The Bear and the Ball

Jon Fleishman, founder of JMF Sports, joins us to discuss his role with the U.S. Men's National Team and the journey from small beginnings to becoming an integral part of the National Team program. Along with our host Nick Webster, Jon takes us inside the team and brings us stories of joy and occasional heartbreak.

From portraying a Swiss Army knife as an LA Angels intern to helping bring the World Cup to SoFi Stadium, Adolfo Romero's career trajectory reads like a sports industry fairy tale. Now VP at Hollywood Park, Romero joins us to share his remarkable journey through America's evolving soccer landscape.We dive deep into his early days with the LA Angels, his pivotal role with Chivas USA during MLS's experimental years, and how he became instrumental in bringing international soccer to American audiences nationwide. Romero offers insider perspectives on the challenges and triumphs of growing soccer in a country dominated by other sports, plus exclusive insights into what it takes to prepare SoFi Stadium for the world's biggest sporting event.Whether you're a soccer purist or casual fan, Romero's story showcases the dedication and vision required to elevate the "beautiful game" in America—culminating in his current role helping deliver an unforgettable 2026 World Cup experience.

Join host Nick Webster as he welcomes Cal South Technical Director Michael Chin for an insightful discussion on the cutting edge of youth soccer development. Michael pulls back the curtain on Cal South's renowned Pro+ Olympic Development Program, revealing how they identify and nurture elite talent while creating pathways to national team recognition. The conversation shifts to coaching education, where Michael breaks down Cal South's comprehensive approach to developing the next generation of coaches who can properly teach the technical and tactical elements of the modern game. The pair round out their discussion with a detailed look at Cal South's innovative summer camps, exploring how these programs balance skill development with creating enjoyable experiences that keep young players engaged. A must-listen episode for parents, coaches, and anyone passionate about the future of American soccer.

Join us on "The Bear & the Ball" podcast as host Nick Webster interviews Claire Smith from Soccer Stars, a comprehensive, developmental experience for children ages 1 to 12+. Soccer Stars recently partnered with Cal South to create our new Cal South Pathways program. Claire shares insights on using soccer to foster self-confidence and physical literacy in children. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about the impact of sports on youth development!

The FIFA World Cup is just 500 days away, and Los Angeles will play host to the biggest party in America. The Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission (LASEC) attracts, secures, and supports high-profile sports and entertainment events in L.A., and they'll be driving the fan experience in 2026.On this episode of "The Bear & the Ball," Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Jason Krutzsch explains how LASEC will support FIFA and gives us a sneak peak of what we can expect when the World Cup lands in Southern California.

The "beautiful game" has many variations but perhaps the most exciting is 5v5 soccer. On this week's "The Bear & the Ball," host Nick Webster chats with Andrew Vorce, the president of one of the nation's largest 5v5 organizations which has recently partnered with Cal South.Andrew talks about his journey through soccer, the origins of his 5v5 company, and how they can help you easily start hosting your very own 5v5 tournaments.

Earlier this week, the Cal South team invited our members to discuss U.S.Soccer's announcement that the Birth Year vs. School Year registration debate is officially back on the table. After we first put out a survey to the full membership to gather feedback, we then held a special online town hall meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10th to hear directly what our members had to say about this topic.In this episode of "The Bear & the Ball," you'll hear the voices of the membership (along with Cal South staffers) from that very meeting, as they discuss the pros and cons of both sides of the debate, as well as their concerns and hopes for how this very important subject will potentially play out.

As the founder of Unozero, Sam Garzon is taking on the big boys, namely, Nike, Adidas, and Puma. With a deep love of "the beautiful game," Sam has designed and produced some of the most desirable cleats in soccer.On this episode of "The Bear & the Ball," Sam talks about his journey from Venezuela to America, and what was the inspiration behind creating the Unozero brand.

Gianni Buttice is a national treasure. Not only is he an expert in the world's most popular fantasy game, Fantasy Premier League but he also helps run Street Child United, an NGO that does unbelievable work throughout the world.On this episode of "The Bear & the Ball," Gianni describes the secrets of how to climb the FPL ladder along with his work in creating World Cups for homeless children. With the next edition landing on American shores in 2026, Los Angeles could be a prime host city for an event that truly changes lives.

Gemma Thompson has lived the dream. As a young girl, she loved Manchester United and by writing a match report for the team, she won a competition that would change her life.Embedded with the Red Devils for over two decades, Gemma witnessed firsthand the winning of European trophies, Premier Leagues, and so much more.She developed close relationships with the players and the legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. In this episode of "The Bear & the Ball," Gemma speaks about her incredible journey with one of the biggest clubs in the world.