The myth of "College Coaches recruit mostly DA players" !!!

[Unregistered]

This might be true for some DA's. But....take Boca United DA for ex, they have over 30 players on their roster, most of them don't play or even travel to out of state games or go to Academy Showcases. I have some friends there that have sons in that roster so I know.

So how do those guys get noticed when they hardly even play ? Sure, the parents are probably very proud their son is in a DA and it makes for some cool convo at parties and such. But the reality is different for different players.

When you say DA are you talking about the players that mostly play and are getting exposure or everybody who's on the roster but hardly play ? How are these kids getting a shot at playing college when the coaches never see them play ? When you also start taking these players into account then the DA doesn't seem that attractive any more....

As has been said - if you're a top 5 non MLS player or #1-#11 on an MLS DA team AND your playing aspirations are for a top D1 program then DA will help you get there. A few non DA players will crack that nut but they will have to work harder to get in the door. Beyond that, however, and especially if you're a non-starter or bench player, then a good local club where you will start and have an impact may be a much better option. Yes that club has to attend showcases and you will have to work harder to get in front of coaches. But you'll probably have a better overall experience and won't have given up HS soccer to do that.

[Unregistered]

As has been said - if you're a top 5 non MLS player or #1-#11 on an MLS DA team AND your playing aspirations are for a top D1 program then DA will help you get there. A few non DA players will crack that nut but they will have to work harder to get in the door. Beyond that, however, and especially if you're a non-starter or bench player, then a good local club where you will start and have an impact may be a much better option. Yes that club has to attend showcases and you will have to work harder to get in front of coaches. But you'll probably have a better overall experience and won't have given up HS soccer to do that.

So we're in agreement that DA is only for the lucky kids who always make the 11 or have good political connections with the club (many of those everywhere). For the rest of the team they're better off in a good club who play Showcases....

[Unregistered]

So we're in agreement that DA is only for the lucky kids who always make the 11 or have good political connections with the club (many of those everywhere). For the rest of the team they're better off in a good club who play Showcases....

Being on a da team is great, even if you aren't a starter as long as you play your minimum but it isn't the only way to college.

[Unregistered]

So we're in agreement that DA is only for the lucky kids who always make the 11 or have good political connections with the club (many of those everywhere). For the rest of the team they're better off in a good club who play Showcases....

I am. Obviously if you don't have a good club option and/or your HS is truly, truly awful then at least give DA a consideration. But if you're not aiming for top D1 soccer it isn't a necessity

[Unregistered]

WHat do you think your link proves? There are almost 15,000 kids playing NCAA D1 Soccer.
Source: http://www.scholarshipstats.com/soccer.html

Your link shows that 1,200 come from DA / ECNL teams. 1,200 of 15,000 is 12%. That's is NOT an impressive number.

15,000 kids in D1 soccer?! What are talking about? There are only around 200 D1 schools that play men's soccer (there are far more for women). So you're saying the average roster has 75 players?

No wonder you think that non DA kids have a shot. Only 9.9 scholarships per team so they are apparently finding dozens of cash payers in your world.

[Unregistered]

15,000 kids in D1 soccer?! What are talking about? There are only around 200 D1 schools that play men's soccer (there are far more for women). So you're saying the average roster has 75 players?

No wonder you think that non DA kids have a shot. Only 9.9 scholarships per team so they are apparently finding dozens of cash payers in your world.

Don't know where he got that number from. Beyond the basic math of 203 men's d1 programs X 28 players/team....according to the link - 5750 D1, 5873 D2, 11,742 D3. But, as someone else pointed out DA pumps out just under 1,000 per year (and not all will play D1 or even play soccer at all). Across all three divisions there are many opportunities to play