Friday Soccer Roundup: College Cup, ACL Prevention, and Recruiting Wisdom! - Friday December 5th

4h (edited) • General Discussion/Question?

Welcome to your Friday soccer briefing.

⚽ - NCAA Tournament Action

DI Women's College Cup Semifinals: Friday, Dec. 5

The final four teams in Division I women's soccer are ready to battle for a spot in the championship. The evening is packed with high-stakes matchups, all airing on ESPNU.

6:00 p.m. ET: No. 2 TCU vs. No. 3 Florida State
8:45 p.m. ET: No. 1 Stanford vs. No. 2 Duke

2025 NCAA DI men's soccer tournament schedule

Quarterfinals:
Friday, Dec. 5
6 p.m. | No. 7 Georgetown vs. No. 15 NC State 10 p.m. | No. 8 Portland vs. No. 16 Furman
Saturday, Dec. 6
1 p.m. | No. 14 Akron vs. Saint Louis
1 p.m. | No. 4 Maryland vs. Washington

⚽ - ACL Prevention Program Insights

ACL injuries are a serious concern in girls' soccer. Erica Mulholland, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist known as @fitsoccerqueen on X, shared that many factors in reducing these injuries are within a player's control.

Here are a multitude of controllables to reduce ACL injuries in girls soccer players, such as:

Proper nutrition
Recovery
Soccer Load Management
Speed, Agility, and Neuromuscular/Strength training

Read Erica's full article here - https://ericasuter.com/acl-injury-prevention-for-girls-soccer-players-is-a-program-not-a-few-exercises/

⚽ - 4 Things to Know About MLS Next Fest

MLS Next Fest kicked off yesterday, it is more than just a tournament; it's a major showcase that has a new look this year. The event, running from December 4-15 in Arizona, is a critical stop on the youth soccer calendar. Here are four key takeaways about the 2025 event.

A Bigger, Different Feel: Returning to Arizona, this year's Fest in Mesa is nearly double the size of previous events. With the inclusion of the new second-tier Academy Division, clubs like Ginga FC and New England Surf SC are making their debuts. The U-13 and U-14 age groups are also back for the first time since 2022, creating a massive presence for clubs from across the nation.
Prime Recruiting Time: With over 500 college, professional, and national team coaches expected to attend, MLS Next Fest is a hotbed for recruiting. Game results don't count toward standings, so the focus is entirely on player exposure. For uncommitted U-19 players, it's a final chance to make an impression before graduation. For U-17 players, it serves as a major launch point for their recruiting journey, allowing direct connections with coaches.
All-Star Games: A major draw for scouts is the All-Star matches, which feature the top uncommitted players in the country. The U-17 All-Star game is scheduled for Sunday, while four "Uncommitted Matches" for U-19 players will take place on Saturday. These games put top talent on a national stage.
Generation adidas Cup Qualifiers: The event also hosts qualifiers for the prestigious 2026 Generation adidas Cup. U-15 and U-16 teams compete in a single-elimination format, with the winner securing an automatic spot in the international tournament. This adds another layer of high-stakes competition to the showcase.

New England Soccer Journal

@NESoccerJournal

⚽ - Words of Wisdom on Recruiting

@TrentonLuera14 on X

"30 minutes a day on recruiting.

That's it.

• 15 minutes sending DMs/emails

• 15 minutes engaging with coaches on Twitter

Do this daily for 90 days.

You'll have contacted 100+ coaches minimum.

Most athletes don't even do 30 minutes total"

⚽ Reminder