Knox Soccer Podcast · a podcast for everything SOCCER in Knoxville, TN

The Pathway to Texas & USYNT with Mateya Dessieux • #82

June 12, 2024·22 min·2 clips

Meet Mateo Dezor, a local soccer star committed to University of Texas and coaching young players in Knoxville.

This episode of the Knox Soccer Podcast features host Brian Canever interviewing local player and coach Mateya Dessieux. Dessieux is a high school athlete from Farragut, Tennessee, who has committed to play Division I soccer for the University of Texas. She also coaches youth players with the Monsters organization at One Knoxville SC. The conversation begins with Dessieux describing her positive experience coaching very young children, emphasizing fun and fostering a love for the game. She details her unique background, having been born in Haiti and adopted by a family in Tennessee, which includes a Bosnian grandmother. Dessieux explains her club soccer pathway, moving from local clubs to the elite TopHat Soccer Club in Atlanta, which required a weekly commute for training. She recounts her recruitment process, including a pivotal unofficial visit to the University of Texas that solidified her commitment. A key insight is Dessieux's description of the intense, multi-day tryout process for the United States Youth National Team (USYNT) camps. She highlights the importance of mental resilience and confidence at that elite level, noting the need to quickly adapt to faster play. Dessieux shares that her primary advice for young players is to prioritize enjoyment and not let the sport become a chore. She reveals her personal pre-game ritual involves listening to specific music to get into a focused mindset. The interview provides a behind-the-scenes look at the dedication required for high-level youth soccer, from long commutes to national team pressures. Dessieux's perspective is valuable as she balances being a top recruit, a national team hopeful, and a coach for beginners. The tone is informal and conversational, driven by a friendly interview dynamic between Canever and Dessieux. The style is educational and anecdotal, offering personal stories rather than broad analysis. This episode is ideal for youth soccer players, parents navigating the club and recruitment landscape, or fans interested in player development pathways. Listeners seeking tactical breakdowns or professional soccer news might find the focus too narrow and personal.

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