The guest is Amherst College senior Niall Murphy. Murphy reflects on his crucial role in leading Amherst to a national championship in 2024 and discusses the team’s journey starting from their loss in the 2023 national title game. He shares insights on the competitive nature of NESCAC soccer, the significance of his leadership, and the personal milestones of overcoming injuries and adapting to new positions. Murphy also opens up about his academic path in computer science and his upcoming career in finance while balancing his passion for soccer.

Topics

00:34 Meet Niall Murphy: Amherst College Soccer Star

00:57 The Journey to the National Championship

02:16 Facing Rivals and Overcoming Challenges

03:44 Personal Reflections and Experiences

13:00 High School Days and Recruitment Challenges

19:00 Life After College Soccer

20:29 Extra Time: Fun and Unexpected Questions

26:03 Conclusion and Farewell

Matt Langone is joined by colleague Matt Doherty, who reports on the ECNL Girls' Winter Showcase in Florida. Despite battling a virus, Doherty shares his observations on the competitive matches, standout teams, and the significant presence of college coaches scouting talent. They discuss the promising performances from New England clubs including FC Stars, South Shore Select, and Scorpions SC, and how the showcase serves as a prelude to the upcoming spring season. The episode wraps up with a fun segment of Extra Time, where they analyze famous soccer quotes.

Topics

01:29 Discussion on ECNL Florida Winter Showcase

02:53 College Coaches and Competitive Atmosphere

10:10 Comparing ECNL and MLS Next Fest

13:33 Teams to Watch in the Spring Season

20:14 Dining Experiences in Florida

21:34 Spring Soccer Coverage Preview

21:46 Extra Time: Fun Soccer Questions

34:22 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

Host Matt Langone and co-host Matt Doherty discuss the top five soccer stories to watch in 2025. They start by highlighting the University of Vermont's 2024 national championship win and debating the team's chances for a repeat. They then move on to the budding rivalry between FC Stars and South Shore Select in ECNL Girls, followed by a deep dive into the upcoming MLS Next Flex event and the New England clubs to watch. The pair also explore the ongoing parity in boys' prep school soccer, questioning whether Taft can repeat as champions. Finally, they address the changing landscape of recruiting post-COVID, anticipating an uptick in player commitments. The episode concludes with personal reflections on the challenges and goals for the new year in soccer journalism.

Topics

02:13 Vermont's Historic National Championship

07:24 South Shore Select Joins ECNL Girls

10:43 MLS Next and Playoffs Preview

15:23 Boys Prep Soccer Parity

18:49 Milton vs. Taft: A High School Soccer Showdown

19:35 The Challenge of Repeating Championships

20:49 Impact of COVID on College Recruiting

22:17 Recruiting Trends and Delays

24:11 The Future of Soccer Recruiting

25:44 Top Five Soccer Stories Recap

26:27 Extra Time: Soccer Insights and Predictions