Not only known for being quick on the field (seriously, he was recently clocked running a speed that would make him the fastest player in Bundesliga history), the Round Rock native recently signed with Hannover 96 in the German league's second division. The Round Rock native sits down with Chris Bils to talk about the future, his journey with soccer (so far) and how he has continued training during the pandemic.

Austin's Soccer Pod

INTERVIEW: McKinze Gaines talks about signing with German Club Hannover 96.

When looking for a right-hand man to be an assistant coach for Austin FC, Josh Wolff turned to his former Kansas City Wizards teammate Davy Arnaud. Which begs the question: Why isn't Jimmy Conrad on the staff. We asked him that and gained insight on what a Wolff, Arnaud partnership looks like up close. MUSIC — "Molly" by Midcentury: http://www.midcenturyband.com/

INTERVIEW — Jimmy Conrad on Davy Arnaud, Josh Wolff teaming up without him

Austin FC finally has a player! Rodney Redes is a 20-year-old winger from Club Guaraní in Paraguay. To find out more about him, we called up Paraguayan-American soccer journalist Roberto Rojas. He talks about Redes' rise from humble beginnings, the role he thinks Redes will play for an MLS expansion team, and why so many young Paraguayans are making their way to the United States. Follow Roberto Rojas on Twitter — @RobertoRojas97 Read more about Rodney Redes — https://www.statesman.com/sports/20200706/austin-fc-signs-paraguayan-rodney-redes-as-franchisersquos-first-player

INTERVIEW - Roberto Rojas talks Rodney Redes, Austin FC's first player

Have you ever been playing a game of pickup, whether it's indoor or outdoor and notice that one person who is like, REALLY good? Have you ever wanted to ask about why they're not playing in a pro league? Or know more about thier story? Well, Michelle Sanchez approached Jacob Powell, who she noticed was an outstanding talent and interviewed him over the phone. Find out his story, and connections to Austin's soccer community.

Jacob Powell

This week, Chris Bils speaks with Christian Lavers, the President of the Elite Clubs National League, Christian Lavers about U.S. Soccer's decision to shut down the Development Academy.

Christian Lavers - President of the Elite Clubs National League

We put together this episode spearately to follow along with #socialdistancing. This week, Michelle talked with Bethany Cyrtmus who was playing in the third highest division team CFF Maritim in Spain. Hear her story about leaving the country in the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic, and its impact on soccer in Spain.

Coronavirus' impact on the soccer world - Bethany Cyrtmus

This week, we sit down with Roberto Silva, the General Manager of Austin Bold FC. We highlight the USL team's inaugural season, preview the upcoming season, run down his career so far and even talk about some of his personal life. We also talk about the upcoming game between two Liga MX teams that will be held at COTA between Monterrey and Pachuca on March 28. Also hear our take on the jersey sponsorship between Austin FC and YETI, and hear our guesses for a possible future stadium sponsorship.

Roberto Silva - Austin Bold FC General Manager

On this week's episode, Chris speaks to Khiry Shelton, who plays for the MLS team, Sporting KC. We talk about his journey with the game and how he got to where he is today, his time in Germany and his local tie! He went to Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park (Leander ISD). We also talk about how Austin FC's stadium construction is looking, and talk about some recent hires they made.

Khiry Shelton - Forward, Sporting Kansas City

This week, we sit down with Senior Writer for Sports Illustrated, Grant Wahl. You may know him from Twitter and all of his work, but we specifically chat with him on the story behind breaking the news of Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez getting signed by LA Galaxy. He also has a book out! It's called, "Masters of Modern Soccer: How the World's Best Play the Twenty-First-Century Game". You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Masters-Modern-Soccer-Worlds-Twenty-First-Century/dp/0307408612/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Sports Illustrated Senior Writer - Grant Wahl

Michelle Sanchez sat down with FutMexNation's Amelia Lopez to talk about her career and perspective on all things soccer. They also touch on their perspective regarding access to watching LigaMX and LigaMX Feminil.

Amelia Lopez - writer for FutMexNation

This week we sit down with Phil West - whose been writing about soccer since the test of time (MLS, Daily Dot, prosoccerusa.com, to name a few). He's also a professor at UTSA and a published author! You can find his books, "I Believe That We Will Win: The Path to a U.S. Men's World Cup Victory" and "The United States of Soccer: Major League Soccer and the Rise of American Fandom" by clicking here: https://www.amazon.com/Believe-That-We-Will-Win/dp/1468315196 and here: https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Soccer-American-Fandom/dp/1468315544/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+united+states+of+soccer&qid=1577122667&s=books&sr=1-1

Phil West - longtime soccer writer, author and Austinite.

We talk about a whole lot this episode: the announcement of Austin FC's new training facility, eMLS coming SXSW and of course, Claudio Reyna named Austin FC's new and first ever Sporting Director. We also sit down with Austin FC's Vice President of public relations and broadcast. Listen to his story of coming to the states, his experience with Manchester United and a little "breaking news" of his own in his personal life.

Tom Webb - Austin FC's VP of Public Relations and Broadcast

In the middle of the hectic Premier League Mornings Live fan fest weekend, Chris sat down with NBC Sports analyst Kyle Martino to talk about the work he's done off camera, creating more places to play soccer in urban areas. The interview tied nicely with some news last week about one new soccer facility in East Austin and some older ones that are getting updates, with help from Austin FC. The whole crew is back to talk about our own experiences with pick-up soccer growing up and some final thoughts on the inaugural Austin Bold season. Over Under Initiative: https://overunderinitiative.com/ The Goalpher in action: https://vimeo.com/313925973

NBC Sports analyst Kyle Martino, founder of Over Under Initiative

Yael Averbuch, the executive director of the NWSL Players Association and founder of Techne Futbol, talks with Michelle in this week's episode. They discuss Averbuch's playing career in the NWSL and her diagnosis that led her to retire, her leadership of the NWSL Players Association, the future of the women's league and how she founded Techne Futbol, a soccer training app, to provide weekly futbol drills rooted in the fundamentals. For more info: https://www.technefutbol.com Michelle, Chris and Luis also discuss the Bold's dramatic playoff match in Phoenix that ended in penalties, and they shared their thoughts on the inaugural season, NBC Sports Premier League Mornings Live Fan Fest weekend stories, and the MLS Cup playoffs!

Yael Averbuch - Executive Director of NWSL Players Association & Founder of Techne Futbol

We're covering a lot of ground this week as we shift to putting out a show every 2 weeks. With Michelle out, Chris and Luis start the first segment by talking about the tragic death of Austin Bold forward Promise Isaac. then break down the Bold's 1-1 draw at El Paso Locomotive FC (5:55). Our interview (19:35) is with Kris Tyrpak, the Austin Bold forward and Dripping Springs native who's made his homecoming in 2019 with eight goals and counting. Our last segment (48:35) is all about MLS. Chris and Luis take a look at the MLS allocation list — one of the ways Austin FC could acquire players between now and 2021: https://www.mlssoccer.com/allocation. Then we share our picks for the MLS Cup Playoffs (1:00:30). Which opening-round matches are ripe for upset? Who are we taking to win it all? Listen to our picks and then make your own by joining our Bracket Challenge group: https://bracket.mlssoccer.com/#league/standings/1768?code=FJ7EAE6Z Music by Midcentury: http://www.midcenturyband.com/

Austin Bold Forward Kris Tyrpak & MLS Cup Playoffs Preview

Co-hosts Chris Bils, Michelle Sanchez and Luis de Leon discuss Austin FC, Austin Bold FC, the Texas Longhorns and more. Featuring interviews with influential people at every level of soccer in Central Texas.

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Austin's Soccer Pod

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