Travel Soccer 101: Competing at the Next Level
This season, we're launching a new series to help families better understand travel soccer and the evolving youth sports landscape. Each newsletter will feature short excerpts, with full articles available on our website. We’ll cover topics like competition levels, tournaments, team culture, and the expectations that come with playing at a higher level.
Travel soccer sits between recreational programs and elite academy or professional pathways. It’s more competitive, more structured, and designed for players who are serious about growing on and off the field. Unlike rec leagues, where participation and equal playing time are the norm, travel soccer introduces players to real competition. Playing time is not guaranteed; it must be earned through effort, discipline, and performance.
Our philosophy is clear: the coaches make the final decisions when it comes to rosters and playing time. The club director and administrators do not intervene in coaching decisions. While you are always welcome to advocate for your child and have conversations when appropriate, we ask that you also trust the process...
That mindset is especially important as players step into a more demanding and structured environment. Travel soccer is about more than just showing up. It is about consistently pushing to grow, training with the best, and competing against the best. Success in this setting requires resilience, accountability, and a willingness to embrace challenge. It is in this environment that players begin to understand the connection between hard work and opportunity.
To support this level of development, travel teams compete in leagues and tournaments sanctioned by national governing bodies. US Youth Soccer (USYS) is the largest youth sports organization in the country and operates through state associations like Indiana Soccer to manage league play and development programs such as the Olympic Development Program (ODP). US Club Soccer offers clubs more flexibility in building teams and organizing schedules while providing access to high-level regional and national events.
Both organizations promote high standards for coaching, competition, and player development. They also offer clear pathways to college soccer, regional and national teams, and professional academies. At Next 11 Academy, we proudly participate in both USYS and US Club Soccer. This allows us to tailor each team’s experience based on age, skill level, and goals, whether that means league play, showcases, or regional tournaments.
Travel soccer requires a greater commitment from families. It means more practices, more travel, and higher expectations. But with that comes an environment that helps players grow, not just as athletes, but as teammates, leaders, and individuals. We’re excited to walk alongside your family in this journey.
