Soccer's ascent in America has been remarkable – once considered a foreign oddity, it now captivates millions across the country. This Stoppage Time edition of the Pitch to Pro podcast explores this transformation through the eyes of passionate supporters who've witnessed the sport's incredible growth firsthand.

We dive deep into what makes supporting a national team different from club allegiance. While club soccer may showcase superior technical skills due to players training together year-round, there's something uniquely powerful about watching professionals return to represent their homeland. As Al Schaefer puts it, "It's fun to have pride for something that matters to you."

American soccer fans experience a fascinating duality: cheering for the globally dominant Women's National Team while embracing the underdog journey of the Men's squad. This contrast creates a rich emotional landscape where supporters can experience both the thrill of expected success and the nail-biting tension of potential upset victories. Recent challenges, like the Men's 5-1 loss to Colombia despite fielding players from the world's top leagues, highlight the ongoing evolution of US Soccer's standing on the international stage.

The conversation also explores how national team coaches face fundamentally different challenges than their club counterparts. While club managers can buy and sell players to fit their preferred style, international managers must adapt their approach to the citizenship-limited talent pool available to them – a constraint that creates unique strategic considerations.

Curious about the growing soccer culture in America? Watch the full episode to hear more perspectives on how this once-niche sport has become a defining part of our national sporting identity. New episodes of the Pitch to Pro podcast, the official podcast of Ozark United FC, release every Thursday on YouTube, Instagram, and all major podcast platforms.