Vedral Soccer Academy is setting a new standard for elite youth soccer in the Dallas area — developing high-level players, refining established athletes, and building confident leaders through fast-paced, high-intensity training.

In this episode of The Over the Line Podcast we sit down with Dillon Vedral — founder of Vedral Soccer Academy and former FC Dallas youth coach — to unpack his journey from player to coach, and how his commitment to youth development sparked the founding of Vedral Soccer Academy, with the goal of shaping players who thrive on and off the field.

They explore what it means to “turn kids into soccer players,” diving into Dillon’s coaching philosophy, the traits that separate top-level athletes, and what U.S. soccer can learn from player-first environments. From technical growth to character development, this episode offers insight, strategy, and inspiration for anyone invested in the future of the game.

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player — there’s something in this episode for you.

In this episode of the Over The Line Podcast, we sit down with Bryan de la Fuente — former professional player and now a youth coach working to shift the culture of American soccer. From his days at Chivas USA to his coaching work in Las Vegas, Bryan brings a unique perspective on the U.S. soccer landscape, what’s broken, and how we can fix it.

We cover everything from the chaos of youth soccer leagues, the overemphasis on winning, and the lack of technical foundation in early development — to what parents should actually be looking for when choosing a club. Bryan also shares his coaching philosophy, why long-term development matters more than short-term trophies, and how to keep young players engaged and progressing through the ages.

If you’re a parent, coach, or player trying to navigate the U.S. soccer system, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:
01:13 - Introduction and Background of Bryan de la Fuente
03:14 - Differences Between Chivas USA Academy and MLS Youth Systems
08:14 - Challenges and Changes in Youth Soccer Leagues
11:60 → 12:00 - Bryan's Journey into Coaching
20:17 - Balancing Development and Team Results
26:06 - The Importance of Technical Foundation
33:51 - Development vs. Results at Different Ages
50:13 - Parental Advice for Choosing a Soccer Club
56:02 - Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of Over The Line Podcast, we explore the intersection of street soccer, professional player development, and the current state of the U.S. soccer system. We start with a conversation about ViaFooty, a growing street soccer brand dedicated to bringing creativity and flair back to the game. We dive into their mission, the importance of unstructured play, and how street soccer can create more dynamic and skillful players. From there, we shift into an in-depth discussion with two professional soccer players, breaking down their personal journeys through the U.S. soccer system—from youth development to the professional ranks. They share their thoughts on the challenges of youth soccer, the pay-to-play system, the lack of creativity in American player development, and what needs to change for the U.S. to compete at the highest level.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:22 - Talking about ViaFooty
14:45 - Creativity and flair in U.S. soccer—why it’s lacking and robotic
23:00 - Current state of soccer in the U.S.
24:30 - The importance of 1-on-1 training sessions
30:00 - The business of U.S. youth soccer vs. the European system
32:30 - Individual development in club soccer—why I do what I do
34:30 - Issues with U.S. soccer at the professional level
43:00 - Where does college soccer fit in?
45:00 - How can we fix U.S. soccer? What is our goal as a country?
48:00 - The more opportunities, the better
51:00 - Advice for a 12-year-old dreaming of becoming a professional

What do you think? Does the U.S. need more street soccer-style training to develop top-level talent? Drop your thoughts in the comments.