Against All Odds

From Dropping Out of College to Playing Against Paul Pogba | Manny Gonzalez's Path to Pro

In this episode of the podcast, Matt sits down with veteran center midfielder, Manuel Gonzalez to hear about his path from growing up in Colombia to the professional game. Some highlights of Manny's career include dropping out of college to try to play professionally, moving back to Colombia to sign his first contract, playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the NASL, Playing against teams like Juventus, Malmö FF, Boca Juniors, etc. and then going all of 2017 without a club or contract. 

It's another amazing story and I'm excited for you guys to sit down, listen, and learn from his journey. 

"Growing Up I Never Thought I Could Become a Pro" | Tobenna Uzo's Path to Pro Football

In this episode, Matt sits down with Tulsa Roughnecks teammate, Tobenna Uzo to discuss his crazy path from Lagos, Nigeria to playing professionally in the states. Toby has a unique story of playing recreational football in the streets of his home country most of his life to walking on to a D1 college soccer program and then eventually being drafted by Orlando City SC in the MLS. Not to mention that he was a goalkeeper until the age of 16 and then converted to a striker. 

Sit down and listen to this great story and learn from the highs and lows of a professional player who has had an amazing range of experiences.  

Q+A with Sheldon Tweedie | Full Podcast

In this episode of the Against All Odds Podcast, Matt sits down with fellow YouTuber, Sheldon Tweedie to talk a bit about his career so far and answer some questions sent in by fans. In this episode of the podcast, the two discuss the following topics:

1. What's a better route to the professional game... College soccer or going abroad searching for pro trials?

2. Have you ever had coaches tell you that you're too small and if so how did you respond to that?

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Ten Years?

4. What's your advice for other athletes/footballers looking to make videos about their journey?

5. What is the biggest difference between the semi-professional level and the fully professional level?

6. What's it like to train with Joner1on1?

7. What is your dream for after your career?

From Working Full-Time 9 to 5 Job to Pro Footballer | Matt Rogers' Path to Pro

In this episode, Matt sits down with Tulsa Roughnecks teammate, Matt Rogers to discuss his path to the professional game. Rogers has an incredible story from growing up in Mexico to coming to the states to walk on to play D1 college soccer to entering into the real life work force at age 25. After a while of working a normal 9 to 5 job, Rogers realizes that he isn't quite ready to give up on his dream of being a pro footballer. Tune in to listen to Matt's incredible journey! 

"People Think It's An Easy Life.." The Reality of Chasing a Dream | Renan Ferreira's Path to Pro

In this episode, Matt sits down with teammate Renan Ferreira to discuss his life and career growing up in São Paulo, Brazil. Renan. a center back standing at 6 foot 6 inches, talks about his journey into the professional game in Brazil, playing with Brazilian legend Cafu, trialing in Hungary, playing over in Portugal, as well as how he ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma playing for the Roughnecks. In addition, we talk about the low periods of his career about his struggles with knee injuries like a torn ACL, fissures in his Patellar Tendon, and problems with the meniscus as well as the hardships of leaving school and constantly being away from family and loved ones. It's a great interview that really gives an in-depth look at the reality of being a professional soccer player. 

Bustling Streets of India to a Tiny Village in the Faroe Islands | Frantzly Zephirin’s Path to Pro

In today's episode, Matt got the chance to sit down with Tulsa Roughneck teammate, Frantzly Zephirin. Frantzly, a 26 year old from Montreal, quickly found a love for soccer and spent almost every single day of his childhood from age 4-20 playing for top club teams and futsal teams in Canada dreaming of one day playing professionally. 

After four great years at two different universities, Frantzly took the leap abroad to try to sign his first pro contract. His story of bouncing around from country to country and even continent to continent to chase his dream is extremely inspiring and hearing the firsthand experiences of navigating the bustling streets of Punjab, India and taking a ferry to a tiny village in the Faroe Islands is incredibly motivating. 

I can't wait for you guys to hear his journey from a young Canadian to now traveling the world as a professional footballer. 

Quit Soccer at age 14... Became a Pro at 25 | Rodrigo Da Costa's Path to Pro

In this episode, Matt gets to sit down with Tulsa Roughnecks teammate, Rodrigo Bandeira Da Costa and listen to his story of how Rodrigo went from quitting competitive soccer at age 14 to then signing a professional contract at age 25. It's an amazing story that again just showcases how you can achieve your goal despite what anyone tells you. 

In addition, Matt and Rodrigo talk about the differences of youth soccer between the USA and Brazil, how Rodrigo went from playing at an amateur level in Brazil to playing college soccer in Florida, as well as Rodrigo's expectations about entering into a professional team. 

Looking forward to hearing what you guys think about this one! 

"The Guy Who Scouted Cristiano Ronaldo... Also Scouted Me" | Janu Silva's Path to Pro

In this episode, Matt gets to sit down with Portuguese teammate, Janu Silva. Janu grew up and spent most of his life playing soccer in the local parks in Portugal as well as with some top youth teams in the area. At one time, he was even scouted by the same person who also scouted Cristiano Ronaldo. I really recommend all of you guys to sit down and listen to Janu's story and how he went on to have an illustrious professional career!

From Pick-Up Soccer in Jamaica to Being Drafted by Orlando City SC | Akeil Barrett's Path to Pro

In this episode I sit down with Akeil Barrett to hear about his journey from growing up playing soccer in local parks in his hometown of Kingston, Jamaica to being recruited by Akron, the number #1 ranked U.S. College at the time, and being drafted by Orlando City SC. Since then, he has played for a number of different professional teams around the US and even one over in Sweden. 

We go in-depth about the struggles he's faced with injuries and rejections as well as the absolute highs he's felt while being drafted by an MLS team. Really enjoyed this talk and I hope you guys take something away from Akeil's story! 

"Tearing My ACL Was One the Best Things That Ever Happened In My Life" | Jeff Addai's Path to Pro

Jeff Addai from Ottawa, Canada. 

Really excited for you guys to hear Jeff's story of how he overcame two ACL surgeries and two Sports Hernia surgeries to go on to play professional soccer. The persistence Jeff had to have in order to ride out the incredible low times of his injuries is something that I will always respect him for. 

Jeff also talks about his experience abroad over in Albania, Germany, France, Belgium, and Portugal and what he learned from those experiences as well as how him and his brother started a successful sports management company, Ottawa Pro Sports Management. 

Overall his story was amazing to sit down and listen to firsthand and I know you guys will gain a ton of value from it.