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A coach explains how to get recruited at MLS NEXT Fest, the top tournament for college scouts. Start emailing coaches 2-3 months before the event. The key move: ask "May I shake your hand in person?" A yes means they'll show up to your game.
A coach explains how to get recruited at MLS NEXT Fest, the top tournament for college scouts. Start emailing coaches 2-3 months before the event. The key move: ask "May I shake your hand in person?" A yes means they'll show up to your game.
Hey coach, what should I be doing to prepare for the showcase I have coming up for MLS NEXT Fest? I'm really excited and I know a lot of coaches are going to be there. What should I be doing? Let me preface this with this MLS NEXT Fest and FLEX tournament is the biggest way, number one way to get recruited to play Division I college soccer or any division for that matter. The reason it's so important is because if you are a freshman or sophomore, college coaches will come to your games depending on if you've been in communication with them, and many of them will even tell you 'While we may not be able to come to most of your games, the fact that we now know that you're good enough to be at this tournament means we want to keep an eye on you.' So the next time they do come and watch you— now, if you're a sophomore or a junior, you must have been sending emails 2 to 3 months prior, if not 6 months prior, to actually convince one of them to come. Now, if you're unsure if they're going to be coming to your game, you must ask this question in your emails: 'May I shake your hand in person at the tournament?' Now, many of you will go, 'Well, they're not allowed to shake your hand.' So let them respond to you saying they're not allowed to. If you're a junior, they're allowed to. And on top of the fact they break the rules all the time. And the reason this question is the best one is because if instead you ask, will you come to my game? And they don't respond, then you don't know if they're coming. If you ask them, may I shake your hand in person? Now they'll probably respond with yes. That means they're coming to your game. So now you've booked a meeting and they're coming to your game. And on the flip side, if you say, will you just come to my game? And they say, yes, I'll be there. Now you don't even know if you'll meet with them. You don't even know if they'll watch the game when you're in. So it doesn't really help you. By trying to meet with them, it's a game changer in the recruiting process. Wow, that was really helpful. If you want more help playing Call to Action, give me a call. Links in the bio. Talk soon.
