Podcast: Aztec Soccer’s Jeff Winterton on staying competitive for two decades

Aztec Soccer Club players celebrate a goal. (Aztec Soccer Club)

The latest guest on New England Soccer Journal’s “The Goal” podcast is Aztec Soccer Junior Boys Director Jeff Winterton.

Winterton has been with Aztec, a club headquartered on the North Shore of Massachusetts, for two decades. Aztec’s pathway begins at the U-6 level and provides competitive teams all the way up to the U-23 level.

Last spring, Aztec was purchased by 3STEP Sports, and the club has continued to grow, expanding by nearly 60% over the past five years.

Winterton joined host Matt Langone to discuss the evolution of the club through the past 20 years, successes on the field and what the forecast is for 2024.

The full podcast can be accessed below and is available on all major platforms. If you enjoy it, please leave a rating and a review.

Here are some highlights from our discussion with Winterton:

On the purchase by 3STEP:

Winterton: “I’ve seen every iteration, so to speak, of Aztec Soccer Club, and we’ve entered a new phase. We were purchased by the 3STEP Group, which is a pretty big sports management group, based out of Andover (Mass.), and that happened as we transitioned into this (2023-24). I’m happy to say that the on-field experience for our families hasn’t changed too much. We feel like there’s a good deal of support from a group as large as theirs.”

On navigating the club landscape without an ECNL, Girls Academy or MLS NEXT platform:

Winterton: “It goes down to player development. I think we’ve been true to our message and true to the core of what we’ve tried to do. So, we have teams that can compete at those levels. … I think our families — everybody has the internet now — so there’s no hiding what opportunities are out there. But I think a lot of those families would have to drive past our practice, and travel another hour just to chase those four letters. I mean, MLS NEXT is a different ball of wax. We really celebrate when we can push players on to that level, but we do feel like our top teams are competitive with those teams.”

On Aztec’s approach to player development:

Winterton: “One of the things that Mike Kersker started and (current club leader) Jared Scarpaci and Mike Bettencourt are carrying over is this fantastic college mentoring program that we have. We provide for our families — that’s the point of why we’re in this business — we tell our younger players ‘we’re trying to prepare you for high school and hope that you might go on to the university or collegiate level as a player.’ We help them as students, so a lot of our families realize that we’re there for holistic support.”

On the club’s goals for 2024:

Winterton: “It’s giving those players from A to Z that experience that will keep bringing them back — and for those younger players, especially. I took a picture last fall of our 2012 boys and I’m going to keep it, because I just want to see how many of those kids become high school all-stars, because, like I said, if you look through (all-star lists), it’s littered with players who have just developed at the club. Their aspirations have been to become the best player they can. The formula is pretty simple: you train three days a week with good training and good players and good coaching, with a good developmental model. And all of a sudden, five years later, you’re on your high school team and your coach is putting you in as a freshman and you’re making an impact.”

“The Goal” podcast is brought to you by the New England Revolution.

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