SoccerYou should look at College Soccer as the pathway to the professional game. The American sports system use the college route as a pathways to the pro game.
The popularity of soccer (football) in the US has never been higher and continues the rapid advancement week after week. The attendances at matches eclipses even some of Europe’s top leagues, some of the world’s elite players are now plying their trade in North America.
Major League Soccer (MLS) currently consists of 23 teams – 20 from the US and 3 from Canada with the season running from March to November. In the coming years the league will expand to 28 teams.
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) consists of 9 teams with the season running from March to end of September.
So how can you be a part of it?
First and foremost…you need to be an exceptional player! The level is very high and in particular it is fast and athletic.
It is possible to be scouted and signed directly from another team, and the clubs’ scouts will look worldwide across the professional game for talents.
But what if you are a talented young player striving for your first professional contract?
You should look at College Soccer as the pathway to the professional game. The American sports system use the college route as a pathways to the pro game.
Each year the best College/University Soccer players from the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA are signed by clubs via the MLS Draft / NWSL Draft. Up to 90 men’s players and 36 women’s players are drafted by MLS and NWSL clubs every January.
The level of College Soccer is exceptional and players with genuine professional aspirations can compete while studying to gain exposure to professional teams in the USA. The university sports in USA are the second level of elite sports, the facilities and standards are incredible – and often beyond most professional clubs around the world. (Many players even further advance their exposure by playing in the USL/PDL – Premier Development League during the summers)
This college soccer platform is where elite players can show their capabilities and be invited to the MLS Combine or NWSL Combine – the “Combines” are essentially soccer/football trials for the professional teams. To be invited to the trial you need to be an elite performer in College Soccer and recommended for participation.
From there the best players can be drafted to a team. Each of the clubs takes turns to pick a player to draft into their squad each January.
We have been part of this excitement firsthand, we have had multiple players drafted into American Professional Teams via the draft after impressing at the college level. We will be in attendance again in Chicago with a number of very promising players with good chances of making the next step.
Find out more here how you can use College Soccer as the platform for your soccer and academic aspirations: https://www.collegescholarshipsusa.com/college-sports/soccer/
FAQs
Attend ID camps and combines: MLS teams frequently organize identification (ID) camps and combines to discover new talent. Research and register for these events to showcase your skills directly in front of club coaches and scouts.
How hard is it to get into MLS? ›
MLS Tryouts are very difficult to be invited to unless you are drafted out of college from the MLS Superdraft or the MLS Supplemental Draft. If you are not invited to the MLS Combine the likelihood of you getting a chance to tryout with an MLS team is very limited.
How does MLS drafting work? ›
Rules of draft selection
Teams that did not make the playoffs are ordered by their regular-season record. Teams that made the MLS Cup Playoffs are then ordered by which round of the playoffs they are eliminated. The winners of the MLS Cup are given the last selection, and the losers the penultimate selection.
How do you go pro in the MLS? ›
Attend a paid pro try out or combine. If you don't get scouted and signed after college in the MLS draft to play pro soccer then you still have options. Most pro teams, MLS, NWSL and lower leagues, offer a paid try out you can attend. Go on a team's website and search for when their try outs are and sign up for them.
What is the easiest way to get scouted? ›
Beating your player on speed, winning a strong challenge, winning a high ball header, exploding fast and getting first to the ball, all these are examples of situations where you can show the football scout you are ready to make the next step.
What is the average salary of a MLS player? ›
The average MLS salary is $530,262 in 2023, up 3.5% from $512,287 in 2022. In 2021, that figure was $418,014.
Can you tryout for MLS teams? ›
Tryouts are Free & open to ALL Tampa Bay Area competitive players. Come out and shows us that you have all the skills, talent, and knowledge to become the one of the top players to join our MLS Next academy. Continue to come back for updated schedules! ***Additional Tryouts will be on a team by team basis.
How to become an MLS next player? ›
How can I Join an MLS Next team? Our MLS Next squads demand commitment, technical ability, and desire to improve everyday. If you're currently playing for a competitive team and want to make the to our MLS Next teams, we recommend sending in a tryout request.
Are MLS players paid well? ›
In 2023, Toronto FC had the highest average player salary in Major League Soccer (MLS) at nearly 1.1 million U.S. dollars per year. At the other end of the scale, the average player at Orlando City SC earned just over 321 thousand U.S. dollars per year.
How do you enter the NWSL draft? ›
To be invited to the trial you need to be an elite performer in College Soccer and recommended for participation. From there the best players can be drafted to a team. Each of the clubs takes turns to pick a player to draft into their squad each January.
Age: A Player must be twenty-two years old or younger in the first year he is eligible to play in an MLS game (e.g., not eligible for 2024 if he turns 23 in 2024).
How much do MLS rookies get paid? ›
If we cross check the salaries with the list of MLS 2023 rookies, we can see, according to the data, that the base salary for a rookie sits at $67,360.00, which is what players such as Duncan McGuire and Stephen Afrifa, who moved to Orlando City and Sporting Kansas City respectively in 2023, are currently earning.
Is it too late to start playing soccer at 14? ›
Being good at anything is always relative, but judging if someone is good at something or not, completely misses the point of participating in sport anyway. So in answer to the question, of course, it's never too late for your child to start playing soccer and football, regardless of their age.
How to go pro in women's soccer? ›
Tips to become a pro women's soccer player
- Train, train, train… More hours to practise any of your skills, more chances you will have to achieve professional leagues. ...
- Train as much as you can, but train smart. Does not matter how hard you practice if you don't train smart. ...
- Believe in yourself. ...
- Enjoy the way.
MLS Players Earning the League-Minimum of $67,360.
How can I be in the MLS draft? ›
How do I get into the MLS Draft?
- Play college soccer: Many players who are drafted into the MLS have played college soccer.
- Play in a professional league: Players who have already played professionally, either in the United States or abroad, are also eligible for the MLS Draft.
The things that every college coach is looking for in a soccer recruit are: strong academics, long-term experience on your high school and/or club teams, excellent physical strength and endurance, good skills and technique, and teamwork. However, those are just the basics to begin the process.
How do people get scouted for soccer? ›
Good players usually play on very high level teams that usually bring out scouts or agents looking for good players. A lot coaches see good players from other teams and will let they club coaches know. They may go after themselves or let other clubs or college tell them know about good players.
How much does it cost to become an MLS team? ›
Major League Soccer has awarded an expansion franchise to San Diego, the league announced Thursday, after the ownership group paid a staggering $500 million fee to start a club in Southern California.
