The 50/50 Podcast

Ep. 139, Hometown Showdown: Derek Pittman, Head WSOC Coach, UTSA & Jake Plant, Head WSOC Coach, UIW

Derek Pittman, Head WSOC Coach of UTSA and Jake Plant, Head WSOC Coach of UIW join us LIVE for a very special episode as they highlight the return of the second annual "Hometown Showdown" between UTSA and UIW WSOC set for Thursday, September 4, 6:30pm, at the home of San Antonio FC, Toyota Field. Dubbed "The Battle of the Birds," or as we've labeled it, "The Toyota Field Takeover," we go back and forth with both coaches on their thoughts from last year's historic match, the current state of their teams, and their preparations for upcoming conference play in the American Athletic and Southland respectively. They also hit on why this match means so much to the San Antonio soccer community. A great show filled with great insight and laughs. Don't miss this exciting episode. 
 
[Originally recorded 8-25-2025)

Ep. 138, Ahmad Brown: Assistant Women's Soccer Coach & Video Performance Analyst, USC Trojans

Friend of the Pod and one of the brightest minds in College Soccer, Ahmad Brown, Assistant WSOC Coach & Video Performance Analyst, USC Trojans, joins us once again. In this episode we discuss the importance of how being a military veteran has helped shape Ahmad’s coaching career, to last season’s great run in the NCAA Tournament for USC. We also discuss their upcoming season and their new state-of-the-art Rawlinson Stadium scheduled to open later this month. We also discuss Coach Brown’s specialty that is video performance data and analytics and it’s impact on the game and how USC Women’s Soccer implements it. A fun-filled episode with lots of laughs and great info...Don’t miss this exciting episode! 
 
[Originally Recorded: August 2, 2025]

Ep. 137, Justin Lowry: Head MSOC Melissa Cardinals & Melissa Summer TST

Coach Justin Lowry of the Melissa Cardinals joins us to discuss their recent summer event, "The Soccer Tournament" (TST). Coach Lowry shares insight on how the tournament came to be and how it played it out along with lessons learned in it's inaugural year and thoughts on the future of the tournament. He also shares his thoughts after his first year at the helm for Melissa MSOC and what has him excited about the upcoming 25-26 season. Don't miss this special heartfelt episode! 
 
[Originally Recorded 7-26-2025]

Ep. 136, Summer of Soccer: Bryan Hayman, Elias Ramos, Eduardo Venegas

A special and heavy heartfelt show as we pay tribute to Coach Reece Zunker, Head MSOC Coach of Kerrville Tivy, who sadly passed away along with his wife in the recent Hill Country Flood tragedy. Along with INSIDE #TXHSSOC Co-Host, Rafa Castorena, we're joined by a star-studded panel of coaches in Bryan Hayman of Baytown Sterling MSOC, Elias Ramos of McKinney Boyd WSOC, and Eduardo Venegas of Georgetown WSOC. We look at the Summer of Soccer and dissect the FIFA Club World Cup, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and UEFA Women's Euros. The coaches then tell us about their team's summers so far and what has them excited about the upcoming season. Don't miss this special heartfelt episode! #KERRVILLESTRONG #HILLCOUNTRYSTRONG
 
[Originally Recorded 7-7-2025]

Ep. 135, Jeremiah Narvaez: Head WSOC Coach, University of Dallas

Great friend and long-time colleague, along with new Head WSOC Coach of the University of Dallas, Jeremiah Narvaez, joins the Pod! We discuss his ongoing transition into his new role as Head Coach and what his summer looks like on the recruiting trail. Coach Narvaez also gives us an in-depth look at what it means to coach and attend/play at a D-3 institution and program. Don't miss this great episode! 
 
[Originally Recorded 6-10-2025]

Ep. 134, The Coaches Panel: Alex Adams, Justin Johnson, Alexi Upton

We return with a special episode - The Coaches Panel, featuring Alex Adams, Head WSOC Coach of Timber Creek, Justin Johnson, Head WSOC Coach of San Antonio Churchill, and Alexi Upton, Head MSOC Coach of Royse City.
Our 6A coaches join us to discuss their new roles and why they made the change. They also give us great insight into the interview and hiring process. We also discuss the state of TXHSSOC and the many changes that have taken place in the last year, along with a look at the Club game and College Soccer. Don't miss this exciting episode! 
 
[Originally Recorded 6-9-2025]

S5 E12, INSIDE #TXHSSOC: State Finals Day 3 Recap (6A)

INSIDE #TXHSSOC returns for Season 5-Episode! Founder and Host, Hector Cano is joined by High School Soccer expert and Co-Host, Coach Rafa Castorena of The San Antonio Soccer Roundtable Podcast. We look back on Day 3 of the UIL State Championships in Georgetown, featuring 6A. We also look back at Region-by-Region breakdown of the Finals and how they did head to head. We wrap up with a great discussion on a historic weekend in Georgetown and a look back at a historic season of TXHSSOC. Don't miss out on this great episode of INSIDE #TXHSSOC! 
 
[Originally Recorded: 4-14-2025]

S5 E11, INSIDE #TXHSSOC: State Finals Day 1 & Day 2 Recap (4A & 5A)

INSIDE #TXHSSOC returns for Season 5-Episode! Founder and Host, Hector Cano is joined by High School Soccer expert and Co-Host, Coach Rafa Castorena of The San Antonio Soccer Roundtable Podcast. We're LIVE from Georgetown as we look back on Day 1 and Day 2 of the UIL State Championships, featuring 4A and 5A. We also look back at the fresh breaking news regarding Highland Park and Liberty Hill in the 5A/D2 State Final. We also look ahead to the third and final day of the State Championships, featuring 6A. Don't miss out on this great episode of INSIDE #TXHSSOC! 
 
[Originally Recorded: 4-11-2025]

S5 E10, INSIDE #TXHSSOC: Special Guests, Regional Finals & Semis Talk, & State Finals Preview

INSIDE #TXHSSOC returns for Season 5-Episode! Founder and Host, Hector Cano is joined by High School Soccer expert and Co-Host, Coach Rafa Castorena of The San Antonio Soccer Roundtable Podcast. In this episode we're joined by Dave Simeone, Director or Coaching Education for United Soccer Coaches, along with Winston Pool, Head WSOC Coach of Cedar Park and Jerson Carrasco, Head MSOC Coach of Klein Cain. Coach Simeone talks about the upcoming United Soccer Coaches blended Advanced National course, hosted by West Texas A&M, while both Coach Pool and Carrasco give us insight into their seasons and playoff experiences so far as they prepare for their upcoming State Championship matches. We wrap up with a look at the upcoming State Finals in Georgetown! Don't miss out on this great episode of INSIDE #TXHSSOC! 
 
[Originally Recorded: 4-6-2025]

S5 E9, INSIDE #TXHSSOC: Special Guests, Playoffs Talk, & Regional Final Spotlight

INSIDE #TXHSSOC returns Episode 9 of Season 5! A great, great show today as Founder and Host, Hector Cano is joined by High School Soccer expert and Co-Host, Coach Rafa Castorena of The San Antonio Soccer Roundtable Podcast. In this episode we're joined by Matt Dickinson, Head WSOC Coach of defending state champion, Prosper  and Rudy Moreno, Head MSOC Coach of Mesquite Poteet. Both coaches give us insight into their seasons and playoff experiences so far as they prepare for their Regional Final matchups versus FM Marcus and Dallas Highland Park, respectively. We then shift our focus to the State Playoffs where we look back on the madness of the Area and Regional Semifinal Rounds. We end with a look ahead with our Regional Final Spotlight. Don't miss out on this great episode of INSIDE #TXHSSOC! 
 
[Originally Recorded: 3-30-2025]