagram @nonleaguecolorado, and facebook.com/NonLeagueColorado.

Bringing the citizens of Charleston, SC and the "Lowcountry" together over a game of soccer is a thought never too far from Alan Bahadori's mind. Like so many other passionate soccer supporters from around this country attempting to build the base with their own community-built club, to Alan, and others at Lowcountry United, “With soccer there’s an ability to be involved and be together!” We chat about overcoming adversity, the struggle to find fields, the politics of soccer, and the importance of soccer supporters experiencing and feeling the struggle of keeping a grassroots club going. Our discussion crosses into the merits of an open pyramid, and why a little Southern Hospitality is much needed in the American game! You can find out more about Lowcountry United at:  http://www.lowcountryunited.com/ Thank you for finding this episode! We appreciate your support and interest in Non-League soccer. You can find us online @NonleagueCO on Twitter, on Instagram @nonleaguecolorado, and facebook.com/NonLeagueColorado.    

For Luke and Max Babson, PDX FC is about showcasing soccer talent from the Portland, OR community, and celebrating the supporters who live there! Our conversation runs far and wide as we talk inaugural year in the NPSL, the club's first friendly against the Timbers U-23 PDL side, building an organic club from scratch, the merits of an open system, and planting the seeds for a successful club for many years to come! You can find out more about PDX FC at https://pdxfc.net/ Thank you for finding this episode! We appreciate your support and interest in Non-League soccer. You can find us online @NonleagueCO on Twitter, on Instagram @nonleaguecolorado, and facebook.com/NonLeagueColorado.

TSS Rovers coach and General Manager, Will Cromack wakes up every day thinking about how to improve the sport of soccer in Canada. Our discussion ranges far and wide, from soccer fans living in a hockey world, to creating a development academy and club for Canadians, by Canadians. We discuss the benefits of an open system, what a true Canadian Premier League would do for the modern day Canadian player, to how to touch the ball correctly. Will also shares with us some of the motivations behind the, Go Play Better movement, and his TED Talk, "Change the reward, Change the game."  https://goplaybetter.com http://www.tssrovers.com https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8sR5y7Y664 Thank you for finding this episode! We appreciate your support and interest in Non-League soccer. We are currently going through a few changes, hence Non League Colorado! We intend to dedicate further support to sharing the stories of those living and playing Non League soccer! 

For FC Boulder, "soccer for life" is more than a slogan. The Boulder, CO club is looking to grow the game of soccer, all while instilling a civic-mindedness in the Front Range community. Executive Director Adam Hayes was generous with his time, and his passion for the game was quite evident throughout our discussion. In this talk, you'll hear about:  - The club's recent partnership with US Soccer's development academy. - FC Boulder Foundation. The financial assistance program aiming to help families who may not be financially fortunate enough to enroll their child in high level soccer training and competitions. - The club's recent completion of the 20,000 sq. ft. sports performance center.  - Pay to play model. - Joining both the Premier Development League and United Premier Soccer League. - Promotion/Relegation. Ultimately, for all those Colorado soccer supporters out there, FC Boulder wants to know, "Do you want to watch the game, or do you want to live the game?"

While Todd is coming back stateside from across the pond, Richard and Jose talk all things soccer from the past week. Manchester City crashed out of the UEFA Champions League and the Colorado Premier League kicked off this past weekend. The Colorado Rapids had a disappointing home draw against Minnesota United while Harpo's FC had a friendly in Colorado Springs against the Switchbacks. World Cup qualifying is back and a player in the South African top flight would like to thank his wife and girlfriend after a match in a post-game interview. 

Since Todd is across the pond in Europe, we decided to have our personal friend and Burgundy Wave writer Mark - who goes by 'Rapids Rabbi' on Twitter - as a special guest on our weekly show. In our latest episode, you'll hear about Jose attending a UPSL game in south Denver, a recap of the Rapids away loss to the New York Red Bulls, and the latest in regards to Minnesota United. We also go south of the border and discuss the recent referee strike in Mexico and a preview of the CONCACAF Champions League. Enjoy! 

Richard Terry turned 32 years old and lived to tell about it. U-20 Nat’s win the CONCACAF Championship over Honduras! Is Liga MX’s 10-8 rule already starting to have an impact on the El-Tri youth squads? Mix Diskerud writes some stupid poetry. Is he good enough for Red Bulls II?  NYCFC/ATLUTD supporters share the limelight. Orlando opens a gem stadium. Portland Timbers welcome Minnesota United FC with a route. Eric "Cubo" Torres scores a goal. Dillon Serna returns to the pitch for the Colorado Rapids. And Richard Terry narrowly edges out Zlatan as our Borracho of the week.

Who is Whitney Browne? The Minneapolis City SC striker has big plans to take the NPSL North by storm in 2017! Once a finalist for the Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year during his junior year of high school, Whitney was also acknowledged as Minnesota’s AA Mr. Soccer. Whitney has several stamps on his soccer passport, having played in places like Garden City, KS, Creighton University, and with the Dayton Flyers. He’s trialled with several semi-professional and amateur teams, and spent one season with the Minnesota United reserves. Join in on the discussion as we talk with Whitney about his inspirations, learning to take responsibility for one’s self, maturing as a man, and realizing that there’s more to becoming a professional soccer player than just talent. Thank you for finding this episode! We appreciate your support and interest in Non-League soccer. You can find us online at www.flakoglost.com, @flakoglost on Twitter & Instagram, and facebook.com/flakoglost on Facebook.

Can a soccer club be an act of providence? We’re excited to share another pod about an ambitious amateur soccer club, hell-bent on building the base of the pyramid. Providence City FC’s, Jason Rego joins the pod, sharing history, and the club’s ambitions of becoming a community asset for Providence, RI. We chat life in the Bay State Soccer League, developing a fan base, fundraising for an after school program, a merit-based pyramid, and being a change agent for good. Thank you for finding this episode! We appreciate your support and interest in Non-League soccer. You can find us online at www.flakoglost.com, @flakoglost on Twitter & Instagram, and facebook.com/flakoglost on Facebook.

The guys are joined by a fourth, Shea Kikonu ma'afala! He's a mouthful.  Who had the better MLS off-season, Chicago Fire or FC Edmonton*? Has PSV Eindhoven's, Andres Guardado tired of windmills and Tulips? Will he end up in the United States? LA Galaxy II are headed to England to find the next hidden gem. They likely picked the wrong country!   Veracruz/Tigres supporters duke it out. Supposedly no bags of urine were tossed. USL side, Phoenix Rising FC sign both Sean Wright-Phillips and Omar Bravo. Buckle up! Leicester City part ways with Claudio Ranieri. Why? You can find us online at flakoglost.com, @flakoglost on Twitter and facebook.com/flakoglost on Facebook. * We are aware FC Edmonton are an NASL club.  

If the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) President, John Motta has anything to say about lower division sanctioning and alignment, it might be a reality sooner than you think!  How will the base of the pyramid come together? Could it include promotion and relegation? And does the current philosophies at US Soccer align with USASA's proposed vision? Time will tell. What's certain, is that there's a role and spot at the table for soccer supporters and teams in every community all across the United States. Scattered throughout our discussion, we talk honesty in a merit based system. Charlatans and hucksters. The future of the US Open Cup. John even briefly mentions his involvement with the pro-task force that evaluated whether two D-2 leagues could co-exist at the same time. He’s certainly seen it all!  You can find us online at flakoglost.com, @flakoglost on Twitter and facebook.com/flakoglost on Facebook.

We never claimed to know the finer talking points! FC Cincinnati’s gaffer, John Harkes is no longer on the club payroll. Wondering what the hell happened, we chew on the absurd reasons for Harkes’s removal. Does a Super Cup between NASL and USL champions make sense? Brad Evans tweets about Fredy Montero, and without missing a beat, the USA U-20’s are off to an amazing start in the CONCACAF tournament. Borracho’s of the week are back! You can find us online at flakoglost.com, @flakoglost on Twitter and facebook.com/flakoglost on Facebook.

Ever wonder what fighting a bear would be like? If age appropriate, and liver willing, try imbibing a Jager-Bomb immediately followed by a Car-Bomb - that might give you an idea. While bear fight the drink might prove to be a bad decision, the soccer club, Bearfight FC has proven anything but. The member-owned, amateur soccer club, based out of Wilmington, DE was founded in 2013 by a group of soccer fans with connections to the Bearfight Brigade, a supporters group for the Philadelphia Union. Bearfight FC’s President, Jeremy Sharpe, shares with us how the club is at attempting to challenge the status quo of how soccer club’s are run in the United States. We talk long-term feasibility of the member-owned model, and how grassroots soccer clubs are connecting communities like never before. Jeremy even shares how Bearfight FC were able to acquire the services of former USMNT defender, and former captain of the Philadelphia Union, Danny Califf in their first year. Bearfight FC currently play in the Inter County League (PA), which falls under the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). You can learn more about the member-owned, Bearfight FC at www.bearfightfc.com. You can find us online at flakoglost.com, @flakoglost on Twitter and facebook.com/flakoglost on Facebook.  

Born behind the iron curtain of Communism, Tim Sas and his family illegally fled Romania, relocating to Sweden while he was a teenager. Tim and his family moved to Vancouver, BC, and a short time later eventually settled in Duluth, MN Tim takes us through several experiences of what life was like living under authoritarian rule and how soccer was often a saving grace for him. Tim is the founder and general manager of Duluth FC, a club often referred to as the Blue-Greens. We chat upcoming expectations for the 2017 NPSL season. Benefits of an open system. Soccer fan culture in the US. And halfway into the pod, Tim explains what it feels like to cherish freedom in America, and why one of his passions is building a grassroots soccer club focused on community identity. You can find us online at flakoglost.com, @flakoglost on Twitter and facebook.com/flakoglost on Facebook.

To many in the New England soccer community, Craig Tornberg is a familiar name. His background is filled with decades of playing, administrating and developing the sport of soccer. Before his role as the current managing director of NPSL club, Boston City FC, Craig spent many successful years serving as the general manager and Vice President of the New England Revolution. We cover a lot of ground in this one, even dipping into his role currently serving U.S. Soccer as a match commissioner, as well as his role with CONCACAF as a general coordinator, where he oversee’s international matches throughout the North and Central American region. Craig truly has his ear to the ground with Boston City FC, and is determined to make this grassroots club community-built. 

Dare to dream! Family tradition goes hand-in-hand with the hard work of the family-built soccer club, Riverside Coras USA. Steeped in decades of tradition, join us as we talk with club owner, Rob Lopez. We chat life in the NPSL, potential benefits of an open system, what it means to carry on a family legacy, and the budding partnership with Coras FC, who currently play in Ascenso MX (second-tier of Mexican football league system). Riverside Coras USA is community-based and organically supported!

Something big is happening in Birmingham, Alabama! Hammers Vice President, John Killian, joins us in this episode, sharing his thoughts, insights, and why soccer is thriving in the heart of Dixie! The chat traverses several points of interest; the hurdles of building a club from scratch, the explosive growth of soccer clubs at the Non-League level, US Soccer's gaping hole at the 3rd division, and why Birmingham is a comeback city. "You fight, you work hard, and eventually the magic will happen!"