A college soccer recruiter breaks down how MLS NEXT players get recruited: make an every-touch video showing every ball contact, email coaches directly to build relationships, visit campuses in person, and post clips on Instagram so coaches can find you.
Coach, I'm playing MLS NEXT. How do I make sure I get recruited? What's the secret? There's no secret, but there is a strategy. Here are 3 things you need to do as an MLS NEXT player. The first thing is because you're playing in MLS NEXT, having your highlight video is really important, but you must follow up with every-touch videos. It's your every-touch videos that really sets you apart because you're playing at such a high level. Got it. Do I even need to reach out to coaches? Shouldn't they already know who I am since I'm playing in MLS NEXT? Not necessarily. Just because you're playing MLS NEXT doesn't mean the coaches know who you are. There are a lot of MLS NEXT players who are all very good good. And you have to remember, it's about your personality. So they want you to email them back and forth so they can see if you're legit and if you actually want to go to their school. While it's great you're playing MLS Next, we need them to come to your games. And for them to come to your games, they must get to know you as a person. And that happens through email, texting, and phone calls, which can happen before the showcases. All right, so highlights and following up. What's the third thing? The third thing is you must go on campus and visit these schools. If you don't have an official visit scheduled, Schedule a visit and then tell the coach you're gonna be on campus, and you can often almost force a visit to happen. Not necessarily an official visit, but a visit, and now the coach knows you really care 'cause you're willing to come on campus. What about social media? Social media is really helpful. Once you've sent a highlight video and your every-touch videos, you need to resend your every-touch videos, but in zoomed-in clips because it's almost like seeing a different version of you. You can then encourage them to follow you on social media, so you send your social media through Instagram. For everyone playing MLS Next, are you doing what it takes in order to play college soccer? If you want to play college soccer and you're playing MLS Next, give me a call. Links in the bio.
