Summer ID Clinic Insights
We spent the weekend at the Gotham FC Alliance Program showcase and had the opportunity to talk to all of the players and parents about the college recruitment process— here's what coaches were actually watching (that most players miss): It wasn't just about skill. Every coach there was evaluating character under pressure — how you respond after a mistake, when your team is losing, when you're uncomfortable playing with people you don't know. They want to see impact, not just participation. Can you shut down your opponent 1v1? Can you control the game from midfield? Do you know your teammates' names and communicate when no one's told you to? The players who stood out weren't always the most talented — they were the most present. Parents: your job at events like this is to be the emotional steady. Not the scout, not the coach. Let your athlete figure it out on the field. That growth is part of the process. Let's get the discussion going: What do you think is the most important thing a player can do at an ID Clinic to stand out to a coach?