The College Youth Guy explains why elite youth soccer players aiming for Division I college programs need to join MLS NEXT or ECNL clubs. These pathways offer more tournaments and showcases to attract recruiters. Players should try out around age 10, develop through 16, then compete in showcases.
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This is why you should never play MLS NEXT or ECNL. I'm the College Youth Guy and I help you play MLS NEXT or ECNL. If you want to quit soccer because you've joined an MLS NEXT team or if you're so stressed about it, then don't join the team. If you're going to quit or if you don't like the environment of the MLS NEXT team, that would defeat the purpose. The point is that you would love soccer. But if you want to play against the best players, if you want to one day play college soccer, there is really statistically no doubt that the best players play MLS NEXT, whether it's affiliated directly with a pro team or it's just an MLS NEXT team. So if you want to play college soccer one day, you need to get involved with those MLS NEXT teams and the ECNL teams. They go to more events, they go to more showcases, and you will have a better chance playing college soccer. And if you call me your freshman year and you say, I'm playing MLS NEXT, I will tell you that it is very possible for you to— maybe, I need to see your video— but maybe play Division I. If you come to me and you're playing E64 or NAL or NPL and you say, I want to play Division I, I'm going to go you're gonna have to probably switch teams. That's literally what I'm gonna probably have to say to you, which is exactly why I started this page, to tell you parents who have your kids in 4th grade to go, hey, time to go try out for those teams. You have to be really good at 10 years old so you make the team, so then they can develop you, so then by 12, 13, you're in the team, and so by 14, 15, 16, you're going to the tournaments, the showcases, and whatnot if you really wanna play college soccer at the highest levels. If you want more help, DM me, call, and I'll be able to get on a call with you and your parents. Talk to you soon.