Welcome to your Friday soccer briefing! ⚽ #1 Mistake Soccer Recruits Make I just uploaded a brand-new video where I tried out a different idea this time. It’s my first attempt at this concept, so I’m sure there’s room for improvement. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what worked, what didn’t, and how I can make it even better next time! Your feedback means the world to me, so don’t hold back! Drop a comment or send me a message with your suggestions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWahGeKNLbk ⚽ Recruiting Wisdom @TrentonLuera14 on X shared this gem: *"Most athletes spend: • 15 hours/week practicing • 10 hours/week lifting • 0 hours/week marketing themselves I should've been: • 15 hours practicing • 10 hours lifting • 3.5 hours marketing (30 min daily) That 3.5 hours is what separates recruited from unrecruited." 🚨 Huge News Out of Happy Valley! @PennStateMSOC has made a major move, naming Vermont's championship-winning coach, Rob Dow, as the new head coach for their men’s soccer program! Dow led Vermont to an impressive 109-41-21 record during his tenure. #PennState ⚽ Remember: “It’s not how good you are, but who knows you’re good!” Take action today: Email college coaches. Share your story. Make it happen! Good luck! Steve

The College Cup semi-finals feature three teams chasing their first NCAA Division I title and one program with the most championships in history. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Friday night’s action: Furman (16-1-5) vs. Washington (14-6-2) Friday, December 12th 6 PM Eastern These two teams bring a combined roster where 55 of 58 players developed through domestic youth soccer, offering a glimpse of future stars. Both programs are seeking their first College Cup trophy, making this a golden opportunity to create a new legacy. Furman Keys to Victory The Paladins excel in offensive flexibility, scoring through free kicks, long throw-ins, corners, and combinations. Adapting to the game’s demands will be crucial against a Washington team that can struggle against physical opponents. Washington Keys to Victory Washington’s success hinges on defensive resilience against Furman’s relentless aerial attacks. Offensively, players like Alex Hall, Zach Ramsey, Richie Aman, and Charlie Kosakoff must deliver the creativity they’ve shown all season. NC State (15-2-4) vs. Saint Louis (13-2-8) Friday, December 12th PM Eastern In a clash of teams returning to the College Cup after decades, NC State’s dominance meets Saint Louis’ resilience. The Wolfpack’s tactical versatility will face off against the Billikens’ ability to thrive under pressure. NC State Keys to Victory The Wolfpack must score first and maintain an aggressive attacking approach. Saint Louis thrives on momentum, so NC State’s tactical discipline and early goals will be critical. Saint Louis Keys to Victory The Billikens must avoid falling behind, as NC State is undefeated when scoring first. With limited chances against a strong Wolfpack defense, Saint Louis must capitalize on every opportunity. https://topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/mens-ncaa-tournament-final-four-preview_aid55472?utm_source=TopDrawerSoccer+Newsletter&utm_campaign=8203894870-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_12_11_06_51&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-8203894870-545793566

Hey everyone! 👋 I just uploaded a brand-new video where I tried out a different idea this time. It's my first go at this concept, so I’m sure there’s room for improvement. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what worked, what didn’t, and how I can make it even better next time! Check it out below👇 Your feedback means the world to me, so don’t hold back! Drop a comment or send me a message with your suggestions. Steve

Welcome to your Thursday soccer briefing! ⚽ D1 Coaches Ranked: Chris Henderson (@chris_awk) released his D1 coaches rankings after the fall season, and it’s good to see so many Northeast coaches on the list! The top Northeast coach honors go to Kia McNeill at Brown, followed by Dave Clarke at Quinnipiac, and Kelly Cook at Bucknell rounding out the top 3. 51 of the 60 coaches from last year’s Top 60 are back on this year’s list! ⚽ Words of Wisdom: Recruiting Tips@d1scholarship on X shared some valuable advice for college recruiting: *"Before you pay for a recruiting event, ask yourself this question: Am I using this event for evaluation or exposure? Evaluation = Playing in front of coaches who know my kidExposure = Trying to get on coaches' radars If for evaluation, great. If for exposure, you're wasting $." ⚽ Remember: “It’s not how good you are, but who knows you’re good!” Take action today: Email college coaches. Share your story. Make it happen! Good luck! Steve

Welcome to your Wednesday soccer briefing! ⚽ NCAA and ECNL Under Fire for Freezing Conditions The NCAA and ECNL are facing heavy criticism for hosting the NCAA finals and the ECNL event in freezing Kansas City. A post by @AvaTibor summed up the frustration perfectly: "NCAA, you put our athletes in freezing conditions on the biggest weekend of their college careers. WHY?" Michele Kang’s perspective resonates here: women’s soccer must be athletically entertaining to draw fans who say, “I have to go see this game,” rather than simply supporting women’s sports out of obligation. Cold weather, however, undermines this goal. Studies show that cold conditions reduce sprint speed and power by 5-10%, directly impacting the quality of play. Football, by contrast, understands the importance of protecting its product. NCAA D1 FBS playoff games and championships are held in warm cities or climate-controlled stadiums to ensure the game remains fast, loud, and elite. They also create a party-like atmosphere for fans, broadcasting that energy to engage viewers. Cold weather, on the other hand, kills crowd attendance and engagement. The athletes delivered elite performances on Friday and Monday night despite the conditions, but now it’s time for the NCAA to step up. Returning to Cary for the next two years feels like a step backward. As @AvaTibor asks, “What am I missing?” ⚽ Words of Wisdom: Recruiting Tips @d1scholarship on X shared some valuable advice for college recruiting: "How early is too early in college recruiting? The simple answer is that as long as your athlete is in high school, you're good to start." ⚽ Remember: “It’s not how good you are, but who knows you’re good!” Take action today: - Email college coaches. - Share your story. - Make it happen! Good luck! Steve