Carson Speight’s journey begins in the dew-soaked mornings of Raleigh fields and stretches through rivalries, state cups, and floodlit nights that made the game feel larger than life. Carson reflects on a career built on hustle, grit, and fun. He shares how growing up with the same teammates forged trust, why intramural soccer brought freedom back into the game, and how one perfectly timed run led to the only—and unforgettable—high school game winner of his life. As a dad, Carson sees the game through new eyes, passing on lessons of effort, respect, and joy to the next generation.

From the pitches in Pakistan to lining up against West Point and the Naval Academy men—all before women were admitted, Dr. Cynthia Macri’s life in soccer reads like a hidden chapter of the game’s history. In this episode, Jonathan Janik interviews Cynthia, who shares how a misread “soccer tryout” flyer led her to play onto a men’s college team, and how Title IX and a $100 bill helped her found the very first women’s soccer team at Lehigh University—complete with hand-drawn logos and fundraiser frisbees. Now a Navy doctor turned over-65 national champion, Cynthia talks about soccer as “home,” a place of belonging that carried her through medical school, military service, and countless tournaments and medals. At the heart of it all is her philosophy that you need to give as much as you receive, to the community of soccer.

From refugee camp to Vermont’s endless green, Toutou Marsden discovers soccer—and never lets go. She bikes 10 miles each way to preseason, earns her place, and flips a men’s-league script from “go easy on her” to “play for real.” ODP tryouts, slide-tackle grit, and a Boston adult-league title (PKs, a Chastain-moment, pure joy). This episode is a heartbeat-loud tribute to resilience, drive, relentlessness, community, and the beautiful game—anytime, anywhere..