Urban Pitch Podcast - The Beautiful Game Of Life

Holding down the back line for Brooklyn FC in the USL Super League, Allison Pantuso and Samantha Rosette have been valuable veteran presences for the new club in the startup league. Currently sitting in first place heading into the spring half of the 2024-25 season, Brooklyn has emerged as one of the strongest clubs both on and off the pitch in the Super League. They drop by the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss the experience of joining a first-year club, their midseason trip to Italy, and the vibes of playing in the heart of New York City. (01:13) Brooklyn FC's midseason trip to Italy (07:20) Coming together as a new team and the vibes in the locker room (17:47) The process of joining Brooklyn FC after lengthy careers playing overseas (23:30) What it's like playing in New York, and the differences between each neighborhood (31:10) The Player's Network and connecting pro soccer players from all around the world (37:20) Pre-game rituals and what's on their playlist Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza,

Since making his debut with the Portland Timbers at 18 in 2017, Marco Farfan has become a staple in MLS, and has found a solid role with FC Dallas. He joins the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss turning pro while he was still in high school, his thoughts on the 2025 season, and the challenges of playing for a new coach. Timestamps (00:55) Preseason vibes and the hype for the 2025 season (05:02) The nature of being traded and Luka Doncic's impact on Dallas (13:20) Growing up in Portland and signing with the Timbers while he was still in high school (26:30) MLS fans and the differences in fan bases between Portland, LA, and Dallas (32:39) FC Dallas' outlook for 2025 (39:30) Differences between Portland, LA, and Dallas (41:20) His style and getting into fashion (44:23) The music on his playlist (46:33) Julio's hot seat Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, frees

The winter transfer window has heated up, with big moves on both the men's and women's side of things. After an injury-filled spell at Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Neymar is making his return to Brazil and his childhood club, Santos. Elsewhere, Naomi Girma became the first million-dollar transfer in women's soccer, joining Chelsea and bolstering a super-team that also features fellow USWNT stars Catarina Macario and Mia Fishel. We get into all of this and more on the latest Urban Pitch Podcast episode, in addition to discussing the jam-packed league phase of the Champions League, Cobi Jones' statue for LA Galaxy, and more moves across the world of football. Timestamps (01:02) Neymar's return to Santos (16:10) Naomi Girma: Women's soccer's first million-dollar transfer (27:33) The new Champions League format and the expanding nature of major tournaments (38:32) Cobi Jones' statue for LA Galaxy (48:32) Mateusz Bogusz leaving LAFC for Cruz Azul Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte

A founding member of Ambiente Central, one of LA's hottest events, Henrry Rza has become a sought after DJ and expert vibe curator over the past few years. He's also a passionate footy fan with supreme ball knowledge, and he joins the squad to discuss some of his favorite soccer moments, controversial VAR calls, and his love for Arsenal, in addition to starting Ambiente Central and uniting LA's vibrant Central American community. Timestamps (00:03:05) The art of being a good DJ and the various styles of DJing (00:11:15) Growing up in LA and his soccer background (00:16:44) How his love for hip-hop got him into DJing (00:22:37) His Ambiente Central event, and uniting LA's Central American community (00:31:39) Liga MX vs. MLS (00:38:50) Becoming an Arsenal fan and the fall of Manchester United (00:44:30) VAR and its implementation across various leagues (00:52:37) The music-sports crossover (00:57:08) The music in his rotation Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy C

Fresh off her retirement announcement, Katie Johnson returns to the Urban Pitch Podcast! The last time we spoke to her, she was on the San Diego Wave, but shortly after our discussion she returned to her hometown and joined Angel City FC. We discuss her two-year stint in Los Angeles, in addition to what went into her decision to retire, her new journey in pilates, and what she is currently listening to. Timestamps (01:56) The impact of the LA fires on Katie's family (03:10) Retiring from pro soccer and making the adjustment to post-playing days (17:10) Her experience with Angel City FC for the past two seasons (33:17) Getting certified as a pilates instructor and new avenues moving forward (42:00) Navigating the highs and lows of a career as a pro athlete (52:25) The USC experience (56:58) Her music playlist and favorite artists Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle,

From major tournaments to surprising league title races, 2025 has plenty in store for the world of football. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, we break down what we're most hyped for, before getting into the Ball Brothers' hit "Tweaker," and the athlete-musician crossover. Timestamps (00:10) The wildfires in Los Angeles (02:06) What we're looking forward to in 2025 (15:23) The 2025 Women's EUROs and the streaming wars in live sports (26:46) The "Tweaker'" phenomenon and the athlete-artist crossover Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Making her professional debut at 26, Darielle O'Brien's pathway to the professional ranks was far from typical. After playing collegiately at UC Riverside, she spent the next few years playing semi-professionally with United City FC in Southern California, still searching for an opportunity to play at the pro level. In 2024, she'd get her shot. With the Summer Olympics enlisting numerous players across the NWSL to national team duty, O'Brien signed with the Utah Royals as a replacement player. She'd eventually sign to the club through the rest of the year, although her contract wasn't renewed come the end of the season. Now a free agent, she understands that this is still the beginning of her journey, and she's eager to make an impact with whichever team signs her next. She joins the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss her atypical journey, the grind of making it out of a smaller school, and her overall experience in the NWSL. Timestamps (01:32) Her experience in the NWSL and her unorthodox journey getting there (

From moving to Mexico as a teenager to play for the Xolos academy to making his MLS breakthrough with Sporting Kansas City, it was never a straightforward path to the pro ranks for Robert Castellanos. Now a free agent with multiple options in front of him as he's proven his value on the pitch, Caste joins the crew to discuss the lessons he's learned, the adversity he's faced, and how that's prepared him for whatever lies ahead. In addition, he touches on his Rooted foundation, which is providing youth players in Palmdale and the Antelope Valley with proper infrastructure to develop their talents. Timestamps (01:50) Growing up in Palmdale and going to Mexico with Xolos' academy (20:10) Going to Atlas and getting advice from first team veterans (33:17) The funniest trash talk he's ever heard (37:51) The difficulties of coming back to the US after his time in Mexico (50:50) His Rooted foundation and giving back to the community he grew up in Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores P

After a decade in the doldrums, the LA Galaxy are finally MLS champions once more. Their record sixth Cup was the product of a front office turnaround, a trove of dynamic attacking players, and a grit that allowed the club to grind to a white-knuckle final victory over the New York Red Bulls. We discuss what went into the Galaxy's return to the top, in addition to other LA team moves, and the Christian Pulisic documentary. Timestamps (00:30) The wild MLS Cup Final (15:54) Angel City FC's big moves (23:52) San Diego FC's rollout (28:37) Steve Cherundolo's job security (32:50) The Christian Pulisic documentary and anti-American bias in soccer Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

2024 was a fantastic year for soccer, and now that we're reaching its conclusion we wrap up some of our favorite memories from the jam-packed calendar. In addition, Brigitte recounts her recent trip to Colombia, where she took in a fierce derby match between Atletico Nacional and Independiente Medellin. Timestamps (01:08) Brigitte's Colombian excursion (26:09) Looking back at 2024: Our favorite moments and music Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

It was another wild week in the world of soccer. We get into Tata Martino's surprise resignation, the USMNT's resounding victory over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals, and Christian Pulisic's controversial goal celebration. (00:55) What we're thankful for (03:05) Tata Martino out at Inter Miami (19:19) USMNT's victory over Jamaica and Christian Pulisic's goal celebration (29:46) Mexico vs. Honduras and fan misconduct Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

With an uncompromising commitment to Latina fashion, Hija de tu Madre has quickly become a staple in communities across the globe. Founder and head designer Patty Delgado has used her experiences growing up in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas to create a brand that showcases Latina culture in a vibrant style. Her brand's momentum has led to a handful of high profile collaborations, including with Angel City FC. Along with club sponsor Klarna, Hija de tu Madre linked up with ACFC to create a "Del Alma de Los Angeles" collection, which features a zip jacket, tee, hat, and tote bag. Patty joined the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast to talk about the collab, growing up in LA, and how her hustle and intuition led to her brand's growing success. Timestamps (01:50) Growing up in Los Angeles (10:00) Choosing the name Hija de tu Madre and building momentum (20:41)Collaborating with Angel City FC (29:30) Soccer's influence in fashion and the growing Mexican x Central American alliance (33:30) Ad

At just 19 years old, Niko Tsakiris already has a wealth of experience both for club and country. He made his first team debut with the San Jose Earthquakes as a homegrown player at just 16, and has since blossomed into a key player for the club. For the United States, Tsakiris has featured for the United States youth national team in multiple tournaments, including the 2023 U-20 World Cup, and 2024 U-20 CONCACAF Championships, where he won the Golden Ball. He stops by the Urban Pitch Podcast to discuss his international experience, making his pro debut at such a young age, and his thoughts on Bruce Arena joining the Earthquakes as head coach and sporting director. (01:18) Growing up in San Jose and rising up the ranks with his hometown club (07:21) His academy experience and the future of youth development in the U.S. (13:30) Making his first team debut (19:58) Thoughts on Bruce Arena joining the Earthquakes as head coach and sporting director (22:18) Locker room dynamic and playing with leaders like Jeremy

Dodgers are World Series Champs, LA Galaxy is cruising, and LAFC won the MLS Western Conference — it's a good time to be in Los Angeles. Ramsey and Julio get into the latest LA happenings, including a new album from Tyler, the Creator, before getting into the thick of the Ballon d'Or controversy and the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs! Timestamps (00:37) The Dodgers winning the World Series and LA being the city of champions (07:48) Tyler, the Creator's new album (14:58) Ballon d'Or controversy (28:02) Real Madrid's bigger problems (33:02) MLS Playoffs Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

If you're a fan of soccer, you've probably come across Aaron West at some point or another. Whether it's his video work with COPA 90, covering the 2019 Women's World Cup with FOX, or his current position on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, Aaron has brought his unique insight, sense of humor, and sartorial acumen to countless outlets and mediums. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, we were able to sit down with the multi-talented analyst to reminisce on our 2018 photoshoot, his journey in soccer from player to pundit, and his love for fashion and becoming known for dressing. (03:33) The growth of women's soccer across the globe (10:55) Aaron's soccer background growing up in North Carolina (25:10) The development of young American talent (38:25) Aaron's sense of fashion and how he got his love for putting that sh*t on (46:50) The music on his playlist Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest n

They say first impressions are everything, and the NWSL's new Boston expansion franchise didn't pass the test. BOS Nation FC is an interesting name on its own, but not as interesting as the club's "Too Many Balls" campaign that was quickly erased upon the backlash it received. We get into the botched introduction and more — including the Christian Pulisic load management issue — on the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast! (00:48) Julio's appearance at LA's Broadway Nights futsal event (04:14) Pochettino's debut as USMNT coach (14:23) Christian Pulisic's load management controversy (25:53) BOS Nation FC's wild introductory campaign Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

The football world doesn't stop spinning, and neither do we. On the latest episode of the Urban Pitch Podcast, Ramsey and Julio sit down to discuss the newly-released Venezia FC x NOCTA kits, the MLS MVP race, and expectations for Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT debut. Timestamps (01:01) Drip check: The new Venezia FC x NOCTA kits (10:42) Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT debut (20:40) The MLS MVP race Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

Another Tuesday, another UP Podcast! This week, the crew sits down to discuss their fondest EA FC/FIFA soundtrack memories, Christian Pulisic's hot streak, and Brigitte's recent trip to Mexico! Timestamps (00:42) Brigitte's Mexico trip (14:55) EA FC 25's soundtrack (31:06) Christian Pulisic's hot streak (41:01) Julio and Brigitte's rec league adventures Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.

The radio industry has gone through numerous changes in the streaming era, but one thing that has remained constant: quality shines through. Whether it's the quality of the music, artist, or set list, audiences can always differentiate the good from the bad. DJ Vinnie Mack is always about quality. Whether it's his daily set on Cali 93.9 or the Pa La Calle Podcast, he brings a highly curated taste and perspective to all of his work. We sit down with the LA native to discuss how he made it in the radio industry, his advice for up-and-coming artists on the rise, and how he came to love the beautiful game. Timestamps (01:45) Vinnie's soccer background and growing in Los Angeles (10:20) Getting into the radio industry and how he programs his music (41:04) The LA soccer scene and the El Trafico rivalry (53:55) The Pa La Calle Podcast Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, a

The Urban Pitch Podcast is back for another episode covering the latest news and updates in the soccer culture-verse. In this episode, Julio and Ramsey discuss Mauricio Pochettino officially becoming the next USMNT manager, LAFC's latest chance for a trophy at the US Open Cup, and Kendrick Lamar's highly anticipated Super Bowl performance. Timestamps (00:49) Mauricio Pochettino officially unveiled as USMNT head coach (16:40) MLS's failure to recognize international breaks (20:29) Another chance for LAFC to win a trophy (28:02) Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show announcement (37:05) Music we've been listening to (40:51) Nike's Cortez x Tiempo fusion shoe Cast Hosts: Ramsey Abushahla, Julio Monterroza, & Brigitte Flores Producer: Roy Cho Subscribe to our newsletter for more interviews and latest news on street football, freestyle, and urban culture, read more about soccer culture on our website, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook.