The Stepover

Electric City FC’s Zak Drake

Who's The Drake??
This episode we chat with Ottawa's Zak Drake, a fullback currently playing for League 1 Ontario side Electric City FC in Peterborough. ECFC has CPL ambitions, and Zak gives us some details on the organization, what it's like to play for Electric City, as well as talking about his own career. Where was his favourite place to play? What's it like living in a cottage in the Kawarthas with your teammates? And did he really play against Neymar??
Chat with Zak begins at 3:08

OSU PLSQ Head Coach Peter Mapendere

As Ottawa South United kicks of its 2022 PLSQ campaigns, we chat with program head coach Peter Mapendere to talk about the upcoming season, the goals of the program, and some players to watch.
We also chat a bit about Peter's journey, growing up in Zimbabwe, idolizing Bruce Grobbelaar (and then being mentored by him!!), and the fundamental reason he wants to coach youth players.

Jay Bhindi

We're chatting with Ottawa native Jay Bhindi, now an assistant head coach with Valour FC. Jay's career has taken him from Ottawa South United, to Fury FC, to Austin, Edmonton and now Winnipeg.
Jay is one of the great young coaching minds in Canada, and in this wide-ranging interview we touch on:
-the developing soccer pyramid in Canada
-Jay's love of Turkish footy
-learning from Phil Dos Santos
-favourite slushie flavours
-and lots more!

Jeff Addai & OPSM

Our guest this week is a fantastic player, he's a champion in Finland, and he's also a businessman.
He's Ottawa's own, Jeff Addai!
Jeff plays for PEPO Lappeenranta in Finland, which he recently helped earn promotion to the Finnish second tier. He's also co-founder of the Ottawa-based One Performance Sports Management (OPSM Pro) which represents players around the world, and helps provide pathways for players to pursue pro careers.
We ask Jeff about his career, how his friendship with Julian de Guzman helped get him to Europe, and all about OPSM. This is a must-listen!

Atlético Ottawa Head Coach Carlos González

Welcome to your González years
In late February, 36 year old Spaniard Carlos González was named the new head coach of Atlético Ottawa. Now, barely two and a half months later, after an intense training camp in Madrid, his Ottleti squad will kick off the 2022 CPL campaign at home against Cavalry FC.
Ahead of the opener, Josh talks with Carlos about cheering for Atlético as a kid, what kind of coach he is now, and his expectations for the season.
Also, the important question on supporters minds: is Ottawa massive???
 
0:55 - Brandon Adibe breaks Canadian soccer social media
2:20 - plugging the Apt613.ca 2022 season preview for Atletico Ottawa
3:35 - chat with Carlos González

Kayla Adamek

Forging a professional career in Europe as a Canadian is hard, but Ottawa's Kayla Adamek is doing it. Having spent time training with Orlando Pride in the NWSL before playing pro in Serbia and Spain, Adamek recently signed for Vittsjö GIK in Sweden's top division.
Kayla provides her insight into what she'd like to see from a professional women's league in Canada, as well as her road-to-pro, sneaking onto the field at Algonquin, and what it was like training with the legendary Marta.
 
2:18 - updates on local players
6:15 - chat with Kayla Adamek

Capital City Supporters Group pumped for 2022

Whether you're a casual fan or a die-hard, there's no better way to stay connected to Atletico Ottawa than by following Capital City Supporters Group. Founded shortly after 'Ottleti' was born, CCSG has been a creative and supportive force for Ottawa's pro club, from creating content online, to hosting events, and of course helping create the unbelievable atmosphere at TD Place.
Josh chats with CCSG founder Daniel Duff, as well as key members Eddie Benhin and Thomas Stockting to find out what's coming up for the group, especially as the days count down to Atletico Ottawa's home opener on April 9.

West Ottawa SC’s Kwame Telemaque

This episode Josh chats with the Technical Director for West Ottawa Soccer Club, Kwame Telemaque!
Kwame is hugely accomplished, having played professionally in Belgium, Ireland and Portugal, and has coached teams across the city, eventually landing at West Ottawa, where he took over as Technical Director in the summer of 2021.
We touch on his unique playing career, why Ottawa was the only place he wanted to land as a coach, League1 Ontario, and what it's like as an aspiring pro today versus when he was starting.
 
Also, Josh touches on the CanWNT Arnold Clark Cup roster update, Sadie Sider-Echenberg's NWSL call, and Antoine Coupland's new European contract.
 
Chat with Kwame starts at 5:15

Ottleti Update ft. Jessie Porter-MacLennan

In this episode, Jessie Porter-MacLennan of 613 Sports takes on co-hosting duties as she and Josh discuss the recent CPL x USports draft, as well as the 6 new signings that were announced in ONE DAY.
PLUS
-Draft surprises
-Should Ottleti draft local?
-Most important new signing
-What comes next?
-Should Ottleti have a mascot?

EODSA Executive Director Vicki Lowe

In this episode we're chatting with the Executive Director of the Eastern Ontario District Soccer Association, Vicki Lowe!
If you're like me, you might not know much about your own district soccer association. For Ottawa, that's the EODSA. We're fixing that by chatting with Vicki to learn the ins and outs of the association.
Vicki provides a great perspective as well on the state of the sport in the area, her dream for the CPL (and future women's league), and the challenge for adults looking to keep playing, or get back into soccer.
 
Chat with Vicki starts at 2:54
CCSG Draft Preview teaser at 26:09