College soccer recruiting starts around age 8-10, when elite club programs teach advanced tactics and technical skills. Kids outside organized clubs fall behind, since MLS NEXT and ECNL target players from these pathways. Live U9 match commentary shows what scouts are already looking for.
When should you start the college recruiting process? I get this question all the time, and I'm going to tell you something that you're probably not going to want to hear, but it's really important that you do. I'm watching U9 right now, and the team in black is associated with LAFC. I have seen some moments in this game, particularly from this youngster here, that is absolutely remarkable. He's already a right back, looks like they've shifted him into center mid, and they're already teaching them skills on how to build out of the back and use their feet and make sure they throw it into the right person and And if you're a mother or father who's going, "When should I start my kid?" These kids on this black team are 10 steps ahead of many other kids their age because they're already learning the attributes they need in order to become really good soccer players. So, and the white team, Santa Monica Surf, also are teaching the right way. So if you're not playing club soccer at 8, 9 years old, which maybe sounds extreme to some of you, the chance of you playing college soccer, including at the Division I level, is going to be really difficult because you're competing with players like are on this black team who've had some amazing sequences that I've already seen going, wow, they're learning the skill set to play college soccer one day. And since these kids are already way ahead of the curve, look at this. This young man has been fantastic. Look, he completes a pass after he receives it. He doesn't just kick it away. It's been, he's been fantastic, this young kid. This number 22, he's been great as well. This guy, he's been playing like a center back. His recovery is fantastic. And they're teaching them the right skill sets they need. So when you ask me, when should you start the process? It has to start around this age so that way they can be part of an organization where eventually they're going to receive the exposure. Look, this goalkeeper is not just going to kick it away. He's going to find a teammate. This is what they need to learn so that way you can make a video, so that way when you go to a camp you impress, that way you get to a better club team so you can be playing MLS next and ECNL level. Look at that, he sells man on right afterwards, tries to play through the middle. They lose it and they win win it back. But the point is, look how competent they are. They're learning. They're really learning the process already at this young age. So when you guys ask me, when should you start the process? Mom and dads and kids, it starts in, you know, 10 years old if you really want to play college soccer. Now most of these kids will still not play college soccer. Statistically, none of these kids will end up playing college soccer, or none of— very, very small percentage. Statistically, probably none of these kids. Look at that great pass again. The point is though, if you want to give yourself the best chance— oh my gosh, this kid has been amazing! If you want any— played out He's got an audience applauding. That's how freaking amazing that young man is. So the point is, if you guys really want to play college soccer— oh my gosh— really want to play college soccer, you have to start at this age getting with the best coaches, getting in the best environments. And those are affiliated, traditionally speaking, with MLS NEXT teams, and they want to recruit the best kids. So that's where you need to be. Now, I was never on this team, okay? And I remember trying out for this team though when I was 8, 9, 10 and being told, no, you're too small. No, you're not good enough. No. But by trying out over and over again, I was increasing the chances of that happening. If you want help playing college soccer, give me a call. Links in the bio. Start as soon as you can.
