The parent playbook
What to do, and when.
Roadmaps, checklists, and the rules that protect your player's future.
The Roadmap
What to do, and when.
Play and film
Play as much as possible. Film every game. Nothing to send yet, just build the library.
Raise the level
Play the highest level available. Start the profile so the story is documented from here.
Get serious
Research academies and schools. Grades count now. D1 coaches can start contacting players June 15 after sophomore year.
Reach out
Send film with short, respectful emails. Attend ID camps. Narrow the target list.
Visit and verify
Take visits, official and unofficial. Keep film current every single season.
Decide
Signing decisions. Keep every document organized and every option open until it is real.
Checklists
Do this at every age.
Tap to check things off. Your progress saves on this device.
Fall in love with the game
Build the foundation
Get on radars
Close it out
The Pathway
The top of the youth game.
Official MLS NEXT website
The top youth league in North America. See clubs, schedules, and news on the official site.
Visit MLS NEXTMLS NEXT and the MLS NEXT logo are trademarks of Major League Soccer. NextUp is not affiliated with or endorsed by MLS. We link here so parents can see where the pathway leads.
For parents
Protect the future.
Protect eligibility
College soccer has amateurism rules. The big ones:
- Never sign with an agent or take money to play.
- Prize money is limited to actual expenses. When in doubt, don't take it.
- No pay, gifts, or benefits tied to playing.
- Keep grades up and register with the NCAA Eligibility Center before recruiting heats up.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change, so check ncaa.org when it matters.
What scouts actually look for
- Effort. They watch who sprints back.
- Decisions. Simple and fast beats fancy.
- Coachability. How a player takes correction.
- Athleticism. Speed and strength for the level.
- Film quality. Clear clips with full game context. No music video edits.
No promises. But this is what earns a second look.