91. Ryan Martin - Head Coach, Loudoun United of the USL

Hi, I’m Scot Cooper and welcome to the Tales From the Trail podcast by MatchPlay. In this episode Justin Chezem, head coach of Christopher Newport University men’s soccer and I welcome Ryan Martin, the head coach of USL side, Loudoun United. Ryan has worked with great soccer minds and that developed his coaching style. He discusses lessons he learned from his influences, how he evaluates players and the path from college to professional soccer. His perspective is valuable for anyone looking to advance to the next level. Thank you Coach Martin!

https://www.loudoununitedfc.com/technical/

Summary

Ryan discusses his background in soccer, including his playing career and transition into coaching. He shares his experiences at different coaching positions, including Wake Forest University and DC United. Ryan also talks about how he creates the roster for Loudoun United and the importance of the college landscape in developing professional players. He discusses the challenges and potential benefits of a year-round college soccer calendar. Lastly, Ryan reflects on playing for his father and the lessons he learned from him, including the importance of prioritizing the person over the player. The conversation covers the impact of coaching, attributes of youth players, lessons from mentors, evaluating college programs, and investing in oneself.

Takeaways

Coaching is about making a difference in a player's life and helping them grow as a person and player.

Successful youth players have a strong work ethic, love for the game, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Mentors play a crucial role in shaping a coach's approach and style, emphasizing attention to detail and player development.

When evaluating college programs, players should consider the team's style of play, the coach's approach to player development, and how they fit into the program's culture.

Investing in oneself as a player and person is essential for long-term success, regardless of the chosen path.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:28 Different Coaching Experiences

14:57 Creating the Loudoun United Roster

20:59 The College Calendar and its Impact on Professional Soccer

30:17 Playing for Ryan's Father

34:52 Lessons Learned from Ryan's Father

42:08 The Impact of Coaching

45:00 Attributes of Youth Players

48:25 Lessons from Mentors

53:17 Evaluating College Programs

54:30 Investing in Yourself