Molly Merkel, a junior navigating the recruitment process, made the difficult decision to quit high school soccer to focus entirely on club. With her team attending out-of-state showcases, she believed she had a greater chance of earning opportunities than if she stayed on her high school team.

Many athletes face a choice: continue playing for their high school team or quit to focus on club in the hopes of getting recruited. But does skipping high school sports really improve an athlete’s odds?

THE CLUB SOCCER ADVANTAGE

For high school soccer players, junior year brings a tough choice: continue playing competitively in a club program or enjoy the camaraderie of high school soccer. The decision isn’t just about passion—it’s about costs, exposure, and long-term goals.

The perks of playing club soccer instead of high school soccer include year-round training, higher-level competition, and increased exposure to college scouts. According to U.S. Youth Soccer, elite club teams often train 3-5 days per week with additional strength and conditioning sessions, giving players a more rigorous schedule than high school programs. Club coaches prioritize college showcases, where athletes compete against top talent from across the country.

Many NCAA Division I and II coaches attend club tournaments rather than high school matches because of the higher level of competition and centralized scouting opportunities. Leagues such as the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and Girls Academy (GA) are among the most heavily recruited leagues, and, along with Elite 64 (e64) and the Elite Club Regional League (ECRL), provide consistent exposure through national showcases in locations such as Arizona, San Diego, North Carolina, and Florida. According to ECNL’s website, 90% of ENCL girls advance to college soccer.

Additionally, club teams frequently travel and compete beyond local boundaries, facing elite teams from other states. ECNL/ECRL teams play an 1estimated 14-18 games per season, giving players additional opportunities to showcase their skills.

While club provides a direct path to college exposure, high school soccer offers a different experience.

THE CASE FOR HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER

The perks of high school soccer, however, go beyond recruitment. Playing for a high school team fosters school pride, builds leadership skills, and provides a structured environment with fewer financial burdens. West Chicago Community High School soccer coach Cesar Gomez believes high school soccer still holds value, despite the rise of club recruitment.

“Club soccer is probably more competitive, but high school offers more opportunities for skill development. Clubs care about your money; high school cares about you,” Gomez said.

D1 Northern Illinois University soccer player Ben Suddeth believed club was necessary for college recruitment, but acknowledged that some high school athletes were recruited.

“I was lucky enough to be able to play both club and high school soccer and enjoy both experiences, but I chose based on where I could become the best player possible,” Suddeth said. “Not everyone has the same opportunities, so what’s best for you may be different than somebody else in the same position.”

Daisy Garcia, who currently plays NAIA soccer for Judson College and is transferring to Roosevelt University, a Division II school, agrees.

“When it comes to preparation, club soccer played a bigger role in getting me ready for the college level because of the higher level of competition and intensity,” Garcia said.

High school soccer also provides opportunities to progress through local and state competitions, which can help athletes build confidence, teamwork, and discipline.

Barbie Castellanos, a D1 women’s soccer player at Chicago State University agrees club is crucial in the recruiting process.

“I think that high school alone is not enough to get you the exposure that is needed. Having ID camps and other college scouts definitely helped a lot”, Barbie Castellanos said.

Castellanos played both club and high school soccer, and both experiences helped her improve in different ways.

“Personally for me, the biggest challenge that I was told was you are only a good soccer player if you can make others around you better, which is something that stuck with me forever”, Castellanos said.

She also explains the significance of communicating with coaches and creating highlight videos. She also explains when picking a school, focus on personal opinion and not because of the influence of a coach or teammate.

“I definitely would say that reaching out to schools and being on top of your highlight videos is a very important task. Imagine yourself and 50 other states with a bunch of girls wanting to play at a high level and theirs only so many spots on a team, and you choose a school because of a coach or teammates the coach can get fired or teammates can get cut- so those are things we don’t think about when choosing a school”, Castellanos said.

According to NCAA estimates, only 2.7% of high school soccer players go on to play Division I, 2.2% play Division II, and 3.0% play Division III. The odds are slim, whether an athlete plays club or high school.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: HOW OTHER SPORTS COMPARE

Volleyball

• Club volleyball season typically runs from early December through May/June, depending on whether the club is a national program. Practices are typically held 2-4 times per week, and there are anywhere from 4-12 tournaments. It should be noted that high school volleyball programs do not typically run at the same time club programs do, which allows these athletes to compete on both teams.
• Club costs vary widely based on location, level (local, regional, national), and the number of coaches involved.
• Approximately 91% of women’s volleyball players in college competed on a club team during high school.
• College coaches prioritize club tournaments due to the high level of competition and ability to scout multiple athletes at once.

For former WEGO volleyball player Angie Gromos, who now plays professionally in Japan, club and high school volleyball each had unique benefits.

“For me personally, club and high school volleyball were completely different. I loved high school volleyball because of the girls I got to play with and the school spirit that comes with representing your community. Club volleyball was more intense, with expectations to compete and grow after every practice and tournament,” Gromos said. “It’s a longer season that includes a lot of traveling and commitment, but I got to see some cool cities and travel with my teammates!”

While club volleyball helped her grow as a player and provided college recruitment opportunities, high school volleyball created the strongest memories.

“Club volleyball is where I saw the most growth in myself as a player, but high school volleyball is definitely where I had the most fun with my teammates and have the best memories. I will never forget the WEGO squad coming to all of our games and cheering us on!” Gromos said.

WCCHS senior Robert Witek, who plays for Pipeline Volleyball Club in Schaumburg, believes club volleyball is essential for college recruitment.

“My club season starts in October and goes all the way to February, while high school is just March through May,” Witek said. “In club, you’re playing with and against the best in your area.”

Witek sees the value in club teams for recruitment purposes.

“If you want to get recruited, club is where it happens,” he said. “The out-of-state tournaments and showcases have college coaches scouting, so you get a lot more exposure.”

Softball

• Club softball offers year-round opportunities, with major out-of-state showcases and tournaments.
• The costs can vary from $1,500-$2,800 per season, depending on the club.
• Around 94% of college softball players participated in club teams during their high school years.
• Similar to volleyball, softball recruiters frequently attend club showcases and tournaments, which offer a concentrated pool of talent and more competitive play.

Jasmyn Trigueros, who will play D1 softball at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, found that club gave her the best chance at recruitment.

“My recruiting process was stressful and exciting at the same time. I went to lots of camps, emailed lots of coaches, and made film clips to post on social media and send directly to schools—this took over two years,” Trigueros said.

To maximize her chances, Trigueros took an active role in the recruiting process, attending showcases and leveraging social media to reach coaches directly.

“Club softball definitely gave me more exposure because hundreds of college coaches come out to club tournaments,” she added. “High school games happen during the spring, which is also when colleges are playing, so it’s harder for coaches to come watch us.”

General Insights Across Sports

• Only about 7% of high school athletes across all sports move on to play at the collegiate level.
• While club participation significantly enhances exposure, high school athletes can still attract college recruiters through:
  • Attending college-run camps and showcases.
  • Proactively reaching out to college coaches with game footage and academic records.
  • Excelling in high school competitions to gain local recognition.

Financial and Social Considerations

• Financial Costs
  • Club sports often require substantial financial investment, including fees for participation, travel, and equipment.
  • High school sports are generally lower-cost, making them accessible to more students.
• Time Commitment and Burnout:
  • The demanding schedule of year-round club sports can lead to burnout.
  • Balancing club and high school sports with academic responsibilities requires careful time management.
• Social and Developmental Factors:
  • High school sports offer opportunities for athletes to develop leadership skills, foster school spirit, and build strong relationships within their school community.
  • Participating in multiple sports or activities can provide a well-rounded high school experience.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice

For athletes choosing between club and high school sports, the best decision depends on long-term goals, financial situation, and level of commitment. While club sports provide more exposure to college recruiters, high school sports offer a well-rounded athletic and social experience.

“It’s about finding what’s best for you,” Suddeth said. “Not everyone has the same opportunities, so make the choice that helps you grow as an athlete and as a person.”

This story was originally published on Wildcat Chronicle on March 7, 2025.