Over 2,000 universities in the United States offer soccer (football) scholarships to guys and girls who would like to combine soccer and studies. Playing college soccer in the U.S. is the perfect way to improve your game, become stronger mentally and physically, build a network of international friends and earn a respected university degree that will lay the foundation for a successful career, whether on or off the field.
Every year, more and more college soccer players make the transition into the Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the States, or other professional leagues throughout the world.
How does college soccer work?
College soccer differs from “regular” soccer in a couple of aspects of the game. Firstly, you don’t play for a club, but you represent your university’s team.
Each team consist of 20-25 players who compete against other universities in their conference league. All teams try to qualify for the national tournament, in which the top 48 college teams of the country are represented.
College soccer games last a regular 90 minutes and are played in two 45-minute halfs. However, instead of a clock counting up to 90 minutes, in college soccer, the clock is counting down. Therefore, it is allowed to make substitutions continuously throughout the second half, which causes the games to be very physical and played in a high tempo.
Slamstox soccer players in the US
Slamstox has placed a variety of men’s and women’s soccer players at American universities. Some have played at the highest national level such as Lieske Carleer (Arizona State and Dutch national U19 team), some have played at local or regional amateur clubs. Our players are competing across the US, form California to Florida to New York City!
College soccer fun facts
Did you know that..
- 11 college student-athletes represented their country at the 2019 Women’s Soccer World Championships in France?
- Both the MLS (men’s professional soccer league) and the NWSL (national women’s soccer league) organize try-outs for college seniors where professional coaches go to scout players to join their teams?
- In the United States, women’s soccer is more popular than men’s soccer, and the women’s national team performs substantially better than the men’s?
- Slamstox soccer specialist Wouter Verstraaten played for PSV, then transferred to University of the Pacific, played for the Portland Timbers, and subsequently finished his master’s degree in England? He is now playing professionally for South Shields.
- Slamstox soccer specialist Lorenzo Avanzi played NCAA Division 1 soccer at USC Upstate and came out for one of the top junior academies in Brazil?
- International student-athletes always have intense discussions with American students about whether the sport is called ‘soccer’ or ‘football.’ Consensus never seems to be met…
- Slamstox can help you get in touch with professional soccer agents to sign with European clubs?