SOPHMORE YEAR

Refine Your College List

  • Continuously adjust your college list as your academic profile, interests, and soccer development evolve
  • Evaluate which level of college soccer best aligns with your ability, goals, and long-term interests
  • Consider overall school fit beyond soccer, including academics, campus environment, and career goals


Set Athletic Expectations

  • Understand your current role within your club environment and how that translates to the college level
  • Have honest conversations with your Inferno coach to identify programs that are a realistic fit
  • Clarify your priorities: early playing time, level of competition, or long-term development
  • Watch college matches with purpose and assess where your strengths align within different levels


Ask yourself:

  • Would I be happy at this school without immediate playing time?
  • Would the school still be the right fit if soccer were removed from the equation?


Be Evaluated

  • Players can expect to begin seeing college coaches at events during their sophomore year
  • Be prepared to compete and carry yourself professionally at all times


Evaluation Opportunities Include:

  • Showcase Events: Competitive environments where coaches evaluate performance, decision-making, and interaction
  • College ID Camps: School-specific camps that allow deeper interaction and assessment of fit


How to Approach Evaluation:

  • Play with confidence and stay true to your style of play
  • Respond positively to mistakes
  • Be a supportive, communicative teammate
  • Show respect for coaches, officials, and opponents
  • Maintain positive body language on and off the field


Prepare for Communication

  • NCAA contact rules vary by division, making preparation essential
  • Players should be ready to initiate professional communication with college coaches
  • Initial outreach should always include a player profile and highlight video


Player Profile Should Include:

  • Name and graduating class
  • Contact information
  • Academic interests and GPA
  • High school and club information
  • Primary position(s)
  • Soccer accomplishments and upcoming events
  • Club coach contact details


Highlight Video

  • Create a concise highlight reel that showcases strengths and position-specific qualities
  • Clips should clearly identify the player and reflect game-realistic moments
  • Quality, clarity, and focus matter more than length
  • Highlight videos are especially important for out-of-region recruiting


Initiate Contact

  • Players may contact college coaches at any time
  • Responses from coaches depend on NCAA division and recruiting calendar
  • Learning how to write professional introductory emails is a key part of the process


Chicago Inferno coaches provide guidance throughout the recruiting journey, helping players navigate expectations, communication, and exposure opportunities.