College Soccer Could Get a Complete Makeover Soon

U.S. Soccer is putting together a special team to fix the problems with college soccer and make it better for future professional players.

Quick Takeaways:

• A new committee will suggest changes to college soccer that could start in 2026
• College soccer's short fall season doesn't prepare players well for professional leagues
• The changes could help both men's and women's soccer programs across the country

Why College Soccer Needs to Change

College soccer has been an important way for young players to develop their skills and get noticed by professional teams. But many coaches and soccer experts think the current system isn't working very well.

The biggest problem is timing. College soccer players only compete during the fall months, cramming about 20 games into just a few months. This is very different from professional soccer, where players compete year-round with breaks between seasons.

In my opinion, this short season approach is like trying to learn piano by only practicing for three months out of the year – it's simply not enough time to develop the skills needed at the professional level.

The New Committee Takes Action

U.S. Soccer announced a group called the “NextGen College Soccer Committee” with 18 members from different parts of the soccer world. The group includes people from:

• Professional soccer leagues like MLS and NWSL
• College soccer programs
• Business executives who understand sports

Dan Helfrich, who works at a big consulting company called Deloitte, will lead the committee. The group also includes team owners like Adrian Hanauer from the Seattle Sounders.

What Changes Could Look Like

The committee is looking at several big changes that could make college soccer better:

Extended Season

Instead of just playing in the fall, college soccer could run from fall through spring with a winter break. This would give players more time to develop and stay in game shape.

Rule Changes

College soccer uses slightly different rules than professional soccer, including how substitutions work and how the clock runs. Making these rules more similar to professional soccer could help players adjust better.

Money Opportunities

With recent changes allowing college athletes to earn money from their name and image, the committee will look at new ways for soccer players to benefit financially.

Different Paths for Men and Women

The committee recognizes that men's and women's soccer might need different solutions. In women's soccer, most top players still go through college before turning professional. But in men's soccer, more talented players are skipping college entirely to join professional teams or academies.

I believe this difference makes sense because women's professional soccer is still growing, while men's soccer has more established pathways outside of college.

Perfect Timing for Change

This announcement comes at a great time for college sports. Last week, a judge approved a huge settlement that will allow colleges to pay their student-athletes directly. This change affects all college sports, including soccer.

The timing also works well because professional soccer leagues are creating their own development programs. MLS has reserve teams, and other leagues are building academy systems to train young players.

What Happens Next

The committee will make their recommendations before the new school year starts. Any changes they suggest could begin during the 2026-27 academic year.

U.S. Soccer plans to work with college programs and conferences that are interested in trying these new ideas. They'll also talk with the NCAA and other sports organizations to get feedback.

The Big Picture

With more than 50,000 college soccer players across the country, these changes could affect a lot of young athletes. The goal is to create a system that helps players develop better skills while still getting their education.

The committee's work shows that U.S. Soccer is serious about improving how young players develop. By fixing the college soccer system, they hope to create better professional players who can compete at the highest levels of the sport.

For parents and young players thinking about their soccer future, these changes could create more opportunities and better pathways to professional careers. The next few years will be crucial in determining how successful these improvements will be.