The Back Stick Podcast
Welcome to The Back Stick Podcast!
Hosted by Jamil Roberts & Dom Okus, this is your weekly source of banter, professional soccer insider stories, and behind-the-scenes scoops from the MLS, USL, and all levels of the US Soccer pyramid.
The Back Stick is all about authentic, funny and insightful soccer interviews that highlight the careers and personalities of pro players in the US. While also bridging the gap between passionate soccer fans and the professional soccer players they support week in, week out.
Whether you’re a lifelong soccer or a football fan eager to get to know the players you cheer for, a lover of behind the scenes stories in professional sports, or just someone who loves soccer in the US at all levels from college to the pro’s, The Back Stick is the show for you!
Expect unfiltered conversations, pro soccer insights that you won’t hear anywhere else, and plenty of laughs along the way.
Episodes
29 episodes
Toby Sims - League Two Life With Harrogate Town, Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and His Return to America At Greenville - E28
This week on The Back Stick Podcast, it’s just Dom in the studio with Jamil on work duties! Dom sits down solo with Greenville Triumph defender Toby Sims, a versatile full-back with an incredible story that spans across the English Football ...
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Episode 28
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1:00:55
Charlie Adams - From Brentford to Colorado Springs & The Untold Truths of USL Soccer - E27
This week on The Back Stick Podcast, we sat down with Charlie Adams, current midfielder for Colorado Springs Switchbacks and former Brentford FC academy graduate.We delve into Charlie’s fascinating football journey, from his da...
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Episode 27
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1:09:00
Premier League 2024/25 End of Season Awards: Player, Young Star, Manager, Team Of The Season & More! - E26
This week on The Back Stick Podcast, we bring you the ultimate breakdown of the 2024/25 Premier League season with our End of Season Awards! 🏆We dive into:Our Player of the Season picks
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Episode 26
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53:10
Mitch Osmond - NAIA To The MLS, & Leading Forward Madison To USL Glory - E25
This week on The Back Stick Podcast, Dom and Jamil welcome Forward Madison FC captain Mitch Osmond to the studio for a truly inspiring episode.We delve into Mitch's footballing journey—from growing up in Australia and playing f...
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Episode 25
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1:00:36
John Pulskamp - Sporting KC’s No.1 on Zlatan, Premier League Trials & MLS Life - E24
This week on The Back Stick Podcast, Jamil Roberts and Dom Okus welcome Sporting Kansas City’s starting goalkeeper, John Pulskamp, for a deep dive into his remarkable journey from LA Galaxy’s academy to becoming the No.1 at SKC.
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Episode 24
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1:15:49
The Story So Far - Champions League Debuts, Locker Room Banter, USL Journeys & Premier League Dreams | The Back Stick Best Bits - E23
This week on The Back Stick Podcast, we’re hitting pause on the usual format to bring you a jam-packed Best Bits Episode featuring some of the most unmissable moments so far.From Kazaiah Sterling's Champi...
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Episode 23
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1:07:33
Matt Bentley - MLS Draft Day Chaos, Non-League Grit At Maidstone & USL Comeback - E22
This week on The Back Stick Podcast, Dom Okus and Jamil Roberts are joined by Chattanooga Red Wolves striker Matt Bentley!We delve into Matt’s incredible football journey, from a whirlwind MLS Draft experience with Minnesota Un...
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Episode 22
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1:15:03
Paco Craig - West Ham Roots, Louisville Legacy & A New Chapter at North Carolina FC - E21
This week on The Back Stick Podcast, Dom Okus and Jamil Roberts are joined by Paco Craig, former West Ham Academy standout and current North Carolina FC defender, for a conversation packed with stories, insights, and laughs.We d...
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Episode 21
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1:13:19
Football's Dark Side: Napoli, Serie A Dreams & Union Omaha Success – Marco Milanese’s Untold Truth - E20
This week on The Back Stick Podcast, the boys welcome former Napoli and current Union Omaha defender Marco Milanese to the studio.We delve into Marco’s incredible football journey — from training with Napoli’s first team and witnessing D...
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Episode 20
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58:28
Thomas Tuchel’s England - World Cup 2026, A New Era, Can We End 60 Years Of Hurt?
This week it’s just Dom & Jam in the studio! We delve into the home nation, and discuss the England National team under new leadership. We chat about the future of England football with Thomas Tuchel at the helm as they approach the 2026...
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Episode 19
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43:09
Alex Greive - San Antonio’s Newest All White, Via St. Mirren, Dundee United & Bohemian - E18
The boys welcome Alex Greive into the studio this week following his recent move to San Antonio. The New Zealand International discusses all things in his career to date, and how he ended up in San Antonio after taking a less conventional ro...
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Episode 18
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49:14
Aaron Walker - Has Football Become Boring? And How Important Is The ‘Art’ Of Man Management? - E17
The boys welcome USL League One legend Aaron Walker on the pod this week. Aaron made a name for himself during his unprecedented years of success with Greenville Triumph, but now finds himself in a different role. We dig deep into what made ...
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Episode 17
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1:05:54
Jonas Fjeldberg - Martin Odegaard, Jaap Stam & Returning For More Silverware With Colorado Switchbacks! - E16
This week on the pod the boys welcome 2024 USL champion Jonas Feldberg. We delve into what led to such a special group that Colorado Switchbacks built in 2024, and the challenges of trying to repeat success in 2025. We discuss his journey th...
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Episode 16
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59:57
Greg Ranjitsingh - NYCFC’s Newest Addition, MLS Pool Contracts & Louisville City Legendary Stories - E15
Jamil and Dom welcome New York City FC goalkeeper Greg Ranjitsingh into the Back Stick Studio this week! A seasoned MLS & USL goalkeeper who shares his journey through the leagues. We discuss Greg's recent move to New York City FC, the c...
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Episode 15
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53:19
Clay Dimick - 2024 USL1 Comeback Player Of The Year, Life Changing Injury Rehab & Trophy Aspirations For Charlotte Independence! - E14
Jamil & Dom welcome Charlotte Independence captain Clay Dimick into the studio this week! We discuss Clay's off-season, and the nightmares of pre season runs. We delve deep into his journey back from a serious double cervical surgery and...
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Episode 14
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50:28
Jaylin Lindsey - Messi, Vini Jr, THAT England U17 Team & Becoming Charlotte FC’s Hometown Hero! - E13
Jaylin Lindsey joins the boys in the Back Stick studio this week! Jaylin shares his journey from being a homegrown talent at Sporting Kansas City to moving home to play for Charlotte FC. The boys sit down and discuss football rivalries, Fant...
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Episode 13
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58:43
Alex Bamford - Marshall Soccer 2024 NCAA College Cup Season Review! A Bittersweet Ending To A Great College Career - E12
Jamil & Dom welcome Alex Bamford, captain of the Marshall University Men's Soccer team into the Back Stick Studio this week. We discuss Alex's journey from London to playing college soccer in the US, the challenges and triumphs of the NC...
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Episode 12
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49:23
Kalil El Medkhar - The Face Of FC Tulsa’s Rebuild, FC Dallas MLS Experience & A Kentucky Wildcat Standout! - E11
FC Tulsa’s new signing Kalil El Medkhar joins the boys in the studio this week! A former college standout with the University of Kentucky, we explore his college career, as well as his already impressive professional career with MLS powerhou...
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Episode 11
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47:14
Jordan Skelton P2 - “Welcome To The Hunger Games!” Ricardo Pepi, Mark Mckeever & being desperate to bring success to One Knox - E10
Skelts is back for part 2, reflecting on the successes and challenges of the inaugural 2023 season with One Knoxville, emphasizing the importance of implementing a strong team culture, communication on and off the field, and building for the...
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Episode 10
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37:56
Jordan Skelton P1 - The Geordie Cesc Fabregas? Injuries, Mental Health & Coming Back Stronger for One Knoxville! - E9
One Knoxville captain Jordan Skelton joins the boys in the Back Stick studio this week! In a lively conversation with Jordan, we share his journey from the UK to the US. From England Schoolboys, to captaining an ambitious USL League One club...
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Episode 9
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47:01
Premier League Mid Season Review! Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, City, United & Spurs! - E8
In this episode of the Back Stick Podcast, Dom and Jamil delve into the current state of the Premier League's Big Six teams. They discuss Liverpool's dominance, Manchester City's struggles following Rodri's injury, and the ongoing issues at ...
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Episode 8
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57:37
Kayden Pierre - Leo Messi, A Nightmare Debut, and the next Messi at Genk? - E7
Kayden Pierre, Genks young flying American full back joins Jamil Roberts and Dom Okus in the studio this week! They discuss KP's transition from the MLS with Sporting Kansas City to European football, his Jamaican heritage, and the influence...
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Episode 7
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52:31
Christian Chaney - Drogba, Raul & Fuego Fallout, Chaney reveals all! - E6
Christian Chaney joins Jamil & Dom in the Back Stick studio this week. The striker has had quite the career spanning across various clubs in the USL Championship and USL League One. The conversation covers Chaney's reflections on his pla...
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Episode 6
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58:02
Cameron Duke - Sporting KC’s Homegrown kid & MLSNext Pro Impact - E5
Sporting KC & MLS young standout Cameron Duke joins Jamil and Dom in the Back Stick studio this week. We dig deeper into Cam's journey from the academy at SKC to his MLS first team debut, and being a kid from Kansas becoming Sporting KC’...
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Episode 5
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48:14
Pedro Dolabella Pt 2 - Marshall Soccer National Championship & Locker Room Banter - E4
Pedro Dolabella is back with the boys on the The Back Stick. With the help of Dom, Pedro and Jam reflect on their journey from being overlooked players to winning a NCAA D1 National Championship with Marshall University Men's Soccer. They di...
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Episode 4
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38:53