Welcome to Heart of the Game, brought to you by SciSports, the podcast that takes you deep inside the world of football.
Here, we celebrate the people who make the game truly special. Because sometimes, the greatest stories don’t come from those in the spotlight. They come from the coaches, the analysts, the scouts, the dreamers, the unsung heroes who shape the sport we love.
One thing’s for sure: if they’re here, they’re at the Heart of the Game.
The Next Revolution in Soccer Isn’t Tactics… It’s Data | Dr. Colin Barnes
In the Season One finale of the Heart of the Game Podcast, host Brian McDonough is joined by Dr. Colin Barnes, Associate Head Coach of the UNC Wilmington women’s soccer team and a U.S. Soccer course educator, for a deep dive into football science, performance analysis, and the future of data in the game. Dr. Barnes shares his journey from growing up in Alabama with strong English football roots to playing collegiately at UNC Asheville and professionally with the Wilmington Hammerheads, before...
15 Dec 2025
The Next US Soccer Powerhouse? Inside GFI Academy with Gareth Glick
In Episode 4 of Heart of the Game, we go on location to Global Football Innovation Academy in The Woodlands, Texas for an in person conversation with Academy Director Gareth Glick. Gareth shares his journey from growing up in Leeds, England to moving to the United States as a teenager, and reflects on the growth of American soccer since the 1994 World Cup. We discuss why Houston is an overlooked football hotbed and what the 2026 World Cup could mean for the city and its communities. He takes ...
19 Nov 2025
The Goalkeeper Who Crossed Continents: Mike Salmon’s Untold Story
In this 3rd episode of Heart of the Game, Mike Salmon walks us through a remarkable life in goal, from making his professional debut at just 17 in England to battling every weekend in the top division with Charlton Athletic. He opens up about the highs, lows, and turning points of a career that included hundreds of professional appearances, and how an injury-enforced retirement pushed him into a new chapter as Arsenal’s goalkeepers coach. (You won’t believe what he has to say about Arsenal Fo...
In Episode 2 of Heart of the Game, we’re joined by Radojica Ristic, Director at HTX West. We trace his professional path from playing in Serbia and Hungary to coaching in the U.S., and unpack what truly drives youth development; technical foundations, curiosity-driven environments, and balancing results with long-term growth. Radojica shares practical insights on club culture, coach education, and player pathways, offering actionable takeaways for coaches, parents, and players a...
9 Oct 2025
Winning Starts Within: Mindset, Culture & Growth with Jack Rozier
In our very first episode of the Heart of the Game podcast, we're joined by Jack Rozier, the Operations Director at California Magic Soccer Club. Together, we explore the journey of self-improvement and personal growth in soccer, covering the power of motivation, the importance of mindset, and how to stay focused on your goals. Whether you're a player, coach, or fan, these insights can help elevate your own journey in the game. If you're interested in hearing more from the Heart of the...
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