In this episode, Dr. Adam Loiacono sits down with sports physical therapist and former soccer coach Dr. Matt Midkiff to unpack the challenges facing youth soccer today. They discuss the dangers of overtraining, the impact of the pay-to-play model, and how better collaboration between coaches, parents, and providers can keep young athletes healthy and thriving.
Dr. Matt Midkiff’s path to sports physical therapy didn’t follow a straight line.
He was a college soccer player at Westmont, a youth coach who built one of Arizona’s top club programs, and today he’s a leading sports PT who helps young athletes stay healthy and competitive.
In this episode of Finding Small Wins, we dive deep into the youth soccer ecosystem — where passion meets pressure.
You’ll learn three key lessons from Matt’s experience:
First, why collaboration between parents, coaches, and providers is the missing link in youth athlete development.
Second, how the pay-to-play model and overloaded schedules are quietly creating injury epidemics.
And third, the practical fixes — from communication templates to smarter training periods — that can keep kids performing without breaking down.
Whether you’re a coach, a parent, or a clinician, this conversation is a reminder that the next generation’s success depends not on more games — but on better guidance.