The club soccer landscape is a complicated one. As elementary a statement as that is, it’s perhaps the simplest way to summarize a growing industry that’s difficult to sort through.
Directors of coaching and technical directors say there’s a landing spot for everyone, but are matters really that concrete? After all, the four dominant realms in New England — the Development Academy, Elite Clubs National League, National Premier League and Northeast Soccer League — are competing for a foothold in a world which thousands of players call home.
Often, college soccer and those coveted scholarships motivate the journey. Then again, college soccer isn’t for everyone. Some might just look to the club soccer experience for fun or to supplement their high school season.
So, where does an aspiring player start? And how do you know where to hop on the ladder? There’s no easy answer to either of those questions, but we’ve broken down the various options by category to help along the search.