By: Matt Emma
Many young soccer players in the United States find themselves in the same position as they near the end of high school. They’ve worked hard, spent years as key contributors on their club or school teams, and know they want to keep playing the sport they love.
But even with several pathways available in the U.S., not all of them feel within reach, and for players who haven’t already been pulled into professional academies, it can be challenging to see a way forward.
That reality became clear to the founders of Select Generation, a global talent identification soccer agency. While hosting a showcase in Charlotte, North Carolina, players they coached or played alongside in the UPSL repeatedly asked what the sport was like in England and Spain and what it would take to train or play there. These questions came from athletes who were technically skilled and eager to be in more demanding environments.
To respond to that interest, Select Generation reached out to trusted clubs in England and Spain to see whether they could create a safe and competitive setting for American players. They then identified individuals they believed had the potential to adapt and succeed overseas.
When the first group traveled internationally, they adjusted quickly, took advantage of the training opportunities, and returned home with noticeable improvement. The experience was evidence that many of them simply needed access to a higher-level environment to show what they were capable of.
Today, Select Generation focuses on technically sound, high-motor players who have the hunger and mindset to grow. The agency scouts talent across North America and only works with athletes they’ve evaluated directly or through trusted contacts. It offers guidance, exposure, and mentorship to help them reach the next stage, whether that means the collegiate level or a professional academy abroad.
Building Potential Futures for Ambitious Soccer Players
Select Generation keeps its model intentionally selective, working only with players who have already shown the ability and drive needed to keep advancing. They don’t operate on a pay-to-play basis, and they don’t take on athletes casually, allowing them to invest deeply in athletes who are genuinely prepared for more.
The agency’s goal is to give dedicated athletes a practical pathway to continue their soccer careers after high school. They make a point to scout overlooked or underexposed players, especially those who have excelled locally but have yet to be pushed by the level of competition that will help them grow.
Backed by experience playing across all collegiate levels and working closely with coaches around the world, the Select Generation team understands what qualities matter most at the next level and knows how to guide players toward opportunities that match their abilities.
Collecting a Complete Player Profile
Before placing any player, Select Generation starts by gaining a full understanding of who that individual is, both on and off the field. First, they watch the player compete live, often at a showcase or event. Seeing someone play in person gives them a much clearer understanding of their skills and overall presence on the field.
After that, the agency speaks with the player’s coach or team manager to learn what the athlete is like to train and how they contribute to and interact with their team. These conversations offer insight into the athlete’s character, coachability, and work ethic.
The next step is meeting with the player directly, which allows the agency to hear about their goals, background, and personal motivations in the sport. Once that conversation takes place, Select Generation reviews their game film to study the athlete’s performance in more detail.
When the agency has gathered enough information, it identifies opportunities that fit the athlete’s full profile and shares those recommendations. Wherever the player goes next, Select Generation continues to monitor and evaluate whether they’re ready to move forward in their career.
Partners know that Select Generation will only introduce athletes who are well-prepared for the level being requested, which is why every introduction starts with a video, a character reference, and an honest assessment of where the individual fits best.
How Europe Elevates an Athlete’s Game
Players who train or compete in England or Spain are pushed in ways they may not have experienced at home. Many of the athletes Select Generation recruits were the best ones on their club or high school teams from a young age, often surrounded by teammates who enjoyed the sport but didn’t share the same long-term ambitions for the sport.
That changes the moment they step onto a field in England or Spain. In those countries, they encounter tactical approaches, styles of play, and terms that differ from what they’re used to in the States. Many also compete against men or youth players who grew up with football, influencing almost every aspect of their daily lives.
“It’s about putting them in a new environment where people have been passionate about football since their first memory,” Select Generation noted.
Everyone on the field has something they are working toward, whether that’s earning a place within a competitive academy or continuing to move up the levels within their club.
For many American players, stepping into that environment often forces them to raise their standard, adapt faster, and match the intensity around them, which is why they tend to make significant strides in their skills once they’re settled in.
Becoming Stronger Players and People
Growth off the field is just as valuable. Living internationally requires discipline, organization, and the ability to manage responsibilities independently. Players learn how to structure their routines, stay motivated, and manage the emotional difficulties that can come with being so far from their family and friends.
Select Generation sees these adjustments as essential to a player’s overall development, not just as an athlete, but also as an individual.
Families sometimes worry that spending time in another country might make it harder for college coaches to track their child’s progress or that there will be no academic component at all. Others believe that traveling for a program could limit a player’s visibility.
In response to these worries, the agency points out that many of the top NCAA programs already have rosters filled with players from outside the U.S., and those athletes were identified while living abroad. They also explain that athletes who participate in the program will still have time to apply to schools, complete personal statements, take online courses, and grow as people.
“You’re gaining something valuable for your resume while keeping all your eligibility intact,” one of the agency’s founders said. “I don’t like to call it a ‘gap year’ because it sounds like you’re losing time. We try to give players the freedom to be responsible and make decisions independently while also educating them on what they should be doing.”
Mindset is a defining part of the experience. Technical ability alone is not enough once a player moves to England or Spain. Players need to be mentally strong, adaptable, and willing to work through discomfort as they adjust to new expectations.
“We look for players who can handle challenges, take feedback, and stay positive when things get tough,” Select Generation emphasized. “Once they’re with us, we help them develop those qualities through daily standards, honest communication, and accountability.”
Players learn to view setbacks as a normal part of the process instead of a sign that they are falling behind or failing. Over time, that change in perspective not only prepares them for the demands of higher-level soccer but also gives them tools they can carry into life away from the game.
Changing Real-Life Trajectories
Select Generation’s impact can be seen most clearly in the athletes who have embraced the opportunities placed in front of them. One of those players is Yaqui Dula, who attended the very first showcase in Charlotte in 2022.
Although he initially struggled to break into the top squad at his club, he demonstrated the mentality the agency values. After spending 10 months in England competing in men’s football, he earned a commitment to Guilford College, an NCAA Division III program — an outcome Select Generation believes would have been much less attainable straight out of high school.
Another player, Augie Hoelscher, first traveled to Spain for a short training camp and chose to continue training there over the next several years. After recovering from an ACL injury, he returned to the field stronger, more physically fit, and technically sharper.
Coming from Wyoming, he needed a more competitive setting and greater exposure, both of which he found in Spain. He is now drawing attention from Division I coaches, and Select Generation is working to help him land the right opportunity.
Together, these stories show what can happen when driven athletes are placed in environments that challenge them and when they’re supported by people who understand the steps needed to take them to the next phase of their soccer journey.
