free community

Helping Players and Families Navigate Soccer Recruitment

The PlayAbroad Community is a trusted space for soccer players and families to learn, ask questions, and navigate recruitment with free guidance from experienced coaches, recruiters, and soccer professionals.

  • Live sessions with recruitment experts

  • Courses on U.S. and European pathways

  • Ask questions in an open soccer community

Are you a player or a parent?

Created by PlayAbroad in collaboration with Footballer Plus, Recruit Fluency & Vany Sports.

PlayAbroad Community

It has never been harder to get recruited for college soccer.

At the same time, families are surrounded by advice from camps, recruiters, clubs, and different programs. With so many voices offering guidance, it quickly becomes difficult to know who to trust or which direction is right for your player.

The PlayAbroad Community was created to bring together experienced professionals, coaches, and trusted partners who can help bring clarity to these pathways. Inside the community, players and families can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from people who work directly in recruitment, development, and international soccer opportunities.

It Has Never Been Harder To Get Recruited For College Soccer

What you should know:

  • Only 3% of high school players end up in college soccer

  • More than a 1/3 of US college soccer scholarships go to international students

  • Coaches increasingly prioritize transfers and older, more experienced freshmen

  • Playing for "premier leagues" like ECNL and MLS Next is not enough: players are in the same evaluation pool

This could result in:

❌ Being passed over by older or experienced players

❌ Limited playing — JV or frequent bench time

❌ High tuition costs with uncertain athletic outcomes

❌ Burnout, frustration, or early exit from the game

Our community is completely free to join!

Every contributor has been personally invited by PlayAbroad to help educate families and make the recruitment process easier to understand.

What You’ll Find Inside

​​Inside the PlayAbroad Community, players and families can access learning courses, live sessions, and conversations designed to help them better understand soccer development and recruitment pathways.

👋 Live Masterclasses:

Online sessions with recruitment specialists, coaches, and professionals discussing topics such as college recruitment, European pathways, and player development.

📚 Educational Courses:

Step-by-step learning resources explaining how recruitment works, what players should prepare for, and how different pathways operate.

🗣️ Community Discussions:

Players and families can ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others navigating similar decisions.

📅 Events Calendar:

Members can stay informed about upcoming opportunities including ID Camps, Expert Presentations, Q&A sessions and Recruitment Webinars.

Welcome to PlayAbroad

At PlayAbroad, we connect student-athletes aged 14-24 with elite soccer and educational opportunities across borders. Our mission is to open doors to international programs, bridging the gap between American talent - and Europe’s rich soccer traditions. Everyone is telling you where to go, we’re telling you to GO FOR IT!

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Student-athletes Placed Abroad
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Destination Countries
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University Options in Europe
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Study Opportunities in UK

Live. Study. Play Abroad.

  • Earn accredited degrees abroad

  • Develop in competitive European soccer environments

  • Gain life experience that accelerates maturity

  • Keep multiple doors open — college, pro, or career

Soccer Pathways Abroad We Offer

Select a pathway to see which option best fits your kid's goals, age, and competitive level.

High School + Soccer Abroad

PlayAbroad’s High School Soccer program offers the chance to combine professional-level soccer training with internationally recognized education. Our trusted network of International soccer schools offers dedicated 24/7 supervision, making sure that all PlayAbroad athletes live, study, and play abroad in a safe and structured environment that fosters personal growth alongside athletic development.

  • Ages: 14–18 years old
  • Levels: Multiple competitive tiers
  • Education: Fully accredited schools
  • Countries: UK, Spain, France, Germany & more
Get Started

Gap Year Abroad

PlayAbroad’s Gap Year program in Europe gives players an intensive season of development in Europe. Our Gap Year in Europe programs combine daily training, full-season competition, and structured living so athletes can improve technically, tactically, and physically while maintaining academic progress. Ideal for players preparing for college trials, scholarships, or professional pathways, our placements prioritize welfare, exposure, and measurable development.

  • Ages: 16–22 years old
  • Levels: Multiple competitive tiers
  • Academics: Optional courses or certificates
  • Countries: UK, Spain, France, Germany & more
See If You’re Eligible

College / University Abroad

PlayAbroad’s University Soccer program connects college-bound athletes with top-tier international universities that combine globally recognized degrees and professional-level soccer development. Designed for players searching for colleges with good soccer programs or universities offering soccer scholarships, our team matches each athlete’s sporting academic goals to elite university soccer academies across Europe.

  • Degrees: Undergrad and post-graduate programs
  • Levels: Multiple competitive tiers
  • Academics: English options available
  • Countries: 22+ Countries in Europe & UK
Get Started

Professional Soccer Pathway

PlayAbroad’s Professional Soccer program places ambitious athletes inside international soccer academies that mirror professional development environments along with access to scouting and trial networks in the European game. This pathway suits athletes ready to move beyond U.S. youth or college soccer and pursue semi-professional or long-term professional goals within a disciplined academy environment that accelerates athletic and personal development.

  • Level: Advanced / game-ready
  • Ages: 18+
  • Countries: 22+ Countries
Apply Now

Experiences Abroad (Camps)

Short-term international trips designed for development, exposure, and cultural immersion — perfect as a first step abroad.

  • Length: 1–4 weeks
  • Includes: Training, matches & tours
Get Started

What Families Are Saying About PlayAbroad...

our students

Players We Helped Find Opportunities Abroad

Reeves Cates

Reeves faced a difficult choice as a high school senior: accept a Division III offer he wasn't excited about — or walk away from soccer entirely. He took a Gap Year in Spain with one of our partnered clubs, and the experience transformed him both on and off the field. After returning to the U.S., Reeves earned a spot at College of Charleston, a top-level NCAA Division I program with a strong international roster.

Barrett Eidson

Barrett was a standout Division I college player who, after graduating, went undrafted and suddenly found herself without a professional pathway. Through our network, we secured multiple professional trials, ultimately placing her with Cork City FC in Ireland where she earned her first professional contract. She now plays professionally in Germany as a starting central midfielder, continuing to work with PlayAbroad for long-term career development.

Bryce Hanna

Bryce, a 6'6" center back with an elite resumé, had just two offers — one from Division II and one Division III — both far from ideal fits. He chose a Gap Year in England, maintaining full NCAA eligibility while studying at The University of Sheffield. After returning to the U.S., Bryce earned a scholarship to Wingate University, a top-25 DII powerhouse known for its international roster. Without his year abroad, this opportunity would not have existed.

Meet Some PlayAbroad Students...

Micah Miller

"The last year I have continued to develop as a soccer player, travelled all over Europe, and studied Business at an amazing University, all while saving money!"

Ava Bjorkman

"They truly care about their clients and communicate well. If you're looking to take your game to the next level while getting an education, choose PlayAbroad."

George Robbins

"PlayAbroad inspired hope to my soccer journey both mentally and opened it up geographically. Seeing new options flow in reinstalled confidence in my college recruiting."

Join PlayAbroad Free Community

Learn about soccer pathways, ask questions, and connect with experienced professionals.

Do you have any other questions for PlayAbroad? Email as at [email protected]

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