Oh, the question is...what to do if you can't afford it. I think you need to play at the highest level you can afford. Network Network Network and see if you can guest play on higher level teams in tournaments. For example, find a team playing in Jefferson Cup and try to guest play in that tournament if your normal team is not playing in it. Bethesda Cup is another one. Constantly update your highlight videos and send them to college coaches. I know that takes some money but shouldn't be much. Network network network. Hopefully, the coaches you are sending them to are going to Jeff Cup and the kid can be seen. One thing, we are lucky to have some high level tournaments within driving distance. Although I believe Bethesda Cup is dwindling each year. Also, when you are reaching out to college coaches, explain your financial situation and maybe they will let you attend their ID camp for free...assuming you are looking locally. Lastly, if you can make an MLS academy team, they pay most of the fees. Uniforms, travel, etc. They have free ID sessions.

If I'm not mistaken, scholarships from the clubs normally only cover club fees and don't cover team fees, which at ECNL level can be $500-$1000. Then you have to factor is all the other expenses with high level soccer such as travel (gas, flights, food, and hotels). That can easily add thousands depending on how far you go in playoffs and for showcases and tournaments. So a club can give you a "full scholarship" but you still may need to spend $5000. Maybe more. Imagine having to spend a week in San Diego this summer for ECNL playoffs. How much is that alone going to cost you? The club doesn't pick up that bill. Teams need to do more fundraising. A lot more.

If the player is really good or really needy they have a chance at getting funding from the club or team. Each club is different, some have a formal process with an application, some just require your free lunch form from school. Even if the family doesn't qualify but are close talk to the coach and TD as they sometimes have some discretion, again, depends on the club. Sometimes club standard guidelines don't take into account things like multiple children in the club and special cases can be made. Most clubs are much more club-centric these days, so not sure if there are still teams which operate independently enough to choose to carry a scholarship player like they used to.

Recruiting through high-schools can happen but it is not common. Many college coaches will tell you they won't bother watching high-school because the competition level is so inconsistent they have a hard time judging what they're watching. Since college coaches are usually only looking for athleticism and don't care about skill or soccer IQ they need to watch games where they know the general level of athleticism. When my daughter played high-school we saw local coaches at some of her games, both George Mason at a state semi and Howard, so can't say it never happens--but not frequently. We never saw a coach from out-of-town at a high-school game, even at states.

State cup level teams are often a little more affordable than the regional league teams, and sometimes are just as good quality. If you get on a team that can win state cup and move on to national league there are a good number of college coaches that attend those events. Though often cheaper than ECNL or the like, those teams are still in the thousands per season, especially if they do well and qualify out of northeast region, so more affordable does not necessarily mean affordable. Don't get me wrong, 2k/season is a lot better than 4k/season, but it's still well beyond the recreation budget of many families.

enjoytheride wrote:I have been thinking what do parents do if they just can't afford the 3k-5k plus financial commitment to play on a team in the GA or ECNL. Lets just say your son or daughter is good enough but you just can't afford it. is there another road that these kids can take to get seen by colleges? Fortunately, I am able to afford it but I know there has to be so many families who just can't. It is so different than basketball where the costs are very minimal. Can kids still get recruited straight from high school sports?

Most soccer clubs offer financial assistance.

From what I hear most recruiting is done through the soccer clubs these days and it's rare that HS coaches try and get their players recruited. That's my perspective and from what I've heard and been told in the NoVA area by parents who have been through the recruiting process. I'm sure there are some areas where there is recruiting from high school's directly so if someone has experienced this please share.

I have been thinking what do parents do if they just can't afford the 3k-5k plus financial commitment to play on a team in the GA or ECNL. Lets just say your son or daughter is good enough but you just can't afford it. is there another road that these kids can take to get seen by colleges? Fortunately, I am able to afford it but I know there has to be so many families who just can't. It is so different than basketball where the costs are very minimal. Can kids still get recruited straight from high school sports?