Letter to College Soccer Coaches

Dear College Soccer Coaches,

I write to you today with deep respect for the global nature of soccer while raising concerns about diminishing opportunities for American players.

The appeal of international recruiting is clear – the technical brilliance, the tactical awareness, and the disciplined approach make players very attractive. These international players have undoubtedly elevated collegiate soccer.

But as I watch more college soccer and listen to recruiting stories, I witness an increasing trend. Many talented domestic players, including club standouts, are becoming very discouraged.

Even Division III programs, traditionally a haven for balancing academics and athletics, have become increasingly competitive with international recruitment.

High School coaches tell me heartbreaking stories of their best players – players with tremendous work ethic and leadership – who can’t find roster spots anywhere.

This new generation of American players has grown up in a truly soccer-cultured environment. They breath soccer from a young age, train at top clubs and develop alongside the best of the best.

The technical gap between American and international players narrows every year. We see this in competitions like the adidas GA Cup.

The mathematics is stark: with roughly 24 roster spots per team and an increasing percentage going to international players, we’re seeing fewer opportunities for domestic players at every level.

This creates a downward pressure where D1-caliber domestic players move to D2, D2 players to D3, and D3-caliber players find themselves without any collegiate opportunities at all.

I’m not advocating for closing doors to international talent – that would be counterproductive. Instead, I’m asking you to take a closer look at our evolving domestic talent pool.

Before bringing in that overseas recruit, consider expanding your search within our own soccer ecosystem. Build relationships with local clubs doing excellent development work. Scout religiously at top national events.

The future of American soccer depends on creating pathways for our domestic talent. College soccer remains a vital part of that pathway. By balancing international recruitment with a renewed focus on domestic talent, you’re not just building your program – you’re contributing to the growth of American soccer as a whole.

With respect and optimism for our soccer future,

P.S. This isn’t meant to be political by any means – it’s about preserving opportunities and pathways for American players (who tend to get overlooked) to continue developing the system.

P.P.S I also may be ignorant and overlooking something you know better. I write this from my perspective and experience, but I’m open to understanding the complexities and challenges you face in building competitive programs.