THE ODDS
1 IN 5 MAKE
A COLLEGE ROSTER.
Most of those spots aren't at the big Division I programs. That's good news. There are more doors than most families know about, and girls have more of them than boys.
878K
High school soccer players, boys and girls
Play at any NCAA level
6.8%
2.8%
Of girls play NCAA Division I
1.4
Of boys play NCAA Division I
NCAA data from 2024-25. Girls: 7.9% play at any NCAA level. Boys: 5.9%. NAIA and junior college rosters aren't counted, so real college opportunities are higher. The goal isn't "D1 or bust." It's the right school, at the right level, where your player gets on the field and graduates with little or no debt.
FIVE LEVELS.
ONE RIGHT FIT.
SWIPE FOR ALL FIVE →
KNOW YOUR LEVEL.
KNOW YOUR CLUB.
Soccer doesn't have a 40-yard dash that decides everything. Coaches look at the level you play at, your speed and fitness, and your soccer IQ on video. Height matters mostly in goal and at center back.
GK
6'1" +
boys D1 height
GIRLS D1 5'8" +
KEY Distribution, command of the box
CB
6'0"+
boys D1 height
GIRLS 5'7"+ ·
KEY Wins in the air, passes out of the back
FB
Pace
first & last
ANY HEIGHT Recovery speed
KEY 1v1 defending, gets forward 90 minutes
CDM
Engine
covers ground
ANY HEIGHT Top Fitness
KEY Wins the ball back, simple passes under pressure
CM
Vision
head up
ANY HEIGHT Two-footed
KEY Scanning, switching play, keep the ball
CAM
Creator
makes chances
ANY HEIGHT Quick feet
KEY Assists, turning in tight space
W
Speed
top-end burst
ANY HEIGHT Beats players 1v1
KEY Crosses, cuts inside, tracks back
F
Goals
against good teams
ANY HEIGHT Strength or speed
KEY Movement in the box, finishing both feet
CLUB
Most college soccer recruiting happens at club games and showcases, not high school games. The league your club plays in (ECNL, MLS NEXT, Girls Academy, ECNL Regional, NPL and others) tells coaches a lot before they watch a minute.
General guidance coaches commonly use, not official NCAA standards. Plenty of players at every level break these rules. D2, D3, NAIA and junior college programs take players of every size and club level who can play. A verified sprint or fitness test result (like a 30-meter sprint or Yo-Yo test from a camp) helps back up what coaches see on video.
GET TESTED.
GET SEEN.
GETTING SEEN
WHAT COACHES
LOOK AT FIRST.
1
VIDEO
The first filter. a 3 to 5 minute highlight video, best clips first, plus one full game. Mark yourself before each clip so coaches know who to watch.
2
CLUB LEVEL + SHOWCASES
Where you play tells coaches how good the competition is. Showcase events are where they see dozens of players in one weekend.
3
GRADES
Strong grades unlock academic money and make you an easy yes. Soccer rosters are full of players stacking athletic and academic aid.
4
IN PERSON
College ID camps are where coaches confirm what they saw on video, with their own
5
STATS + AWARDS
Nice to have. They count least.
Timing rules. D1 soccer coaches can't call, text or message you until June 15 after sophomore year. You can contact them any time. Wrong level. Build a list of 30 to 50 schools across levels, aimed where your club level and video fit. Wrong person. Email the head coach and the assistant who runs recruiting. Soccer staffs are small, so both read email. Weak first message. Name, grad year, position, club and league, jersey number, upcoming showcase schedule, GPA and video link. One personal line about their program. No schedule. Send your showcase schedule with your field and kickoff times. Coaches plan their weekends around it. No camps. One ID camp at a school that likes your video beats ten emails. Follow up every few weeks with something new: updated video, your next showcase schedule, a grade report
MYTH OR STRATEGY
CHASE THE TOP CLUB LEAGUE?
Mostly myth.
Coaches find talent in every league. Minutes on the field beat the logo on the jersey.
WHEN IT HELPS
-
Better competition makes your video more believable
-
More college coaches at your games & showcases
-
A club director with real college relationships
​
WHEN IT HURTS
-
You sit on the bench. No minutes, no video
-
Travel and fees eat the money you'd save on college
-
Burnout from playing year-around with no break
DOING IT YOURSELF
GREAT COACH.
NO RECRUITING HELP.
Very common, and fixable. Many club and high school coaches are great teachers but stretched thin. Your family can run this.
THE PLAYER
LEADS.
Sends the emails, makes the calls, talks to coaches at camps and showcases. Coaches want to hear from the player.
THE PARENT
SUPPORTS.
Runs the school list, deadlines, showcase schedule, travel and the money questions. The voice stays the players.
Start with the NCAA Eligibility Center early. Homeschool coursework goes through a separate review that takes longer. Keep detailed course records from 9th grade on. Ask your club coach for small, specific help: take college coaches' calls, share video, and give an honest reference.
OFFICIAL VISIT
THEY PAY.
-
Travel, lodging and meals covered
-
Players plus family members, within NCAA limits
-
Two nights max, one per school
-
D1 soccer window opens August 1 before junior year
-
Means a school is seriously interested
UNOFFICIAL VISIT
YOU PAY.
-
Any time outside dead periods
-
Home games, ID camps and campus tours count
-
Perfect for 9th and 10th grade research
-
Email ahead so a coach can meet you
Any time: you can email, call or visit coaches. June 15 after sophomore year: coaches can call, text and message you. August 1 before junior year: official and unofficial visits with coaches open. Junior and senior year: offers, commitments and a financial aid agreement. Rules change often. Confirm at ncaa.org.
COACH TALK
BEFORE YOU
BELIEVE IT, ASK.
Promises are easy. "We'll can get her seen." "Come play for our club." "We love your son." Most come from good people, but words aren't a plan. These questions separate real opportunity from hope.
A HIGH SCHOOL OR CLUB COACH
"COME PLAY FOR US. COLLEGES COACHES WATCH OUR GAMES."
ASK
​
1 Which of your players signed with a college in the last three years, and at what level?
​
2 Who on your staff calls college coaches for players, and how often?
​
3 How many minutes would my player actually get, and who's ahead of them?
​
4 Which showcases does this team attend, and what does the full season cost with travel?
​
5 Can I talk to the parent of one of your current seniors?
A bigger club fee doesn't mean more college looks. Ask for names, results and the real total cost before you switch.
A TRAINER, SERVICE OR "CONNECTOR"
"I KNOW COACHES. I CAN GET HER RECRUITED."
ASK
​
1 Which players have you helped place, and can I call their families?
​
2 Which college coaches, by name, will actually see the video?
​
3 What exactly will you do, and what will it cost in total?
​
4 What happens if nothing comes from it? Is any of the money refundable?
​
5 Can I see that in writing before I pay anything?
Nobody can guarantee a roster spot or scholarship. Only a college can offer one.
A COLLEGE COACH
"WE LOVE YOUR DAUGHTER. COME TO OUR CAMP."
ASK
​
1 Is this an offer? Is it a roster spot, a scholarship, or both?
​
2 Is the scholarship full or partial, and for how many years?
​
3 How many players are you taking at her position, and where is he on your list?
​
4 Is the camp invite personal, or did everyone get it? What do you need to see from her there?
​
5 Who on your staff is our contact, and does this still stand if the head coach leaves?
A camp invite is not interest, and interest is not an offer. A clear answer in writing is the only thing you can count on.
- Mass emails and generic ID camp invites - A social media follow and nothing else - "We'll be watching at the showcase" with no next step - Big promises with no names, numbers or dates - Pressure to pay or commit right now
- Personal calls or texts from the head or assistant coach - A coach watches your full game at a showcase - They ask for full games and a transcript - An official visit invite - An offer with specifics, in writing
PROTECT YOUR FAMILY
NO GUARANTEES.
NO SHORTCUTS.
WALK AWAY IF
FREE AND LEGIT
-
Anyone guarantees a scholarship
-
"Coaches are waiting to offer your daughter"
-
Big fees before any results
-
Pressure to sign today
-
Showcases or ID events that won't name the college coaches attending
-
ID camps run by a college that's already shown interest
-
Your own video on Youtube or Hudl, and your own emails
-
NCAA.org and the Eligibility Center
-
Your club and high school coaches as references
-
Showcases that publish the list of attending coaches
Ask anyone charging you: which players did you place in the last two years, and can I call those families?
GRADE BY GRADE.
9th
Foundation
Grades count from day one. Play at the right club level. Get the video of every game.
10th
Build
First highlight video. School list. NCAA Eligibility Center. Email coaches with your showcase schedule.
11th
The big year
D1 coaches can reach out from June 15 before it. Showcases, ID camps and visits. Many soccer commitments happen this year.
Summer
Camp circuit
ID camps at best-fit schools. Officials visits. Narrow the list.
12th
Decide
Updated video in the fall. Compare total cost after aid. Pick a school you'd love without socce
