Rooster and the Villain: An American Soccer Podcast

Interview Series: Jimmy Filerman - A Career as Told in US Open Cup Matches

Eight years ago, a 19 year old Jimmy Filerman had his first experience in the US Open Cup as a player for the South Florida Surf in USL League Two. A team of mostly amateur players in their schools’ offseasons came together to face Miami FC, who at the time was spending big money to put together a competitive roster in the NASL with Manager Alessandro Nesta (of Italian National Team Fame).

The team of kids tied the game in the 76’ before Miami put the go-ahead goal away in the 80’. It was the type of game that makes this tournament so special. It gives young players the opportunity to test themselves against seasoned professionals. It puts David up against Goliath in a winner-take-all one match battle. It gives players that have given their youth to the game an experience they won’t forget. Lastly, it is truly the only open thing that exists in our world of soccer with a closed pyramid.

Jimmy would return back to Old Dominion for two more seasons after that and end his college career in 2019. Despite Covid doing its best to kill off parts of the fragile US Soccer Lower Leagues, he found a home in Detroit City in 2020 and 2021. He was part of those DCFC teams that completely dominated NISA. With Covid putting a pause on the Open Cup due to travel restrictions, there were no opportunities for him to play the tournament while playing for the club. But 2021 would take Filerman down to Greenville Triumph for his first experience playing in the professional ranks of USL.

It was here that he’d see US Open Cup action for the second time. Greenville triumphed (dad joke) over Oakland Roots for a first round cupset and that set up a home game for them against MLS’ Charlotte FC. The 4,000 person capacity stadium witnessed their 3rd Division squad take Charlotte to extra time where they eventually succumbed 2-1.

“They subbed in guys like Christian Fuchs” says Jimmy on the pod. “Just being on the field with guys you grew up watching, and those big entities where you know how much money they’re bringing in and how much money has gone into the roster is just different.”

After a broken leg ended his time at Greenville, Jimmy joined up with the Maryland Bobcats in 2023 and was part of a roster that took down the Ocean City Nor’easters on a last second winner before succumbing on the road to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on a cold, wet night along the Monongahela River.

Fast forward to Jimmy in 2025 and a lot has changed. The 19 year old kid that admittedly loved him some College is now a 28 year old man that has had a lasting career in the 3rd and 4th divisions of the US Soccer Pyramid.

A lot has happened in those eight years. Things have come full circle for Jimmy as he returned to the Open Cup as an amateur 8 years after being there with South Florida Surf.

Jimmy linked back up with his DC United Academy running mate, Lucas Mendes, who is the creative force and visionary behind Virginia Dream FC. For those that do not know, the Dream have been quickly building up accommodates as one of the best Amateur sides in the country. The club won the NPSL Mid-Atlantic last year, the Spring and Fall 2024 UPSL Seasons, and the 2024 Virginia Super Soccer League. Then they qualified for the 2025 US Open Cup by beating Alexandria Reds and the Aegean Hawks FC of the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA).

The Dream came into City Stadium with a chip on their shoulders. A squad full of players that had been there before and players that know they should still be there (special shout out to Elijah Amo who absolutely needs a call from a pro side…). After an 8’ minute penalty kick was calmly slotted into the corner by former Bobcat Nicolas Likulia, it was clear Richmond was in for a fight from the pesky amateur side.

After a banger from the Kickers’ James Vaughn drew them equal in the 36’, the Dream held on to head into the locker room at 1-1. After taking some abuse in front of their goal at the end of the first half, the Dream became the aggressors and put home two more goals. One from Suchecki in the 53’ and another from former Bobcat Mike Akinkoye in the 61’. With the lead in hand and the armband on, Jimmy came alive and showed he still has what it takes to compete on this level. Making tackles and shouting instructions. The cupset was on.

When the final whistle blew, it was the Dream marching on to the next round of the 2025 US Open Cup. On Wednesday, April 2nd, the Dream head to Segra Field to take on its next Goliath; the USL Championships’ Loudoun United. While it will be another uphill battle, I wouldn’t count them out.

Interview Series: Ben Chehebar on Building a New Soccer Boot Brand, Eleven Football

My Instagram algorithm led me to one of the more fascinating projects that I’ve seen in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup. Ben Chehebar is working to bring a DC-based, independent cleat (boot!) company to market later this year and is taking his Instagram followers on the journey with him.

Ben’s path into the Soccer industry has been via the scenic route. After a quick stop at Adidas on the West Coast post-University of Michigan back around 2011, he built a successful waste management company (Compology) that developed monitoring software to gauge whether haulers should empty full dumpsters or whether they could wait until more trash accumulated. When the company sold in October 2022, Ben stayed on with the new company during the transition for a bit and then in December 2023, found himself with time on his hands and a desire to build something different and new.

But he didn’t quite know what to do. That is until a conversation with a friend un-earthered the comment, “you know, Ben, I always thought you’d get into shoes." This planted a seed that is currently taking root and sprouting in Washington, DC.

In January 2024, Eleven Football began. After being out of the industry since his first job out of College, and even then only spending about a year in it, the journey has been filled with navigating choppy seas en route to get the product to market. After finding a kindred spirit in Tom Rushbrook, a designer who has spent time at Puma and Nike, Eleven Football aims to have its first product to market in Fall 2025.

With its first product; Eleven Football will be launching an indoor turf shoe. Ben has been traveling back and forth to a manufacturing facility in China perfecting the design to go from digital design to something you can confidently play in on turf fields.

Interview Series: Baltimore City FC

I recently solicited my Instagram followers for some interviewees and Baltimore City FC responded to the request. BCFC plays in the American Premier Soccer League in America's 4th tier of the pyramid. They are new-ish to the Baltimore soccer scene but have big goals in mind. Nick Siler, the Director of Club Management and Head Coach, Joe Nixon jumped on to talk about their personal soccer history, the club's history, and the goals of the club for the upcoming year. 

Prem Show: The Three Amigos

Well, the fellas are contemplating moving away from premier league "coverage' and into the USL Championship coverage as we all fall down the rabbit hole of lower division soccer in the country. But for now; how about another Prem Show episode? The fellas talk about "Top 5 Underrated", quick hits on Brighton, Spurs, and Villa, and enjoy chatting about soccer. Enjoy. 

Interview Series: Erik Stover - CEO of North Jersey Pro Soccer

Erik has been in and around the beautiful game since his days as the Operations Director for Giants Stadium around year 2000. In that role, he got his first taste of professional soccer through the NY/NJ Metrostars, and the international teams that rolled through that area. Around 2008, he became the Managing Director for Red Bull NY and oversaw the development, opening, and operation of one of the US's best soccer-specific stadiums; Red Bull Arena. In 2012, he moved on to be the CEO in the successful reboot of the New York Cosmos in 2013. He oversaw international tours, championship teams, US Open Cup wins, and more. Around September of 2018, Stover Management and Consulting, LLC started up and Erik was involved in projects from Fox Soccer Academy (of Christian Fuchs fame), to consulting for Bundesliga teams, and something that is near and dear to my heart as a native Northern Jersey guy, the redevelopment of Hinchcliffe Stadium in Paterson, NJ. 

Erik was kind enough to carve out time in his day to jump on this humble production to talk about his journey in soccer and the recently announced "USL to Jersey" campaign. There are so many reasons to be excited about this project, and the announcement of USL's intention to go D1 only adds to it. 

 

Prem Show: Brighton, Spurs and a United Soccer League Tangent

Jake and Mike get together to discuss the latest updates on their clubs, and then we talk about the state of USL and soccer in America.

Interview Series: Forrest Tucker - Sports Storyteller and On-Air Personality

Forrest Tucker is currently a Sports Reporter and Anchor for WTVQ based out of Lexington, Kentucky. He shoots, writes, and edits short and long form feature stories, and has gained experience in covering College and Professional teams and covering events like March Madness, Triple Crown Horse Racing, PGA Tour, and MLS Cup. 

He's also covered American soccer through his podcast, "The Cleared Off the Line Podcast" as well as covering the Charleston Battery, and even provided Color Commentating for my beloved Maryland Bobcats.

Originally from the Annapolis area, we discussed local soccer in the DMV, and his personal journey in the game. From there, we talk extensively about the United Soccer League, which currently operates in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th tier of the US pyramid and which recently announced ambitions of joining the 1st tier of the pyramid.

Interview Series: Travis Ward on Life as a Professional Soccer Player

The Maryland Bobcats' starting right back came on the podcast to discuss his journey from High School soccer player in Maryland to professional journeyman in the US's 3rd Division.

Travis has played for Greenville Triumph of the USL-L1, Michigan Stars, Stumptown, Chattanooga and Bobcats of NISA, and is currently on the hunt for his next job in professional soccer. Travis talks about each stop of his soccer journey, beating USL-Championship squad Memphis 901 in the Open Cup and taking on Atlanta United in the next round, and more.

If you're looking for an experienced professional player, give him a shout!

Interview Series: Scott Westcoat and the Business Side of Soccer

Scott has been in the event space surrounding the game since the late 1980s. He has fascinating insights on the game before MLS existed, the 1994 world cup, MISL, and more. We could have talked for another few hours about the beautiful game. Fun conversation and fun person to talk to. Enjoy!

Prem Show: The Game's Gone

Jake and Mike ramble about Brighton, Spurs, and Champions League. Then, some terrible 37 year old white rapping.