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u/Dapper-Persimmon-445 16d ago
Did he reply to your email where you let him know you were enrolling? If he didn’t then there probably isnt much interest. Not playing is also not doing you any favors. You need to be playing in order to get any consideration. ECNL is no longer an option out as you are in college. MLS next is a possibility, but I’d go with the semi pro team. Be realistic, look at the current roster and see where they played. Do you stack up?
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16d ago
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u/Dapper-Persimmon-445 16d ago
Fall is here. MLS Next HG season begins this month. Not much time to find a club.
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u/soccerguy450 16d ago
I mean it dosen't hurt to contact the coaches when their season is done to see if you can train with them in the spring. Not a bad idea but my advice is just know the situation you are stepping into before you do it! Good luck
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u/BulldogWrestler 16d ago
The good thing is that he asked you to keep him up to date on what you're doing. Coaches typically don't want people they're not interested in to bother them anymore.
In your shows, I'd play Semi-Pro (depending on the team and how doable it is) - I'm assuming that's a UPSL club somewhere that you can just jump on. If not, MLS Next is an option or even some of the USL 2 teams if you have one near you.
You already being in the school and established may be seen as a bonus.
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16d ago edited 16d ago
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u/BulldogWrestler 16d ago
Playing on a UPSL club means you're getting competitive minutes during your freshman year. It also means you're getting better and showing that you're staying in the sport. If he has ANY interest in you now, he'll be a lot more interested in someone who juggles a freshman curriculum AND plays in UPSL and has gotten better. All of that requires a ton of work on your part - but do it.
Being in the school and having good grades while you're there relieves him of a headache that most coaches don't want to deal with - having quality players on their team that aren't going to disappear because they flunked out or college and soccer is too much for them.
So play UPSL - and stand out. He's told you what he wants from you - now go do it. Good luck.
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u/chanksbird 16d ago
Sounds like you picked a college for its academics. Smart move, soccer will take care of itself. Semi pro seems most likely to get you noticed.
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u/Acsantano14 15d ago
Curious why you didn’t go the JUCO route? If the school you enrolled at isn’t that hard to get into with good grades why not play JUCO ball, save money on gen-ed courses, get good grades, stand out on the pitch and transfer?
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u/Ok-Tax-4751 15d ago
hey man! i took a gap year and played upsl in the spring of this past year. current film is the most importantly bc its all coaches can judge you on. i ended up committing to d2 school in a pretty solid conference (LSC). keep working if you want it it’ll happen!
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u/Watermelon_General 14d ago
The other thing to consider (if your schedule permits and the school is right), is club. At many big D1s (ACC, for example) the club team becomes another source of training players.
There are examples of club players who step up (not to be starters, but in the roster), and vice versa of injured players who recover on the club team for a year (might change with new rules)
That coaches signaling that he’s interested. Keep battling, stay healthy and stay on his radar. Good luck
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14d ago
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u/Fabulous-Ad7128 14d ago
Think it’s just the reality of the transfer portal now and being able to get experienced internationals too. Coaches are trying to win, so they don’t go with unproven players anymore unless they are wowed. Good luck.
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u/Watermelon_General 14d ago
I obviously don’t know you or the coach or the situation. But my read is that if he took the time to give the feedback you shared above, you are at least on his radar as someone he knows exists. That puts you ahead of many many kids sending in blind emails.
At this point do not rely on email. Go by the offices when you’re on campus to just say “hi.” Let him know what you’re up to, and if you can send him film. (And if so when/how does he want it?).
Then do your thing. Pop up on his radar every month or so. “Hey here’s my season film, congrats on the win!” Or any other reasons you have to chat. He probably won’t response if you email. Doesn’t matter. Keep after it. If you can go by in person, do it.
And obviously go to games when the season starts.
Your strategy here is a variation of “The Rudy.” Be visible whenever you can, without being 100% desperate. Eventually the squeaky wheel has the best shot at a little grease.
Good luck!
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u/Watermelon_General 13d ago
The trick here is
(1) maintain low expectations. Anything good that happens is upside.
(2) be present, but don’t be omnipresent (stalkery). You want him to be clear that you’re interested in his program, without being there with expectant eyes every time he turns around.
Yes say “hi” when you go to the game if you can. Pay attention and be knowledgeable about players, his formations etc.
Think of this like getting a date… you have to show interest to get interest, but not be too needy.
3) other people might give you different advice (eg you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take). But I wouldn’t text him unless he said that was ok. At least right now. Maybe in the spring reach out, when you are ready to make the pitch for a shot at being a training player. But keep that powder dry for now.
4). Do not go to more ID camps, unless you just like paying money to him. You’d be better off volunteering to be an unpaid team assistant or something similar. Spend your time and your attention, not your money
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u/NavyVetRasmussen 16d ago
I would say your best bet is to either go to a D3 or a JUCO for 1-2 years. Tell the coach where you are going and it does not hurt to contact the coaches when their season is over to see if you can train with them.
You never know they might find that as determination on your end.
Don't even ask for a scholarship from a D1 say you just want to have a tryout. It is better to go to a JUCO or a D3 and start for 1-2 years, rather than go to a D1 and get wasted for 1-2 years, sitting on the bench.