14 year old homegrown

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The Thorns "signed" a 14 year old girl a few months ago. Same. Not surprisingly her parents promote her on social media all the time.

Olivia Moultrie’s already earned more $ than most of us will ever see. Also got to play up on the Thorns during the preseason and got called up to U-15 YNT so she’s accomplished more than the old farts on TS. Good decision on her and her parents’ part not to take the safe route.

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Also, these are boys (not girls) we are talking about where 1/3 of the spots and most of the scholarship $ are already going to internationals.

You keep saying this. I’m still waiting for a reputable link detailing that “most of the scholarship $” goes to international players.

It used to be 1/2 the spots until someone proved that wrong BTW.

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You keep saying this. I’m still waiting for a reputable link detailing that “most of the scholarship $” goes to international players.

It used to be 1/2 the spots until someone proved that wrong BTW.

https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/res...ndsDivSprt.pdf

Above NCAA study shows 1/3 of men’s soccer rosters are currently internationals and that trend continues to rise. Number of first years has grown 62% from 2013 to 2018. They are being actively recruited because their skills are better than Americans. To get them to come, they are being offering a larger share of scholarships.

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You keep saying this. I’m still waiting for a reputable link detailing that “most of the scholarship $” goes to international players.

It used to be 1/2 the spots until someone proved that wrong BTW.

Just look at the rosters. Its that simple.

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You do realize focusing on school and being a student-athlete on a competitive scholarship aren’t usually mutually compatible goals? Tons of young players waste their best athletic years in a college dead end without ever earning a degree or getting an unmarketable nonsense degree. Also, these are boys (not girls) we are talking about where 1/3 of the spots and most of the scholarship $ are already going to internationals.

Yes college isn't the best path if you want to go pro. But my point was a 14 year old shouldn't be making that choice yet. If he still is on that developmental path and still wants it at 16 or 17? That's a big difference in maturity. There is no need to "sign" someone so young. A player on a pro track would readily get plenty of scholarship dollars. This isn't a typical DA player.

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https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/res...ndsDivSprt.pdf

Above NCAA study shows 1/3 of men’s soccer rosters are currently internationals and that trend continues to rise. Number of first years has grown 62% from 2013 to 2018. They are being actively recruited because their skills are better than Americans. To get them to come, they are being offering a larger share of scholarships.

Yes. Players who aren't quite good enough to go pro abroad are stronger than many of our US players. That's another indication what we're doing isn't working. Given the high cost of US schools dollars have to be offered up. In other countries college is free or very affordable. Not many could afford it without assistance

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https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/res...ndsDivSprt.pdf

Above NCAA study shows 1/3 of men’s soccer rosters are currently internationals and that trend continues to rise. Number of first years has grown 62% from 2013 to 2018. They are being actively recruited because their skills are better than Americans. To get them to come, they are being offering a larger share of scholarships.

I’ve been told by a number of D1 coaches that they recruit internationals because they expect less scholarship money than high level U.S. club players. Talk about cheap college in Europe all you want, many of these internationals are here trying to make the jump to MLS.

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I’ve been told by a number of D1 coaches that they recruit internationals because they expect less scholarship money than high level U.S. club players. Talk about cheap college in Europe all you want, many of these internationals are here trying to make the jump to MLS.

How many of them can afford $50K+ a year?

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Yes college isn't the best path if you want to go pro. But my point was a 14 year old shouldn't be making that choice yet. If he still is on that developmental path and still wants it at 16 or 17? That's a big difference in maturity. There is no need to "sign" someone so young. A player on a pro track would readily get plenty of scholarship dollars. This isn't a typical DA player.

He's 14 years old. He'll be making around $70,000 a year (minimum), with no expenses as he's probably still living at home. If at 18, he has an epiphany and wants to become a biologist, he'll be able to pay his way through college easily with his earnings, and will be able to focus on his studies and future career in a way student-athletes can't. Really no downside to this, unless you want to count missing out on the "glory" of playing college soccer. He could even play for his local USL2 team when their season starts up, if he's missing soccer.

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He's 14 years old. He'll be making around $70,000 a year (minimum), with no expenses as he's probably still living at home. If at 18, he has an epiphany and wants to become a biologist, he'll be able to pay his way through college easily with his earnings, and will be able to focus on his studies and future career in a way student-athletes can't. Really no downside to this, unless you want to count missing out on the "glory" of playing college soccer. He could even play for his local USL2 team when their season starts up, if he's missing soccer.

This kid is never going to college. I’m picturing an M5 BMW when he gets his license. He’ll end up a club soccer coach.

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How many of them can afford $50K+ a year?

Well, many were professionals, so presumably they made money with which they can pay for college.

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Well, many were professionals, so presumably they made money with which they can pay for college.

:) that's another thing - some of those internationals are way older and played professionally.

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Well, many were professionals, so presumably they made money with which they can pay for college.

Do you really think American colleges are where young European professionals go after making serious money? Put down the pipe, dude.

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Do you really think American colleges are where young European professionals go after making serious money? Put down the pipe, dude.

Of those who played professionally it tends to be at the lowest levels so probably not great money. Many come here hoping for a shot at MLS, which is about equivalent in many instances. Half the MLS draft last year was international players, although I don't know how many were playing in college here first.

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https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/res...ndsDivSprt.pdf

Above NCAA study shows 1/3 of men’s soccer rosters are currently internationals and that trend continues to rise. Number of first years has grown 62% from 2013 to 2018. They are being actively recruited because their skills are better than Americans. To get them to come, they are being offering a larger share of scholarships.

^^^if you look at the study about 40% of the 321 international men’s D1 first years are coming from Canada, UK, and Germany. These are not poor countries and college costs a lot less or nothing there. Both UK and Germany also have some of the best pro systems in the world. My guess is the best Canadians are coming to play in US colleges because it’s probably better competition than back home, but the Brits and Germans probably are 3rd or 4th tier players that can’t get into the upper pro leagues where the $ is back home. In any case, they aren’t coming here for nothing so you can be sure they are getting scholarship $.