With the news that Canada, USA and Mexico are joining forces to try and host the 2026 Fifa World Cup, American Soccer Legend Alexi Lalas hopes that a North American tournament will have a positive impact on the College Soccer scene.
A long standing concern about the College Soccer system is that it doesn’t cater well enough to player development. One prime reason is that college players have such a short season compared with young players stepping into the pro ranks. Many see the solution as extending the traditional August – November schedule through the New Year and well into the Spring.
This would mean that players could focus year round on their soccer performance while also reaping the rewards of a college education. Many in the game believe that a longer college season would lead to improved media coverage of the game and raise it’s profile World Wide. The NCAA however has always taken a sceptical stance on the proposal.
Lalas States:
The NCAA has never been a progressive organization. You can find examples of its obtuseness in any sport. Collegiate soccer has been hampered for decades with a truncated regular season and nonsensical offseason restrictions. With the promise of a 2026 World Cup on our shores, efforts from many in the sport to improve the developmental aspects of college soccer are finally realized, and potential pros between 18-22 will finally have a viable option to pursue their education and their career simultaneously.
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(Alexi Lalas in his Rutgers Days)
Inside College Soccer 