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Key Takeaways ⚽️

1. The different paths 🚏

2. Which one is best for you❓

3. Next steps ‼️

4. Top gear 👟

(This newsletter is a 5-minute read in total)

When it comes to setting your child or yourself up for success in college recruiting, it’s essential to set realistic goals and choose the right path to achieve those goals. We are going to dive into the different paths and find out which ones you should consider when playing college soccer.

Three main paths:

• Academy Soccer (MLS Next, ECNL)

• Club Soccer (state, regional, and national leagues)

• Highschool Soccer

So which option is best? Believe it or not, they are all great options. It just depends on your goals.

Think about what division you want to be playing in, how much money and time you can put towards the sport, and evaluate your current skill level and where you need to get to before college.

Follow along below ↓

The US Youth Soccer System:

For players dreaming of playing college soccer, understanding the different pathways can make all the difference. Not every route is the same, and the best option depends on your goals, resources, and timeline. Here’s a breakdown of the three main pathways to college soccer: academy, club, and high school.

Academy Soccer

Academy programs, such as MLS Next, ECNL, and GA, are considered the top-tier development platforms in the U.S. These leagues focus on elite competition and training environments that mirror professional setups.

College coaches frequently scout academy teams, and playing at this level often provides direct exposure to top programs.

However, these leagues demand high commitment, and extensive travel, and may even restrict players from participating in high school soccer.

Club Soccer

Club soccer offers various competitive levels, from regional leagues to national programs like National League and NPL.

Unlike academy soccer, club soccer allows more flexibility in schedules while still providing strong exposure through college showcases.

Many successful college players come from competitive club teams, making this a great option for those seeking balance between school, soccer, and personal life.

High School Soccer

High school soccer can be a viable route, especially in states where it holds significant prestige.

While some college programs don’t recruit heavily from high schools, players can still gain recognition through state championships, all-state selections, and participation in high-level training.

High school soccer also builds leadership and teamwork skills, which coaches value.

What’s the Best Path?

The key is selecting the path that best aligns with your goals. If you're aiming for Division 1, playing in an academy or high-level club soccer program is typically the most effective route. For those targeting Division 2, 3, or NAIA, excelling in club or high school soccer, along with proactive outreach, can open doors to recruitment. The most crucial aspect is gaining exposure by attending showcases, creating highlight videos, and consistently reaching out to college coaches.

Are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced soccer player?

What level of college soccer are you striving for?

• Beginner & Intermediate / D2, D3: Start with high school soccer, focusing on making the JV team before progressing to varsity. Gather game footage and begin reaching out to D2 and D3 schools by your sophomore year.

• Intermediate / D1: Play competitive club and high school soccer. Join a traveling team that competes in tournaments, and as you improve, try out for ODP and play varsity soccer. This path requires dedication. Consider JUCO options after high school as a stepping stone to a D1 program.

• Advanced / D1: Prioritize academy and high-level competition soccer from an early age. Try out for academies and participate in top showcases, tournaments, and elite leagues to consistently stay on college coaches' radar. This requires the most dedication as most academies house the players and they sacrifice much of their youth to develop into elite athletes.

Next Steps 💯

Challenge: Answer these two questions and set your goals:

Are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced soccer player?

What level of college soccer are you striving for?

Now set two goals:

1. What level of college soccer do I want to play?

2. What is the first step? (try out for 5 comp teams, make my JV team, try out for ___ academy)

If you like this type of content. Our exclusive community breaks down our full college recruiting process, join below ↓

Feedback is appreciated! Let me know in the comments what pain points, topics, and questions you have so I can continue to provide the most value for this community :)