The foundation of a young soccer player’s journey should be centered on developing individual skill, creativity, and a love for the game. The early years (ages 6-10) should emphasize:

Parents should prioritize environments that foster technical skill and creativity rather than early tactical structure or an excessive focus on winning.

If your child is among the elite performers at the U10-U11 level, it may be time to consider a more competitive setting. This could mean joining a high-level local club or transitioning into a pre MLS academy program, which serves as a feeder program at higher age groups. Factors to consider when choosing the right environment include:

By U13, if your child remains at an elite level, it's time to seriously consider professional academy pathways. MLS Next academies, boutique performance academies and top-tier ECNL clubs offer structured environments designed to develop top talent. At this stage, players should be training consistently, playing high-level competition, and receiving individualized development plans.

Each league and academy structure offers different benefits:

The quality of MLS academies varies significantly across clubs, affecting everything from player development to professional opportunities. One major differentiator is housing and educational programs. Some academies, like those affiliated with top MLS clubs, offer full residency programs with structured schooling, academic support, and a focus on holistic development. Others provide little beyond basic training, leaving out-of-town players to find their own housing and education solutions, which can create significant challenges for families.

Facilities and individual development track records also vary widely. Elite academies invest heavily in top-tier training grounds, recovery centers, and sports science support, fostering optimal player growth. Meanwhile, lower-resourced academies may struggle with outdated facilities and limited access to specialized staff, which can hinder development. A strong academy consistently produces players who transition successfully to the professional level, while weaker programs may prioritize team success over individual progression.

Another key factor is the pro pathway—the clarity and accessibility of opportunities to move into the first team. Some academies have a strong track record of promoting homegrown talent and integrating them into MLS or European clubs, while others rarely provide meaningful first-team minutes. This ties into communication and transparency; in well-run academies, players and families understand their standing, potential trajectory, and next steps. In contrast, poorly run academies often leave players in the dark regarding their future.

Coaching quality and a club’s ability to create a competitive environment are also critical. The best academies attract elite coaches with extensive playing and coaching experience, implementing structured training methods tailored to individual growth. In contrast, less developed academies may employ inexperienced coaches or lack a clear development philosophy. Additionally, recruitment strength plays a role—some clubs aggressively scout and build deep, highly competitive rosters, while others struggle to attract top talent, making it difficult to create a challenging training environment.

Finally, a club’s willingness to prioritize player interests over its own separates the best from the rest. Some academies genuinely support players in finding the best developmental path, even if it means helping them move to another club. Others operate with a more self-serving approach, blocking moves or restricting opportunities to retain control. Ultimately, these differences can significantly impact a player’s growth, exposure, and long-term career prospects.

Every year I put together a ranking of MLS academies in the United States.

By the end of your U13 season, if your son remains among the elite players on his team or within his league and is beginning to attract interest from MLS academies, it’s crucial to understand why club selection at this age can have lasting consequences.

MLS academies maintain something called a Homegrown Protected List,. This list allows clubs to protect both players already in their academy and those within their regional territory who are not yet part of the academy. MLS clubs update their protected list twice a year—once before the season begins in September and again at the end of the winter break in February. Notably, February marks the first time clubs are allowed to protect U14 players. For instance, as of this month, the 2011 class is now eligible for protection.

Where your son lives and which club he plays for at the U14 level can significantly impact his future opportunities.

Understanding these rules and their implications can help ensure your son has the best possible pathway for growth and success in his soccer journey.

Let’s take a deeper look at how this system works.

MLS academies have the ability to protect 45 players who are actively on their roster, spanning from U14 or U15 (depending on the point in the season, as discussed earlier) through U18. That covers five age groups, meaning that, if distributed evenly, approximately nine players per class are protected. In most cases, unless a club is significantly misjudging talent, any player with strong professional potential will likely be on this list.

In addition to protecting their own academy players, MLS academies can also protect nine players who are not currently in their academy but reside within their MLS-defined territory. This protection lasts from U14 or U15 through U18. These external protected lists typically favor younger players. If a player repeatedly declines to join the academy and is not seen as a high-potential prospect, he is often removed after a year or two to make room for younger talent.

Navigating this process can be challenging, as each club handles these situations differently. Some are player-friendly and may release you if you’re not seen as a high-level pro prospect, while others refuse to cooperate.

Being on a club’s protected list means they hold your homegrown rights, making them the only MLS club that can sign you professionally. If you want to move, the new club must typically acquire your rights through negotiation—often costing $100K–$200K for top players. However, some clubs refuse to negotiate at all. While MLS is supposed to mediate, its effectiveness varies.

Certain MLS clubs bring in protected players without acquiring their rights, benefiting from roster improvements but limiting the player’s pro pathway within MLS. In such cases, pursuing a career through USL or an international move—both of which bypass MLS restrictions—becomes a viable alternative. We’ll explore these options further later in the article.

Many families are strongly considering—or fully committed to—moving their son to Europe, given its superior track record in developing top-level talent compared to the United States. With a more established and proven pathway, European academies remain an attractive option. While I often support this strategy, it’s not the right fit for every player, and there are important factors to consider.

Europe is a good option for players who:

The reality is that most top American players today, move to a top flight European academy as soon as they could. While the American development system is gradually improving, it still has a long way to go in consistently producing top players.

The best way for top-level soccer players in the United States to move to Europe is by generating genuine interest and demand—a trial is only valuable if the club truly wants you there and is serious about recruiting you. Trialists brought in as a favor to a contact often receive little attention or meaningful opportunities. 

European teams typically become aware of American talent through well-connected coaches, scouts, advisors, and agents who facilitate introductions and arrange trials. However, securing these opportunities can be more challenging for players in MLS academies, as clubs are often reluctant to lose their top prospects and may limit flexibility for trials. That said, the better-run MLS academies not only allow trials but also actively help arrange them through affiliated clubs. MLS clubs that take a big-picture approach and have confidence in their development programs tend to be more supportive, recognizing that a player’s success abroad reflects well on their academy. Conversely, clubs with inferiority complexes often block trials or even threaten repercussions for players seeking opportunities elsewhere, prioritizing their own retention over the player’s best interests.

FIFA regulations prohibit American soccer players from moving to European clubs before the age of 18, with two key exceptions. First, if a player holds an EU passport and is signing with a club based in the European Union, they can transfer at 16 instead of 18. Second, if a player's parents or legal guardians relocate to Europe for professional reasons—with valid proof that the move is unrelated to soccer—the player may be eligible to register at any age. However, this process involves extensive administrative work.  After documentation and FIFA approval, this  can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months to complete. Many families underestimate the complexity of this process, making it crucial to plan well in advance if pursuing a European move. Additionally, European clubs are becoming increasingly cautious about these transfers, as FIFA has been cracking down on workarounds and issuing sanctions when regulations aren’t strictly followed.

Selecting the right agent as a young, aspiring professional soccer player is one of the most important decisions a family will make—and that decision is being thrust upon families earlier than ever. With players signing professional contracts as young as 14 years old, both in the United States and abroad, the stakes are high.

For young players, the agency selection process differs from that of an established professional. Here are some key factors to consider:

The U18 level is a pivotal stage in a top-level soccer player’s journey. As your academy career nears its end, you must decide how to transition from amateur to professional. If you haven’t already signed a pro contract, your options may include:

Each pathway comes with pros and cons, and a knowledgeable advisor or agent can help you navigate these choices based on your goals and opportunities.

Navigating the elite youth soccer landscape in the United States is complex, but with the right knowledge and guidance, parents can make informed decisions that best support their child’s development and long-term success. From selecting the right training environment in the early years to understanding academy structures, professional pathways, and the role of agents, every step requires careful consideration. 

Each player's journey is unique, and while no single path guarantees success, prioritizing strong development environments, flexibility, and long-term planning will provide the best foundation. By staying informed, asking the right questions, and advocating for their child's best interests, parents can help position their young athletes for success—whether that means signing a professional contract, pursuing opportunities in Europe, or leveraging soccer for higher education.