Why College Soccer?
Playing college soccer in the USA is a great way to continue to develop as a player while getting a university degree at the same time.
On top of everything else, student-athletes learn to work and thrive in a team environment, which alters and shapes them into well-rounded, unselfish, team-oriented, and driven individuals. These qualities will help you be successful, whether on or off the pitch.
Scholarships
There are about 1,450 universities (Women) and 1300 universities (Men) that offer a soccer program in the USA. Depending on your level, you can receive up to a full scholarship that covers; tuition, rent, living expenses, and sometimes even attractive pocket money.
In addition to soccer scholarships, an athlete can qualify for academic scholarships (through grades and test scores) and international scholarships. It is possible to get a combination of the different types of scholarships.
The following items can be covered by a scholarship:
Tuition
vary from $10000,- to $65000,-
Training gear
Room&Board
Insurance
It is mandatory to have health insurance and some schools require international students to take a school’s policy.
Books
Spending money
How are practice and season structured?
The training schedule is characterized by high intensity, and the coaching staff often includes several assistants and athletic coaches. Up to six training sessions per week on the pitch and numerous strength and endurance workouts are scheduled weekly. You will get, amongst other things, personalized training gear with your school’s logo and have access to top-class facilities and resources like physiotherapy, weight rooms, strength and conditioning coaches, and more.
Universities are divided into conferences (usually consisting of 8-10 other teams) that are mostly chosen based on similar locations. However, an away game can still be a 6-hour bus ride, or the team may even need to fly to games! At the end of the regular season (approximately 18 games), the top-ranked teams from their conference will qualify for the conference tournament in which you can qualify for the National knockout tournament.
Overview of an academic year
Showtime! – You will officially begin with a 2-3 week pre-season in which you work intensively with your team on the pitch to prepare for the upcoming season. During the season, you practice almost every day of the week and play 1 to 2 games per week. If your team has done well in the regular season, it can qualify for “post-season competition” and continues in tournament mode until the National Championship played in December.
Summer break – There is a possibility to stay in The USA and take summer classes or work in soccer camps. Most students decide to go back to their families to enjoy the 2.5 month break to rest and individual preparation for pre-season.
Day in the life of a student-athlete
Sports & academics are 100% coordinated, so you have the opportunity to excel on both the soccer pitch as well as in the classroom.
6:30
Weight/Conditioningget ready for the
weight/conditioning training.
7:45
Shower/BreakfastShower and then have breakfast with teammates or friends in one of the dining facilities on the college campus.
8:30
Classes11:45
LunchLunch with teammates and friends, again at one of the various food halls available on campus using your prepaid ‘meal plan’ card.
12:30
Classes14:30
PracticeArrive at the training room to prepare for practice. You may get stretched out or taped by an athletic trainer (physiotherapist)
17:30
Recover/Shower/DinnerBack to the training room to make sure you take care of yourself physically after practice (ice bath/physical therapy). After taking a shower, you will have dinner with teammates and friends.
19:00
Study/LeisureTime to get some studying or homework done. When other sports teams are in action, a good college athlete supports their fellow athletes! You will have time for yourself the rest of the evening.
Did you know?
- A game is played in real-time until the clock counts down to zero. Therefore there is no added time.
- In the second half, coaches are allowed to switch players as often as they want (Players may get back on the pitch even after they have been substituted).
- If the game remains tied after 90 minutes there will be an overtime period of 2 x 10 min which can be decided by a golden goal. If neither team scores, the match ends in a draw (unless it is a playoff match, then it would go to a penalty shootout).
- Average attendance of the 50 best college teams is around a 1000 people (in the final tournament is between 2500 and 3500 people).
- 88 former and 11 current college players were part of their respective national teams during the 2019 World Cup.
- Our soccer ambassador Niekie Pellens (played in NCAA division 2 as well as in division 1) played pro for Inter Milan, VV Alkmaar and SV Eendracht Aalst.
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