In Episode 35 of The Soccer Ladder, Megan and Liam sit down with soccer legend Tab Ramos.

A three-time FIFA World Cup player, Olympian, former U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team Head Coach, and MLS Head Coach, Tab shares lessons from decades at the highest levels of the game.

In this episode we discuss:

⚽ Playing in three FIFA World Cups
⚽ What players ages 12–15 should focus on right now
⚽ Why technical ability and ball mastery still matter most
⚽ The realities of pay-to-play soccer
⚽ Early vs. late developers
⚽ What separates elite midfielders from everyone else
⚽ Expectations for the United States at the next World Cup
⚽ The vision behind the U.S. National Soccer School

Learn more:

⚽ U.S. National Soccer School Goalkeeper Talent Identification Events
https://www.usnationalsoccerschool.com/talent-identification-events

⁠U.S. National Soccer School Goalkeeper Talent Identification Events⁠
⚽ U.S. National Soccer School

Follow:

⁠U.S. National Soccer School Official Website⁠
📲 Instagram: @tabramosofficial
📲 Inside American Soccer: @insideamericansoccer
https://www.usnationalsoccerschool.com/

Follow The Soccer Ladder:
📲 Instagram: @meganlinkeofficial
📲 Instagram: @liamlinke18

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with elite players, coaches, and leaders shaping the future of the game.

A conversation on access, opportunity, and using soccer to change communities.

Hosts

Megan
Liam

About This Episode

In Episode 34 of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Janine Willis, former Canadian Women’s National Team player and Board of Directors member for Soccer in the Streets (@soccerstreets).

From her journey playing at Princeton and with the Canadian National Team to now helping lead one of the most impactful soccer nonprofits in the country, Janine shares how soccer can become a vehicle for access, mobility, mentorship, and community transformation.

We dive into Atlanta’s pay-to-play challenges, youth development, mental health, social-emotional learning, and how Soccer in the Streets is creating safe spaces where every child can thrive.

In This Episode

• Janine Willis’ journey from Canada to the collegiate and national team level
• Growing up playing on boys teams due to limited girls infrastructure
• Playing Division I soccer at Princeton University
• Transitioning from soccer into law school and life after sport
• Why identity outside of soccer matters for young athletes
• The realities of pay-to-play and the participation gap in youth soccer
• Why Atlanta ranks among the highest in income inequality
• How Soccer in the Streets is using soccer to create opportunity
• Inside the organization’s “Station Soccer” initiative near MARTA transit stations
• How public transportation access impacts youth participation
• Bringing soccer directly into underserved schools and communities
• The importance of social-emotional learning in youth sports
• Trauma-informed coaching and mentorship
• Opening circles, closing circles, and teaching values like grit and joy
• Creating pathways beyond playing through referee and coaching development
• Building community ecosystems through soccer programming

Key Takeaways

✔ Soccer should be accessible to every child
✔ Development is about building the whole person, not just the player
✔ Identity outside of sport matters for long-term well-being
✔ Community and mentorship can change the trajectory of a child’s life
✔ The game can create economic and social mobility when barriers are removed

Notable Mentions:

• Princeton University
• Canadian Women’s National Team
• MARTA transit system in Atlanta
• Station Soccer initiative
• Social-emotional learning in sports
• Pay-to-play barriers in youth soccer

Connect:

Soccer in the Streets
📸 Instagram: @soccerstreets

Nonprofit organization equipping Atlanta’s youth through soccer programming, building connections, and providing safe spaces where every child can thrive.

🎙 Hosted by @meganlinkeofficial & @liamlinke18
🎧 Listen now on The Soccer Ladder

A conversation on player pathways, local talent, and building the next generation through community.

Hosts

Megan
Liam

About This Episode

In Episode 33 of The Soccer Ladder, we sit down with Jose Angulo (@j_angulo), Scout and Manager of Youth Partnerships for the New York Cosmos (@nycosmos).

A North Jersey native from Paterson, Jose Angulo’s journey through the local soccer scene led him to a professional career — where he was named USL Championship MVP. Today, he’s giving back to the game by identifying talent, building pathways, and strengthening relationships between clubs and communities across New Jersey.

We also touch on the legacy of Pelé (@pele) and the lasting impact the Cosmos brand has had on the global game.

In This Episode

• Jose Angulo’s journey from Paterson, NJ to the professional level
• What it takes to stand out in the New Jersey soccer landscape
• The transition from player to scout and youth development leader
• How the New York Cosmos identify and develop talent
• The importance of local pipelines and community relationships
• What scouts are actually looking for in young players
• Why exposure alone isn’t enough — and what really separates players
• The role of mindset, consistency, and coachability
• How youth clubs can better connect with higher-level opportunities
• The balance between development and competition
• The long-term vision for soccer growth in North Jersey

Key Takeaways

✔ Your environment matters — but your habits matter more
✔ Exposure doesn’t guarantee opportunity — preparation does
✔ Relationships in soccer open doors
✔ Development pathways are not one-size-fits-all
✔ The best players are consistent, coachable, and disciplined

Notable Mentions

• New York Cosmos legacy and global impact
• Pelé’s influence on the club and the sport
• Growth of soccer in North Jersey
• Youth-to-pro development pathways

Connect

Jose Angulo
📸 Instagram: @j_angulo

New York Cosmos
📸 Instagram: @nycosmos
🔗 https://t.mtrbio.com/nycosmos

🔗 www.nycsomos.com

Pelé
📸 Instagram: @pele
🔗 www.pelebrand.com

🎙 Hosted by @meganlinkeofficial & @liamlinke18
🎧 Listen now on The Soccer Ladder