Who The Heck Are We?

Get to know what Simply Sublime Football Community is, who the founders are, Sarah and Ian Harkes, and what you can expect from this podcast!

Airs March 6 2024

Different Pathways To Pro

Hosts Ian and Sarah have a conversation about chasing each of their dreams to go pro. They discuss how their mindsets were very different, but their pathways were similar. They dive deeper into things like the visibility in the women's game, people who influenced their decision to go pro, and going pro before graduating college.

Airs March 13 2024

Mental Health and The Beautiful Game

Sarah and Ian Harkes interview the founders of Soccer Resilience, Dr. Brad Miller and Wells Thompson. Soccer Resilience is a company that provides mental health training and performance advice to youth, pros, parents, and coaches. Dive into an awesome conversation about the importance of mental resilience on and off the pitch. The group discusses topics like today's youths' mental state, performance anxiety, and how important mental resilience is for the future of the sport.

Soccer Resilience helps you "think better to perform better".

Follow them on all social media platforms @soccerresilience

Visit their website https://www.soccerresilience.com/

Reach out to either co-founders:

drbradmiller@soccerresilience.com

wells@soccerresilience.com

Airs March 27, 2024

… And What We Learned From Them

Sarah and Ian interview one another about the hardest moments in their professional football careers. They get real vulnerable in this one, discussing the importance of being vulnerable and going through difficult moments to grow. The two also discuss the lessons they learned from the hard times and how those lessons have impacted them beyond their football careers.

Airs April 10 2024

An American Soccer Legend

Get to know the former captain of the US Men's National Team, first American to play in top division England, MLS Cup Champion x 2, and more. In this interview, we talk to John Harkes about his career from his youth days to his coaching days. Hear what it was like to be part of a football generation that helped put US soccer on the map. We discuss the differences in the US soccer landscape then and now, touching on the future of US soccer.

Airs April 24 2024

His and Her Take on Marrying a Pro Footballer

On this week's episode, Ian and Sarah discuss what it is like to marry into the game. They talk about what it's like to have the same career with very different resources and outcomes, and the inherent nature of comparing careers. They discuss the pros and cons of what it's like to have the same job as pro footballers. They also talk about how their relationship has changed from being collegiate players dating, pro players dating, engaged, then married, and now business partners in the football industry. Life is always evolving and so are our relationships, here's how theirs has changed over the years. Listen in for some fun stories during their first couch conversation!

Interview with Amir Lowry

On this episode, we interview Amir Lowry, a former MLS and USL player who founded the Open Goal Project and DCFC. Open Goal Project is a nonprofit that aims "to create opportunities for young players from low-income families and underserved communities to access high-level soccer and grow with the game." DCFC is an extension of the Open Goal Project that provides a free competitive club team for kids. Listen in for a great discussion with Amir about the pay-to-play structure in the US. Amir explains the multitude of hidden barriers that exist for kids to play soccer and how it is important for clubs to be educated on the communities they are serving. They talk about grassroots programs, how the youth soccer landscape has changed, and what that his meant for the US's football landscape.

To learn more about Amir and Open Goal Project visit:

https://www.opengoalproject.org/

Or follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at:

@opengoalproject

On this episode, Sarah and Ian discuss their favorite moments in their careers (so far). Since the pair previously discussed some of their hardest moments, they thought it wasn't only right to discuss some of their favorites. Listen in for some great stories and special moments on the pitch. A bit more insight to your hosts' careers so far.

Interview with Mike, Ray, and Tony

On this episode, we interview 3 of the 4 founders of Gossamr, a lifestyle soccer brand based out of LA. Mike, Ray, and Tony grew up together watching Champions League Finals on each others' couches. Now they're hosting Champions League watch parties together within the LA community. With a blend of Latino backgrounds and a love for the game, Gossamr is paying tribute to its roots and celebrating its story within the soccer community. We could have talked to Goss for a lot longer. They have great stories of growing up together, how their brand got started, and how they are continuing to evolve. We hope you all enjoy this episode as much as we did.

Gossamr.com

Instagram: @gossamr

Item descriptionOn this episode, Ian and Sarah discuss what it means for the US to be hosting the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America, the 2025 Club World Cup, and the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. The US is getting a huge opportunity to host some of the best sports events in the world. These tournaments provide a tremendous platform for the US to display its love, knowledge, and respect for the game. Historically, the US has not been regarded as a football country, but that can all change in the next couple of years. Listen to Ian and Sarah discuss some of the practical ways the US can make an impact with these tournaments, from field setup to watch parties and legacy programs. These tournaments can and will have a lasting impact on the state of soccer in America. Hear Ian and Sarah chat more about what that can be.

Jersey Designs, Football Career, French Background, and more

On this episode, we chat with Antoine Hoppenot about his career and the work he's now doing at Icarus FC. Icarus FC is a jersey design company based out of Philadelphia. They are known for their unique, custom-made designs and now their big annual tournaments that bring the community together. We discuss how Icarus was formed from founder Robby Smukler's love for the game and history. It's now an international company that has some of the most desirable strips out there. Before jersey culture was so trendy, there was Icarus FC. Antoine also talks to us about his long career in the MLS and USL, being grateful to still be working closely in the game. Hear more from the Paris-born footballer and his journey on this episode!

icarusfc.com

@icarusfootball

@theicaruscup

Joe from No Place Like Home interviews co-founders Sarah and Ian Harkes. He broaches the topics of relationship sacrifices, supporting each other's careers, men's versus women's football, making an impact in your community, soccer connecting people, and our dreams for SSFC. It was such a great conversation! Joe asked such intentional, meaningful questions. We had a blast answering them.

@nplhmag

On this episode, we interview recently retired player, Kelyn Rowe. We cover his twelve year career and how his love for the game started at an early age. We dive into his love for community, interactions with fans, and how he's left a legacy behind at each of the places he's played. We also talk about his newest venture, Vino FC, and how his love for wine and community is the driving force behind his idea. Kelyn is so much more than a professional soccer player, he is someone who inspires others, brings people together, and is an all around just good dude. Tune in, pour yourself a glass of vino, and enjoy!

Vinofc.com

@vinofc_

@kelynrowe

NIL, Transfer Portal, and more

On episode 14, Sarah and Ian discuss the major changes that have happened within the college soccer world since they graduated. Big topics such as NIL and rule changes to the transfer portal have completely changed the college soccer landscape...for better, for worse? A little bit of both? Sarah and Ian discuss the main takeaways and lessons they learned from their time in college, and they offer advice to players going through recruitment and the pressures of playing at the college level. Tune in and join the debates!

On this episode, Sarah and Ian sit down with Suzanne McKenzie!

Suzanne is an award-winning entrepreneur, Chief Creative Officer and designer, passionate about using design and collaboration to make the world a better place.

She is Founder and CCO of Able Made, the Original Off Pitch Soccer Style brand that combines soccer-inspired apparel and accessories with responsible manufacturing and giving back.

Suzanne's 24 years of experience includes work in the advertising and design consultancy worlds for numerous national and global brands, including Tom Ford, Timberland, Puma, Supergoop with Maria Sharapova, the Olympic Games, ESPN, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Titleist, and many more leading brands. Suzanne’s Purposely Podcast on iheartradio features conversations with her Able Made creative collaborators on how they help build stronger communities.

Suzanne has been on the jury for numerous international design award shows, including the 2022 One Show and the Ad Club. She was selected and recognized at the White House by President Obama as a Global Emerging Entrepreneur, and also is a Sappi Ideas that Matter North America Grant recipient. Suzanne has taught Design and Social Entrepreneurship at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City, and is Founder and Board Chair for award-winning nonprofit, Ucal McKenzie Breakaway Foundation.

Her work has been featured in Business Week, Vanity Fair, Graphic Design USA, Vogue, WWD and more. Her work has been recognized by the Art Directors Club, the Hatch Show, the One Show, WebAwards, and Mobius Awards. Suzanne is a 2024 AIGA Fellows Award recipient.

Listen along as they discuss her incredible brand, Able Made, and how it was inspired by the life of her late husband, Ucal McKenzie. Able Made and the foundation honor his legacy. Her creativity, genius, and hardworking ethic are apparent in all of the projects she has taken on. We loved this conversation and hope you do too!

Sarah and Ian weigh in on the recent debate around match overload for players at the highest level. Players like Rodri, Mbappe, Carvajal, Son, and many more have been vocal about the amount of games they have to play per calendar year, saying that it isn't sustainable. As former and current pros we share our perspective on the new expanded formats of tournaments, the overloaded schedule, and the importance of protecting players. While players jobs at the end of the day is to perform, have the governing bodies of football been taking advantage of how much a player can take?

In this episode we sit down with employment attorney, Susie Cirilli. Susie went to school at the University of Vermont where she got her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Teaching and played soccer for 4 years, captaining the team her Junior and senior year! She then attended Catholic University for Law, became an attorney, and is admitted in PA, NJ, NY, and VT. She litigates cases involving hostile work environments, discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, race and disability. She assesses issues surrounding pregnancy, sexual orientation discrimination and same sex harassment. 

We dive into topics such as the important differences between agents and lawyers, and whether agents have a fiduciary duty. We discuss the role of law in unions and CBA's and the recent developments in the NWSL. We also pose some fun questions on whether athletes should be paid overtime, if there should be a draft in US soccer, and much more. Susie is incredibly smart, energetic, and provided us with incredible insight and details that we would normally never think of as professionals in the sport.

We can't wait for you to tune in.

On this episode, Sarah and Ian dive into the offseason literally and figuratively. As Ian enters his offseason, we thought it was timely to unpack what that looks like. We discuss topics such as how long the offseason is, comparing US and overseas, the emotions going into an offseason, training regimens, time spent away from football, and much more. Listen in to our goofy, car ride conversation.

On this episode, Ian and Sarah interview Brittany Wilson Isenhour. Brittany is from Colorado and started playing soccer from a young age. She went to the University of Denver where she had a tremendous amount of success as the main goalkeeper all four years. She then continued her career as a professional playing for the Orlando Pride and then later for Angel City. While she was making a name for herself on the pitch, she also gained a large following off the pitch. Her community on social media platforms has grown tremendously and now has a following of 280k! We discuss her dream of becoming a professional player and the path that she took to get there. We also discuss the realities of a professional women's soccer player, and how her pursuit of content creation as an additional source of income became a necessity to earn a living. We dive into the reasons she announced her retirement earlier this year that shocked a lot of people and what life has been like since then. Brittany is open and honest and shares some great stories throughout her journey. As a content creator in the game, she shares how she feels a responsibility to her followers and how she is now a role model in so many more ways than just being a great goalkeeper. Tune in!

On this episode, we sit down with Irish native, Kevin Treanor. Kevin grew up playing soccer in Monaghan before emigrating to the US in 1993 to San Francisco. After making his way to Boston, he started working behind the bar of a pub and ended up loving it. He opened the Phoenix Landing in 1995, just after the 94 world cup, and has built a beautiful community of football fans. Today, the Phoenix Landing has over 700 members of the Liverpool Supporter’s club in Boston and is one of the largest on the east coast. His unique position as a football pub owner has allowed him to see the ever changing landscape and growth of the beautiful game in the US. He talks about that culture and how its changed, and what his hopes for the future are for US soccer on both the mens and women’s sides. Listen in to hear some great stories and a beautiful Irish accent to go with it!