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This week on The Back Stick Podcast, Dom Okus and Jamil Roberts are joined by Paco Craig, former West Ham Academy standout and current North Carolina FC defender, for a conversation packed with stories, insights, and laughs.

We delve into Paco’s incredible football journey, from his early days in London to lifting multiple USL Championships with Louisville City, finding love and leadership with Miami FC, and now writing a new chapter in the USL Championship with North Carolina FC.

Paco opens up about:

• The move from West Ham to college soccer in the U.S.
• D2 vs D1 in American college football
• The reality of USL contracts and salaries
• Special memories from Louisville’s golden era
• Coaching aspirations and how he sees the game from a manager’s lens
• Life beyond football: family, love, and personal growth
• The impact of COVID-19, aging as a pro, and what’s still to come at NCFC

Chapters

00:00 Intro & Welcome Paco!
04:30 Paco's Journey in Football
05:56 The Influence of Family and Background
08:55 West Ham To Young Harris
12:20 The Reality of D2 Soccer vs D1 Soccer
15:09 Football Development in England vs US
17:52 Making the Jump to Louisville City
21:00 Salary Disparities in the USL
25:30 Navigating the USL Transfer Market
27:33 Special Memories from Louisville
31:49 What Kind Of Manager Would Jam & Dom Be?
33:58 Paco Craig: A Future Manager?
37:54 The Impact of COVID-19 on Paco's Career
43:42 Finding Love and Life in Miami
47:30 Transitioning to North Carolina: A New Chapter
50:47 Adapting With Age
53:42 Early NCFC Expectations
01:00:22 Extra Time

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This week on The Back Stick Podcast, the boys welcome former Napoli and current Union Omaha defender Marco Milanese to the studio.
We delve into Marco’s incredible football journey — from training with Napoli’s first team and witnessing Dries Mertens' magic up close, to the heartbreak of a fallen Serie A contract due to agent drama, and the leap to the American college system.

We discuss his experiences with Italy’s youth national teams, how a bold move to Akron kick-started a whole new career path, and what it’s really like to defend in the USL.
Marco also reflects on a huge 2024 season with Union Omaha and opens up about his future ambitions in American soccer.

We Cover:

• Early days in Italy and coming through youth academies like Napoli, Torino & Parma
• Training with Napoli's first team & what made Dries Mertens so special
• Representing Italy at U15 & U17 level
• Why Marco's agent cost him a pro deal in Serie A
• Transitioning from Europe to NCAA D1 with Akron & UNCG
• Behind the scenes of US college soccer (including shaved head traditions)
• Pedro Dolabella appreciation moment
• Omaha’s playoff run, team culture, and future ambitions
• Marco's mindset on leadership, growth, and going pro in the US

00:00 Intro & Shoutout Friends Of The Pod

03:58 Early Football Days In Italy

09:10 Napoli: First Team Training Nightmares

11:54 Mertens Influence On The Young Players

14:35 Italy Youth National Team Experiences

16:03 Reece James' 'Grumpy Celebration' For England

17:46 Why Akron & Why Not Continue In Italy?

18:54 "Napoli Contract Fell Through Because Of My Agent?!"

24:25 Transitions & Adjustments To US College Soccer

27:38 Akron Shaving Heads Tradition...

31:02 Pedro Dolabella: A Word For The Legend

31:58 Reflecting on a Special 2024 Season for Omaha

36:12 Omaha & Chattanooga Players Watching The Game Highlights Together

37:34 Future Ambitions With Union Omaha

44:00 Extra Time

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This week it’s just Dom & Jam in the studio! We delve into the home nation, and discuss the England National team under new leadership. We chat about the future of England football with Thomas Tuchel at the helm as they approach the 2026 World Cup. We break down Tuchel’s first squad selection, and who we believe should be in the starting 11. The conversation highlights the excitement surrounding the current squad, the tactical approaches of Tuchel, and the expectations for the World Cup 2026. With a mix of optimism and realism, we share our predictions for England's performance and reflect on what England Football really means to us die hard England fans.

00:00 England Football - It's A Drug!

03:03 Should England Have An English Manager?

07:27 Tuchel's First England Squad Selection

13:00 Albania Reviews

15:48 Is Harry Kane Going To Start For England?

17:57 Can Tuchel Give England A Style Of Play?

20:15 What Is England's Best Starting XI?

27:21 Could Eze Be England's Answer At Left Wing?

31:37 The Rise & Fall of Jack Grealish

34:33 Will Dele Alli Make It Back To The Top?

35:33 Is Premier League Bias Real?

37:30 Predictions for World Cup 2026

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The boys welcome Alex Greive into the studio this week following his recent move to San Antonio. The New Zealand International discusses all things in his career to date, and how he ended up in San Antonio after taking a less conventional route to get there. The conversation covers a range of topics including Alex's experiences in college soccer, his transition to professional play, and his time in New Zealand. They discuss the cultural differences in soccer between New Zealand and the US, as well as Alex's All Whites national team call-up and playing alongside none other than Nottingham Forest bagsman, Chris Wood. Enjoy and subscribe!

00:00 Intro & Dom's Moment For West Ham vs Arsenal...

03:34 Back In The US With San Antonio

05:53 Greivo vs Dom & Jam...

12:16 Concussion From A Trialist In Pre Season

15:26 Playing in New Zealand & COVID Stories

19:25 The Move To St. Mirren & Scottish Football

24:17 Cultural Shift: From New Zealand to Scotland

25:35 The NZ International Call-Up: Becoming An All White

30:09 A Word For Chris Wood

31:12 Scoring On Your First International Start

31:58 World Cup Aspirations

34:38 Dundee & Bohemians Experiences

38:51 Extra Time

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The boys welcome USL League One legend Aaron Walker on the pod this week. Aaron made a name for himself during his unprecedented years of success with Greenville Triumph, but now finds himself in a different role. We dig deep into what made Greenville such a special time for Aaron, from the titles to the culture. The conversation delves into the dynamics of his recent transition into a player-coach role with Tormenta, a club Jam knows very well, and learning under Coach Ian Cameron as he forms who he wants to be as a coach. We discuss the evolving landscape of football, and whether football has now become boring, with modern football being so tactic driven and players playing with much less freedom. Aaron shares insights on managing player relationships and the challenges of balancing playing and coaching roles, and as always, we finish up with Extra Time. Enjoy the show!

00:00 Intro & Subscribe To The Pod!

02:55 Aaron Walker: 2023 Off Season

06:19 Playing In The TST 2024 With Ocho Cinco

13:15 Transitioning to a Player-Coach Role With Tormenta

17:31 Learning From Ian Cameron

23:09 The Art Of Man Management

30:25 The Changing Landscape of Football Culture

34:45 Has Football Become Boring?

38:54 Aaron Walker & Greenville Triumph

46:07 2020 USL League One Championship Celebrations

52:19 Extra Time

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This week on the pod the boys welcome 2024 USL champion Jonas Feldberg. We delve into what led to such a special group that Colorado Switchbacks built in 2024, and the challenges of trying to repeat success in 2025. We discuss his journey through injury rehab, and the mental challenges staying positive during personal adversity. It wouldn’t be Colorado without discussing playing in the altitude, and the home field advantage the Switchbacks have while playing at home. Jonas shares his experiences transitioning to professional soccer from the University of Dayton, the MLS Superdraft, and his experience with FC Cincinnati playing under a legend of the game, Jaap Stam. This ones a banger!

00:00 Intro & Dom's Weekly Weather Update

03:00 Jonas Feldberg: The USL Champion's Journey

06:22 Colorado's Home Field Altitude Advantage

12:04 Switchback's Championship Celebrations

14:35 Jams Marshall Trophy Celebration Story

19:46 Goals for 2025 & Beyond With The Switchbacks

33:53 Great Goals & Shoutout Jonas's Dad!

38:31 MLS Superdraft & Playing For FC Cincinnati

46:38 Jaap Stam - Playing Under A Legend

50:13 Extra Time

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Jamil and Dom welcome New York City FC goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh into the Back Stick Studio this week! A seasoned MLS & USL goalkeeper who shares his journey through the leagues. We discuss Greg's recent move to New York City FC, the challenges (both logistical and financial) of relocating with a family to the big apple. We delve into his early career at Louisville City FC, and a crazy time playing with no coach?! Greg discusses the unique experience of being a pool goalkeeper in the MLS, the ups and downs of contract negotiations, and the importance of maintaining a strong support system in professional sports. Greg was lucky enough to share the field with legends of the game such as Nani, Lorenzo Insigne & Federico Bernardeschi, we discuss what they were like as people, sharing the locker room and swapping some brilliant stories.

00:00 Intro & Shoutout Paco Craig!

02:50 Signing With NYCFC & Living In New York

08:36 Starting Career at Louisville City FC

14:10 Transition To Orlando City

15:11 Lou City: Winning A USL Title Without A Coach?!

22:55 The MLS Pool Goalkeeper Experience

32:52 The Harsh Reality Of Soccer Contracts & Uncertain Futures

40:56 Extra Time

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Jamil & Dom welcome Charlotte Independence captain Clay Dimick into the studio this week! We discuss Clay's off-season, and the nightmares of pre season runs. We delve deep into his journey back from a serious double cervical surgery and the incredible challenges Clay and his family had to overcome. All of this led to being awarded the 2024 Comeback Player Of The Year Award, for his incredible comeback, captaining Charlotte Independence and playing every single minute in 2024. Clay shares insights on his leadership style, the support he received during his recovery, and his trophy aspirations for the upcoming 2025 USL League One Season. As always, we round off by taking Clay through extra time, where we discover Clay's “Special Appreciation” for adult beverages… Enjoy!

00:00 Intro & Pre Season Nightmares

07:57 2024 Comeback Player Of The Year

11:07 Life Changing Spinal Injury Rehab & Recovery

16:29 Clay's Lowest Moment (Which We Can Laugh At Now)

18:40 Charlotte Independence & Charlotte Community Support

24:46 USL Championship Early Years At Charlotte Independence

27:41 Transfer Collapsed Over Covid Vaccine?!

33:23 New Contract & Trophy Aspirations For Charlotte

40:09 Extra Time

46:49 3 West Virginia Alliance Alum's On The Show!

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