Do I Regret Playing College Soccer…? (My Thoughts 10 Years Later)

Nice video,Keep it up!👍

Are there any programs or systems you would recommend for youth development? I heard that Croatias 102 technical elements has been fundamental to croatias success in creating world class players. Here in the US I feel like it’s a shame that we have so many talented athletes in all sports but can’t seem to nail down world class players consist

very informational video. Keep it up

as a player whos taking the collegiate route not only did it somewhat give me the pro experience on transfers (international players, other schools) it taught me that you barely have time to train on your own during season because of how fast the games and constant training moves especially with difficulty focusing on classes and me having to work a 4-11 shift for income.

Thanks for the video Matt! Amazing as always. We’re wondering, do you believe that zero pro clubs had interest in you strictly because “you didn’t deserve it” due to your level? Or do you think getting more exposure/eye balls from pro clubs around the ages of 16-18 would have made a difference in your chances to go pro sooner?

Is the football training that occurs at these well-equipped college optimal? It seems that the college game rewards sheer physicality and fitness rather than technical skills and creativity to a far greater degree than the professional game in almost any country does. I know that the rules regarding substitutions and various other aspects are thought to contribute to this game style in a significant way. But I wonder if players who are in that fourth tier that you mention and who likely have quite major technical deficiencies, compared to their contemporaries (due to starting the game later or a lack of innate talent or whatever), would benefit more, as footballers, from playing games that have a more sensible number of substitutions and reward skills to a greater extent. It seems that the college game prepares them for a football world that doesn’t really exist outside of college. Any thoughts on that?

Great video

What did you study during those four years at UC Davis

Just out of curiosity, what did you study at college? Would you choose the same degree or courses again?

Do you think you'd have created Become Elite if you hadn't gone to college and just tried to grind out and sign a pro contract at 17 or 18? A lot of what ifs in life, but I'm just gonna say, in my opinion, I'm glad we have Become Elite and your knowledge.

The division college football doesn't really apply in my country. But I have no doubt that this will be very useful and valuable to many young players that watch it.

Thanks for another really informative video. Good luck for the game tonight!

Bro u never said the pros of going pro at 18🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

Hi matt
Can you pls make a video on Anthony Gordon, Bernardo silva, saka, Palmer and many young baller not touching weights/going to gym because it would make them less skilled. What's your take on it

PS if you do make a video on this Pls give me a shoutout

Matt, what did you mean when you said there is off season limits on ball training? What kind of limits do college teams do?

Can you do a simiular video about is it worth it do go to college as a europeanan

As the mother of a youth player (U10) who is just getting his feet wet and does not come from a soccer legacy, this is invaluable information. Thank you for helping so many of us! I hope to take my son to see you play one day. I have read that going D1 and D2 has become even harder because a lot of footballers outside of the country are being recruited by the schools and using college as their "back up" if they do not make it to the top clubs in Europe. What are your thoughts on this?

He's really understating how low your chances of a scholarship are. Right now only 9.9 full ride scholarships are allowed for a D1 men's team. You can split those up, but they won't go very far. And imagine a team with a couple of "star" players who get full-rides. That leaves only 7.9 for the rest of the team where the roster can be around 30 players.

A better route might be to start at a junior college where they can award up to 24 free-ride scholarships. Some juco teams are easily as competitive as D2 and even D1. I've heard this is a common pathway for basketball players.

Matt, it would be wonderful if you could make another video about “routes to pro” after college. Great video here btw.

Honestly can sum it up fairly simply
If you’re an amazing talent, played at high levels at during your younger years, and get a full scholarship, college football is good in order to go pro as you will stand out in games.
However, if you’re developing, can’t get a full scholarship, and wasn’t a stand out growing up, it’s a waste of time to be direct. The college pathway is not for development, should be used in order to be scouted within the first year or two. Honestly believe that if you’re whole heartedly committed to going pro and given your life in your younger years, than you should go down this pathway. Otherwise the risk/rewards financially and time is not worth it at all. It’s also the best pathways for those looking to secure a degree but give football a go at the same time, but financially they should be sound.

Its not really an argument cause u kinda said it as well with grinding out lower league/Semi Pro but In my opinion and this is Just my opinion, it looks a bit better (Scouting perspective) if you’re at that age 17,18,19 and you’re already playing semi pro or lower level pro contract.
Honestly I think college soccer is nice and I may have a different view because Im not from/in the US but the level is too low even at D1.
And even then Majority of D1 players college players on the whole dont even make it to semi pro after college.
The footballing world is weird but i’d say the same experiences you can have by going the collegiate route, you can get playing semi pro or at a lower league level and working your way up. You’ll basically already be a “pro” in the sense that all you’ve got to do is train, keep schedule, take care of tour body & play football just without the added burden of focusing on maintaining grades/getting an education also all the college distractions (partying girls etc)
Its gonna be very hard to focus and a LOT of VERY GOOD players lose their way really easy.
That being said, it’ll also get you accustomed to being around a professional type of setting so the transition is easier to make when you DO get that pro contract. You’re calmer and alr know yourself.
This has just been my humble opinion as a footballer from another country.
Wish you guys all the best in your journeys.
And also Great Video Matt. ❤

Does anyone have an opinion on this? My son is a u11 player for one of the top 10 academies in Europe, (for the past 3 years). I know he’s still very young and the journey to stay at the academy until u18 is extremely difficult. But naturally, playing at the highest level here in Europe for a very famous club, and being surrounded by “future pros”, it’s easy to day dream about continuing down this path and becoming a pro in Europe, not necessarily EPL but any first tier league. But as a parent, an American with no football background myself, I had always imagined my kids going to college. So the idea of playing D1 football and going to get an education, seems like the normal path to me. But to those around me, other parents of academy players, they think it’s ridiculous that I would even consider my son going to play D1 back in the US, when according to Europeans here, playing for our academy from u8 to 16/17 (for example), should “in theory” put him at a level well above D1 or UCL, they even look down on MLS. Does anyone have any thoughts or experiences to share? Thanks! 😊

I am from Ireland and living in the US and it is odd that college is the benchmark of a good career. It is nice to get a bit of a scholarship but I would rather win my local amateur league that a college trophy.

The fact is if you are in the mix at 15, get on the track to go pro with a back up plan of night college or informal continuous education, if you are clearly not going to make it, go to college, have a bit of good ball and get into a better college with the soccer tag.

If you went to college and then tried to go pro it is too late. There are about 5 players in premier league history that came out of the woodwork at 23-24

Wow

Hi Matt you put out good content as always i have a question what if im 21 and im about to be 22 next year should i go through the college route or Should I play at a club level and level up each year to possibly proffesional and i would say im a very good player but I dont have contacts with any pro clubs at the moment I would also graduate college at 26 saying this what route do you think i should take?

Nowadays most pro teams have academies. As a 19-20 year old college player you should be on the first team already. Once you get older I believe it gets harder.

As someone who met you during your collegiate years, consider me very glad you opted for your degree. 😀

Soccer is sort of like baseball and ice hockey in that there are "lower" levels at which an 18-year-old can develop into a player capable of the higher ranks of the sport. A hopeful for the NBA or the NFL really has few options other than to go the collegiate route, even if he's not really academically fit for it. But soccer provides a wider spectrum of options. Your multi-category breakdown is spot-on.

We had an interesting case study for all of this at UC Davis, years before you got there. The guy was a low draft pick by the White Sox, but didn't sign. Instead, he went to Cal for football, then dropped out and pursued baseball after all. He played eight years in the Braves system, with his career stalling out in the Double-A Southern League (he missed playing against Michael Jordan by two years). Due to his NCAA clock, he could no longer play at a D-I school so we got him at UC Davis as a 28-year-old sophomore. But also due to the NCAA rules, he still had his eligibility in football. Thus, we had a former Pac-10 receiver now playing for the Aggies.

Anyway, it just shows that neither the collegiate nor pro option is a point of no return if you play your cards correctly. As you noted, it's a calculated risk that any given person has to make for him/herself. The key is being honest with yourself on those chances. I'd say this video really helps a person make such an honest assessment.

Matt, don't you think it's better to chase your dreams until 21 and then go to College?
You are right that 17-18 are crucial years, that's why I think it's worth it to try going PRO for a couple of years before making the decision to go to College.

For me going to college minimizes the chances of going pro, so you only go there if you don't want to risk it.
Even though i think getting a degree paid for is 100% worth it, you only live once, and you can always come back to College

Matt is top legend! Following you for the last 8 years!

🙏🏼👍🏼🫡

Go Aggs 🐎

One thing I’ll add for young footballers. You should consider the subject you’re studying and if it’s worth going to a 4 year university. In America we are sold that getting thousands of dollars into debt for a degree is the only path for success. If you still want to receive an education look for schools that offer programs online. You can get a degree in a number of subjects online such as business, history, communications, etc.

These programs are cheaper and you can have more time to pursue football since you don’t need to be physically present in a class. I had opportunities to trial abroad when I was 18 with a close connection but passed on the opportunities because I thought going to a 4 year university was the only way. Hope this helps yall!

My scenario is 4,, I didn't know how to create an equal balance between football and uni,, and for a fact my parents would not have allowed me to quit school and pursue a career in football ⚽ even though I had a chance to play under 20 national team, now that am very free there are no more pro or semi pro teams in my area, it being a rural destination.. It's frustrating 👨 man,, but I always working on improving my game using your videos and hopefully one day, things might make a huge turn, by the way Matt,. Am asking for a football boot,, even one of those worn out boots.. Am lacking in that area 😔😔😁😁😁,

Yes, great points and great breakdown of the different paths.

Great vid

Hey I was wondering if you could make a video about if you want to go pro or play collegiate should you play high school or should you stay with a club team that has a season during the high school season. Hopefully that made sense.

you play the cards you're dealt

Really wish I had this video 4-6 years ago when I was struggling to make the decision.
Fast forward, I’m 22 and still trying to make it with no college progress, video footage of my skills, or anything going for me

100% agree

Starting 2025 D1 soccer scholarships will be 28 full scholarships. Up from 9.9 scholarships.

I am u14 and i play in ea2 in chula vista fc and im trying to move up to ea does anyone think i have a chance making college ball or professional soccer

❤

I know it's not specifically relevant to this video, however, I would imagine that another reason he's glad he went to Davis and played soccer there was that it was his pathway to meeting Mimi!

Each player must do his own assessment.
Every level he enters challenges him to perform at a higher level in every area of the game, execution quality and speed, involving technique, decisions, individual, group, and team strategy,
He ought to become aware of his level after a few sessions. If he feels that he has adapted swiftly, He will be prepared for a higher level soon after surpassing the average level of that team.
NEVER STAY IN A TEAM with a dominant position. You are the player the team relies on, then LEAVE!
Progress is always triggered by trying to adapt to the higher level of average players in a team.

He should enrol in college to have a backup plan in case he struggles from the start with too many poor choices and executions on the pitch.
It means the brain cannot handle the pressure and intensity.
Increasing motivation would exacerbate the problem. Instead, staying cool and at ease is the best approach to progress.

As far as I can tell, everything takes place in the brain;  it's all about mental flexibility, adaptability, and teachability.
After 20 years of coaching, I see these mental characteristics emerge after puberty; some had them earlier and lose them, while others never had them and they suddenly grow from within.
Physical strength has a significant impact; it provides self-confidence, which the brain requires to flourish.

Matt, I'm a subscriber of your friend Sheldon Tweety channel. He hasn't posted in forever. Do you guys keep in touch? I hope he is doing good. If you have any update on him it would be great!

Algorithm

Bro I’m 23 and bout to do it , I’m fighting myself should I go for it should I not

Hey matt, I am a Goalkeeper, and i'm decent, but not great. I have a USCAA offer and a little bit of interest from some D3 and D2 schools. I know I should go to college and keep playing there, but do you think im on the right track to at least play some semi-pro lower league professional ball?

I am going to grind out every possibility. No interest from nowhere just going to record and grow from there, If its in gods hands it will happen but I WILL NOT MISS ANY MINUTE TOWARDS THIS MISSION. I will start at the lowest with the community college new futbol program.. yes its fairly new but I will make most of it

Funny thing Matt is if you took your 18 yr old college self and fast forwarded to 2024, you likely wouldn't be on a D1 roster. Just about every D1 team is packed with foreigners in their 20s trying to use American colleges for a chance at MLS. I'd say about 75% of the rosters are like this. The other 25% are MLS next kids that couldn't make it at the academy or are with the US national programs. My nephew is in 10th grade and we're going thru the process now and it's disgusting how the above avg (not great) American player is getting screwed out of a possible college soccer career. I recently re watched the 1991 NCAA champ game (I was in the Big East at the time) and just about every starter was an American kid.

Great job Matt, one implication is you graduate from HS soccer at 18 and then make that decision by yourself. Soccer Development USA in 2024 is that alot of this information and feedback and path is already set for a youth soccer player through academy, non-MLS next or MLS Academies well before your 18th birthday without playing HS soccer.

Very important but omitted. His friends, connections, and network from college — especially from friendships and from the discipline shown — will pay major dividends throughout his life, in all phases: career, marriage, retirement.

If somebody were in scenario 4 and had interest in playing collegiate soccer, wouldn't it be too late to start the college soccer recruiting process? Should they then go abroad?