This one starts with the story—but it’s not the clean version.

Anja Koehler walks through what it actually looked like to become a leader—being overlooked, losing confidence, earning it back, and figuring it out in real time. From youth soccer to becoming a Division I captain, this is the part most players never hear about.

Before Captains University became a framework, it was lived experience.

This is where it started.

• Growing up in a soccer-driven environment
• Early development and competitive mindset
• Transition to high-level club soccer
• Not being the best player—and why that mattered
• Building habits outside structured training
• High school vs club leadership experiences
• College transition and injury setbacks
• Losing confidence and earning it back
• Turning point moments that changed everything
• Becoming a captain through consistency

• “I wasn’t the best player—but I knew I could work to become better.”
• “You have to keep going even when it’s not working.”
• “Your spot isn’t permanent—you earn it every day.”
• “Confidence came from the work I was putting in.”
• “That moment didn’t define me—it pushed me.”
• “It wasn’t a straight path, and that’s what made it real.”
• “You don’t just arrive—you build into it.”
• “Every setback forced me to grow.”
• “I just kept trying to get better every day

🌐 Website: https://captainsuniversity.com/

📸 Instagram:

@captainsuniversity

@anja_koehler

💼 LinkedIn:

Captains University

Anja Koehler

🎵 TikTok:

@captainsuniversity

🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps grow the game and these conversations.

#YouthSoccer #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerJourney #Resilience #AthleteMindset #SoccerParents #SoccerCoaching #TeamCulture #GrowthMindset #NextGenAthletes #CollegeSoccer #ECNL #WorkEthic #Confidence #SoccerLife #LeadershipJourney #SportsDevelopment #ChatByThePitch #CaptainsUniversity #AnjaKoehler

Mentioned in this episode:

Reeplayer:

If your team is looking at camera systems this season, you need to check out Reeplayer. It’s built to make recording and live streaming games simple — no complicated setup, no waiting hours for footage. You get your games fast, and you can share them right away with players, families, and coaches. If you’ve been dealing with the hassle of other systems, this is one worth looking into.

Reeplayer

Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

Soccer Innovations

Part 2 of this reissued conversation shifts into the details that matter when making a decision.

We break down pricing, how different systems are built, and where things like AI and analytics actually stand today.

There’s a lot of noise in this space — and this episode helps cut through it by focusing on what’s real, what’s not fully ready yet, and what families should actually expect.

If you’re evaluating a camera system or trying to understand the value behind it, this is the conversation you need.

Key Talking Points

• Pricing models across camera systems
• Subscription vs hardware-based models
• Why AI in sports analytics isn’t fully accurate yet
• The difference between marketing and reality
• Modular camera systems vs full replacements
• Live streaming capabilities and limitations
• Remote connectivity and real-time access
• The role of video in player development
• Positive vs negative reinforcement through film
• The future of sports media in youth soccer

Quotes from Orhan (Part 2)

• “I’m not a big believer in AI doing stats yet.”
• “We won’t focus on analytics — we’ll focus on the footage.”
• “We’re not a camera company — we’re a media company.”
• “Parents shouldn’t feel like they’re stuck.”
• “Access to footage has to come first.”
• “We want to be shoulder to shoulder with our users.”
• “This is about young athletes, not just technology.”

Connect with Reeplayer

🌐 Website: https://reeplayer.com

📸 Instagram: @reeplayer

✖️ X: @ReeplayerHQ

👍 Facebook: Reeplayer

Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

▶️ YouTube: @ChatByThePitchPod

🎵 TikTok: Chat.by.the.pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations that matter.

#YouthSoccer #SoccerDevelopment #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerParents #GameFilm #SoccerCoaching #SportsTech #Reeplayer #LiveStreamingSports #SoccerTraining #SoccerLife #NextGenAthletes #SoccerCommunity #AthleteDevelopment #SportsInnovation #CoachingEducation #SoccerCulture #FootballDevelopment #YouthSports #GameFootage

Mentioned in this episode:

Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

Soccer Innovations

Reeplayer:

If your team is looking at camera systems this season, you need to check out Reeplayer. It’s built to make recording and live streaming games simple — no complicated setup, no waiting hours for footage. You get your games fast, and you can share them right away with players, families, and coaches. If you’ve been dealing with the hassle of other systems, this is one worth looking into.

Reeplayer

This is a reissue of Part 1 of my conversation with Orhan from Reeplayer — brought back because the questions around camera systems are picking up again with the new season starting.

In this episode, we focus on the foundation — why youth soccer still struggles to consistently capture games, what families are dealing with, and how access to footage impacts development.

We also get into Orhan’s journey and what led to building Reeplayer, along with the bigger issue most people don’t realize exists.

If you’re a parent, coach, or club looking at camera systems, this is where you should start.

• The lack of recorded footage in youth soccer
• Why capturing games is still difficult for families
• Orhan’s journey from player to founder
• The original problem Reeplayer set out to solve
• Cost barriers in current camera systems
• Why parents don’t want to film games themselves
• The importance of access to game footage
• Instant processing vs traditional workflows
• Storage limitations with current systems
• How video impacts player development

• “There’s over a billion hours of youth sports footage not being recorded.”
• “Parents just don’t want to hold their phones for an entire game.”
• “We wanted to make game footage accessible to all.”

🌐 Website: https://reeplayer.com

📸 Instagram: @reeplayer

✖️ X: @ReeplayerHQ

👍 Facebook: Reeplayer

🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

▶️ YouTube: @ChatByThePitchPod

🎵 TikTok: Chat.by.the.pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations that matter.

#YouthSoccer #SoccerDevelopment #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerParents #GameFilm #SoccerCoaching #SportsTech #Reeplayer #LiveStreamingSports #SoccerTraining #SoccerLife #NextGenAthletes #SoccerCommunity #AthleteDevelopment #SportsInnovation #CoachingEducation #SoccerCulture #FootballDevelopment #YouthSports #GameFootage

Mentioned in this episode:

Reeplayer:

If your team is looking at camera systems this season, you need to check out Reeplayer. It’s built to make recording and live streaming games simple — no complicated setup, no waiting hours for footage. You get your games fast, and you can share them right away with players, families, and coaches. If you’ve been dealing with the hassle of other systems, this is one worth looking into.

Reeplayer

Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

Soccer Innovations

In Part 2, the focus shifts to how players are actually developed with futsal.

Pablo Da Silva breaks down futsal—what it really is, why it matters, and how it translates directly to the outdoor game.

From faster decision-making to total field awareness, this is where development becomes real.

If you want to understand why some players just see the game differently, this episode explains it.

⚽ Key Talking Points

• Why futsal is critical for development
• Differences between real futsal and “fake futsal”
• Speed of play and decision-making
• Playing in tight spaces under pressure
• Positionless development and movement
• How futsal builds soccer IQ
• Global success tied to futsal systems
• Identifying futsal-trained players
• Creativity and discipline balance
• Patience in long-term development

💬 Quotes from Guest

• “The more futsal kids play, the better they become.”
• “The game is faster—you must think faster.”
• “You play under pressure all the time.”
• “There are no fixed positions.”
• “Most futsal in the U.S. isn’t real futsal.”
• “Futsal players transition easily to soccer.”
• “You can tell who has played futsal.”
• “Let kids choose what they love.”
• “Be patient with development.”
• “Success is different for everyone.”

🔗 Connect with ULETE Sports & John Davis

🌐 Website: https://uletesports.com/

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ULETEsports/videos

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uletesports/

✖️ X: https://x.com/ULETESports

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ULETEsports

🔗 Connect with Pablo Da Silva & PFA

🌐 Website: https://pablofutsalacademy.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pablodasilvafutsal/

🎧 Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations that matter.

#uletesports #TheAthleteInU #ChatByThePitch #YouthSoccer #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerCulture #FutsalDevelopment #SoccerParents #CoachingMatters #PlayerFirst #SoccerCommunity #NextGenPlayers #SoccerJourney #TrainDevelopCompete #GameDevelopment #Futsal

Mentioned in this episode:

Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

Soccer Innovations

Reeplayer:

If your team is looking at camera systems this season, you need to check out Reeplayer. It’s built to make recording and live streaming games simple — no complicated setup, no waiting hours for footage. You get your games fast, and you can share them right away with players, families, and coaches. If you’ve been dealing with the hassle of other systems, this is one worth looking into.

Reeplayer

With the Dallas Cup just weeks away, this episode hits a little different.

This is a tribute to Gordon Jago—a true pioneer of the game and one of the key figures behind what the Dallas Cup has become today.

From his journey as a player and coach to helping build one of the most respected youth tournaments in the world, Gordon shares what the game is really about—community, standards, and bringing people together.

If you’ve ever been part of Dallas Cup—or you’re about to experience it—this conversation gives you a deeper understanding of why it matters.

This is more than a tournament—it’s a legacy.

Key Talking Points

Gordon Jago’s journey from England to the United States

His role in building and shaping the Dallas Cup

What makes Dallas Cup different from other tournaments

The importance of international competition in youth soccer

How Dallas Cup creates lifelong friendships and connections

The impact of 9/11 and rebuilding the tournament

Why standards (fields, refs, teams) matter at the highest level

The role of volunteers and community in making it all work

Stories of players who went on to global success

What the game should really be about beyond the field

Quotes from Gordon Jago

“It’s not just a soccer tournament… it does so many other things.”

“We want every team to have a competitive experience.”

“Soccer brings people together from all over the world.”

“We are known throughout the world because of our standards.”

“You don’t want a team to come and not be challenged.”

“It’s an old boys reunion every year at Easter.”

“Get a job that you enjoy.”

“There’s a lot more in life than finance.”

“The friendships formed here last a lifetime.”

“We are very fortunate to be known around the world.”

Connect with Dallas Cup

🌐 Website: https://www.dallascup.org

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallascup/

✖️ X: https://x.com/dallascup

👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DallasCup/

Follow Chat By The Pitch

🐦 X: @ChatByThePitch

📷 Instagram: @ChatByThePitch

📘 Facebook: Chat By The Pitch

🎧 Subscribe & Review: Your support helps us keep bringing conversations with players, coaches, and leaders that matter.

#ChatByThePitch #GordonJago #DallasCup #YouthSoccer #SoccerCommunity #PlayerDevelopment #SoccerParents #SoccerCoaches #GlobalGame #SoccerCulture #GrowTheGame #SoccerLegacy #FootballCommunity #RespectTheGame #SoccerJourney #CoachingMatters #SoccerStories #GameImpact #YouthDevelopment #SoccerLife

Mentioned in this episode:

Reeplayer:

If your team is looking at camera systems this season, you need to check out Reeplayer. It’s built to make recording and live streaming games simple — no complicated setup, no waiting hours for footage. You get your games fast, and you can share them right away with players, families, and coaches. If you’ve been dealing with the hassle of other systems, this is one worth looking into.

Reeplayer

Zone 14 Coaching

This episode is brought to you by Zone 14 Coaching. Their coaching and player journals help bring structure to the season—giving coaches a place to plan sessions, reflect on what worked, and track player development over time. If you’re a coach, player, or club that wants to bring more intention into the development process, check them out at https://zone14coaching.com and use code CBTP for a discount. ⚽📘

Zone 14 Coaching

Soccer Innovations: Award-Winning Soccer Equipment & Accessories

Soccer Innovations

TeamPlayr: Find and join the perfect youth
soccer team

TeamPlayr