Craig Hearn - We Are Soccer - From England to Detroit

The more I talk about soccer, the more I want to talk about soccer.

Every soccer journey in America is different and they're all interesting to me. But I had a particularly fun time talking with Craig about his personal soccer journey. Craig moved to the US from England in the early 1990s, when he was about 10 years old. His dad was a diehard Aston Villa supporter (and they lived very close to Villa Park), so by indoctrination, Craig continues the tradition from the Metro Detroit area. 

As a young soccer player, Craig was always the fastest person on the field. He played for the Michigan Wolves Soccer Club from ages 13-18 while simultaneously playing high school soccer. He then had the opportunity to take his talents to Michigan State to play four years at the Division 1 level. We talk a little bit about the level of quality in NCAA Division 1 back in 2003. This was before lower league soccer had begun to emerge so Division 1 soccer at that time meant that you made it. Craig played Striker in a 4-4-2 and as most of us do in college, had the time of his life (although I'd argue he probably had more fun playing than I did learning how to shotgun beers, but I digress). 

After college, with Professional soccer being what it was in the US in the early 2000s, Craig had to get real job (bummer). He lived like the rest of us for a few years until a contact from a newly formed club club, Detroit City Football Club, told him that he should come and try out for the squad. On the wrong side of 30, he managed to not only make the team but become a regular starter. It was the beginning of the Northern Guard Supporter's Club, and the beginning of what DCFC now represents today. How cool was it to be a part of that?

Craig now hosts his own soccer show, We Are Soccer, and has a great following. He also has had the opportunity to interview Kellyn Acosta and Rebecca Lowe and puts on a live show every Saturday morning from 8am-9am. Go check it out!