In this episode, Don Williams of SRUSA sat down with Matt Anderson and Matt Baehr, who each surveyed nearly 200 college soccer coaches, to uncover what truly shapes college recruiting today.

Matt Anderson (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK)

His research focused on player identification, qualities coaches value most, and talent development pathways. He shared insights into what separates a recruitable athlete from the rest, emphasizing skill acquisition, psychological factors, and long-term growth.

Matt Baehr (Discover College Soccer)

His survey explored the recruiting ecosystem—where coaches recruit from, how they allocate budgets, staffing sizes, and trends in scouting. His findings highlight the practical realities of recruiting logistics and the environments where players are most visible to college coaches.

Together, the discussion gave families and athletes a 360-degree view of how college coaches evaluate talent and operate within their recruiting frameworks.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the U.S. college soccer pathway—parents, players, and coaches alike—because it combines data-driven insights with on-the-ground realities.

🔗 Connect with the Guests

Matt Baehr — Discover College Soccer

Website: www.discovercollegesoccer.com

X (Twitter): www.x.com/Discover_CS

Instagram: www.instagram.com/discover_cs

Facebook: Discover College Soccer

Matt Anderson — Manchester Metropolitan University

X (Twitter): www.x.com/MatthewAndrew23

Email: [email protected]

Role: PhD, Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Psychology (focus: skill acquisition, talent ID & development)

This episode is brought to you by Sports Recruiting USA (SRUSA), the College Soccer Recruiting Experts.

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