The Back Stick Podcast

Send us a text

Welcome To The Back Stick Podcast! Coming Tuesday, December 10th!
Hosted by Jamil Roberts & Dom Okus, this is your weekly source of banter, professional soccer insider stories, and behind-the-scenes scoops from the MLS, USL, and all levels of the US Soccer pyramid.
The Back Stick is all about authentic, funny and insightful soccer interviews that highlight the careers and personalities of pro players in the US. While also bridging the gap between passionate soccer fans and the professional soccer players they support week in, week out.
Whether you’re a lifelong soccer or a football fan eager to get to know the players you cheer for, a lover of behind the scenes stories in professional sports, or just someone who loves soccer in the US at all levels from college to the pro’s, The Back Stick is the show for you!
Expect unfiltered conversations, pro soccer insights that you won’t hear anywhere else, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Mark your calendars—our debut episode drops this Tuesday, December 10th! Be the first to find out who our debut guest will be.
Watch and listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow us @TheBackStickPod on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook, and more to stay updated.

Hit subscribe now and join us on this journey. Cheers, and we’ll see you Tuesday!
Song: Baddest Alive

Music by: CreatorMix.com

Video: https://youtu.be/czkF07Eihok

Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBackStickPod

For more of The Back Stick Podcast! - linktr.ee/thebackstickpod@TheBackStickPod - ALL SOCIALS SO FOLLOW NOW!!!

Send us a text

Sporting KC & MLS young standout Cameron Duke joins Jamil and Dom in the Back Stick studio this week. We dig deeper into Cam's journey from the academy at SKC to his MLS first team debut, and being a kid from Kansas becoming Sporting KC’s 11th homegrown player. We delve into his experience as a USA Youth International, and his new experience living in Charlotte, playing in MLSNext Pro and the impact it will have on US soccer. Cam shares insights about his MLS debut, scoring his first MLS goal, and the importance of the early mentorship from veteran players at SKC, players such as Johnny Russell, Roger Espinoza, Graham Zusi & more. As always, Cam goes through ‘Extra Time’, where Cam answers light-hearted questions about his career and teammates.

00:00 Intro & Career Summary

02:05 MLS Next Pro & Its Impact on Player Development

04:48 The Dynamics of Being a Second Team Player

06:05 Adjusting to Life in a New City: Charlotte

07:37 Independence and Personal Growth Away from Home

10:32 Navigating Relationships with Teammates

13:02 Growing Up in a Soccer Family

17:29 US Youth International Call-Ups

23:03 Signing with Sporting Kansas City: A Dream Realized

25:00 MLS Debut Nerves

28:06 The Fast-Paced MLS Game

28:57 Sebastian Blanco Nightmares?!

32:17 First MLS Goal vs Seattle

34:22 SKC Veterans & Johnny Russell Influence

37:03 Extra Time

Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBackStickPod

For more of The Back Stick Podcast! - linktr.ee/thebackstickpod@TheBackStickPod - ALL SOCIALS SO FOLLOW NOW!!!

Send us a text

In this episode of the Back Stick Podcast, Dom and Jamil delve into the current state of the Premier League's Big Six teams. They discuss Liverpool's dominance, Manchester City's struggles following Rodri's injury, and the ongoing issues at Manchester United. The conversation shifts to Arsenal's need for a game-winner, Chelsea's rise with Cole Palmer, and the persistent challenges faced by Tottenham Hotspur. The hosts provide insights and opinions on each team's performance, management, and future prospects, creating a comprehensive overview of the Premier League landscape.

00:00 The Rise of Liverpool

06:46 The Struggles of Manchester City

13:21 Is Haaland a World Class 'Footballer'?

15:53 The Current State of Manchester United

26:13 Arsenal: What More Do They Need To Win The Prem?

34:26 Arsenal's Corners

37:11 Chelsea On The Rise

44:42 Tottenham's Persistent Struggles

Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBackStickPod

For more of The Back Stick Podcast! - linktr.ee/thebackstickpod@TheBackStickPod - ALL SOCIALS SO FOLLOW NOW!!!

Send us a text

Kayden Pierre, Genks young flying American full back joins Jamil Roberts and Dom Okus in the studio this week! They discuss KP's transition from the MLS with Sporting Kansas City to European football, his Jamaican heritage, and the influences that shaped his career. KP shares insights about the differences between MLS and the Belgian Pro League, the impact of the European fans on the game of soccer, compared to that of the MLS. And also his lofty aspirations for the future, including the possibility of playing in the World Cup for the United States. While diving into KP’s career, we take a look at not just the highs, but some lows too, including his first team debut for Sporting Kansas City... Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:40 Genk: A New Start In Belgium

03:13 New Chapter

03:45 Influences and Heritage

07:25 Wayne Rooney & Changing Positions

10:03 Jam & KP Link Up

10:52 Transition to First Team at Sporting Kansas City

14:28 Debut to Forget...

18:40 Should Footballers be more real?

21:10 Growth and Development as a Player

25:11 The Next Big Thing: Konstantinos Karetsas

27:13 Differences Between MLS and Belgian Pro League

30:25 The Unique Belgian League Structure

33:45 Fan Culture: A Comparison of MLS and Belgian Football

35:55 Why Genk & Not Stay in the MLS?

37:37 First Team, USMNT & World Cup Aspirations

41:03 Extra Time:

43:15 Lionel Messi

50:29 Closing Thoughts with KP

Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBackStickPod

For more of The Back Stick Podcast! - linktr.ee/thebackstickpod@TheBackStickPod - ALL SOCIALS SO FOLLOW NOW!!!

Send us a text

Christian Chaney joins Jamil & Dom in the Back Stick studio this week. The striker has had quite the career spanning across various clubs in the USL Championship and USL League One. The conversation covers Chaney's reflections on his playing style, and the importance of mentorship from legendary players. We discuss the dynamics of coaching and how management styles can impact player performance. Chaney shares personal stories about playing in his hometown with Fresno Fuego, memorable matches, and his biggest achievements on the pitch, including a heartfelt moment with his family he will never forget. And as always, we round off by taking Christian Chaney through extra time on the Back Stick Podcast.

00:00 Intro & DC Nights Out

03:17 Didier Drogba & Carlton Cole Influences

09:02 Grounding & Mentoring Young Players

11:40 Managing Big Personalities in a Locker Room

14:49 Navigating Managerial Relationships

18:58 CV Fuego: Returning to Hometown Club

24:18 Villyan Bijev Destroyed Jam at Tormenta

27:13 Fuego 2022 Fallout

34:44 Building Confidence Through Adversity

37:21 Is Chaney Misunderstood?

40:29 Chaney vs Jam Funny Story

43:47 Extra Time:

49:07 Nights Out With Chaney

52:56 Proudest Moments for Chaney

Subscribe - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBackStickPod

For more of The Back Stick Podcast! - linktr.ee/thebackstickpod@TheBackStickPod - ALL SOCIALS SO FOLLOW NOW!!!