The Colorado Rapids Podcast · Colorado Rapids Soccer Club

From Philly to the Premiership: The Auston Trusty Story MLS Almost Missed | The Conversation

·56 min·5 clips

Austin Trusty was on the cut list until a mentor intervened, saving his soccer career from ending early.

This episode of The Colorado Rapids Podcast features host Jordan Angeli interviewing professional soccer player Auston Trusty, who currently plays for Celtic in Scotland. Trusty shares his journey from a youth player in Pennsylvania to competing in the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League. He discusses growing up as the youngest of six athletic siblings in Philadelphia, where his sister's soccer career first inspired him. Trusty reveals he almost got cut from the Philadelphia Union academy before coach E.M. Monroe intervened to keep him on the team. He signed a homegrown contract with the Union at age 17 but initially struggled with depression and isolation from friends in college. A preseason friendly against Swansea City gave him confidence he could compete at higher levels. Trusty was traded to the Colorado Rapids in 2020, viewing it as necessary to leave his comfort zone. His standout 2021 season with Colorado led to a transfer to Arsenal, who immediately loaned him to Birmingham City in the English Championship. He played every minute of Birmingham's 46-game Championship season, describing it as one of the world's most grueling leagues. Trusty later played for Sheffield United in the Premier League, facing stars like Mohamed Salah and Marcus Rashford. He notes the psychological shift from Arsenal's title-winning mindset to Sheffield's relegation-avoidance focus was challenging. Trusty joined Celtic in 2023, calling Champions League nights at Celtic Park the best atmosphere in world football. He played against Bayern Munich and scored in a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig during their Champions League campaign. Trusty credits his basketball background for his defensive stance and movement on the soccer field. His high school basketball coach stopped speaking to him after he quit to focus on soccer academy commitments. Trusty chose the University of North Carolina for college soccer primarily because of his obsession with Michael Jordan. He describes the Old Firm derby against Rangers as an intense rivalry where "people really care." Trusty's current dream is to become the best defender the United States has ever produced and play in a World Cup. The conversation has a reflective and personal tone, with Trusty sharing previously private struggles. Angeli guides the discussion with thoughtful questions about emotional challenges alongside career milestones. Soccer fans interested in player development and the mental aspects of professional sports will appreciate this episode. Listeners seeking only tactical analysis or game highlights might find it too personal.

As heard by us

A straightforward career story about change, belief, and growing into a bigger stage.

Austin Trusty's path from Philly to Colorado to the Scottish Premiership gives the episode its shape. Jordan Angeli keeps the focus on the human side of the move, and Trusty is at his best when he talks about leaving comfort behind, being traded, and realizing that a new setting…

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Why you'd press play

You want a candid career story from Philadelphia to Colorado to the Scottish Premiership.

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