Talent won't get you recruited. MLS Next players need to email coaches months before showcases with highlight reels and full-touch videos, confirm their positional needs, and follow up consistently. Attend camps at top schools even without prior interest, but contact coaches first.
Being talented is not what the recruiting process is only about. It is about getting seen the most often. Now, the good news is you are getting exposure because you play MLS Next at those events, but you've got to get them to come to your games. And for that to happen, you must get genuine interest months before the showcase. When you get those emails from college coaches about coming to camp, that's part of this process. When you get those generic emails, you must follow up with, may I confirm you're looking for, enter your position, for the class of, enter your grad year. And even when you get a generic email, you must ask that question because if they respond with Yes, they're looking for your position. Now you know that it's up to you to do well at the camp so then they then come to your showcase. As an MLS Next player, there's even an argument because you are an elite level player that you should go to some camps without any genuine interest. You always want to try and get genuine interest leading up to the camp, but if it's your top school, book the camp and then spend the rest of that period of time before the camp emailing them that you're coming and send them video. Can't have only a highlight video and expect to get genuine interest. You're going to have to have every-touch videos also. If you want more help playing college soccer, comment "call" and we can schedule a call with you and your parents.
