Sometimes it’s important to stop and smell the roses. While we’re just as fanatical about reading the latest transfer stories, analysis pieces and seeing clips of incredible golazos as you are, we’d like to shine the light on one of the hard-working team members at World Soccer Talk who make much of this possible.

Caitlin O’Connell was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. While there’s no professional sports team in or near the metropolitan area, there are an abundant number of youth soccer teams, which is how Caitlin first got into the sport.

“I played soccer as a kid but I didn’t really become a fan until 2006 when I watched the World Cup.

“I became obsessed watching the sport, and really enjoyed watching the England team, especially Frank Lampard. It was because of him that I became a Chelsea fan.”

While on summer break from her studies at the University of Florida, Caitlin applied to become an intern at World Soccer Talk. Little did she know that she’d be thrown in to deep-end of helping the site cover every angle of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

“It was definitely something I’ll never forget,” she said. “It was an incredible experience because I had to be quick on my feet as I managed a team of over 50 writers from around the world. Just as it was a memorable World Cup to watch, it was also a joy to work because I played a large role in serving up content to more than 2 million readers in one month!”

After the internship was over, Caitlin returned to University of Florida and gained an internship at ESPN as a result of her experience at World Soccer Talk.

Caitlin graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in telecommunications.

What does Caitlin like to do in her free time outside of soccer? She loves playing video games (especially retro Nintendo classics), as well as being a movie and TV show buff.

Another hobby she’s picked up during the past few weeks focuses on combining her interests in soccer and tech.

Caitlin has picked up the mic and has had the pleasure of announcing four games for Rabble.tv. Her highlight was doing a Rabble for the Women’s World Cup Final and seeing the US Women’s team lift the trophy.

“It was one of the most exhilarating games I’ve ever watched,” she said. “Plus, I’ll never forget the USA-Germany Women’s World Cup game when the usually calm, cool and collected Célia Šašić missed that penalty. That was crazy!

“Rabble is a relatively new website that encourages you to listen to real fan’s announcing games via your computer, iOS app or your mobile browser. So, for example, if you’re watching a game and don’t want to hear Warren Barton sharing his ‘analysis,’ you mute your TV and then visit Rabble.tv to hear a real fan’s passion for the game.

“It’s much better than someone on national TV throwing out clichés or calling Michael Carrick ‘Mickey Carrick’ (among endless other flubs).”

After doing four Rabble audio commentaries for games in the last month, it got Caitlin thinking ‘what else would make a good Rabble?’

“Being such a sports nut, I didn’t notice that I could do audio for TV shows and movies, or anything else I’d like to talk about,” Caitlin added. “Being a movie, videos games and TV fanatic, that sparked some ideas in my head for a few TV shows and movies that I thought would make great Rabbles.”

Caitlin shared some of the ideas with us that she came up with for potential future Rabblecasts:

Game of Thrones

“Of course, one of the most popular, confusing and controversial shows has to be my number one choice.

“As the TV show strays further and further from the book series they are based off of, having some commentary throughout the episode would be helpful.

“Maybe having someone to help answer questions and read questions in comments would help clear up some of the more confusing aspects of the show.”

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D./Agent Carter/Daredevil

“Marvel is not just the company that produces blockbuster movies every summer. They also have some of the best TV shows available right now.

“Although they’re made for the casual viewer, they lay Easter eggs throughout all of their shows and are always bringing in villains or themes from their extensive comic book and cinematic universes.

“A serious fan could help point out some of those small nods as well as bring history into some characters.”

Better Call Saul

“A prequel to one of TV’s most popular series Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul is constantly showing hints of how one of one lawyer turns into the must-have council for some of the worst criminals in New Mexico.

“Breaking Bad has some of the most dedicated fans and would be great for Rabble while watching this new series.”

Suicide Squad

“Like the Marvel universe, the DC Comic universe is extensive and ever changing. The new movie, due out next year, follows a group of villains some casual fans have never heard of and someone with knowledge of the franchise could offer a lot of insight and background information that most would find extremely useful.”

The Hunger Games series

“Based of a best selling novel, the Hunger Games series is one of the most popular movies of the last few years.

“Being based on a book means they miss some key points, and a book reader doing a Rabble could tell a story between the lines of the movies.”

Inside Out (or any Pixar movie)

“Pixar is known for leaving easter eggs as well as casually suggesting to fans that all of the movies are connected in one big universe. A Rabble of any Pixar movie could be fun as well as a little emotional depending on the scenes.”

NWSL

“The National Women’s Soccer League is the league based in North America and is currently the home to every member of the recent USWNT World Cup champions, with the exception of Abby Wambach. This up and coming league boasts some of the best talent in the world and with games streaming on YouTube and soon to be featured on FOX, this is the perfect time to learn more about the U.S.’s domestic league.”

 

You can read Caitlin O’Connell’s work on World Soccer Talk.