Limited Edition Sethmode Soccer Jersey

The limited edition Sethmode soccer jersey, designed and produced by Endo Customs (at their DTLA workshop), is constructed of technical Italian fabrics. Lightweight moisture wicking mesh panels provide optimum breathability and performance on the field.

2nd Annual Sethmode Select (Des Moines)

Sethmode Select is an invite only soccer program where participants play multiple games (on random teams) while accumulating individual points. The unique format was designed to help players strengthen their love for soccer, improve their skills and build a solid support network for the future. No drills. Just games with friendly competition (and prizes)!

This was our second year putting it on in my hometown and first at Aliber Soccer Complex (the very fields I played on as a kid and a plot of land my mom helped acquire for one of the first soccer clubs in Iowa). Local coaches, club directors and scouts recommended the best players (boys ages 15-18) who have the skills and desire to play at the next level. The list (of 200+ endorsed players) was ultimately narrowed down to 36.

There were some really exciting games and players, including many All-State selections, members of the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Olympic Development Program team, D1 college commits and the Iowa Gatorade Player of the Year. We also had some very cool gear/prizes from global brands, impactful guest speakers (after every session) and a special guest coach from the MLS. Because the value of the program is primarily in the format itself, many local soccer legends stopped by throughout the week to help facilitate, motivate, encourage and inspire. The whole experience was (once again) a great reminder that doing what you love is a very special thing!

Important behind the scenes supporters: Austin Fisher, Chris McGill, Daryl Brazeau, Joe Sithonnorath, Garrett Crall, Garrett Culligan, Marshall Porter, Matt Carlson, Matt Kennedy, Matt Nickell, Nick Olivencia and Tomas Boltnar.

Special thanks to all the donors: Amy Andersen, Billy Scott, Bob Modersohn, Catherine Sanders, Charles Pritchard Jr, Charlie Kirke, Debra Duball, Delia Vasquez, Dianne Miles, Israel Rodriguez (Avozar), Jack Palen, Jan Bannister, Jeanna Gutierrez, Jennifer Nevshemal, Jodi Wood, John Gaspari, Jonathan Kabagi, Joseph Raineri, Kevin Hansen, Kristina Piech-Nurre, Kyle Reilly, Lauri Brandt, Lesley Peterson, Linda Williams, Lisa Broderick, Lisa Hanigan, Luis Herrera, Margaret Leonardo, Mark Novak, Oliver Bardwell, Payne Hoyt, Ronaldo Enamorado, Ryan Johnston, Stacey Heston, Stephanie Longnecker, Steven Peak, Tanner Hellickson, Theo Nsereko, Trisha Irvin, Vikki Graham, Will Nurre, Yvette Spence and Zac Voss (Voss Distributing).

A portion of all donations go to the Paula Modersohn Soccer Scholarship.

Photography by: Bob Modersohn and Monirah Aldosari.

Happy Feet In Colombia

I recently had the opportunity to visit Colombia, travel the countryside, spend time with some inspiring kids and give back (via soccer/fashion). I feel like I got way more than I gave and came home with much more than a new perspective on life.

My friends Andy Stein and his wife Dilia Jelen (Orphan Starfish Foundation) lead the way. They help over 9,500 children in 46 programs in 21 countries! They are dedicated to working with orphans, victims of abuse and at-risk youth. OSF’s mission is to foster lasting change in the lives of the children they serve by giving them the opportunity to develop vocational skills through computer technology and gain employment that will enable them to overcome the cycle of poverty and abuse.

Our journey started out in Bogota, at an orphanage named “Amparo de Niños Granja Loyola” (The Protection of Children). The 65+ kids we met there had a lot of energy, were well mannered and very eager to learn. Unfortunately, harsh abuse is typically associated with each kid’s past, but you would never know it when interacting with them. The extremely professional staff helps facilitate an incredible structure that fills every day with classes, sports, arts, and everything else a young mind could desire. This prepares the kids for life after 18 years of age. The result is success. Most kids from this facility go to college, find stable jobs, get married and live a productive life. All of the love and support provided by OSF is a big reason for this.

They had a very nice (full) soccer field and I think only one soccer ball. We brought a bag full of balls, donated by Niky’s Sports, that we used and then left behind for the kids. They were ecstatic!

Rather than just play a big 11 v 11 game, where players wouldn’t get that many touches, we did a mini clinic and then split up into a couple small-sided games. I was really impressed with the level of play! Most kids were technically sound and had a very good understanding of the game. It’s obvious they play and watch a lot of soccer. Everyone worked hard, worked well together, listened well (through an interpreter) and learned fast. I really enjoyed my time with this group and wish it was longer.

Each kid got at least a shirt or sweater or pair of socks. Some got one of each. They were all extremely appreciative!

Our next stop was a place called “La Solución Está en Tus Manos” (The Solution is in Your Hands), located in Choco. This area is the poorest and most dangerous in Colombia. It’s run by drug lords and is lawless in certain parts. The local sentiment is that the rest of Colombia has turned its back on the people here and don’t want anything to do with it. The orphanage was supposed to accomodate 300 kids, but word got out that we were coming and over 600 kids showed up. When we arrived, we heard loud cheering in the small 500-square-foot room that all the kids were crammed into. The cheers were very surreal. They were for us. The kids went crazy when we walked in.

I only speak a little Spanish and the kids don’t speak English, but luckily soccer is a universal language. All we needed was a ball. Not perfect grass or expensive jerseys or orange slices or state of the art cleats. The ball movement, the off the ball movement, the spacing, the eye contact, the communication was all an understanding without words.

Thanks to James Bond (Undefeated) and Jay Serbe for donating bags full of clothes and hats for the kids.

This was an eye-opening experience to say the least. Very emotional. I saw a world that for most only exists on TV. Areas without electricity or running water, people who are lucky to get one meal a day and 12-year-old kids — with kids. I saw an abundance of love and community but with a scarcity of material things. I felt nothing but warm vibes and a oneness that’s hard to verbalize.

I have a new appreciation, not just for the little things in life, but for some of the big things too. Some things we might regularly be grateful for, but maybe not as much as we should be. Some things, that without a reminder, we gradually take for granted. Like, family, clothes, opportunity, shelter, freedom, clean water, safety, food, health, hope and the list goes on.

Photos and videos with Seth in them, by Kelly Fogel. Photos without Seth in them, by Seth.

Summer Camp (Los Feliz)

We had a great couple of weeks! The players brought good attitudes, worked hard, improved their skills and, most importantly, had a lot of fun!

Thanks to coach Chap Early for sharing his soccer knowledge and love for the game. And a very special thanks to Summer Phoenix for helping put everything together!

During each race, instructions are given for how to finish. The instructions always require some sort of teamwork. This helps teach the players to compete with their ears open and work together. For example, teams must keep their ball in the air without using hands.

Inaugural Sethmode Select (Des Moines)

A few weeks ago I went back to my hometown (Des Moines, IA) and put on a free weeklong soccer program for a select group of players at Spring Creek Sports Complex (one of the premier facilities in the Midwest).

The unique Sethmode Select format was designed to help players strengthen their love for soccer, improve their skills and build a solid support network for the future. The program is an individual tournament (soccer olympics), with a team focus, point system and daily prizes. No drills. Just games. Local coaches, club directors and scouts recommended the best players from central Iowa (boys ages 15-18) who have the potential and desire to play at the next level. The list (of almost 70 players) was narrowed down to 24 and invites were extended.

The week went better than imagined. From the high level of soccer to the awesome gear/prizes to the impactful guest speakers (after every session), happiness was plentiful. The program value is primarily in the format itself, so many local soccer legends made appearances throughout the week to help facilitate, motivate, encourage and inspire. Some great soccer was played, bonds were made, memories were shared and lots of fun was had! The whole experience was a great reminder that doing what you love is a very special thing.

Thanks to my good friend, and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) vet, Josh Neer for talking to the players about what it’s like to compete at the highest level in the world. Neer gave some great advice, drawing from over a decade of experience as a professional athlete (including hundreds of mixed martial arts competitions). I used to sponsor Neer and his team (back in the day) and we would train together during my off seasons. He has one of the best work ethics of anyone I know! He also has a lot of respect for soccer and loved going to my games. I’ve really enjoyed watching Neer grow over the years, inside and out of the cage.

Day 2 challenged us with some rain (and lightning eventually ended our session a little early), but we still got in some good soccer and an awesome speech. Brooks Reynolds, one of my best friends and founder of the Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival (the world’s premier bacon festival) talked to the players about following their passion and turning ideas into reality.

Thanks to Josh Holderness, owner of Gusto Pizza, for making some of the best pizza around and having it delivered on multiple days! The Sethmode Select players and staff were very grateful! Especially on this rainy day.

Some generous global brands contributed everything from apparel to headwear to shoes and gift cards. Their support played a huge part in the program’s success. Thanks to all of the sponsors: Undefeated (James Bond), The Hundreds (Bobby Hundreds), Hall of Fame (Arsen Salatinjants), Crooks & Castles (Alfonso Felipe / Gee / AJ), Neff (Brianne Pinns), Soccer Connections (Freddy Tsui), Endo Customs (Bobby Endo), Voss Distributing (Zac Voss) and Avozar (Israel Rodriguez)!

Ryan Ford, Executive Vice President at Cashmere Agency (and one of my best friends), spoke to the players about social media, dreaming big and the value of a lifelong Iowa/soccer bond. He also told some pretty cool stories about what it’s like managing Snoop Dogg (as well as many other artists).

Mark Modersohn, my brother and Iowa’s most decorated college soccer player, flew in from Dallas to speak. He talked about the importance of setting goals, working hard and believing in yourself. He also talked about what it was like training alongside Tim Howard and Nick Rimando at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, when they were all a part of the U18 National (Pool) Team. Howard is the current U.S. national team goalkeeper and Rimando is the current goalkeeper for Real Salt Lake of the MLS. Words can’t explain how grateful I am for the amazing relationship we have.

A very special thanks to Ben Brackett for being one of the biggest Sethmode Select supporters! From the first time I told Brackett about my idea and plans, to the last day of the program, he was on board to help out however.

Brackett was one of my favorite players to coach. We won a state championship together and he was Gatorade Player of the Year and NSCAA State Player of the Year. He then went on to be a standout at Brown University, where he earned First Team All-Ivy honors. Brackett is extremely passionate about improving the level of soccer in Iowa. I’m very proud of all that he’s accomplished on and off the field.

Thanks to the many people who made donations (some without even knowing the Sethmode Select DNA): Bob Modersohn, Zac Voss, Mike Jesmer, Joanie and Matt Jesmer, Hillary Bender, Barb Haisch, Sherri Wiebel, Angie Deardorff, Terrisue Johnson, Luis Herrera, Rodrigo Mares, Pedro Enamorado, Alexander Montalvo, Bryan Danford, John Gaspari, Eric Schnack, Debra Culligan, Estela Whitman, William Colman and DeAnna Page. A portion of all donations go to the Paula Modersohn Soccer Scholarship.

Crafting Community (Palm Springs)

Thank you Karen Kimmel and James Bond (Undefeated) for including me in Crafting Community (Palm Springs) 2015! I’m extremely grateful for all of the awesome memories shared with new/old friends! Everyone was so friendly and full of creativity and love. I appreciate any opportunity I get to be around soccer (especially when I can give back to the sport), but a weekend like Crafting Community is rare and special and amazing.

Simba SC Men’s Team (Milwaukee)

I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with the Simba SC Men’s Team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was very impressed with their talent and quality of play—despite the rainy, 40-degree weather! Their passion was infectious and their love for the game inspires me to be better in every way. I look forward to building a lasting relationship with them and expanding the Sethmode methods. Big thanks to Rob “Biko” Baker and Tyrone Gordon for following their dreams and making this all possible!

I also put on a clinic for the awesome kids at Goodrich Elementary School. Everyone worked hard and had a lot of fun. And no one complained about the nasty weather (except for my dad, Bob Modersohn, who still managed to snap the following photos).

Tyrone plays for the Simba SC Men’s Team and coaches at Goodrich Elementary School. He’s a former Milwaukee Wave and Minnesota United professional player, who I helped mentor before he paved his non traditional path to the big leagues. It’s really cool to see him still playing at a high level and getting involved with the younger players.

I lived with Biko when I first moved to LA (12 years ago). We instantly developed a brotherly bond. He’s since moved back to Milwaukee (his hometown) and is very passionate about impacting the sport. He strongly believes soccer is a valuable tool to help keep kids off the streets. We’re always dissecting the game, reminiscing about our old playing days and talking about the future of soccer in America.

Silver Lake Flyers

A big thanks to James Bond (Undefeated) and Sugar Sherm for letting me be part of the Silver Lake Flyers’ coaching staff this past season. The amazing kids, parents and overall family environment brought me back to the good old days, playing soccer in Iowa. The experience reminded me that my love for soccer goes deep. It was really cool watching the team improve and, more importantly, have fun! Photos by Erik Ian.