Jul 20, 2026
Welcome to episode 260 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Evan Dabby, CEO of New Jersey Youth Soccer, one of the largest youth soccer organizations in the United States. With over 120,000 players, Evan shares how youth soccer is evolving, why player development should come before winning, and how the FIFA World Cup is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game across America.
In this episode, we spoke about:
- How the FIFA World Cup is inspiring the next generation
- Why player development should come before winning
- The challenges of youth sports, parents and coaching
- Growing participation while making soccer more accessible
Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Welcome Evan Dabby
00:29 The World Cup Impact in New Jersey
03:20 Growing 120,000 Youth Players
05:50 Technology & Participation
08:20 Player-Centered Development
10:09 Advice from Tab Ramos
11:08 Parents on the Sidelines
15:12 Girls' Soccer Growth
18:52 Should Kids Specialize?
20:41 Coaching Better Players
21:35 Evan's Career Journey
23:23 The Power of Networking
26:45 Advice for Students
30:19 The Future of Youth Soccer
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