Pitch to Pro
Pitch to Pro is the official podcast of Ozark United FC. This will be our platform to tell our story about the club and the special place that we call home, Northwest Arkansas. This is a journey. We want to bring you along for the ride. We'll share what's going on behind the curtain, help educate the community at large about soccer, Our league, and give updates on the progress of the club along the way.
Together, we'll explore and unpack our journey to professional soccer, the magic that is NWA, our community, and talk all things soccer from on the pitch to behind the scenes, telling the story of our club.
Pitch to Pro
Ep. 57 - Razorback Mentality: Bella Field on Competing at a Top 10 Program
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The straight line to D1 is a myth, and Arkansas forward Bella Field is here to prove it. From Denver beginnings to Kansas City’s hotbed, from DA turbulence to an NPL reset that rebuilt her confidence, Bella shares a refreshingly honest map through the most confusing moment youth soccer has ever seen. You’ll hear what actually gets you noticed, camps, clear emails, and a style of play that fits your DNA, and why chasing prestige without fit slows your growth.
We dive inside the Razorback culture, where brutal honesty and real belief from Coach Colby Hale forge players who can hold up to the SEC’s tempo. Bella breaks down the jump to college: no “commercial breaks,” faster decisions, serious weight-room demands, and the value of enrolling early to learn speed and strength before big non-conference tests. Her practical take for recruits and parents is pure gold: be the player who moves off the ball, creates chains of play, and keeps fitness high enough to repeat actions under pressure.
Fueling and recovery become strategic, not optional. Bella opens up about rehabbing through surgeries, stacking protein and carbs, leaning on teammates and a great dietitian, and rejecting toxic body standards in favor of performance strength. We zoom out to the surging women’s game, NWSL stars, international talent, and the rise of USL Super League, and why Northwest Arkansas already offers one of the best match day atmospheres in college soccer. Add a local pro pathway and you turn inspiration into a short drive.
We close with World Cup picks, a nod to Spain’s youth-powered flair, and a challenge to the U.S. to capitalize on home turf. If you care about player development, recruiting, or building a resilient team culture, this conversation gives you tools you can use today.
Listen, share with a teammate or parent, and if it helped, subscribe and leave a quick review so more soccer families can find it.
Pitch to Pro is the official podcast of Ozark United FC. This will be our platform to tell our story about the club and the special place that we call home Northwest Arkansas. This is a journey. We want to bring you along for the ride. We'll share what's going on behind the curtain, help educate the community at large about soccer, our league, and give updates on the progress of the club along the way. Together we'll explore and unpack our journey to professional soccer, the magic that is NWA, our community, and talk all things soccer from on the pitch to behind the scenes, telling the story of our club. Pitch2Pro Podcast is proudly sponsored by PodcastVideos.com. Podcastvideos.com is Northwest Arkansas's premier podcast recording studio. Equipped with industry-leading equipment, the recording studio and services save you time, money, and hassle. They are dedicated to helping you create, record, and publish high-quality podcasts for your audience. Be sure to check them out today at podcastvideos.com. Hey everybody, welcome back to the Pitch the Pro Podcast. I'm your host, Wes Harris, Managing Director for Ozark United FC Northwest Arkansas's Professional Soccer Club, playing in the United Soccer League. We are super lucky today, ladies and gentlemen. We have the University of Arkansas forward, Miss Bella Field, joining the show today. Bella, welcome and thanks for chatting with me.
SPEAKER_02:Thanks for having me. I'm excited.
SPEAKER_01:So before we jump in and talk about all things footy, let's just get to know you a little bit, like talk a little bit about your background, where you're from, all that.
SPEAKER_04:I'm uh was born in Denver. I moved out to Kansas City when I was around 10 years old. Played soccer since I was five, grew up playing at Real in Colorado, one of the bigger ECNL clubs. And then I went over to Kansas City and crazy drop-off. Like when I got there, it was soccer, soccer, soccer. Like soccer wasn't booming in Colorado like it was, like it is now when I was back there. So when I got here, like it was a complete different switch, like completely different style soccer. So I ended up at sporting, played there for a couple of years, and then I went to Kansas City Rush. And we played in the NPL and Heartland, which is like the local league. And it was really good for me. Like that was a very good change. I had a really solid coach at the time. And then ended up going back to sporting and committed to Arkansas in eighth grade, went back through the process again to just recommit back again in junior year of high school. And um yeah, and then I got here in uh January of 2023 and have loved it ever since.
SPEAKER_01:Awesome. Yeah. So how did you find the game? How did you find soccer? I always ask people this question. It's like, you you you're you're in it now, like you live and breathe it. So how did you get introduced to it? How did the how did the game find you?
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, I kind of grew up with ADHD. And soccer is one of the main sports to be like, okay, put your kid in this if they have ADHD. So I would sit at a table, like I like vividly remember it, but I would sit at a table and like I'd have a ball under my feet and I would like kick it against the wall while I'm doing my homework. And it's just things like that. Like all the other sports like fizzled about. Like I did like T-ball and I couldn't even do volleyball because I couldn't stand still for that. Like it was just a mess. And they were like, you know what, this is the one that works best. Like throughout high school, like I played lacrosse, I ran track, I played basketball, but like soccer just stuck the most because it was like I had such an odd passion for it, like at such a young age, just being like, I scored a goal, like things like that. So I think that's mainly why it's stuck is just like the love I had for the sport grew so much and so much.
SPEAKER_01:Did your parents uh play or your friends? Like, how did that work?
SPEAKER_04:My mom played like in middle school and she was a goalie. Like, but neither, like my dad like played like professional baseball and like stuff like that, but it wasn't ever like they knew much about soccer. Yeah. But like both my parents are super into sports. Like my mom's a little more into sports than you think like most would be, like, especially like football and sports like that. But it's super awesome. Like, they are so invested in like my sport and like me playing. And like they're always like, we don't care what you play, like, we just want you to be happy. And I guess soccer was the the main one for me.
SPEAKER_01:Soccer was the thing.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, sure was.
SPEAKER_01:It's a lot of fun. So talk a little bit. I mean, you kind of talked about it, but talk a little bit more um about kind of your soccer journey and navigating that as a player. Like right now, we have just soccer's booming and it's great and it's growing. At the same time, I think it's never been more convoluted and just confusing. Yeah. So like talk a little bit. I always ask this of players that have kind of made that journey to the high levels. Like what was your journey through it? I know you kind of named some of those teams, but you know, there's some ups. And then you kind of talked about like you took a step back for a second, and like that was a good thing for you. So talk more about that.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah. I so originally started like like fives through like 10 was just like local leagues, like things like that. And then when I got to Kansas City, I ended up being on the 14, like things like that, weren't ended up working my way up, and then ended up playing in DA. And we were the pilot team for DA, and that was first year of DA disaster, you know. And after that, I was just, it was also the rules where like you're 14 years old, and if you got subbed off, you couldn't go back in the game. Yeah. Like things like that. That yeah, I was not well at that. Like, yeah, I didn't, I wasn't a player that was like, I'm gonna go do fitness outside of practice to make sure I can keep playing in the game. Yeah. But um after that, I was like, I need a switch. Like, I can't do DA. I'm not, I'm not progressing as a player. So that's when I went to Kansas City Rush. And that was awesome. That club is awesome. They're across the entire United States. Like they're really cool. And um the whole thing with that was it was basically a switch. I went to go be with a coach that was there, and he completely transformed my game. Like he made me the player I am today.
SPEAKER_03:That's awesome.
SPEAKER_04:And while I was there, we played, yeah, like I said, we played in NPL, like we played in lower leagues. Like I came from DA compared to like these other leagues, and it did build my confidence a ton, and it was great until I came to Arkansas for a camp. And that's when they first saw me. We talked, like they really, really liked me. And then they asked like who I played for, and I was like, oh, Kansas State Rush. And they're like, that's not gonna, that's not gonna fly. And I was like, okay, like that's fine. Like this club has done so much for me. I think it's okay. So then after that, went out to Ken uh to sporting, the valley. And we played in the GA League, we played in the E C RO, we played in ECNL. Like we had a trip once where we played in E we played in GA playoffs in California and then flew from California to Florida to play in the ECRL playoffs. Like it definitely has progressed a ton. And my favorite thing to like talk about is that like you can be seen without having to play in ECL and GA. Like I was seen playing NPL, and that was just because I went to one of their camps. And like the best thing is like as much as you can like put yourself out there, like I understand like you're not gonna see many like D1 coaches at NPL showcases and things like that. But just being able to like show interest in them going to their camps or sending out emails, like it definitely is a huge game changer.
SPEAKER_01:That's awesome. And um I think is extremely valuable to hear someone at your level talk about like the the different journeys. I mean, like it is not a linear like path for a lot of people. Um, you know, uh players, like you were like, I was on the fourth team, like and now you're a top 10 program in the country. Yeah. Right? Like, um, I think it just like we need to remind, especially coaches' parents, like in the game and even players. Like there are no professional 11-year-olds. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah. Like there just aren't. And who is running around dribbling through people on the field at 11, 12, 13 are not the same ones that are getting the looks and starting or whatever at 15, 16, 17.
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01:You know, there's sure some, but like there's it changes so much. And I think your your comment uh about your parents and their just attitudes, like, I don't care what you play, I just want you to have fun.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:I just want you to have fun. Are you in a good environment? Are you having fun? Are you developing as a human being? And I think we've kind of lost the plot in the US a lot with sports, um, not just soccer. So uh it's really refreshing to hear uh a perspective like that. So um, because it kind of is the counter narrative that like we need, you know, 20 hours of one-on-one training and all this stuff on top of it. No, just go have fun.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, just just do what you want to do. It'll be fine.
SPEAKER_01:I love that. So talk then, you know, you you you made it to NWA, you made it to the U of A, um, playing for Mr. Colby Hale. Shout out to Colby. Hi, Colby.
SPEAKER_02:What a guy.
SPEAKER_01:So uh talk about it. What is it like being at a D1 top 10 program?
SPEAKER_04:I think Arkansas is such a different program that every other program in the country. Like you will get transfers that come here, and they're obviously Colby is very, very brutally honest in the recruiting process. Like he's like, you're gonna hate it for a second, and then you're gonna love it, and the harder times are going to be way less compared to like you raising an SEC trophy and things like that. That yes, it is super hard playing here because he asks of his players that no one asks in the entire country and even pro teams. Like he asks more of his players, but he he asks us things to do that he knows we can do. It's never like something that's so out of the picture that it's like you're reaching for something, but he's like, I've seen you do it. I know you know how to do it. It's why I recruited you. And he really truly like he does believe in his players, and that's super awesome. Like, it's a main reason I came here is he's like, we want you. Like, we're not just picking you up to pick you up, like we want you here. And like he said before, like to other people, he's like, Bella was made to be a racer back. And honestly, I think every single one of the players on our team is he he does very much so recruit very well, and our the girls that come in, like we all have the same personality. And like we talk about all that where it's like you come into Arkansas and like we we call it a soccer team, like we're not a family, but like the types of connections you make here are so much different compared to any other program. So especially when we have transfers and freshmen come in, like they're always like, This is not what I expected. Like it's it's way more, like it's greater than what I expected. Yeah, we've had girls come from like great programs and girls leave because just it sometimes is not the right fit for a lot of people.
SPEAKER_03:Sure.
SPEAKER_04:And he's very like open about that. He's like, There's 360 teams in the country that you can go play for. I'm sure one of them is a fit, but like here is this is what we do, this is what it is. Like, if you can't do it, if you don't want to do it, that's the main thing. Don't be here. So and he's very clear and concise about that. But our biggest thing is winning, and like I love winning. So like as much as like we can be like as a team winning together, it really is great. And like that's our biggest thing is like how can we win today, win the day at practice? And like you you play how you practice, and like you you'll win a national championship in February. Like, that's the things we can talk about, is like it's a matter of how you prep yourself for the SEC, the non-conference, the tournament. Like, yes, we have these huge goals, especially like our next few are final four of national championship. Like, those are a few things we haven't done yet. And that's our biggest focus this spring is like the process. Like, how are we bettering ourselves when it's late November and your legs are tired? But it's either your win or you're done. So that's that's a big thing that has been going around our team recently. It's just like it's all about the process right now.
SPEAKER_01:Sounds like um, you know, I don't want to say it. You guys have a very unique, obviously, coach. Obviously. Um but you also have a bunch of players, staff bought into what sounds like a very unique culture that maybe pushes you to places that like you didn't necessarily think about when you were coming in and trying to, like, yeah, I'm gonna play D1 soccer.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, absolutely. Like my freshman year, like I came in like early, like I said, I came in in the spring, and I was like not like scrawny, like I I lifted throughout high school and things like that, but the switch, like the switch up between the two of like going from like high school soccer to at the time playing with fifth years and COVID years, yeah, it was totally different. And I think that was a great thing for me is being able to play with like B Franklin and apologize, table tankersly, like those girls that went on to go do bigger things, and like it was so great as a 17-year-old to be playing with a 22-year-old and like just like the mental like focus. Like, as I've been playing throughout Arkansas, like I've been trying to figure out ways of how I can like develop myself to be a pro, even at the college level.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. That's awesome. No, you I mean, you hit some big names there.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Um, you know, several of them are all, I mean, they're all killing it.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Um, and just doing incredible things. So I mean, talk about, I mean, you you you mentioned it a little bit, like kind of that jump, and and one of the differences was like the weight room and the mentality and the culture, and just like, oh, yeah. I'm sure that was a bit of a shock, right? So, what's the difference? Like you go through this, you know, everybody wants to play high level, they throw out the alphabet soup, whatever it is, and they want to go here and get seen, and then they go to D1. What is that jump? What is the biggest difference that you see? Um that's like either you have to be ready for or you see people struggle with, or like what was, you know, what is that delta? What is that difference? Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:The biggest thing when I came in was commercial breaks on the field. Like there's there's no stop as much as there is in ECNL compared to college. Especially when I got here, that was my biggest thing. It's like, how can I take less commercial breaks? Like a throw-in is not a commercial break, a corner is not a commercial break. And while I was going through that like switch, like the weight room is very big. The spot the speed of play is much quicker, especially going from ACNL to SEC soccer. Like SEC compared to the ACC are they're both very different styles of soccer, but it doesn't the speed of play does not switch between the two conferences. Like we played Duke, we played Notre Dame, like we played those teams that are high up in the ACC, and we didn't feel underprepared. I think we didn't hit the expectations we wanted to hit during those games. But it is a very different switch between like you get here and you gotta grow up, and you gotta grow up quick. I think that was a big thing. Like we've had multiple girls come in early. Like my class, there was 10 of us that came in early.
SPEAKER_03:Oh wow.
SPEAKER_04:And that is where I think is going to be a switch in college soccer, college football, a ton of just coming in early because you get that time to get in the weight room, get your fitness up, figure out how to play at a high speed without having to play your first non-conference game against like Notre Dame, like things like that. Yeah. And we do this thing in the spring where we play the club boys team. And if we do good, Colby finds a way to make it harder next time. Like he doesn't, he doesn't want us to succeed because succeeding is so hard to do that once we do it, we want to be like, all right, that wasn't as hard as we expected. Let's somehow make it harder so we're prepared for the next thing.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. No, it's that's good insight, totally fair. I think it's always about challenging yourself and keeping that mindset. Um, so that's that's really cool though, to think through it. Will be interesting. Like how many players can start to come in. Athletics is just so different than just going to school. Like, um, and what are some things that you know any policymakers out there can do to change the the rags up to make that easier. So, I mean, you talked a little bit about it when you talked about emailing people and showing interest in them and not just relying on leagues and different names or tournaments or things like that to get noticed. But um we've talked a lot about the the pathway, about the different leagues, about your journey, about playing college. What advice do you have for young girls out there that just want to play at a high level and are kind of like, how do I navigate this right now?
SPEAKER_04:Yeah. Um, my sister's currently going through it, so I'm seeing it firsthand. Okay, there you go. But it's very much so. I think people at showcases and games, when coaches are there, are trying to be the standout player. When the plays that they see are the players that are setting people up and moving behind the scenes. Like they're trying to find the players that are doing more work than what it seems like. Like they want to see players that are moving off the ball more often. And those things that you can fix are literally just like extra fitness. And I was not one in high school at all to be like, let me go run some fitness. But especially like now, like I see how much of a factor it plays, especially in college sports in general. Like all college sports, the fitness level compared to high school is very different. That's why you have off-season conditioning and on those snakes. But a big thing I would say is figure out the style of soccer you want to play, play that style, and then look at the schools that play that style. I think there's too many girls that try to conform themselves into a type of player that coaches want to see instead of the type of player they truly are. And I think that's a big thing, especially with recruiting. Like the transfer portal is such a big thing now that you can go in as a JUCO player, a D3 player, a D2 player, develop your skill and go D1. Like we've had girls that have come from an AI, a JUCO, D1 to schools that are now like our starting lineup. And they change our team. And everyone's process is so much different. And as much as you can keep yourself from comparing two other players, I think it's a huge thing, is that I hear all the time we're like, oh, this person committed here, oh, this person committed here. When it's like you either can bloom early, like how I did, or you can bloom late and be just fine. Like coaches are constantly recruiting at every single age level. Like the biggest thing is to keep progressing yourself on and off the field. It's also a huge thing of how is your body going to be set up to play in these games. I think that's a big thing in high school. I wish I took a little more seriously is like how I eat. And it's not like I need to be like no carbs, like nothing like that. Like carbs is what. Feels your body. And that's a big thing is like eat more than you think you should. Because especially like if you're eating like healthy foods, like that's what your body needs. And we like to talk about it like your body as a machine, it needs the proper fuel. And that happens at a young age too, especially in females where your body is developing at this time, and you especially need to like figure out ways of like how can I progress while also going through a huge change in my life.
SPEAKER_01:Massive, massive, ton to deal with. Like I um I really like all of the things that you just said. One um in particular, thematically is just be yourself. Don't worry about everybody else.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah. It's a huge thing.
SPEAKER_01:Whether it's players, coaches, be yourself. And I loved, I loved when you said don't look for, don't conform yourself to programs that you think you want to play for or whatever, or is prestigious, or you know, find the one that understand yourself, understand your style of brand of soccer, understand how you fit into that system, and understand where where is a place that's going to allow me to flourish and I'm going to be additive and complimentary and all those things. I think you can take that to almost anything in life where you are, I mean, to keep college thematically here, looking for a school.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Like if you're not a a D1 athlete or an athlete at all and you're just looking for a school or you're looking for a job and you're evaluating different companies and bosses. Um, I I think there's so much there. If you're a younger player and you're looking at different clubs in the area, yeah, and there's, you know, okay, the coaches, I mean, they all kind of do about the same in terms of level, in terms of leagues, in terms of coaching. Okay, cool. Where does it feel like home to me?
SPEAKER_02:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:You know?
SPEAKER_02:Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01:Um, so it's really refreshing to hear that. And it's good to hear that it, you know, you see that at even at the highest level, right? So I think that's awesome. Uh and a hundred percent, I like I still don't think about. I need to eat. Yeah. I mean, I always try to eat better. You know, metabolism slows down as you get older, fam. Uh, but but um it's it's a lot. Yeah. It's a lot. I mean, talk about it. It's almost like a full-time job, right?
SPEAKER_04:Yeah. But especially like right now, like I'm going through the process of rehabbing my body. So that is a huge thing I'm going through, is trying to figure out how can I get high proteins, high carbs. And I'm not, I'm not cutting out like the sweets, like a healthy balance. I think that's a big thing that especially female athletes tend to do is they see, they see something that's probably fake, and they decide to try and really lean into that when it's it's not the proper fuel. It's not what you need. And especially just in women in general, like there's this social idea of what you're supposed to look like. And as athletes, like you're not gonna look like that. And your body is a machine, like any women's sports, like you're you're supposed to look built, you're supposed to be strong. Like, it's okay if your legs are bigger than a guy's legs, like it's sick, it really is. And just things like that where I'm like, when I see a girl like built and like looks like strong and stable, I'm like, you go, you go, girl, because that's it. Yeah. So things like that, where like, especially we have a ton of girls going through rehab right now, just like the this season was pretty brutal, but did a sin for sure. But everyone right now, like we do a really good job of like, especially like for other like college teams or like even just teams in general, like high school teams, like we'll do like a dinner once a night as like a big group of us.
SPEAKER_02:That's nice.
SPEAKER_04:And things like that, where it's like, okay, everyone can pitch in however much you're not having a whole lot of leftovers because everyone's eating. Right. But it helps like my house does it. Like, I have a roommate, Kennedy Ball, who she's a cook, like she cooks. Oh, and like we all go over, she has soup. Like she cooks real good food. And like, what's your favorite thing she cooks? She has this really good chicken nookie soup. And it's so good. That sounds baller. Yeah, she had this like it's like rice dish with like leeks. I'm like, I've never heard anyone use a leek in like their meal. I was so shocked when she's like, Yeah, I got some leeks. They're like, what? But it was actually really good. I was like, it's like a it's like a radish. Okay. Kind of.
SPEAKER_01:I was like, shout out to Chef Kennedy.
SPEAKER_04:Chef Kennedy. What a queen. Seriously.
SPEAKER_01:That's awesome. I love that. Like, what is I mean, even I mean, you talked about rehab. What can players start doing now? Maybe, maybe like, and I don't want to go too crazy. Yeah. Like, you know, my eight-year-old, nine-year-old doesn't need to necessarily be hand cleaning at the right page of eight.
SPEAKER_04:You know? No.
SPEAKER_01:But, you know, at what point do you think it would have been beneficial for you to start thinking a little bit more about it? Maybe not as regimented as you are now, but maybe thinking a little bit more about it. And especially the I like the rehab part and recovery, not not rehab, recovery, I think is the right word to use here. Because so many people focus on getting themselves to the game and not what happens after.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah. That was a big change going from high school to club was I mean, no, high school to college. Because you can play a nice, you can play in a high school club game, run however many meters, and be just fine to go play. That's why you have three-day showcases and play three games in three days. You can't really do that in college. I fear um I'm tired on Sundays when we play Thursday, Sunday. So that's it's definitely changed, especially the biggest things we say are e-hydrate recover and our recover is how much you sleep. Sleep is a huge factor. And I didn't really take sleep seriously until I was like, Oh, I'm tired.
SPEAKER_05:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:And like all like all the freshmen, they come in and they're like, I'm eating like four or five meals a day. Is that normal? Like, yeah, it is. Your appetite's gonna raise a little bit.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:But like, especially right now, that like what I'm going through is like trying to figure out ways to give my body grace, but also pushing it.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:And I mean, I've never had to deal with the surgery, and I had two this season. And I afterwards, I well, I tried to find like the sh like strength in it. And like I'm a firm believer in Christ, and that was a big thing for me was being able to lean on that. But also I leaned on my teammates a lot.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:And they were super helpful in just being like, you got it. Like, yeah, you're strong. Our trainer, Dawn, awesome. She helps us so much. Like, she she truly is what keeps our team going, especially this year. But she definitely is like, she's one of the main hearts of our team.
SPEAKER_01:That's awesome.
SPEAKER_04:But in the recovery aspect, never drank so many protein shakes in my life. Absolutely. Like those things, like, although they say they're they're like some are bad for you, we drew the Fair Life ones. They're great. And they taste great. It tastes like chocolate milk.
SPEAKER_01:But it's a staple in the Harris household.
unknown:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:Well, I've mean good chocolate milk. But the biggest thing is like eating. Like we come off the field, we come off like seeing our parents and everything, and we already have meals in there. Like getting a meal after however many calories you just burned, probably around like 2,000, is so important because then your muscles, they're just like sitting there in lactic, starving. And that's how you feed them and repair all the little fibers that have been stretched out in the time of chaos.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. This, I mean, this is fascinating. Like, do you guys do they sit you down and like teach you guys this stuff? Like the sport science of it?
SPEAKER_04:Yeah. So we had a Ben, we had a dietitian, and we called him Ben Dietician because we had a Ben manager, but Ben dietician just really rolled off the tongue well. But he was awesome. And he taught us, he would bring us in and like do a little, like, even just like a small little like presentation. Yeah. But he he created such a good relationship with all the girls that we all were like, hey, can you like help me make a meal tonight? Like just like be like, Do you have a recipe I could use? And like we would always go in and be like, man, guess what we guess what we made last night? Like all those things where it's like we had such a good relationship with our dietitian because he he put effort in. And yeah, he was also the dietitian for baseball. And we obviously know those guys just being in like the athletic facilities together.
SPEAKER_03:Sure.
SPEAKER_04:But you could tell, like he put a lot of like effort into like his players. And it's awesome. Like the the coaching staff, the player care staff, like who we have, like truly are like the top of the top of the line. Like that's all stuff to find people that care as much as our coaches do.
SPEAKER_01:That's great. That's awesome. Maybe that's how uh why Kennedy, I mean, was she always a cook, or did she like she definitely Ben dietitian gave her some definitely gave some good kickstarted that career, you know?
SPEAKER_04:We started um making sourdough in our house.
SPEAKER_01:Oh sourdough moms.
SPEAKER_04:We've got we've got three starters.
SPEAKER_01:Oh boy.
SPEAKER_04:Yep. I started, I think I made two loaves so far.
SPEAKER_01:Okay. How'd they turn out?
SPEAKER_04:They've been doing good. Okay. They're not solid. Yeah. Like they're not like rock hard, but yeah, they've been kind of turned out well.
SPEAKER_01:My sister tried it and she killed hers.
SPEAKER_04:So yeah. They're feeding it, I'm like, geez, Lloyd. It's like, I'm like, it's like a child.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah. Well, she was feeding three other child, actual children. So I get that. Probably more. Okay. Yeah, for sure. Fair shout. Uh, let's talk about growth of the women's game. It's, and we can go anywhere you want to go here. What I think has been the most exciting for you to watch the sport grow on the women's side from when you were playing to kind of now, and then with a vision to like what's on the horizon, what you see happening. So, like, what's been the most exciting thing?
SPEAKER_04:I think it was it's so interesting. Cause when we were in Kansas City, you had FCKC. It was in the NWSL, but that was also the NWSL at the time in 2015, 2016. Like their games weren't broadcasted. Like, it was tough to find. It was on like the NWSL website that was like a Sketchy website at the time. But then, like, it used to just be the women's national team. Like, that was like when everyone's like, oh, like they're a women's national team player. I'm like, there's more pros out there, right? Like, I was like questioning, I was like, because I've wanted to play pro for so long. Like, and I was always like, those were the people that you look up to. And now you're looking at players like Tim Watchalinga, Barbara Banda, players that aren't from the United States, but are killing way to the NWSL. I mean, seriously. Killing it. And it's so cool like seeing other leagues develop. Like the USL, obviously, is becoming much bigger. And just being able to see like ESPN chant, like ESF is having like NWSL games on. And like I hope that USL games are soon to be that too. Like they've already been on, I'm pretty sure they've already been on ESPN the app, like ESPN Plus. Yeah. Which is awesome. Like we've been able to watch our teammates outplayed in the USL. And I'm like, what?
SPEAKER_01:Like ESPN Plus, Peacock.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, all that. And it's just, it's really awesome to be like, I'm waiting for the next step for college soccer to take off. That's a big thing that it's happened with women's basketball. It's happened with women's volleyball. Like just waiting for the media to find the passion and the excitement in women's college soccer is, I think, I don't think it will happen while I'm here, but I think it is definitely soon within the next two to three years.
SPEAKER_01:Which, by the way, as a plug, um, and I will do it and won't make Bella do it. Uh U of A, just for people out there, like you guys are perennial every year, top 10, top 15 in the country, on the field. You also, and I don't know that people know this, people you you guys are also like top 10, top 15 in average attendance in the country. Yeah. In Northwest Arkansas. Yeah. And it is one of the most fun experiences you can have at a sporting event, and it's not gonna break your bank.
SPEAKER_04:Oh, no, not at all.
SPEAKER_01:Like season tickets are very reasonable, y'all. And uh you need to go. You need to go. I was at the uh the Notre Dame game this year. Yeah and I it was a late heartbreaker, but oh man, but that was such a good game.
SPEAKER_04:It was like I was I was on the sideline at the time just because of injury, and like I was just like the excitement of just like, oh my goodness, you're gonna do it. Oh yeah, like we we fade off of our fans. Yeah, like that's such a big thing that you like everyone's like, don't go play at Razor Backfield. Like, don't don't tell Cole you're gonna go there. It's they call it a bloodbath there. But there it it truly is like one of the best atmospheres. And it's not because of us, it's because of our fans. And like granted, yes, there's not a whole like there's really no pro main pro teams besides Meyer League baseball here.
SPEAKER_01:No, there's no pro in Arkansas here.
SPEAKER_04:That's it. And it's the one place right now that you can come watch high-level soccer. And I think a lot of people take advantage of it, and a lot of people don't know about it. Yep. Which it's the biggest thing. So please please come to our games. We love you all, and so you guys really make us thread.
SPEAKER_01:Yes, seconded. So talk about, I mean, you high level, you have friends, you mentioned it, you have friends that have gone pro. What have their experience what like what have they shared with you on the experiences of what does it mean to be a pro player in the US right now?
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, right now, like you've got people that like bees getting like posts on NWSL, like sick stuff. Taylor Mallon just is one of I think Chicago stars Iron Woman who plays in every single game. She played every single minute of every single game last year. She's just like, wow, that's a lot. But their love for the game just kind of kept growing. Like, yeah, especially just being able to keep playing. Like, that was the best part, is like some of those girls didn't even think they were gonna go play pro. And now they're like, I love it. Like it is very much so who are you sponsored by, and still things like that. Of like, how can you have the bigger name in the AWSL? And I think a lot of players have done a well, a very good job of just being like, this is what I want to do. And a lot of it is like, I don't want to go work a nine to five. Yeah, I can't I can't sit at a desk. Like I'm gonna have to be in something afterwards where I'm up and moving, going to meet people. Like, I was like, I can't do that.
SPEAKER_01:We're gonna have to figure something out.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah. But a lot of them are just like, I just love like being able to like, I'm like, I'm fit. Yeah. And they're like, it's a great thing that I can do where I'm like, I I love playing soccer.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:And a lot of them definitely have like been like, it's growing.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:It's a and like there's already two more teams I've been added to them, NWSL, more to come.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:Like, I think it definitely is growing and it's progressing pretty fast.
SPEAKER_01:And you've got some teammates that are playing in the Super League too, right? Yeah. Um, like Kylie's down at uh Trinity, right in Dallas.
SPEAKER_04:And she's killing it too. Like she's one, she's one of those players that like she's gonna make the best out of every single situation that she's in. And she truly is like, if I would kill to play with her again, just because she's such a good teammate. That's awesome. And like um, Kelsey Oiler up in Spokane, she's killing it too. Um, we had Ava Tankers Lee and Kate Doyle, they both played, but yeah, they're all like it's all growing.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, it's sick. More opportunities, right? I mean, that's what it's about. So talking about more opportunities, talking about getting to that next level, like as kind of our project, Ozark United, we're bringing, you know, men's and women's, so we're gonna have a Super League team. Does that do anything for you as a college soccer player? Like, what does that mean like from that perspective?
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, especially like being in Kansas City. I think obviously the current has changed everything. Yeah. Especially just in women's sports in general.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:But KG started getting more fans, and then K-State started getting more fans. And people started becoming aware of women's sports and like women's soccer specifically. And I think that would be it's gonna be such a great thing when it's here because of obviously soccer is not the biggest thing right now in Arkansas. And you've got you've got your football, you've got your baseball, and you got your basketball. And obviously you have gymnastics, but like an outdoor sport where you can just yell at the top of your lungs for anything, especially for it's one of the longest games you can watch.
SPEAKER_03:It's 20 minutes of straight action. Yeah, no doubt.
SPEAKER_02:So that's where I'm yeah, that's where I'm like, why would you not want to come watch this?
SPEAKER_04:But I've like growing up in Kansas City and seeing all that and now Denver getting an NWSL team. Um it's just it really is a huge thing. And like those teams will like invite like college players to come like play with them in the summer and stuff, and just like get acclimated to it. And I genuinely do think it will bring more people that have the love for soccer tuning to the West Arkansas.
SPEAKER_01:And does it like give you, I mean, if you're if you're at the level where you're like, I'm freaking going pro, you know. I I don't know if it does anything, but having something tangible right in front of you that's in your backyard where you're playing collegiately maybe gives you a little bit more motivation. I don't know.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah, totally. Like, you see those girls are like in California where there's already three NWCL teams there. Yeah, they're like, Yeah, I just signed with Wave. I'm like, that's cool. You're like three hours away from that. Must be nice. Yeah. But yeah, it's awesome. Especially like even like having like the current, like, yeah, it's it's three hours away. But it's like, okay, yeah. They're pulling from college. Like, oh yeah, it's not far away.
SPEAKER_03:No.
SPEAKER_04:But I think definitely like having them here would be awesome.
SPEAKER_03:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:Like truly would make want to make I would want to make more girls play pro.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:Yeah.
SPEAKER_01:I love that. Well, I'm we're working on it.
SPEAKER_04:It's coming, don't worry.
SPEAKER_01:We're working on it, guys. Uh well, I really appreciate your time, Bella. I have one final query for you, which is we have a pretty big sporting event happening in the world. Just me. Uh in June, uh, the World Cup. So who you got? Who you who you picking? Who's gonna win it? Mr. Lamin Yamal and his fiery haircut. I mean, watching like him and the Champions League, it's just like it's kind of dizzying to like watch and think about and also think about his age. Oh, yeah. For people that don't know.
unknown:Wow.
SPEAKER_01:18-year-old Wonder Kid uh rushing the Champions League. Just humiliating literally grown A men.
SPEAKER_04:Like Absolutely. Yeah. And that's the other thing is like I think Allen.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah.
SPEAKER_04:He's gonna take his team. He's gonna take his team.
SPEAKER_01:He he for sure. Like they it's the first time they've qualified in a while.
SPEAKER_04:In a minute, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:Um and it's gonna I mean, we can go, uh I need to have a whole World Cup show, but I'll just have to have you back. But um I don't know that like there's an out and out favorite for one of the first World Cups that I can remember. Like usually there's like okay, prime messy, prime, like Argentina was the fave, you know, um, or you know, prime Germany, you know, when they won and and Spain in 2010 with Xavi and Yesta and Bisquets, like unreal, right? But I there's a lot of kind of yeah, I could see them taking it.
SPEAKER_04:Also, like I think the United States has a good shot of like having a good run.
SPEAKER_01:If we don't make it out of our group to be like super fair, we shouldn't get the World Cup again in a long time.
SPEAKER_04:You have home home turf.
SPEAKER_01:Home turf. And it's no shot. I'm not trying to take shots at other countries, like let's be clear. Um, but I think that you could not have asked for a much better group to like try to get out of in the World Cup. Absolutely. Like, I think that there are far harder groups.
SPEAKER_04:Oh, yeah.
SPEAKER_01:In and you know, I think the expansion of the 48 teams makes it so that there's not really that group of death anymore. So but I don't know, there's one or two that are like definitely tougher than the other ones. But um anyway, it'll be a lot of fun. We'll have a ton more to talk about with World Cup. Don't worry, guys. We're we're we're not gonna leave it there. But Spain. Okay. That's a I I'll be honest, it's a solid pick.
SPEAKER_04:And then you got you always got Brazil.
SPEAKER_01:Always, always threatening.
SPEAKER_04:Or it's just that's one of those teams that's like, what are they gonna do next? So yeah. I'll be interested to see about all that.
SPEAKER_01:I'll I'll have to throw a shout out here for our our co-founder, Chris Martinovich. Uh, he would yell at me if I didn't say it. I mean, you never know what 40-year-old Modric is gonna do. Um like the greatest midfielder ever, right? Like it's guys, huh?
SPEAKER_04:Really? Well the lay down.
SPEAKER_01:I don't know, Chris. I think they're a little a little I think they're a little over the hill on uh on their average age there, buddy. But it's okay. One one can dream. I'll let you dream, man. Uh anyway, Bella, thank you so much for joining me.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, thank you for having me. Seriously.
SPEAKER_01:This was a lot of fun. We'll have to have you back. And uh best of luck in your final season and hope you rehab.
SPEAKER_02:Yeah, absolutely. Thank you so much.
SPEAKER_01:Awesome.
SPEAKER_00:Thanks for joining us on this episode of the Pitch the Pro podcast. Be sure to tune in again in two weeks for the next installment and check out the stoppage time series for a recap of today's episode. Be sure to find us at Pitch the Pro on YouTube, Instagram, and everywhere you get your podcasts. Until next time, Northwest Arkansas. Cheers.