Meet cerebral palsy soccer legend Adam Ballou

Meet cerebral palsy soccer legend Adam Ballou

Author: US Soccer | Cumulus Podcast Network April 8, 2026 Duration: 44:44
Adam Ballou first started kicking a soccer ball when he was just 3-years old. And after that, he never looked back: Adam was first called into the U.S. Men’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) National Team when he was 14. Since then the midfielder has amassed almost 100 caps and represented his country in two Paralympic Games. Adam was also a part of the CP team that won the 2025 Copa America for the first time.   In this episode of the U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel, Adam down with host Meghan Klingenberg to discuss his joining the CP National Team, his proudest achievements representing team USA, and what soccer means to him.   2:25–  Meghan Klingenberg interviews Adam Ballou  6:03 – Adam discusses playing soccer in Spain  10:16 – Adam explains how he qualifies for the CP team  16:55 – Joining the team at just 15  25:19 – Adam’s proudest moment 31:18 – Adam discusses what soccer means to him  32:39 – Kling breaks out her story meeting Taylor Swift in 2015  36:33 – Ask the Pros presented by O’Reilly Auto Parts    The U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel is a production from U.S. Soccer hosted by David Gass, former USWNT star Meghan Klingenberg and USMNT great Alejandro Bedoya. The podcast brings you in-depth interviews with U.S. Soccer stars of the past, present and future. Episodes drop weekly on Wednesdays.  Hosts: Meghan Klingenberg, David Gass  Guest: Adam Ballou  Producer: Matthew Nelson  Tickets are available now for the SheBelieves Summit presented by Deloitte in Seattle, Wash. on April 15! Key speakers include Haley Rosen, Emma Hayes, Domo Wells, and more. Get your tickets to the Summit and the USWNT vs. Japan match presented by Allstate at https://events.ussoccer.com/shebelievessummit.  To learn more, visit http://www.ussoccer.com/podcast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Each week, the U.S. Soccer Podcast opens up a direct line to the individuals shaping the sport across the country. Host David Gass guides these Wednesday conversations, which are less about formal interviews and more about genuine discussions with coaches, staff, and players from every corner of the American game. You’ll hear from figures connected to the senior national teams, of course, but the dialogue consistently extends to the youth setups and the broader ecosystem dedicated to development. This approach provides a unique, ground-level perspective on the efforts to advance soccer in the United States. These are honest and often uplifting chats that go beyond scores and tactics to reveal the personal stories and professional philosophies driving progress. Tuning into this podcast means getting a clearer sense of the people behind the programs, from emerging talents to the seasoned minds guiding them. It’s an ongoing series of conversations that collectively map out the present and future of U.S. soccer, delivered through a partnership between U.S. Soccer and the Cumulus Podcast Network with support from Henkel.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

U.S. Soccer Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Brenden Aaronson, Max Arfsten & Bosnia Preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:30
The knockout stage is here. U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel host Meghan Klingenberg and David Gass break down the USMNT's Round of 32 matchup with Bosnia and Herzegovina, what Mauricio Pochettino's side can expec…
USMNT Knockout Round Preview: Bosnia, Pulisic & Lessons from Turkey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:42
The USMNT is through to the knockout rounds of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Meghan Klingenberg and Heath Pearce react to the group stage finale against Turkey, discuss Christian Pulisic’s return, Austin Trusty’s breakout mom…
Auston Trusty on His World Cup Debut + USMNT vs. Türkiye Preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:04
The U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel is back as the USMNT prepares to close out the group stage against Türkiye. Meghan Klingenberg and David Gass break down the matchup, what makes Türkiye a dangerous opponent an…
USMNT defeat Australia 2-0 in Seattle, post-game reaction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:57
The U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel is live from U.S. Soccer House presented by Bank of America in Venice Beach following the USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia. Meghan Klingenberg and Heath Pierce break down a gritt…
Tim Ream on the World Cup, Tierna Davidson on Pride [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:03
The USMNT is riding high after a statement-making World Cup opener against Paraguay, but there's no time to relax with Australia next on the schedule. Meghan Klingenberg and David Gass break down what made the U.S. perfo…
USMNT-Paraguay Postgame Show: Reaction to HUGE 4-1 win [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:42
The U.S. Soccer Podcast, presented by Henkel went live from Soccer House, presented by Bank of America in Venice Beach, after the USMNT's resounding 4-1 win over Paraguay to open the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Host Meghan Klin…
USA-Paraguay Preview Plus USMNT's Sebastian Berhalter & Alex Freeman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:54
U.S. Soccer Podcast presented by Henkel host Meghan Klingenberg is on the ground in Los Angeles covering FIFA World Cup 2026! She's bringing you all the fun content -- player interviews, match previews, animal prediction…