Inside College Soccer

91: Building A Free High School Soccer Program That ACTUALLY Gets Players Recruited

In this episode of Inside College Soccer, host Don Williams sits down with Jose Luiz Rodriguez, Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Meadowcreek High School in Metro Atlanta, Georgia. A 30 Under 30 United Soccer Coaches Alumni, Coach Rodriguez brings an impressive background that includes USSF C License, United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma, and experience at both the college and youth national levels. Coach Rodriguez shares how he has transformed the Meadowcreek High School soccer program by focusing on accessibility, community impact, and player development both on and off the field. A major theme of the conversation centers on how high school soccer can effectively integrate with club soccer, rather than compete with it - creating better pathways for student-athletes. One of the most powerful parts of the episode is Coach Rodriguez’s breakdown of how his program has made high school soccer completely free for players, including: Eliminating player fees Funding free college recruiting trips for student-athletes Building sustainable fundraising models Gaining strong community and local business support Coach Rodriguez also explains how his partnership with SRUSA has helped Meadowcreek players navigate the college recruiting process - even for athletes who do not play club soccer -proving that high school programs can still be a legitimate and respected recruiting pathway. His long-term vision is clear: to see high school soccer valued and respected by youth soccer communities, college coaches, and even at the national level. This episode is a must-listen for high school coaches, athletic directors, parents, and players who want to understand how to build an inclusive, well-supported program and create real college opportunities for student-athletes.

90: Confessions of a Soccer Parent with Francis Dickerson

In this episode, Don Williams sits down with Francis Dickerson, the father of Lindsay Dickerson - a former U.S. Youth National Team goalkeeper, #1-ranked youth keeper in the nation, Stanford University standout, and NCAA National Champion. Don coached Lindsay during her youth years, giving this conversation a rare, personal depth that only a coach-parent duo can offer. Together, they unpack: ⭐ Lindsay’s Youth Journey How she rose through the youth ranks to become the top youth goalkeeper in the United States. The training habits, mindset, and key moments that shaped her early development. The realities of being in the U.S. Youth National Team setup for three years. 🎓 The Stanford Experience What it was really like competing at one of the most prestigious college soccer programs in the world. The highs, the pressures, the setbacks, and the incredible moment of winning a National Championship. How the college soccer environment helped shape her long-term academic and personal trajectory. 💪 The Dickerson Family Legacy The conversation also highlights Francis’s son, Joe Dickerson - now a FIFA referee actively under consideration for the 2026 World Cup. Beyond stats and stories, this episode is an honest look at what it really feels like to raise elite athletes - the hopes, the fears, the sacrifices, and the moments parents rarely talk about out loud.

89: Building Soccer Culture with Greg Rubendall

This week, host Don Williams sits down with Greg Rubendall, a lifelong coach, educator, and soccer culture builder with deep roots in the American game. Greg brings over two decades of experience - from playing NCAA Division I soccer at Loyola Marymount University, to coaching at Cal State East Bay, and now leading multiple organizations focused on developing the game at every level. Currently the Founder of US College Club Soccer, Greg is on a mission to create a more connected, sustainable soccer pathway for players who love the game but aren’t in the traditional college system. He also serves as a U.S. Soccer Coach Educator, Livermore Fusion Director of Coaching, and President of the West Coast Soccer Association. In this episode, Greg and Don dive into: The growing opportunities for players to play college-level soccer - whether varsity or club. How to build a true soccer culture in the U.S. that supports every type of player. The rise of US College Club Soccer and how it’s shaping the next generation of the college game. Greg’s philosophy on coaching education, community development, and leadership through collaboration. It’s an inspiring conversation about the evolution of American soccer and the people creating lasting change from the grassroots up. Connect with Greg Rubendall: 📧 gnr.coaching@icloud.com 🔗 LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook 🌐 www.collegeclubsoccer.com | www.nationalacademyofathletics.com | www.ascmidtown.com | www.hellafc.com 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

88: Resilience, Leadership & Life Lessons with Tallulah Miller

In this episode, Don Williams sits down with Tallulah Miller, former SRUSA client who began her journey at the University of Kentucky before transferring to Monmouth University for graduate school - where she became team captain and a standout leader on and off the field. Tallulah opens up about the realities of college soccer - from the challenges of being a freshman at a major SEC program, to the thrill of earning a starting spot in her sophomore year, and the heartbreak of a torn ACL that tested her resilience. She shares how she stayed engaged and supported her teammates while injured, what she learned about mental strength and leadership, and how those lessons prepared her for captaining Monmouth and for her internship on Wall Street - where the discipline, focus, and grit she built as a college athlete helped her thrive. This is an episode about growth through adversity, leading with empathy, and how the college soccer experience builds life-ready confidence and character. 🎧 Listen in to hear Tallulah’s journey from the SEC to Wall Street - and how she turned every challenge into a step forward.

87: From SRUSA to the Pros with Dan Nimick

In this episode, Don Williams and Chris Cousins sit down with Dan Nimick, former SRUSA client and now professional footballer, to talk about his remarkable journey through the U.S. college soccer system and beyond. Dan shares how he first connected with Chris Cousins and the SRUSA team, how that relationship shaped his recruiting process, and his standout career at Western Michigan University, where he captained the Broncos and became one of the top players in the nation. He then takes us through his transition to the pro game — being drafted by Toronto FC in the MLS SuperDraft, and how the U.S. college pathway prepared him for life as a professional athlete. Dan also introduces his latest project, Ground Zero Soccer, a platform designed to help players develop their game both technically and mentally. Through Ground Zero, Dan and his team aim to give athletes practical, elite-level tools to elevate their performance and reach their full potential. Throughout the episode, Dan offers genuine advice for players and parents about navigating college soccer — from recruiting tips to balancing academics, staying resilient, and maintaining the right mindset to succeed on and off the field. 📩 Connect with Dan: 📸 Instagram: @dan_nimick ⚽ Ground Zero Soccer: @groundzero_soccer 🌐 Website: groundzerosoccer.net 📧 Email: GroundZeroSoccerDB@gmail.com