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.

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: 📧 [email protected] 🔗 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.

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.

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: [email protected]

In this special episode, SRUSA staff Don Williams, Chris Cousins, and Andre Luciano dive deep into one of the hottest topics in college athletics — the Transfer Portal — and how it’s reshaping the landscape of college soccer recruiting. The team unpacks: ⚽ The pecking order of college soccer recruiting 🔁 How the Transfer Portal has changed the face of recruiting 🎓 Advice for high school players aspiring to play college soccer 🧭 Recommended pathways for players entering or navigating the system 📋 How to manage the portal and make smart, strategic moves 🚫 The do’s and don’ts of transferring — plus key logistics and insider tips from former college coaches and players Whether you’re a player, parent, or coach, this episode is packed with expert insight from SRUSA’s experienced staff — helping you make informed decisions and avoid the common pitfalls in today’s evolving college soccer landscape. 👉 Looking to transfer? SRUSA can help through our Transfer Club — giving players exclusive support and expert guidance from former college coaches who understand the process inside and out. www.srusasoccer.com/transfer 🎧 Brought to you by SRUSA — The World’s Leading U.S. College Soccer Recruiting Agency 🌐 www.srusasoccer.com This episode is also brought to you by www.GapYearSoccer.com — the perfect bridge for players looking to continue developing before college. 📧 Contact Our Team: Don Williams — [email protected] Chris Cousins — [email protected] Andre Luciano — [email protected]

In this episode, Don Williams sits down with Stan Anderson - former college coach and founder of Camp Shutout, the largest goalkeeper camp in the world. With over 34 years of experience coaching goalkeepers at every level, Stan has developed countless players who’ve gone on to achieve amazing things - including playing professionally. His coaching career includes stops at UW-Milwaukee, Marquette, Loyola Chicago, UW–Madison, and UIC. Along the way, he’s become a U.S. Academy National Champion, an eight-time NCAA Tournament participant, and a member of multiple Halls of Fame - including the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame and Palatine HS Hall of Fame. Don and Stan discuss: ⚽ Their shared passion for teaching goalkeepers, not just training them 🏆 How Stan grew Camp Shutout into the world’s largest goalkeeper camp 🎓 His journey through college coaching and the lessons learned along the way 🇺🇸 The current state of college soccer and insights from the U.S. Soccer White Paper It’s an inspiring and insightful look into the craft of goalkeeping, the business of development, and the future of the college game in America. 🎧 Tune in and learn from one of the true legends of U.S. goalkeeping. 📩 Connect with Stan Anderson Camp Shutout – Founder 🌐 Website: campshutout.com 📧 Email: [email protected] 📸 Instagram: @camp_shutout 🐦 X (Twitter): @campshutout 📘 Facebook: @coachstananderson

From earning a roster spot at Fort Hays State to leading Bob Jones University to an NCCAA National Championship, Dallas Albert’s story is one of perseverance, growth, and grit. In this episode, Don Williams sits down with Dallas — a former SRUSA client — to discuss the ups and downs of college soccer, how he pushed through the hard times, and how those experiences prepared him not just for success on the field, but for his career in real estate in Dallas, Texas. It’s an inspiring look at leadership, resilience, and the lasting lessons of college athletics. Tune in to hear how the college soccer journey builds more than players — it builds people ready for life after the game. Connect with Dallas Albert Former SRUSA Client Email: [email protected] Instagram: @dallasknowsdfw TikTok: @dallasknowsdfw Facebook: Dallas Albert YouTube: @DallasKnowsDFW1

In this episode, Don Williams of SRUSA sat down with Matt Anderson and Matt Baehr, who each surveyed nearly 200 college soccer coaches, to uncover what truly shapes college recruiting today. Matt Anderson (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK) His research focused on player identification, qualities coaches value most, and talent development pathways. He shared insights into what separates a recruitable athlete from the rest, emphasizing skill acquisition, psychological factors, and long-term growth. Matt Baehr (Discover College Soccer) His survey explored the recruiting ecosystem—where coaches recruit from, how they allocate budgets, staffing sizes, and trends in scouting. His findings highlight the practical realities of recruiting logistics and the environments where players are most visible to college coaches. Together, the discussion gave families and athletes a 360-degree view of how college coaches evaluate talent and operate within their recruiting frameworks. This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the U.S. college soccer pathway—parents, players, and coaches alike—because it combines data-driven insights with on-the-ground realities. 🔗 Connect with the Guests Matt Baehr — Discover College Soccer Website: www.discovercollegesoccer.com X (Twitter): www.x.com/Discover_CS Instagram: www.instagram.com/discover_cs Facebook: Discover College Soccer Matt Anderson — Manchester Metropolitan University X (Twitter): www.x.com/MatthewAndrew23 Email: [email protected] Role: PhD, Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology (focus: skill acquisition, talent ID & development) This episode is brought to you by Sports Recruiting USA (SRUSA), the College Soccer Recruiting Experts. 🌐 Check us out online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sportsrecruitingusa X (Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/SRUSA_Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsrecruitingusa Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sportsrecruitingusa TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@collegesoccer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/sportsrecruitingusa Website: https://www.sportsrecruitingusa.com/

Sponsored by Gap Year Soccer & Sports Recruiting USA (SRUSA) In this episode of Inside College Soccer, host Don Williams welcomes Nick Lemke, RD 🥗, a registered dietitian who works with athletes to optimize performance through better fueling. This Q&A-style conversation dives into the nutrition questions athletes and parents ask most often: ⚽️ What to eat before, during, and after games. 💧 Hydration tips that actually impact performance. 📅 The difference between fueling on training days, rest days, and tournament weekends. 👩‍🦰 Nutrition challenges for female athletes. 🌱 Vegetarian and vegan considerations. 💊 Supplements: when things like creatine, electrolytes, or protein powders make sense. 🔥 The habits that separate “average” athletes from great ones. Nick breaks it all down in a way that’s clear, practical, and easy for players, parents, and coaches to apply right away. 🎧 Listen here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3o7QTfm9YU Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ru35r5NSjI94HCbd1DX7J Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/inside-college-soccer/id1480369430?i=1000725121059 This episode is brought to you by Sports Recruiting USA (SRUSA), the College Soccer Recruiting Experts. 🌐 Check us out online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sportsrecruitingusa X (Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/SRUSA_Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsrecruitingusa Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sportsrecruitingusa TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@collegesoccer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/sportsrecruitingusa Website: https://www.sportsrecruitingusa.com/

In this special edition of Inside College Soccer, Don Williams answers a parent’s big question: “What’s the general timeline of the college soccer recruiting process?” If you’ve got a 2026 or 2027 player navigating emails, phone calls, ID camps, and wondering why coaches go quiet, this is the episode for you.