Play Free FC

Freddy Cavin
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Soccer
  • Updated Weekly

In this short introduction, I share the idea behind Play Free FC which is a podcast rooted in a lifetime around the game and built to explore the full ecosystem of soccer. From youth clubs to the professional stage, from coaches and executives to performance staff working behind the scenes, this is a 360-degree look at the sport and the people who shape it. This is the foundation for what’s to come.

  1. May 18

    Soccer Is the Great Connector | VE, Philly Soccer Culture & Why the Game Never Leaves You

    This episode is a little different. Freddy heads home to the Philadelphia area to "play" with VE in an Over 50 regional semifinal against Christos SC, but what unfolds becomes way bigger than the game itself. From legendary Philly soccer stories and reconnecting with old teammates, to beers in the Ratskeller and conversations about aging, identity, and community, this episode dives into why soccer stays with us forever. Inspired by recent conversations with Jimmy Connor, Dave Jones, Barry McCarthy, and Mark Franek’s idea that soccer is “the great connector,” Freddy reflects on club culture, the soul of the game, and why places like VE remain the heartbeat of American soccer. Featuring candid conversations with players around the club, including VE Director of Coaching Rob Oldfield, and an old friend and teammate: Jeremy Philo (plus a few others) this episode is about friendship, belonging, old stories, brutal heat, missed chances, penalty kicks, and the people who keep showing up because they simply love the game. Link to all things VE: https://veclub.org/catering/ Also, want to shout out Paul Zgalich. He funded and sponsored the uniforms. Paid the ref fees and picked up the tab at the Ratskeller. Scored the goal of his life as well. Please check out his company: https://www.rate.com/loan-officers/paul-zgalich-156843 Additionally, yuge thanks to the Friends of Freddy: Philly Soft Pretzel Factory Langhornehttps://phillypretzelfactory.com/location/langhorne/ Hill & Sea Co.https://hillandsea.com/ American Soccer Nation by Mark Franekhttps://www.simonandschuster.com/books/American-Soccer-Nation/Mark-C-Franek/9781668034837 Save Sight Nowhttps://savesightnoweurope.org/ Brendan Sullivan and XtraTime215 Camphttps://xtratime215.com/ Reduce Everydayhttps://reduceeveryday.com/ Play Free FC.Real conversations with the people who shape the game.

    18 min

  2. May 11

    Chasing the Game | USA Over 40s Head to Senior World Cup

    A group of former high-level American players, all over 40, are heading to Thailand to represent the United States at the Over 40 World Cup… and somehow, almost nobody knows this exists. In this episode, Freddy sits down with U.S. Over 40 Men’s National Team head coach David Jones to talk about building the program from scratch, competing against countries with professional over-40 systems, the brutal World Cup draw featuring England and Iran, and the passion driving this entire movement forward. This conversation goes way beyond soccer. It’s about culture, sacrifice, brotherhood, and proving the game never really leaves you. Check out their site here: https://www.usmsnt.com/ Big thanks to our supporters: Philly Soft Pretzel Factory Hill & Sea Co. American Soccer Nation Save Sight Now XtraTime 215 Reduce

    54 min

  3. May 6

    Part 3: American Soccer Nation with Mark C. Franek

    And here we are… part 3 and the final chapter of this conversation with Mark C. Franek, author of American Soccer Nation. Mark’s new book, American Soccer Nation, published by Simon & Schuster with forwards from Tim Howard and Cavan Sullivan, dives deep into the overlooked story of how soccer truly took root in the United States. What started as “let’s do a podcast episode” quickly turned into a full series because there was just too much to leave on the cutting room floor. Across these conversations, we talked about the roots of soccer in America, the immigrant communities that carried the game forward, the early clubs and rivalries, and how this sport has always been part of the fabric of this country… even when people tried to say otherwise. In this final episode, we bring it all together and talk about where the game goes from here. The past. The present. And why understanding the history of soccer in America matters as the sport continues to explode heading into the 2026 World Cup. Huge thanks to Mark for the time, the stories, and the incredible work behind American Soccer Nation, available now through Simon & Schuster. And as Mark says… we’re all connected. Especially through this game. Buy American Soccer Nation here: ⁠⁠https://a.co/d/047Thljx⁠⁠ ------------------------------------- Support the folks that support us!!! Check out Hill & Sea Co. for great gear from mountain to the ocean: ⁠⁠https://hillandseaco.com/⁠⁠ And Philly Soft Pretzel Factory - Langhorne, PA… stop in, tell ‘em Freddy C. sent you and get a free pretzel. Usher syndrome type 1B. This is a rare genetic condition that causes children to be born deaf or hard of hearing, followed by progressive vision loss over time. It’s something no family should have to face alone. This World Cup VIP auction helps fund research through Save Sight Now to push toward treatments and a cure. If you’re able, take a look or share: ⁠⁠https://givebutter.com/c/world-cup-vip-auction/auction/items/1896751?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio⁠

    58 min

  4. May 6

    Part 2: American Soccer Nation with Mark C. Franek

    Welcome back to part 2 of our conversation with Mark Franek, author of American Soccer Nation. If you caught part 1, you already know… this conversation could have gone on for hours. And, if you listened in full to the first release, then you can skip right on to part 3 (we cut the original episode 1 in half for a better experience...hey...I'm learning). In this episode, we keep digging into the real roots of soccer in America. Long before MLS. Long before the NASL. This game was already woven into immigrant communities, factory towns, college campuses, and cities all across the country. Different versions. Different rules. But always here. Mark’s new book, American Soccer Nation, published by Simon & Schuster with forwards from Tim Howard and Cavan Sullivan, dives deep into the overlooked story of how soccer truly took root in the United States. Former Duke player. Lifelong student of the game. Teacher turned lawyer turned educator again at YSC Academy… Mark brings a perspective that’s thoughtful, detailed, and honestly fascinating if you love the history and culture of this sport. If you love soccer and love learning how we got here… then you will dig this! Part 3 coming soon. Buy American Soccer Nation here: ⁠https://a.co/d/047Thljx⁠ ------------------------------------- Support the folks that support us!!! Check out Hill & Sea Co. for great gear from mountain to the ocean: ⁠https://hillandseaco.com/⁠And Philly Soft Pretzel Factory - Langhorne, PA… stop in, tell ‘em Freddy C. sent you and get a free pretzel. Usher syndrome type 1B. This is a rare genetic condition that causes children to be born deaf or hard of hearing, followed by progressive vision loss over time. It’s something no family should have to face alone. This World Cup VIP auction helps fund research through Save Sight Now to push toward treatments and a cure. If you’re able, take a look or share: ⁠https://givebutter.com/c/world-cup-vip-auction/auction/items/1896751?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

    1 hr

  5. Apr 28

    Part 1: American Soccer Nation with Mark C. Franek

    One of my favorite conversations I’ve had… easily. This is Part 1 with Mark C. Franek, a Philadelphia Union Academy (YSC) educator, teacher, and historian, and we barely scratched the surface. This will be at least a 2 part series… maybe 3. Mark just launched his book, American Soccer Nation which was published by Simon and Schuster with forwards written by Cavan Sullivan and Tim Howard. Its a deep dive into the real story of soccer in America. Not the “it just showed up” version. It’s been here for over 150 years. College campuses. Immigrant communities. Different rules, different versions… but always there. Played at Duke. Lifelong student of the game. Teacher to lawyer… then back to the classroom, now helping shape the next generation at YSC while documenting the history of how this game took root in the U.S. If you love history. And you love soccer. Sit back and enjoy. Part 2 coming soon! Buy American Soccer Nation here: https://a.co/d/047Thljx ------------------------------------- Support the folks that support us!!! Check out Hill & Sea Co. for great gear from mountain to the ocean: https://hillandseaco.com/ And Philly Soft Pretzel Factory - Langhorne, PA… stop in, tell ‘em Freddy C. sent you and get a free pretzel. Usher syndrome type 1B. This is a rare genetic condition that causes children to be born deaf or hard of hearing, followed by progressive vision loss over time. It’s something no family should have to face alone. This World Cup VIP auction helps fund research through Save Sight Now to push toward treatments and a cure. If you’re able, take a look or share: https://givebutter.com/c/world-cup-vip-auction/auction/items/1896751?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

    49 min

  6. Apr 13

    For The Love Of The Game | Jimmy Connor | USA Men's Sr. National Team

    Imagine chasing a dream at 50 + years old…in a sport… and still competing at the highest level. I sat down with Jimmy Connor… Vineland guy, longtime teammate, and someone who never let go of the game. At 50, he’s representing the United States on the Senior Men’s National Team… heading to Thailand to compete on the world stage. It’s not about recognition. It’s about the love of the game. We talk about the journey… how he found this opportunity… what it takes to get your body and mind back… and what keeps that fire burning when most people have moved on. Because the truth is…some people never stop playing. They just keep finding new ways to compete. Regardless of whether you ever played. It applies to anyone continuing to chase something they love... Let’s go. ⚽️🔥 --------- Support Jimmy here: https://gofund.me/4c525a04b Hill & Sea: https://hillandseaco.com/ American Soccer Nation: https://a.co/d/09kFCkXT Andrew Craig banger at Dallas Cup: https://www.tiktok.com/@philaunion/video/7624208669659483406

    43 min

  7. Apr 7

    The Club is the Culture | Barry McCarthy on Templeogue United & Community-First Football

    This one’s real. Most of our convos live here in the U.S… how we develop players, how the system works. But a big part of Play Free FC is getting outside of that. So today, we head to Dublin. I’m joined by Barry McCarthy from Templeogue United… a club built on more than soccer. This is about culture, community, and how people show up for each other. We get into: What a true community club actually feels likeInclusion at every levelBalancing elite development with everyday playersIreland’s pathway (and where it’s challenged)What we in the U.S. might be missingIf you care about the game beyond the scoreboard… this one hits. Shoutouts: Philly Soft Pretzel Factory (Langhorne, PA) Hill & Sea Co.: "PlayFC20 for 20% off!!! https://hillandseaco.com/ American Soccer Nation by Mark Franek: https://www.amazon.com/American-Soccer-Nation-Remarkable-150-Year-ebook/dp/B0FNDKTYDW

    51 min

  8. Mar 31

    Inside College Soccer Today | Nate Lie (Kansas University Women's Head Coach)

    I’m joined by the Big 12's (a Power 4 Conference) Kansas University women’s head coach Nate Lie… former teammate of mine at Miami of Ohio, great human and someone who’s built his way up the hard way. But this episode really pulls back the curtain on what college soccer looks like right now. The game has changed: Roster limits, Transfer portal, Recruiting NIL & ScholarshipsIt is program building at a completely different level and Nate is right in the middle of it. We get into: What it actually takes to build a program todayHow recruiting has completely shiftedWhat players and parents still don’t understandAnd what “learning how to win” really means in this new eraIf you’re trying to understand where the game is going… especially from a top college coaches perspective…this is it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- As always, stop by Philly Soft Pretzel Factory in Langhorne. Tell 'em I sent you. Please visit https://hillandseaco.com/ for some fresh gear! Pre-Purchase: American Soccer Nation by Mark Franek. Find it here on amazon: https://a.co/d/0fqo1dVi

    41 min
See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

In this short introduction, I share the idea behind Play Free FC which is a podcast rooted in a lifetime around the game and built to explore the full ecosystem of soccer. From youth clubs to the professional stage, from coaches and executives to performance staff working behind the scenes, this is a 360-degree look at the sport and the people who shape it. This is the foundation for what’s to come.

Information

  • Creator
    Freddy Cavin
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Freddy Cavin
  • Show Website
    Play Free FC

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