I have no doubt that UF could also make this into a revenue sport. This is what they do (to be fair, those other powerhouses could too — Texas, Arizona, Georgia etc). We have a lot of fans dying to see great soccer. The system could improve. |
I mean we have D1 quality athletes playing at D3 schools for men’s soccer so …. I think probably not. |
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I hate to see young men signing pro contracts when they could have the college experience.
I mean we all know the US Soccer system is broken, why can’t new Men’s D1 programs be part of the answer? I actually thought all of the schools listed already had D1 men’s programs and was shocked to learn that they did not. |
They play in the Sun Belt now, along with fellow Big 12 member UCF. What’s interesting about the Sun Belt is that both Kentucky and South Carolina also play soccer in that conference. It’s a very good league. Marshall and JMU are solid programs as well. |
That’s awesome. Would love to see some of the Messi effect trickle down to college. |
maybe when messi starts coaching it will. but until then we have old school kick and run soccer. Most kids that play club don't watch college soccer because of the way they play. |
| You get football or men's soccer never both. |
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Even D2 schools have a lot of foreign students on their men's rosters.
There are so many more opportunities for female college soccer players. |
Not true at all. Every team in the top eight of the current men’s college soccer rankings plays FBS football. Ohio State and Clemson - where football is a decently big deal - are ranked 5th and 8th, respectively. Clemson won the national championship in soccer last year. |
True - and even at D3 and NAIA schools. Locally, Washington Adventist Univ had 27 International players last year and probably a similar number this year. https://www.wau.edu/shock-waus-coach-carroll-brings-on-highest-number-of-international-recruits-for-new-soccer-season/ |
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*football is a decently big deal*
Bit of an understatement? |
| D1 > D3 > D1 Club Soccer > D2 |
Absolutely. I was being sarcastic. |
There are DI club soccer programs that are better than many D3 programs |
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My nephew is a HS junior and is playing for a non-academy MLS Next club. While playing "pro" could be an option, he would like to play in college and is going through the recruiting process now.
Biggest thing that he is learning is to not be in a rush with anything because of the uncertainty with things - that includes the settlement, transfer portal and international players. Biggest thing for him is going somewhere (regardless if D1 or D3), he wants to play rather than ride the bench for 4 years. So, that is factoring into where is actively looking. Should be interesting to see where things fall out. |