AzKicksIt Podcast with Garrett & Odeen Featuring AZ Natives Robbie Findley And Miguel Benavides

In this week’s edition of the AzKicksIt podcast, Garrett and Odeen are joined by Robbie Findley, who played in the 2010 World Cup for the US and currently plays forward for Championship club Nottingham Forrest in England. They are also joined by local product Miguel Benavides, who played at Grand Canyon University and will be moving to Austria to play professionally. The guys also talk about MLS transfer rumors, Euro 2012  and the stoppage-time goal from Danny Toia that lifted FC Tucson to victory over OC Blue Star.

Robbie Findley – @RobbieFindley

Robbie Findley is the first Arizona-born player to suit up for the US Men’s National Team at a World Cup, which he did in 2010 in South Africa. (Pablo Mastroeni is also a local boy, but he was born in Argentina.) Robbie attended Oregon State University and was drafted by the Los Angeles Galaxy. He then played for Real Salt Lake and transferred to storied English franchise Nottingham Forrest in 2010. Robbie talks about what it is like playing in Europe, which coaches had a huge influence on him as a youth in Arizona and what is was like dealing with the threat of being relegated.

Miguel Benavides - Grand Canyon University Profile

Miguel, originally from Salem, Ore., played midfielder for GCU and will be moving to Austria in December to pursue playing professionally. Miguel was in Austria earlier this summer and talks about his tryout experience and the language barriers he had to overcome. Miguel talks about his strengths as a player and how he hoped to fulfill his dreams by moving up and playing in the higher divisions in Europe. Miguel will also not be moving their alone as fiancee Brooke will be joining him.

The AzKicksIt guys a few weeks ago spoke to David Paul, another Arizonan who plays professionally in Europe (Poland). Listen to that podcast here.

Check out our other podcasts with Ives Galarcep, Jeremiah Oshan, Avi Creditor, Noah Davis Brad Evans and others…

Do you like our podcast and want to hear more podcasts that feature national soccer writers and players? Then follow the guys on Twitter: Garrett and Odeen…and don’t forget to like us on Facebook

PODCAST BROKEN UP INTO THREE PARTS

FULL PODCAST WITH ROBBIE AND MIGUEL

ROBBIE FINDLEY ONLY

Miguel Benavides ONLY