Hi, I’m James Riley, Founder of JR7 SOCCER. I’ve seen many young athletes with a "D1 or nothing" mindset without fully understanding what it actually takes to compete at that level. Today, I’m sharing the top three expectations for D1 soccer players so you can better assess where your player stands and help them prepare for the challenges ahead.
Opportunities in D1 Soccer:
- Men’s Soccer: 205 teams, 9.9 scholarships (if fully funded), and only 1.3% of high school players make it.
- Women’s Soccer: 347 teams, 14 scholarships (if fully funded), with just 2.4% of high school players making it.
Ask yourself this: Is your player’s daily routine aligned with the top 1-2% of soccer athletes in the country? Reaching D1 requires more than talent—it demands a serious commitment to training, nutrition, and mental toughness.
What It Means to Be a D1 Athlete:
Being a D1 athlete is a full-time job, both on and off the field. Here’s what your player can expect:
- 20+ hours per week dedicated to soccer during the fall season.
- Regular travel for games, often leaving the day before matches.
- A packed schedule that leaves little room for social activities or outside interests.
Balancing academics with athletics is a major challenge, and securing playing time can be tough with highly competitive rosters.
The Recruiting Process:
D1 recruiting moves fast and focuses on top-tier leagues like MLS Next and ECNL. College coaches start communicating with players as early as June 15th before their junior year. Make sure your player stays visible by keeping their highlight video updated and attending ID camps to get in front of coaches.
Positioning Your Player for Success:
- Encourage your player to compete at the highest level possible for maximum exposure.
- Help them create a development plan focused on improving technical skills, strength, and speed.
- Watch D1 games together to get a realistic sense of the competition level.
- Keep their highlight video current and share it with college coaches.
- Make attending ID camps a priority for in-person evaluation.
Bonus Tip:
If your player has the opportunity to compete at any college level—D1, D2, D3, NAIA, or Junior College—they’re already in the top 5-7% of high school athletes! Be proud of how far they’ve come and focus on finding the best college fit, both athletically and academically.
🚀 Ready to kickstart your soccer player’s recruiting journey? Download The Ultimate College Soccer Recruiting Roadmap—it’s FREE and filled with expert tips to help your player navigate the recruiting process with confidence.
Want to take it a step further? Join the College Soccer Accelerator for personalized coaching and proven strategies designed to help your athlete stand out to college coaches. Enroll today and unlock their full potential!
Free Resources:
📘 FREE Guide: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Soccer Players
📕 FREE Guide: The Ultimate College Soccer Recruiting Roadmap
Programs & Coaching:
1️⃣ The Training Academy
2️⃣ The College Soccer Accelerator
3️⃣ The Training App
📲 Connect with JR7 SOCCER:
➡ Website
➡ Instagram
🔔 YouTube Channel
