01 · In 30 seconds
Three things to remember
Division I coaches can start calling, texting and making offers.
Official visits to campus can start.
Before those dates, you can always contact coaches yourself.
Divisions II and III and the NAIA have more flexible contact rules. The earlier you register, prepare your video and book your English test, the more doors stay open.
02 · School years
Translate the US school years first
US rules talk about freshman, sophomore, junior and senior: the last four years of high school. Your "class" is the year you finish school. Count back from that year, not from your age.
Ages are approximate. Your class is set by the year you finish secondary school.
03 · The two dates
The two dates that matter most in Division I
Coaches can reach out
After your sophomore year, Division I soccer coaches can start calling, texting and emailing you, and offers can start. Before that date, you can always write to them.
Official visits open
Before your junior year, official visits to campus can start. Divisions II and III and the NAIA are more flexible: check each program, but do not wait for them to find you.
04 · Your plan
What to do now, by class
Tick what you have done. It stays saved in this browser, only for you.
Pick your class
Class 2027: you finish school this year
This is the urgent year. Many rosters for fall 2027 are being built now.
Class 2028: one year to go
This is the key recruiting year. The Division I contact window opened on June 15, 2026, and official visits are already allowed.
Class 2029: two years to go
Division I coaches can contact you from June 15, 2027. Use this year to prepare.
Class 2030 or later
Focus on your development, your grades and your English. A strong base now makes the next steps much easier.
05 · A real timeline
Yves did not get it right the first time
Every timeline is different. This one is real, from a player we work with.
First professional contract in Norway.
Two college seasons in the US, with very few minutes.
For his third move he worked with GSX. Pablo led his case. Four universities made him an offer.
He chose Xavier, in the BIG EAST, NCAA Division I.
Your timeline does not end with your first choice. What changed the third time: a plan, the right video and a realistic shortlist. See all our cases
Our players in NCAA Division I
06 · What changed
Two rule changes you should know
The NCAA ended the National Letter of Intent in Division I. Today you sign a written offer of athletics aid, and other schools must stop recruiting you once you sign it. Division II still uses the National Letter of Intent.
Division I schools in the House settlement work with roster limits (28 in soccer) instead of scholarship caps.
07 · The email
What a coach sees when they open your email
Write it in English. This is an example of the shape that works, not a template to copy word for word.
Coach [Name],
2I am Álex, a left-footed center back from Valencia, class 2028. I play for [club] in [league]. My grades are 8.4 out of 10 and my Duolingo English Test is booked for March.
3Full match, March 2: [video link]
4I watched your games this season. Your center backs build from the back, and that is how I like to play.
Thank you,
Álex García
- 1A clear subject line: position, class year and country.
- 2Three lines about you: club and level, grades, English test or plan.
- 3One link to your video, with full-match clips, not only highlights.
- 4Why their program: one honest sentence shows you did your research.
08 · Families
Parents belong in the process
On calls and visits
Parents can and should be part of the process: on calls, in visits and when comparing offers.
Who does what
What works best: the player writes to coaches, and the family supports with documents, deadlines and questions about cost.
The mistake we see most: waiting to be discovered.
Coaches receive many emails and see few international players in person. The players who get offers usually started early, wrote first and made it easy for coaches to see them play.
09 · Questions
Quick answers
Can I contact a Division I coach before June 15 of my sophomore year?
Yes. You can email or call coaches at any time. Before that date, they are the ones who cannot reach out to you directly.
Is it too late if I finish school this year?
Not necessarily. It is the most urgent year, but many programs, especially in Division II, the NAIA and JUCO, fill spots later. Move fast on eligibility, English and video.
Are the dates the same for women's soccer?
Yes. In NCAA Division I, women's and men's soccer follow the same dates: June 15 after sophomore year for contact and August 1 before junior year for visits.
When do I need the student visa?
After you accept an offer and the university issues your I-20. Then you complete the DS-160, pay the SEVIS fee and attend your embassy interview.