Many youth soccer athletes are just so caught up in playing soccer and that’s about it. I couldn’t say that about myself because I got really into once I was in High School(my sophomore year). But besides that, I think the biggest reason why a lot of soccer players are finding that they don’t get the scholarship, walk-on invitation, or even interest they always dreamed of because they are not proactive enough.

Here is when to start thinking about colleges and how to make yourself look like the best possible player. These tips however usually do not apply to the upper-tier player(top 1%) who is a National Team Selection. Getting recruited will not be a problem for a National Team Player, Pool selection, or Regional Team Member. For people reading that do not know what I just said, a pool selection is the tryout pool(all the players selected) that was invited to come tryout for the national team.

Let’s breakdown something for a minute…representing your country works like this…first you have a district, then you have state, then you have region, then you have the big guys-The National Squad.

Ok thats all done…Here goes:

A player a boy or girl should start thinking about what schools he or she wants to go to by his or her freshman year of high school. By then this player is just about at the level of where he or she will be in a couple of years. However with enough motivation, determination, and training a player can drastically change how he or she plays.

Steps:

1. Compile a list of all the schools that you are interested in. If you really don’t care but say all you want to do is play Division 1 soccer or top division 2 soccer. Then do some research of all these schools. Find the best schools for you and what you want to do.
2. Reflect on your abilities. If you can get on a better team, then do so. Remember, if the most serious colleges will be looking for players that are on Elite Club Teams. There are many examples of this but generally they are widely known. Mainly, your club needs to be going to as many tournaments as possible. I live in California so the tournaments that I would want to see elite clubs in are: Nomads, San Diego Surf Cup, State Cup for sure, The Newport Beach Surf Cup, and as many as possible. Also, these clubs also need to be going to the elite tournaments as well, Blue Chip, Disney World, and many others. Honestly, being on an elite club team is pretty costly however, if you are a parent what would you rather pay for: $120,000 D I school education because your son/ daughter is only a walk-on there or maybe $40,000 cause your kid got a full-ride(and no not the thing where the school comes and picks your son up at your front door).
3. Try-out for District ODP. This needs to be done. I would suggest getting in this system long before but stuff happens.
4. I would honestly want my son or daughter to be on a Club’s Academy team. Even if it is MLS Soccer, its still academy training and learning. Arsenal is opening one in Colorado and Chivas USA has them all over California. Also, Chicago Fire is opening one in Chicago. I think every club has some form of a X Club Name “Juniors” or youth club team.
5. Finally, now if I had a son or daughter and they seriously wanted to become a Pro. Like serious serious. Then I would make my best effort to send them either to Shattuck St. Mary, IMG, or Brandenton. All three are boarding schools but the last two are focused only on soccer and for soccer. This is where your true MLS pros are coming from, especially the last two. IMG players come out of that school and usually go directly into MLS or overseas pro leagues. Colleges also want these players however, they’re pretty good already.

That pretty much sums up when to start.