Play By Players: Recent Episodes
MLSPA
A podcast straight from the players. Former Major League Soccer player Bobby Boswell talks one on one with MLS players past and present about life on and off the field.
Play By Players brings Sporting KC defensive midfielder Uri Rosell, to the podcast this week! Uri and Bobby talk about the influence of his childhood in Catalonia, adapting to the different culture in MLS and finding your role in the soccer world.
Born and raised in a small province in Spain, Puig-Reig, Catalonia, Rosell grew up playing soccer in school and realized his love for the game early on. As Bobby shifts the conversation in and out of MLS, listeners will learn how Rosell’s culture, childhood, and experiences have led him to versatility and prosperity as a player. Off the field, Rosell spends time running camps back home in Catalonia for young aspiring players. Additionally, he was recently elected as the first international player on the MLSPA Executive Board, marking a substantial milestone for the MLSPA.
This week, Bobby and Play By Players bring Orlando City SC and Canada Men’s National Team forward Tesho Akindele to the podcast. Akindele boasts over 280 games played throughout his Major League Soccer career, 19 Canadian International Team representations, and two Open Cup championships. Listen in to hear more as Tesho sheds light on his life off the field, including the importance of education, exploring other interests as a professional athlete, and athletes using their voice for greater change.
Akindele grew up in Canada and then moved to Colorado where he spent most of his adolescent years. Brought up with a large family influence, his father guided him to find his passion for soccer while both his parents taught him to maintain discipline through both his athletic and academic career. With an emphasis on academia, Akindele describes to viewers how pursuing a degree allowed him to mature and build as a player and seek his full potential in the league. This episode, listeners will have the chance to see Akindele’s interests on and off the field including his active real estate investor status and efforts towards providing affordable housing through the “Yes in my back yard” movement.
On this week’s episode, Cristian Roldan of Seattle Sounders FC and the U.S. Men’s National Team talks with Bobby Boswell about the driving forces behind his midfield domination over 250 professional games, two MLS Cup Championships, and MLS All-Star status.
Cristian spent much of his youth in Pico, California learning what it meant to build yourself from the ground up and remain loyal to family, community, and teammates. Playing soccer with his brothers at a young age, Roldan has never been a stranger to competition. While reiterating the importance of fan and community devotion as a professional athlete, viewers get to see how he fulfills his “rinse and repeat” lifestyle and how this translates to his role in the league.
Bobby Boswell sits down with FC Cincinnati’s dynamic forward Brandon Vazquez, to talk about his unique and ‘meteoric rise’ to MLS. Growing up in Chula Vista, California, Vazquez spent many days of his week crossing the border from the U.S. to Mexico where he played for Club Tijuana.
From playing across the country on dirt fields and training long hours every day, Vazquez worked his way up to his leading role on FC Cincinnati with no plans to stop there. Through the lens of Vazquez, listeners will be able to see how perseverance, family, and frustration come into play while navigating the MLS.
Austin FC's Diego Fagúndez joins the latest episode of Play by Players with Bobby Boswell.
Brad Stuver joins Bobby Boswell on the pod this week. Brad, who was recently nominated for the 2022 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, shares his passion for community involvement and giving back.
Bobby is joined by Charlotte native Jaylin Lindsey to hear all about what it's like to play for your hometown club.
Play by Players is back for season two! To kick things off, Bobby is joined by DC United's Steve Birnbaum. The former teammates and old friends cover all of their history together, going all the way back to the RFK days.
*Note: Episode was recorded in June 2022.
Bobby Boswell catches up with former 15-year MLS veteran Justin Mapp on the latest episode of Play by Players. Justin walks Bobby through his career, from going pro at just 17 years old to signing the first free agent deal in MLS history.
Bobby is joined by 17-year MLS veteran Drew Moor on this week's episode. Fresh off his 400th appearance, Drew takes Bobby back to where things began when he was scoring 100 (literally) goals for his high school team. You'll hear about all the major moments; from what it was like to sign as Generation Adidas, to the moment he found out he made the All-Star team just 11 months after tearing his ACL. Plus, you won't want to miss the story of when Drew was a player coach for the week.
Minnesota United defender Chase Gasper joins the podcast this week. In the episode, Bobby gets the scoop on his collegiate career all the way up to his first national team call up. Listen in to get the inside look at where Chase thought he was getting drafted before ending up in Minnesota and what life in MLS has been like so far.
Miguel Berry joins the podcast this week and talks with Bobby about bursting onto the scene with the Columbus Crew this year. Miguel also shares what it was like to move to the U.S. from Spain at a young age, and how he finds strength from a close personal loss.
Portland Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella joins Bobby for a conversation on his journey to the Timbers, and how he became an author and t-shirt maker off the field.
After 16 MLS seasons, Jeff Larentowicz announced that he was hanging up his cleats in 2021. Now, the man notorious for having no social media is back to catch Bobby up on his life after the game. The two-time MLS Cup Champion takes Bobby through his MLS tenure, including the simple things that kept him motivated to play more than 400 games and his time on the MLSPA Executive Board.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner joins Bobby on the latest episode of Play by Players. Listen in to hear about Matt's journey to the league, the funny story of when he got the call from the New England Revolution, and his experience with the USMNT.
Houston Dynamo center back Tim Parker joins Bobby Boswell this week. Tim and Bobby cover his life on and off the field, from starting his pro career in Vancouver to how he ended up on the runway in New York Fashion Week.
Zarek Valentin joins Bobby on the podcast this week. The pair cover everything from his experience growing up in Lancaster, PA to all of the best "only in MLS" stories from his career.
Play by Players is back this week with Diego Rubio joining Bobby Boswell. Listen in as the guys discuss Diego's family of soccer players, his time in Europe and the decision to make the move to MLS.
Bobby's former DC United teammate Andrew Dykstra joins him on the podcast this week. The pair dive into Andrew's journey through MLS and the USL, and how he's staying involved in the game today.
Play by Players is back this week as Bobby is joined by Black Players for Change (BPC) Executive Board Member Jeremy Ebobisse. Jeremy provides perspective on the Timbers' time in the bubble and the creation of BPC. Plus, find out why he is still getting made fun of for his goal celebrations.
On this week's episode of Play by Players, Bobby is joined by his friend and former teammate Alecko Eskandarian. The duo cover why Alecko's high school had to limit him to five goals a game, his Armenian-Iranian heritage and how he's raising awareness for the invisible injury. Plus, you won't want to miss the stories these guys have about being roommates on the road.
Follow Alecko on social media to learn more about his mission to donate to Armenian families.
There's no shortage of laughs this week as MLS veteran Jalil Anibaba joins Bobby Boswell on the podcast. Bobby and Jalil cover everything from the grainy footage of his first goal, to the 100+ pairs of shoes he has in his closet. Plus, the pair discuss Jalil's important work on the board of Black Players for Change.
Bobby Boswell catches up with Mikey Ambrose on the latest episode of Play by Players. Bobby and Mikey chat about Mikey's decision to leave home at 14 to pursue soccer, the path his career has taken in MLS and how he keeps his signature positive mindset.
Orlando City SC's Chris Mueller joins Bobby on Play by Players this week ahead of the start of the 2020 MLS playoffs. Chris shares his journey to the pros, including the book that lead him to have a crucial mindset change. The Orlando leading scorer also shares his passion for his club, as well as how his passion for reading off the field inspired him to start his Be The Best bookclub.
This week on Play by Players Bobby is joined by his old friend, and teammate, Chris Rolfe. Chris and Bobby take a trip down memory lane and look back on Chris' playing career, the time they spent on the field together and what Chris is up to now.
Since entering the league in 2010, Justin Morrow has always had a passion for using his platform as an athlete for good. In June, Justin and more than 70 MLS players organized to create Black Players for Change. Since then, he has stepped into a leadership role and now serves as their Executive Director. Justin joined Play by Players to share his journey in MLS, how he balances his on and off field responsibilities and why we all need to do our part in making sure the conversations around race and equality continue past this year.
Now in his 10th MLS season, Will Bruin stops by to chat with Bobby Boswell about making his return from an injury in the middle of a very unique season. The former teammates also cover Will's time in Houston and what it's like to play against your old club. Plus, Will makes a prediction about when he'll score again that (spoiler alert) already came true.
Two-time MLS Cup Champion Tony Sanneh joins Bobby Boswell on the podcast to discuss his decorated MLS career and his dedication to giving back. In 2003, Tony started the Sanneh Foundation with the mission of empowering kids, improving lives and uniting communities in Minnesota.
Harry Shipp joins the podcast this week to talk about his recent decision to hang up his cleats, his time with the PA and what comes next in his life off the field.
Philadelphia Union Homegrown Mark McKenzie hops on Zoom with Bobby in the latest episode of Play by Players and earns the title of youngest podcast guest to date! Bobby chats with Mark about his path from college to MLS, his time with the USMNT and his dancing skills.
On the latest episode of Play by Players, Bobby chats with former teammate Julian Gressel. Fresh off a trade to DC United, the midfielder joins Bobby on Zoom to talk about his transition to a new city and team and fill us in on what he's been up to off the field during the suspension of play.
On another Zoom edition of Play by Players, Bobby is joined by former MLS player Steven Lenhart. Lenhart, who is better known for being one half of the infamous "Bash Brothers," talks all things life after soccer and the journey his career took him on.
Walker Zimmerman, or "big beautiful man" as Bobby likes to call him, joins us for Play by Players this week. Walker chats with Bobby about the journey his career has taken him on so far, including how he found out about the trade to Nashville just as he was settling in to watch The Bachelor.
Bobby Boswell is joined by Tommy Thompson via Zoom this week as the two practice responsible social distancing. Tommy lets us know more about how he was inspired to start his skills challenge to bring joy to kids during the COVID-19 emergency and why it's so important to be more than "just a soccer player."
Bobby talks to Nick Rimando about his many years in the MLS. They discuss breaking things around the house, acting as a role model off the field, the strange relationships between keepers, proving doubters wrong, entrepreneurship and a legacy written in beer names.
"You were never a guy that I wanted to punch." In the latest episode of Play by Players, Bobby Boswell is joined by Jimmy Conrad. The guys cover a wide variety of topics from Conrad's MLS tenure, including how not being drafted was a blessing in disguise, several of his former teammates and the ups and downs of his soccer career.
Sam Cronin and Bobby discuss a long career in MLS including the impact of former teammates, the experience of being traded, starring in early promo videos with Wondo, getting under David Beckham's skin and a brief career kicking field goals. Sam also opens up about the end of his career and the impact of concussions, noting both the improvements in medical understanding and the lingering stigma.
As a former Executive Board member, Sam shares his thoughts on working in the PA and his hopes for the future of the league.
This Episode was recorded in early November 2019.
Bobby chats with Dax McCarty about the importance of the Emirates Cup, the virtues of Florida, early MLS mayhem, playing with Thierry Henry, staying on the right side of the trash talk line and representing the US at the Olympics.
Bobby talks to Michael Parkhurst about his long and storied professional career. Parkhurst discusses his experience as a rookie in New England, the cast of characters he has called teammates, embracing leadership and his experience in the UEFA Champions League.
Bobby Boswell talks to Chris Wondolowski about the MLS experience on and off the field. In a wide ranging discussion Chris talks about record goal scoring, dangerous celebrations, Native American heritage and surviving the early years of MLS. This conversation originally took place at the end of September 2019.
A teaser for the MLSPA's upcoming podcast series hosted by former player Bobby Boswell.