Red Card Real Talk
Real guidance for parents raising athletes.
Finally, a place for sports parents to get real answers, not sideline guesses.
If your child is serious about soccer, you already know how much there is to figure out. The clubs, the costs, the recruiting windows, the overseas options — and somehow you're expected to know it all while keeping your kid grounded and motivated.
You don't need another forum full of opinions.
You need perspective that's been earned the hard way.
Giving parents a clear path through the chaos of youth and college athletics — from first cleats to college commitments and beyond.
We've been there. Twice.
Red Card Real Talk was built by a parent who’s lived every stage, from the first rec team to the college signing table, and has seen it all (twice).
If you’ve ever found yourself:
Watching from the sidelines and wondering what’s next
Balancing multiple club seasons and overlapping schedules
Managing injuries, illnesses, and tears (theirs and yours)
Dealing with bad coaches or limited play time
Navigating tricky parent relationships
Reading the fine print on offers and commitments
Trying to understand the college recruiting maze
Paying for endless tournaments, uniforms, and travel
Managing burnout and emotional overload
Debating whether to switch clubs or stay the course
Supporting big dreams while keeping reality in check
…then you’re exactly who this platform was made for.
Red Card Real Talk flips the focus back to families. Because when parents understand what’s really happening, they make smarter choices and their athletes thrive.
You're already doing it all...
driving, funding, scheduling, and cheering. And yet, it still feels like guesswork.
Every new chat on the sidelines more confusion. You just want straight answers about what matters and what doesn’t.
College is starting to feel close, and you want to help your child succeed without becoming that parent.
You’re tired of mixed messages, vague timelines, and big promises that never deliver.
You’ve invested time, money, and energy — and now you want it to count.
If that sounds like you, welcome to Red Card Real Talk.
Because this time, the focus is on you — the parent behind the player.
Now you'll know what comes next.
After joining, you know which opportunities are worth it. You have the confidence to make decisions calmly instead of reacting.
Your athlete feels supported, not pressured.
And you finally feel like the parent with a plan, not the one just trying to keep up.
Monthly Membership Includes
One Membership for every phase of the journey.
Phase 1 (Coming Soon)
The Early Years – Kickoff
Every soccer story starts with a simple choice: to play. In this phase, we revisit the early days from the first recreational team to the big “travel” decision. You’ll learn what to look for in those first clubs, how to balance family time and costs, and the unspoken rules of sideline life. This is where the love of the game begins for both the player and the parent.
Phase 2 (Coming Soon)
The Grind Years – Development & Exposure
The honeymoon is over, and the grind begins. These are the years of growth, long weekends, and tough calls about where to play and who to play for. We’ll talk about finding the right club culture, managing hidden costs, and navigating showcases, ID camps, and highlight reels. It’s the stage where passion meets persistence and where your support matters most.
Phase 3
The Big League – Recruiting & College Pathways
When college dreams come into focus, the game changes. Here, we break down the recruiting process from understanding divisions and the June 15th contact date to the truth about scholarships and commitments. We’ll share what we learned navigating the NCAA maze, talking money, and helping our kids find the right fit academically, athletically, and emotionally.
Phase 4
Beyond the Border – International Pathways
For some players, the journey leads overseas. In this phase, we share what it’s really like to send your child abroad — the logistics, the culture shock, and the incredible growth that comes with it. From navigating visas to comparing U.S. and U.K. college systems, you’ll get an honest look at what playing internationally means for both athlete and family.
Bonus Phase 5
The Parent Lens – Real Talk Reflections
After years on the sidelines, you see the game differently. This final phase is about perspective: the mistakes, the lessons, and the life skills that last long after the final whistle. We’ll talk about burnout, balance, mental health, and supporting siblings with different paths. Because in the end, it’s not just about soccer — it’s about raising strong, grounded kids who carry what they learned on the field into everything they do.
Plus, Every Month You’ll Get
Your subscription gives you ongoing access to guidance, insight, and resources across five phases that cover the full athletic path, from first cleats to college and beyond.
Monthly “Wine Q&A” — live or recorded candid sessions with parents who get it (~45 mins)
New videos and lessons added regularly as the sports landscape changes
Worksheets, checklists, and templates to help you take action
Constant additions to The Parent Lens — featuring what’s really happening right now in sports parenting
The Red Card Real Talk Membership
This is straight talk, steady support, and real information when you need it.
Founding Member (first 25 members only)
$ 49/mo
$99/month (after the founding spots are filled)
First 25 members only
Access to all current and future phase content
Monthly Wine Q&A sessions (live or recorded)
Ongoing updates, videos, and new discussions
Worksheets, checklists, and templates
Constant additions to The Parent Lens — covering the real-time, unfiltered side of being a sports parent
No contracts. No hidden fees. Cancel anytime.
Meet Teana
The Parent Behind Red Card Real Talk
Hey! I’m Teana McDonald — a.k.a. Soccer Mom Unfiltered ⚽️💬
I’m the mouth behind Red Card Real Talk — Soccer Mom, entrepreneur, wife, and professional sideline ranter (you know the type).
One of my kids plays overseas while attending college, and the other is committed to play D1 in college — so yes, I’ve officially lived every version of the youth soccer journey.
I didn’t build this alone. Red Card Real Talk was created with a good friend who’s watched me go through all of this chaos — the travel schedules, the recruiting rollercoaster, the sideline politics — all of it.
Together, we realized one thing: I could’ve saved a lot of time, money, and sanity if someone had just told me the truth.
I’m not an expert — just a parent like you. Figuring it out as I go, making the best choices I can, and trying to stay caffeinated (and occasionally hydrated with something stronger) just to survive another weekend tournament.
Red Card Real Talk is everything I wish I had when I started — honest insights, real conversations, and a community of parents who get it.
Because this game isn’t just about kids chasing goals — it’s about learning how to play smarter, too.
Every parent wants the same thing, to give their child the best chance to succeed
This world of youth and college sports can be confusing and competitive, but it doesn’t have to be lonely.
You’re already showing up — driving, cheering, paying, hoping you’re doing it right. Red Card Real Talk was built so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Join today, lock in your Founding Member rate, and be part of a community that’s changing how soccer parents learn, lead, and lift each other up.
Because this game is bigger than the field and you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Join as a Founding Member
Limited to the first 25 parents.
Where We’re Starting (and Where We’re Going)
We’re beginning right where most parents are feeling the pressure: the high-school years.
Inside the membership, Phase 3: The Big League – Recruiting & College Pathways is live now.
This is your playbook for navigating college recruiting — timelines, divisions, scholarships, communication, and how to make decisions that fit your family.
Founding Members get full access to everything in The Big League today.
Join now and grow with us as each phase unfolds. You’ll stay ahead of what’s coming for your athlete, wherever they are in the journey.
You’re not just joining a membership. You’re helping shape the future of Red Card Real Talk — a space built by parents who’ve been through it and want to make this process easier for the ones coming next.
Founding Member Rate: $49/month (limited to the first 25 members)
Standard Rate: $99/month (after the first 25 spots are filled)
This is your chance to lock in the lowest rate we’ll ever offer. Once the founding seats are filled, the standard rate applies.
Red Card Real Talk is a membership community for sports parents offering real guidance, recruiting insights, and practical support from youth soccer through college and beyond.
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Disclaimer: Information provided by Red Card Real Talk is for general educational purposes only and does not guarantee any specific results or outcomes. All opinions expressed are our own and do not constitute endorsements. We are not responsible for the accuracy of information shared or for any decisions or actions taken by others based on it.