In this YouTube monologue, the speaker evaluates youth soccer leagues—NAL, Boys Elite Academy, MLS Next, and ECNL—to determine which are less advantageous for aspiring college players. He argues that exposure, not league prestige, drives recruitment, noting that NAL and Boys Elite Academy often lack sufficient showcase opportunities despite having Division I‑level talent. MLS Next and ECNL provide the highest exposure, but even players in lower‑profile leagues can attract college interest if they employ strategic outreach: targeted emails, high‑quality video, and consistent communication. The speaker highlights inequities where some athletes lack access to MLS Next or its best teams, yet still deserve college opportunities. He concludes with a call‑to‑action, offering personalized consulting via links in his bio or direct comments to schedule calls with players and their parents.
Chapters
Which are the worst youth soccer leagues to be in if you want to play college soccer? NAL or Boys Elite Academy? When it comes to NAL, it's still a new league. It just doesn't have the exposure. It's still got really good players, definitely Division II level, definitely Division I level. But we've worked with NAL players and almost every time the coach says, hey, you're a really good player, but we're just not going to be your showcases and I'm not going to recruit you unless I can see you at the Division I level. For Division II, Division III, totally. They really like you and it's a really big deal. Even at the top, I could have a bunch. They still really like you. When it comes to Boys Elite Academy, you come into the kind of the same issue. The league's been around a lot longer, so that helps a ton. And they do have a traditional Elite Academy Showcase. So if you went to the Elite Academy Showcase, you could potentially play Division 1 soccer because you're at the showcase where the college coaches are at. So remember, it's not about the level, it is about the exposure. And then the final one is MLS Next, which would be considered the highest level, and ECNL alongside it. These are where the most exposure is. And even if they are worse than your NAL team, worse than your NPL team, worse than your E-64 team, the problem is they tend to get more exposure. And on the grand scheme of things, they tend to be at a higher level. Now, there can be an exception to those rules If you have a strategy, if you email correctly, if you have good video, if you reach out consistently. And I'm here to help everybody. It's not fair that some of you don't live MLS NEXT. It's also not fair that some of you play MLS NEXT but not on MLS NEXT Best Team. It's also not fair that some of you play on MLS NEXT Best Team, but you're not part of an MLS team that's a pro affiliated with an LAFC or Chicago or Minnesota or Atlanta. And you still deserve to play college soccer. And I'm here to help all of you. So if you want help, give me a call. Links in the bio or comment call and I can schedule a call with you and your parents.
