How to Make the Jump from RL to NL

[WatchthemPlay]

Ya that’s what I’m trying to separately D2 and D3 for RL. D1 for NL with low end D1 for RL. There are some RL players who are going to CBU, UCR and a few other D1s from top RL clubs. But you’re still more likely going to go D1 sitting on the bench of a top D1 program like koge, slammers and legends then you would on a top RL team.

But for D2, D3, RL is just as good.

I generally agree with this. Totally depends what your kid’s goals are and how much work they are willing to do get recruited. Emailing coaches constantly, having updated highlight videos, engaging on social media, going to very specific ID camps that are at the right level. Seen RL kids do all these things to get to a lower D2 schools and it worked, but they were also starters are recognized clubs. Low ranked ECNL might have a unicorn get a good D1 offer, a few get low D1 offers and the rest are D2/D3. Playing GA at one of the top clubs is a consideration for D1 and can be a smart alternative (City comes to mind) again stacked rosters so need to come in with something to really offer to get any play time. Lower GA is equivalent to RL in terms of recruitment, but many do get kids to D1 also.

 

[davidnunez]

Folks are overthinking this.
The club's primary goal is to make money - "no revenue, no mission." Of course, having a winning team will help recruit players. But, the primary focus for pay-for-play soccer is to make money. Please understand this.
So, if your kid is sitting on an RL team and doing really well, your club would much rather recruit a kid from another RL team or NL team to bring in new revenue. You can question the decision, but you'll be told "we see potential... her tactical skills are great... blah blah."
Use this to your advantage and take your kid to another NL program and now that other club will be happy to get new revenue.
In club circles, clubs that bring up RL kids are doing so only because they can't keep the NL kids or can't recruit kids from outside the club.