Crossbar Conversations with Don & Blodge

"Crossbar Conversations with Don & Blodge" was created to put a spotlight on GK topics that few understand or simply shy away from.  This podcast contains honest goalkeeping conversations featuring guests that are knowledgeable on GK specific topics.  Laughs included.


AUDIENCE = GKs, GK Coaches, Head Coaches, Directors of Clubs, Directors of GKs at Clubs, & parents

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Episodes

Tuesday May 12, 2026

AGENDA - Club GK Culture: GK Coaches in Team Setting & GK Coaches Licensing
Background / Introduction 
Invest in the Coaching Staff
"Make it Look Like Soccer"
Developing GK Coaches to Coach During Games
Federation Educational Changes Needed
GK Culture
Head Coaches: GK Knowledge & Understanding
 
COACH - Tom Goodman - Recognized as an International Youth Soccer Expert.  A License Coach.  USSF National Youth License.  Former U.S. Youth Soccer National Director of Coaching Education.  Former USSF National Staff Coach (Region 1).  Former USSF & U.S. Youth Soccer National Instructor.  Author - 1) The Youth Soccer Coaching Model, 2) Soccer Coaching Made Easy

Tuesday Apr 28, 2026

Agenda:   Characteristics of the Highest Level Goalkeepers
Characteristics of Highest Level GKs
GK Training & Competitiveness at the Highest Levels
Experiences Coaching Tony Meola & Zach Thornton
5 Elements of a GK's Development
Experiences Coaching Tim Howard
GK Trainers vs GK Coaches
Head Coach & GK Coach Relationships
Influence on Head Coaches
Importance of Relationships & Trust
GK Coaching Education
 
Coach:  Tim Mulqueen, St. Joseph's University Men's Head Coach - Current Head Coach with St. Joseph's University Men's Soccer.  Former USMNT GK Coach.  Former Professional GK Coach (Kansas City Wizards, MetroStars, Orlando City).  Winner of the MLS Cup (2000), Supporters Shield (2000), & US Open Cup (2004).  Former Professional Head Coach (Memphis 901).  Former AC @ Rutgers University Men's Soccer.  Coached the likes of Tim Howard, Tony Meola, Brad Guzan, Kasey Keller, Zach Thornton, Brad Friedel, Kevin Hartman, Mike Ammann, amongst others.  
 

Tuesday Apr 14, 2026

Agenda:  Successful Head Coach & GK Coach Relationship
UNC Women Dynasty
Team Culture Mentality
Core Values & Trust
Competition within the Team Environment
Peer Feedback 
GK Leadership 
 
Coach:  Anson Dorrance, Retired University of North Carolina (UNC) Head Coach - Head Coach of UNC Women's soccer team from 1979 - 2024, and the men's team from 1977 - 1988.  21-time NCAA National Champion. 7-time NCAA National Coach off the Year.  USWNT Head Coach.  World Cup Winner (1991).  UNC Sports Hall of Fame (2005).  
 
Coach:  Chris Ducar, University of North Carolina (UNC) Assistant Coach & General Manager - 30+ years with UNC.  UNC GK Coach, 26 years.  9-time NCAA National Champion.  2006 National Assistant Coach of the Year named by National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NCSAA).  Former USYNT GK Coach.

Tuesday Mar 24, 2026

Agenda:  Worldwide Goalkeeping Development Trends
Global Goalkeeping Development Trends
US vs UK vs Worldwide - Differences & Similarities
GK Culture
GK Coach vs Head Coach Relationship
GK Coach Influences within the Club 
GK Coaching Education
Influence of the 5 Elements of a GK's Development
Pain Points
Next Steps
 
Coach:  Tony Elliott (Birmingham, England) - UEFA A License GK Coach.  Head of Women's International Youth Goalkeeping at the F.A.  Head of F.A.'s Para Lead GK Coach.  Lead GK Coach, England Men's Blind & Deaf Squad.  International Futsal Coach & Educator.    2-time F.A. Disability Coach of the Year.  2025 Nations Cup Gold Medal, International Blind Soccer Association.  Author - A Modern Approach to Goalkeeping.  Former Professional Goalkeeper (Hereford United, Huddersfield Town, Carlisle United, Cardiff City, Scarborough).  Former Professional GK Coach (Birmingham City Women).  Former England National Team Futsal GK Coach. 

Friday Mar 13, 2026

Agenda:  The Evolution & Future Trends of Goalkeeper Coaching
Tactical Game Related Training
GK Coaching Education
Goalkeeping Game Model
GK Coach - Official Member of the Coaching Staff
Proper Training Environment
Environment vs Session
Communication Between HC and GK Coach
Mentorships
 
Coach:  Phil Wheddon (Pennsylvania) - Philadelphia Union Assistant Coach & Director of Goalkeeping.  FIFA Technical Expert.  International Goalkeeper Coaches Conference (IGCC), Director.  Former USNT Goalkeeper Coach for the Men & Women.  Coached in 3 World Cups & 2 Olympics.

Friday Mar 13, 2026

Agenda:  Psychological Pressures of Goalkeeping
Who Needs to Understand?
Support Group is Needed
How do Coaches Administer Pressure in Training?
How Do Coaches Train the Mind?
Tools to Relieve Pressure
Pressure & Confidence Go Hand in Hand
Life Lessons
Pressure is a Privilege
 
Coach:  Dr. Bill Steffen (North Carolina) - Associate Professor of Sport Science Wingate University.  United Soccer Coaches Lead Educator GK Education.  27 Years Collegiate Coach.  2-time National Champion with North Carolina Women's Soccer.  2016 United Soccer Coaches Berticelli Award (Outstanding Contributions to Soccer Education).

Friday Mar 13, 2026

Agenda:
Skills Acquired in Youth Development
College Competition - Competing to be #1
Professional MLS Competition
Being the #2
How to Deal with Adversity
Earning the #1
Keeping the #1
Coaching In the Professional MLS Game
Pathways & Opportunities - What to Look For
Parent Takeaways to Support Your GK
 
Coach:  Jon Conway (Toronto) - Former 12 Year Professional MLS Goalkeeper (Toronto FC, Chivas USA, New York Red Bulls, San Jose Earthquakes).  2 Time MLS Cup Champion.  Former 9 Year MLS Goalkeeper Coach (Toronto FC).  

Friday Mar 13, 2026

Agenda:
Define GK Coach & GK Trainer
Purposes of GK Coach & GK Trainer
Difference Between GK Coach & GK Trainer
GK Coach or GK Trainer w/in the Club? 
How do We Develop More GK Coaches?
 
Coach:  Mike Ammann (North Carolina) - Founder 247GK.  GK Coach w/ UNC Charlotte Mens Soccer.  GK Coach @ Charlotte Independence.  Former Professional Goalkeeper in English Football (Charlton Athletic) and MLS (Kansas City Wiz, D.C. United, New York MetroStars).  2000 MLS All-Star Game Starter.

Thursday Jan 15, 2026

Agenda:
GK Coach & Head Coach Relationship
Reality vs Ideal in Club/Academy Environment
Head Coach Goalkeeping Knowledge is Needed
Collaboration is a MUST
How Changes Can Occur
Coach:  Ian Feuer (California) - Owner of Ian Feuer Goalkeeping Academy.  Former USMNT & US Olympic Goalkeeper.  Former Professional Goalkeeper (English Premier League, Major League Soccer).  Former USMNT, USWNT, Professional & Collegiate GK Coach.  @ianfeuer

Tuesday Jan 06, 2026

Agenda:
GK Development w/in the Club
Current vs Ideal Status GK Development w/in the Club
GK Coaches Roles w/in the Club 
GK Coaches Relationships w/ DOC & Head Coaches
Collaboration is a MUST
Benefits
Coach: Jon Busch (Pennsylvania) - Goalkeeper Coach, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship).  Director of Goalkeeping, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.  Former Director of Goalkeeping @ Hibernian FC (Scottish Premiership) & Indy Eleven (USL Championship).  Former 20+ year Professional Goalkeeper.  MLS GK of the Year 2008.  Owner, HP Goalkeeping.  @hpg_gk

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