On the Field by Platform Sports is your ultimate guide to navigating the college sports recruitment journey. Designed to empower athletes and their families, this podcast delivers everything you need to succeed—one episode at a time. From breaking down sport-specific strategies to addressing student athlete's biggest concerns, On the Field brings together industry experts, athletes, and firsthand stories to provide actionable insights, answer key questions, and uncover life-changing opportunities. Tune in and take the next step towards your college sports dreams!
Ben Sippola, Head Coach of Auckland United and Former MLS Player, on Why Character Beats Talent Every Time
What does it actually take to maximise your potential as a young footballer? Ben Sippola has thought about this question for most of his adult life.
A former Division I player at Butler University, MLS draft pick, and professional footballer in Sweden, Ben is now head coach of Auckland United's men's first team and one of the most experienced voices in New Zealand on the U.S. college recruitment pathway. In this episode he shares the three Cs framework every coach uses, the Kyle Adams story that proves character beats competency every time, and honest advice for families thinking about using a recruitment agency.
Ben Sippola
Head Coach, Auckland United FC | Butler University Hall of Fame | Former MLS & Professional Footballer
Ben grew up in Minnesota, earned first team All-American honours at Butler University, and was drafted by the Columbus Crew in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft before playing professionally in Sweden. Back in New Zealand, he led Ole Football Academy for several years, helping hundreds of young athletes navigate the U.S. college pathway. He now serves as head coach of Auckland United's men's first team.
If you’re a student-athlete (or a parent of one) and want to explore similar opportunities through the U.S. college system, let’s talk - https://hubs.li/Q03gK (https://hubs.li/Q03gKhzK0)
17 Aug 2026
Three Years, One Degree, and a Shot at the MLR Draft. What the U.S. College Rugby Pathway Did for Logan Wild.
Logan Wild was a teenager at Massey High School in Auckland when he came across a clip of American college rugby on Instagram. He had no idea what the pathway involved, no frame of reference for what he was walking into, and no guarantee it would work out. Three years later, he graduated from Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland with a degree and a clear answer: he would do it all again.
In this episode, Logan talks through what college rugby actually looks like from the inside. The coaching environment, the facilities, the 4am calls with coaches, the moment his parents drove away from campus and it all became real. And what he thinks young New Zealand rugby players should know before they decide the professional pathway only runs through four teams at home.
Guest Bio:
Logan Wild grew up in Auckland and played First Five for Massey High School before taking one of the less conventional routes available to young New Zealand rugby players. After coming across American college rugby online, he pursued the U.S. college pathway and spent three years at Mount St. Mary's University in Maryland, a Division I programme based 40 minutes from Washington DC.
During his time there, Logan trained under coaches with Super Rugby and MLR backgrounds, competed in one of the stronger college rugby conferences on the East Coast, and graduated with a degree in business marketing and sports management. He returned to Auckland in 2026 with a clearer picture of what the professional pathway could look like, and what it takes to develop as both a player and a person when you leave everything familiar behind.
If you want guidance on your U.S. or UK college pathway, book a free consultation with our team:
https://www.platformsportsmanagement.com/consultation (https://www.platformsportsmanagement.com/consultation)
14 Jul 2026
The Coach on the Other Side of the Desk: What a Division II National Championship Coach Actually Looks for When He Recruits
The Coach on the Other Side of the Desk: What Franklin Pierce's Diego Thielen Looks for in International Recruits
Most content about the U.S. college recruitment process is written from the outside. This one is not.
Diego Thielen is the head coach of Franklin Pierce University's men's soccer programme in Rindge, New Hampshire, a Division II programme that has won back-to-back national championships in 2022 and 2023. He receives around 180 emails in a single week during peak recruitment periods. He has never once offered a scholarship after a single call. And he can tell within the first few interactions whether it is the athlete or the parents running the process.
In our latest podcast episode, Diego breaks down exactly what goes through a coach's mind during recruitment. Why character comes before ability in how he evaluates every single recruit. What a red flag actually looks like from his side of the conversation. Why the best programmes are not looking for the most talented player available, they are looking for the right one. And what a genuine in-season week at a national championship programme demands from a student-athlete, academically and athletically.
If you are a footballer considering the U.S. college pathway, or a parent trying to understand what coaches are actually looking for, this is the conversation that gives you the view from the other side of the desk.
If you want guidance on your U.S. or UK college pathway, book a free consultation with our team:
https://www.platformsportsmanagement.com/consultation
Who has been a guest on Platform Podcast
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Austin Ludwig
Leah Bermudez
Jordan Acevedo
Mackenzie Roach
Josh Tufino
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Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100
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