I want to take a moment to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas! This community has been such a joy to build. Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas filled with love, joy and offers!!🎄

Welcome to your Thursday soccer briefing! Let’s dive into the latest updates, insights, and tips to help you navigate the world of college soccer recruiting. 🏆 Big Changes Ahead: Birth Year ➜ School Year Registration US Soccer is officially transitioning from Birth Year registration to School Year registration starting in the 2026/27 cycle. Some clubs, like the Nationals Girls Academy (@NationalsGA), are already getting ahead of the curve. At Nationals ECNL, we’ve been preparing for this change by: - Developing a structured age-group plan - Establishing clear timelines & communication - Offering internal + external evaluation opportunities (within ECNL rules) - Ensuring a smooth, player-first transition focused on development & exposure This change is significant, but with the right preparation, it’s an opportunity to grow and thrive! 🚨 Excellent Read: The D1-or-Bust Mentality By Erica Mulholland (@fitsoccerqueen) Too often, I hear young players say, “I want to play D1!” But when asked why, most can’t give a genuine, in-depth answer. Erica’s article, “Turning Down Division I College Soccer Offers Was the Best Decision I Made,” is a must-read for players and families. She shares her perspective on why the D1 path isn’t for everyone—and why that’s okay. Every player’s journey is unique, and while D1 is amazing for some, it’s not the only path to success. https://ericasuter.com/turning-down-division-i-college-soccer-offers-was-the-best-decision-i-made/ 🧠 Recruiting Wisdom 💡 From @The901R on X:"TRUTH: After their first collegiate season, many freshmen find that Signing Day and Posting Day were the highlights of their college soccer journey." 🎯 Take Action Today Remember: “It’s not how good you are, but who knows you’re good!” - Email college coaches - Share your story - Update your highlight video Make it happen! Best, Steve

Hey everyone! 👋 I just uploaded a brand-new video where I tried out a different idea this time. It's my first go at this concept, so I’m sure there’s room for improvement. I’d love to hear your thoughts—what worked, what didn’t, and how I can make it even better next time! Check it out below👇 Your feedback means the world to me, so don’t hold back! Drop a comment or send me a message with your suggestions. Steve

Welcome to your Wednesday soccer briefing! ⚽ NCAA and ECNL Under Fire for Freezing Conditions The NCAA and ECNL are facing heavy criticism for hosting the NCAA finals and the ECNL event in freezing Kansas City. A post by @AvaTibor summed up the frustration perfectly: "NCAA, you put our athletes in freezing conditions on the biggest weekend of their college careers. WHY?" Michele Kang’s perspective resonates here: women’s soccer must be athletically entertaining to draw fans who say, “I have to go see this game,” rather than simply supporting women’s sports out of obligation. Cold weather, however, undermines this goal. Studies show that cold conditions reduce sprint speed and power by 5-10%, directly impacting the quality of play. Football, by contrast, understands the importance of protecting its product. NCAA D1 FBS playoff games and championships are held in warm cities or climate-controlled stadiums to ensure the game remains fast, loud, and elite. They also create a party-like atmosphere for fans, broadcasting that energy to engage viewers. Cold weather, on the other hand, kills crowd attendance and engagement. The athletes delivered elite performances on Friday and Monday night despite the conditions, but now it’s time for the NCAA to step up. Returning to Cary for the next two years feels like a step backward. As @AvaTibor asks, “What am I missing?” ⚽ Words of Wisdom: Recruiting Tips @d1scholarship on X shared some valuable advice for college recruiting: "How early is too early in college recruiting? The simple answer is that as long as your athlete is in high school, you're good to start." ⚽ Remember: “It’s not how good you are, but who knows you’re good!” Take action today: - Email college coaches. - Share your story. - Make it happen! Good luck! Steve

⚽ NCAA DI Women’s Soccer Tournament is tonight! - Women’s College Cup Finals:🏆 No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 1 Stanford - 📅 Tonight, Monday, Dec. 8 - 🕗 Time: TBD (ET) - 📺 Watch on ESPNU ⚽ DIII Men’s Soccer Championship - Tufts Jumbos are National Champions!🏆 Tufts defeated Trinity (TX) 2-1 in overtime to claim their fifth national title in program history. - Crazy End!: Tufts tied the game with just 4 seconds left before clinching the win in OT. This marks their first championship since their dominant run from 2014-2019. ⚽ Q&A with Steve: College Recruiting Made Simple - Feeling stressed about the college recruiting process?Join Steve Coxon for a free live Q&A session to get your questions answered and feel empowered. - 📅 Today, Dec. 8th - 🕠 5:30 PM ET - 📍 Zoom Link: Join Here✅ - Please RSVP Here: Sign Up ⚽ Words of Wisdom "Two athletes with identical film. Athlete A: Blank profile, no posts, quiet. Athlete B: Weekly posts, engaging with coaches, visible brand. Who gets the offer? B. Every time. Visibility breaks ties." ⚽ Reminder: "It’s not how good you are, but who knows you’re good!" Take action today: Email college coaches. Share your story. Make it happen! Good Luck! Steve