...it is important to recognize that coaches always have their ears and eyes open...

As a sophomore, college may seem like a millennium away.  You are only half way through high school!  Nevertheless, as the college process picks up speed during your junior and senior years, you will be thankful for having completed some general and simple groundwork early.

Keep in mind that college coaches can begin scouting a high school player as early as their freshmen year, and many are already doing so.   Although college coaches cannot officially call a prospective student-athlete until July 1st after their junior year, they can immediately send letters to express their interest and to provide information about their programs.  Basically, it is important to recognize that coaches always have their ears and eyes open, and if they stumble upon a young soccer stalwart, they will not discount them because of their age.  College coaches are always looking to develop their programs, so your talents as a sophomore and even as a freshman can give them ideas about the future of their teams.

Essentially, college coaches begin the recruiting process early on, so why shouldn’t you?  There isn’t much you can officially do with respect to communicating with college coaches because of NCAA rules and regulations, however, there is plenty you can do for yourself in terms of getting in touch with your own feelings about college and collegiate soccer.  What would you like in a college soccer program?  Would you prefer a large school with a large student body or a small school?  Where the college is geographically located?  What is the climate?  How far away from home are you willing to travel? What conference is the school in?  What formation and style of play does the school undertake?  Questions like this are all important factors in your decision making.