USL PRO Expansion makes College Pointless

A.C. Slater’s message doesn’t hold weight anymore; At least not when it comes to professional soccer.

The Saved By The Bell character, played by Mario Lopez, made one of the most infamous public service announcements in 1995. The message was simple.

“Be cool. Stay in school.”

But if that message is applied to college athletics, specifically soccer, A.C.’s message is highly laughable, and borders on terrible advice here in the 21st century. The United Soccer League, specifically the USL PRO is here, it’s growing, and it offers up-and-coming soccer players what they want: a paycheck for their talent.

Nov 30, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC defender DeAndre Yedlin (17) dribbles against the Los Angeles Galaxy during the second half of the Western Conference Championship at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Something the NCAA has repeatedly said won’t happen, regardless of the sport.

UCLA and North Carolina played a critical match Saturday night on the Pac 12 Network with the winner moving on to the Final Four of the College Cup.

The match came down to penalty kicks, with UCLA picking up the dramatic win in the seventh set of kicks. Bruin players on the pitch and on the sideline erupted, and ended up in a large victory pile near midfield.

There was just one problem. There was no one there to witness it. The stands? 90 percent empty. Cheering? Only from UCLA players and coaches.

Remember that NCAA commercial that said “and nearly all of us are going pro in something other than sports”?

What about those not included in that “nearly all of us” part, specifically footballers who are dreaming of an MLS career? Can they really achieve it if there’s no one around to see them?

This is why college in not the answer, and where MLS academies and USL PRO are the better, more realistic option.

Oct 14, 2014; Boca Raton, FL, USA; USA forward Jozy Altidore (17) reacts to a goal by Honduras in the second half at FAU Stadium. United States 1 Honduras 1. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Money is power

Let’s face it; young, promising players want to make money. A full ride scholarship to a major college program such as Maryland or Notre Dame maybe gives the players a couple hundred dollars per quarter or semester so they don’t starve to death, or so they can go home for Christmas break.

But when you compare that to a player that walks into a USL PRO tryout and earns a spot on a club, at worst they will make $12,000 per season.

Or, take a top USL player like a Kevin Molino. He helped Orlando City FC to a championship, and won the league’s MVP after scoring 20 goals in 27 appearances. A player, teenager, of that caliber can walk-on to a club and net upwards of $40,000 per season.

The UCLAs, Marylands, Notre Dames cannot compete with that, and they’ve already said they won’t.

Exposure

It was discouraging that one of the most exciting football games of 2014 was witnessed by almost no one. Students could go to this critical match, which would send their school to the College Cup, for free. But the stands were nearly empty.

USL PRO Expansion Makes College Pointless

By Jerod Young | Dec 7, 2014