The growth of MLS in the past 25 years is undeniable, but its the lower levels of American soccer where some of the most impactful success stories live. A great example of that is Chattanooga FC, an MLS Next Pro and WPSL club that has set attendance records and has a hold on their local city.

In Episode 64 of the Because Football Podcast, we chat with Derrall Stalvey, SVP of Strategy for the club. For the last 4 years, Derrall has been leading the club’s long-term vision, strategic initiatives, and brand growth. CFC is a club that has been around for 16 years but has done some pretty exceptional things in that time and is a great example of what soccer can do for American communities, especially at the lower level.

Derrall talks about how the club selectively markets to key fan groups, how their mission statement drives everything they do, and how a career in TV news production prepared him to enhance and leverage the powerful story of CFC and its fan base in order to ensure success on and off the field.

Connect with Derrall:

LinkedIn

X/Twitter

Chattanooga FC Website

Connect with Because Football

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Anne Song is the Captain of Gritty FC, a grassroots adult soccer team in the Philadelphia area.In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Anne tells us about how the team helped her make friends and settle in a new city after moving from Cleveland, as well as the origin of the team's name and how it mirrors their collective personality.She shares about how winning the Icarus Cup last year was the highlight of her soccer life and details the team's gritty (sorry....) comeback in extra time to lift the pedantic and singular Icarus Cup trophy.The Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media is intended to tell the personal stories that celebrate the vision that CASA Soccer and Icarus FC share in creating community and impacting culture through the game of soccer. The Icarus Cup is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of soccer, community, and summer fun held each summer in Austin, Philadelphia, and Boston. As CASA’s premier 7v7 event in collaboration with Icarus Football, dozens of teams compete in custom-designed jerseys for a weekend of thrilling matches and unforgettable experiences. Beyond the pitch, enjoy Opening Ceremonies, Evening Socials, a Beer Garden, food vendors, a DJ, and partner giveaways. With divisions for Open, Mixto, O-30, and Women’s Inclusive, there’s a spot for everyone, whether you seek competition or a fun, inclusive weekend. Because Football is a digital media brand dedicated to uncovering the heart of football through original podcast and video storytelling. We produce human-centered content that highlights individual journeys, fan culture, and the community histories shaped by the beautiful game. Our stories are shared through podcast platforms, cultural vlogs on YouTube, and immersive social content across Instagram.Learn more about Icarus Cup:https://www.icarus-cup.com/https://www.instagram.com/theicaruscupLearn more about CASA Soccerhttps://www.casasoccerleagues.com/homehttps://it.linkedin.com/company/casa-soccer-leagueLearn more about Icarus FChttps://icarusfc.com/https://www.instagram.com/icarusfootball/?hl=enFollow Because Football

https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_/videoshttps://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/

If your youth club could make more money from sponsorships, there is a good chance that money could be used to provide more access for players who can't normally afford youth soccer.

But how do you develop that revenue? Well, you need a gameplan.

In Episode 64 of the Because Football Podcast, we interview Madrid-based American Ben Gunduz. As a player and administrator for his local neighborhood club ADC MALASAÑA, Ben has been able to make a difference on and off the pitch.

With the cooperation of club leaders and local businesses, ADC MALASAÑA has expanded their scholarship programs in order to share the beautiful game with more kids in their community.

But the problem is, due to field and geographical constraints, they can't grow anymore. They are at their limit.

So, Ben and co-founder started Tod@s Juegan, a social organization that connects players with local clubs AND consults with clubs on how to leverage their social capital into more robust revenue. There is so much gold in this episode and what Ben shares can be utilized in grassroots, youth and amateur clubs around North America.

Follow Ben and his clubs/orgs:

https://linkedin.com/in/benjamin-gunduz

https://www.instagram.com/adcmalasana/?hl=en

https://www.todosjuegan.org/

Follow Because Football:

https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_

https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/

https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/

https://x.com/BecauseFtbl

Evan Carabelli is the Captain and Founder of Spicy Meatballs FC, a men's league team that has been a key member of the Icarus Cup since it began 5 years ago.In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Evan discusses the story behind one of the tournament's most lovable team names, their tactical strategy.

And, most importantly, we chat about why the lads - growing busier with family commitments and feeling the bumps and bruises a bit more than they used to - continually look forward to the Icarus Cup weekend every year.The Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media is intended to tell the personal stories that celebrate the vision that CASA Soccer and Icarus FC share in creating community and impacting culture through the game of soccer. The Icarus Cup is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of soccer, community, and summer fun held each summer in Austin, Philadelphia, and Boston. As CASA’s premier 7v7 event in collaboration with Icarus Football, dozens of teams compete in custom-designed jerseys for a weekend of thrilling matches and unforgettable experiences. Beyond the pitch, enjoy Opening Ceremonies, Evening Socials, a Beer Garden, food vendors, a DJ, and partner giveaways. With divisions for Open, Mixto, O-30, and Women’s Inclusive, there’s a spot for everyone, whether you seek competition or a fun, inclusive weekend. Because Football is a digital media brand dedicated to uncovering the heart of football through original podcast and video storytelling. We produce human-centered content that highlights individual journeys, fan culture, and the community histories shaped by the beautiful game. Our stories are shared through podcast platforms, cultural vlogs on YouTube, and immersive social content across Instagram.

Learn more about Icarus Cup:

https://www.icarus-cup.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theicaruscup

Learn more about CASA Soccer

https://www.casasoccerleagues.com/home

https://it.linkedin.com/company/casa-soccer-league

Learn more about Icarus FC

https://icarusfc.com/

https://www.instagram.com/icarusfootball/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/icarus-football

Follow Because Football https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_

https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/

Women's football is NOT the same as men's football...and that's not a problem. It's an opportunity.

In Episode 62 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Amanda Moura Pietrzak, COO of Legia Ladies in Warsaw, Poland.

Amanda has had a career as a professional footballer in Brazil and Poland, as well as a distinguished university career in the United States. She began playing football (or "futebol" as it's called in her native Brazil) at a young age on a team of boys. Her experiences on the pitch have driven her to pivot to the boardroom, where she now operates as COO of Legia Ladies, a women's football club supported, but uniquely different from, Legia Warsaw, Poland's most successful men's club.

In this episode, Amanda talks about how culture and pathways have changed in women's football in Brazil, the challenges and opportunities she faced playing college soccer in the USA, and what motivates her to make an impact on women's football as a leader off the pitch.

We talk about the difficult financial realities of women's football in Poland, but also the upside for brands who want to make authentic connections with a new, fresh generation of soccer fans who will have a lasting impact on Polish culture. Her project with Legia Ladies aims to go beyond football to be a lifestyle brand and appeal to a women and men in Poland who have traditionally been excluded from the football culture.

Amanda's enthusiasm, optimism, and energy make for an excellent episode. We hope you enjoy it!

Connect with Amanda HERE:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-moura-pietrzak-/

https://www.instagram.com/amanda.moura.pietrzak/

https://www.instagram.com/legialadies/

Learn more about Because Football:

https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_

https://www.linkedin.com/in/baggaleyandrew/

https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/

Daniel Diaz is the Founder of Fresh Coast FC, an NYC-based sport and social club that has been knocking around the pitches of the Big Apple since 2013.

In this episode of the Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media, Daniel talks about how the club is more than just a bunch of guys that play soccer together on Thursdays and Sundays, why local eateries and pubs are a critical part of their rituals and ecosystem, and what makes the Icarus Cup so special to a group of guys who have played at the highest levels of the game.

The Icarus Cup Podcast Series in collaboration with Because Football Media is intended to tell the personal stories that celebrate the vision that CASA Soccer and Icarus FC share in creating community and impacting culture through the game of soccer.

The Icarus Cup is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of soccer, community, and summer fun held each summer in Austin, Philadelphia, and Boston. As CASA’s premier 7v7 event in collaboration with Icarus Football, dozens of teams compete in custom-designed jerseys for a weekend of thrilling matches and unforgettable experiences. Beyond the pitch, enjoy Opening Ceremonies, Evening Socials, a Beer Garden, food vendors, a DJ, and partner giveaways. With divisions for Open, Mixto, O-30, and Women’s Inclusive, there’s a spot for everyone, whether you seek competition or a fun, inclusive weekend.

Because Football is a digital media brand dedicated to uncovering the heart of football through original podcast and video storytelling. We produce human-centered content that highlights individual journeys, fan culture, and the community histories shaped by the beautiful game. Our stories are shared through podcast platforms, cultural vlogs on YouTube, and immersive social content across Instagram.

Learn more about Icarus Cup:

https://www.icarus-cup.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theicaruscup

Learn more about CASA Soccer

https://www.casasoccerleagues.com/home

https://it.linkedin.com/company/casa-soccer-league

https://www.instagram.com/casasoccerphilly/?hl=en

Learn more about Icarus FC

https://icarusfc.com/

https://www.instagram.com/icarusfootball/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/company/icarus-football

Follow Because Football

https://www.youtube.com/@BecauseFootball_

https://www.instagram.com/becausefootball_/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/because-football-media/

Follow Fresh Coast FC

https://www.instagram.com/freshcoastfc/

American Soccer is unique in that the growth of the game has not relied solely on the obsessive soccer purist. In large part, the sport has risen due to fans drawn to community, fun, and experiences, rather than club tradition or passion passed down from previous generations.

In Episode 61 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Scott Westcoat, a man who has contributed to the growth of soccer in a variety of ways over the past three decades.

From the Washington Warthogs of indoor soccer to the early days of MLS, to establishing one of the country’s biggest beach soccer tournaments, Scott has always championed accessibility and simple enjoyment of the sport he loves.

His resume boasts a list of roles that have stewarded fun and accessible soccer experiences for fans of all ages and interest levels. As Co-founder of Sports Legacy Group and Executive Director of Enviro Events, Scott has taken his learning in the trenches of soccer event marketing to a new project - the Inland Sand Soccer Tour. His ambition is to cultivate community and soccer culture in the most unlikely of places - cities across America without access to the beach.

Scott is a lively, passionate speaker and his stories of how soccer has grown in the United States serve as an education for newer soccer people, as well as an indicator of the potential of the moment American soccer is currently in.

Connect with Scott here:

inlandsandsoccer.com

scottwestcoat [at] enviroevents.org

http://linkedin.com/in/scottwestcoat

Follow Because Football:

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

In Episode 60 of the Because Football Podcast, we’re joined by Ricardo Garza, a college coach, semi-pro club owner, and soccer training program operator in St. Louis.

We talk about how coaching Junior College "JuCo" allows him to focus on developing individuals to prepare them for the next level, why he founded AC Saint Louis as a pre-professional club, and what his newest venture of MoligaTeqball can offer youth players in the region.

We appreciate Ricardo's openness in sharing his story, from his initial dreams of becoming a professional indoor soccer player to how a coach pulled him aside and encouraged him to go to college. This move changed Ricardo's life, as his college playing career smoothly transformed into coaching, where he has been making an impact for the past two decades.

Connect with Ricardo Garza:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardo-garza-/

https://www.instagram.com/ricky433garza/

http://www.gobluebirds.com/

https://x.com/ricky433garza

Learn more about Because Football:

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn