94. Steve Swanson - University of Virginia Women's Soccer Head Coach

Hi I’m Scot Cooper and this is the Tales From the Trail Podcast by MatchPlay.  In this episode, Justin Chezem, head coach of men’s soccer at Christopher Newport University and I welcome Steve Swanson, the long time head coach of the University of Virginia women’s soccer program.  Steve discussed his time with the women’s national team, being a part of two World Cup wins, developing great players and teams at UVA, and how recruiting and college athletics is changing.  Great visit from a top caliber coach and person!  Thank you Coach Swanson!

Summary

The conversation covers various topics including past games, facility renovations, conference alignments, player development, recruiting, national team experiences, and the impact of the transfer portal and NIL. The conversation with Steve Swanson explores the changing landscape of recruiting in women's soccer. It discusses the various challenges and opportunities in recruiting, including the emergence of new player pools such as international players, transfers, and players with extra years of eligibility due to COVID. The conversation also highlights the importance of matching players to university values and the need for financial planning and timing in the recruiting process. Overall, the recruiting process is constantly evolving and requires adaptability and a deep understanding of the dynamics involved.

Takeaways

Facility renovations at UVA are underway, with a $70 million Olympic sports building and a 94,000 square foot football performance building being built.

The women's game has changed over the years, with a focus on handling the ball under pressure and making quick decisions in tighter areas.

When recruiting players, coaches look for intrinsic qualities such as motivation, love for the game, and competitiveness.

Players who have a genuine love for the school they are being recruited by can bring a special value to the team.

Coaching at the national team level requires adapting to different playing styles and the evolution of the game.

The transfer portal and NIL are impacting college sports, but the full extent of their impact on Olympic sports is yet to be seen. Recruiting in women's soccer has evolved, with new player pools such as international players, transfers, and players with extra years of eligibility due to COVID.

Matching players to university values is crucial in the recruiting process.

Financial planning and timing play a significant role in recruiting, as coaches need to be prepared for potential opportunities.

The recruiting process is constantly evolving and requires adaptability and a deep understanding of the dynamics involved.

Chapters

00:00 Recalling a Game Against ODU

03:24 Facility Renovations at UVA

04:02 Uncertainty in Conference Alignments

07:16 The Importance of Developing Players

08:09 What Coaches Look for in Players

11:02 Adapting to Changes in the Women's Game

16:28 Recruiting Local Players

20:13 The Value of Players Who Love the School

27:10 Playing and Coaching at the National Team Level

31:20 Different Styles of International Soccer

40:45 Developing Players in the National Team Program

44:26 Impact of Transfer Portal and NIL

45:04 Changing Landscape of Recruiting

46:31 Recruiting Challenges and Opportunities

47:26 Matching Players to University Values

48:53 Financial Planning and Timing

49:18 Constantly Evolving Recruiting Process

49:47 Unpredictability of Recruiting

51:24 Enjoyment of Soccer Conversations