If I Tried to Sign a Pro Contract in 2022 THIS is what I’d do…

Thanks to LMNT for sponsoring this video! Head to DrinkLMNT.com/ELITE to get your free sample pack with any purchase.
How to Make a Highlight Video: • How to Make a Soccer/F...
Critiquing my High School Highlight Video: • Pro Soccer Player Reac...
How to Make a CV: • How to Make a Soccer C...
Timestamps:
0:00-0:33 - Introduction
0:33-2:25 - LMNT Promo
2:25-3:58 - Researching Semi-Pro Teams
3:58-6:27 - Contacting Semi-Pro Teams
6:27-7:50 - Understanding the Sacrifice
7:50-8:41 - Creating Offseason Plan of Action
8:41-10:39 - Selecting a Team and Compiling Clips
10:39-11:50 - Creating a Highlight Video
11:50-12:06 - Creating a CV12:06-13:08 - Researching Pro Teams
13:08-14:51 - Contacting Pro Teams
14:51-16:51 - Open Try-Outs and Invite-Only Combines
16:51-18:23 - Compiling a List of Agents
18:23-20:09 - Contacting Agents and Agencies
20:09-21:35 - Looking for Opportunities Abroad
21:35-22:48 - Final Words of Advice
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About Me
Name: Matt Sheldon
Age: 30
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 170 lbs
Nationality: USA
Job: Professional Soccer Player
Current Team: Charleston Battery
Current League: USL Championship (USA 2nd Tier)
Last Team: FC Tulsa
Previous Teams: Tulsa Roughnecks, Waterside Karori FC, Saint Louis FC, Orange County Blues, SG Kinzenbach
Position: RB/LB/RM
College: UC Davis (D1)

[@CoachXaviPerformance]

What I love the most about you is that you are always trying to help your subscribers to make it to the pro level. You know how hard it is to attain this level because you went trough the difficulty. Thanks for all the advices in this video💪⚽️🔥

[@emilfilotasticsandra1222]

Vouch, this helps SO much

[@fromcollegetopro]

That's true, he is a big man!!

[@juncho3833]

The level of accountability, effort, and work you put into this is above and beyond. It puts into perspective what it really takes to be a professional athlete. Don't know how far I can go with my aspirations, but regardless thank you for all the advice and perspective throughout all the years. Always keeping it 100 for the next gen. The amount of knowledge and insight is something I definitely do not take for granted. Thanks again kind sir. Wishing you all the best this season.

[@joeljohnson5695]

The amount of information this guy provides to his subscribers is incredible, makes life so much easier for players like me. Appreciate the work you put in!!

[@hippiebird7460]

"Head coach: Karim Benzema... Assist coach: Luka Modrić" 😂😂

[@magamaga1827]

There it is kids! Matt just layed it all out for you. You have no idea how lucky you are to have access to all of this great information. I would also add that this is also a great approach for college soccer. When I was a player in the 80s/early 90s, we had none of this. No computers, no internet, nothing! Lol. There wasn't even MLS at the time. You pretty much had to be a star at your high school team while also playing high level travel soccer...maybe lucky enough to make ODP...then hope...and I mean HOPE...that a few coaches would send their assistants to go watch you play somewhere and, if lucky, get a scholarship or partial one.

[@dave5425]

Do you have to go to college to play in the upsl? Or any mls team?

[@magamaga1827]

@@dave5425 no. but you need to get on the radar by playing high level travel team or state select team

[@wefinishthisnow3883]

Even then it's not enough. You needed to be born in the right area with talented scouts and coaches who could see potential at a young age.

[@user-tm9bl7ov2v]

Luka modric and Ronaldo on excel table killed me😁😁😁🤣 Good video btw

[@Michael-cb5nm]

Great video Matt. I was in Charleston last week on business and stayed over to catch your match against Tampa Bay. This was my first USL match, and I was quite impressed with the level of play. Good possession-based, build from the back football, and both teams really tried to punish the other with quick counters after mistakes. In fact, you guys looked a bit more technical than the Red Bulls game that I went to a couple of weeks ago! I will be attending more USL games in the future..much better value for money than MLS based on my experience.

[@staff.highlights]

Holy Guacamole! I didnt know we were in this video! Thanks Matt!

[@El_X_Will]

Matt Sheldon!!,Well done. Learnt a lot from this session. "Good day TLM agency, take me to Madrid I can play at that level" got me laughing 😂

[@emilfilotasticsandra1222]

Just realized I'm following you die hard atm! I'm here just minutes/hours after release. Your content is really helping me feel comfortable in my choices going to re-take my career!

[@marvellousc27]

go on lad invest in youself!

[@emilfilotasticsandra1222]

@@marvellousc27 Will do, and Matt is helping without knowing it 🤪

[@whyamiblessed3665]

Thanks Matt! I appreciate for the time that you put in tp make these videos.

[@lestellalfred1355]

Thanks matt this a great vid i recently joined an ecnl team u 15 and your videos helped alot

[@OmarRomero-xv7ys]

Hi Matt - I can't overstate how much insight these videos provide, and how appreciated all you do for your viewers. Wishing you all the best in achieving your goals! Thank you!

[@bachvutuyetvoi3789]

Great idea and a fantastic video as usual. Thank you so much, and just wanna wish you all the best!

[@Winkester-yo2ze]

Bro this is a GEM! Thank you !

[@fabrizio-evans]

Thanks for the advice Matt. Truly great content :)

[@Kurtis11]

Hey Matt, I've been watching your videos for a long time now and still do. You offer great contents for youngsters like me out here and also other players of different age group. We all appreciate your excellent work.

[@Kurtis11]

In addition, I am from Africa and would like to know if it's possible to follow these steps from here. In terms of contacting semi-pro teams and getting hold of agents. If I am at a pro soccer player's level here in Africa and I want to join a semi-pro team in the US, is it possible? Rather could you please make a separate videos for people who are not living in the US and would like to follow these steps and break into professional in one of the teams in the USL. That would be much appreciated @MattSheldon🙏🏾

[@kaihalbersma1542]

Thanks so much Matt! I’m going to use this advice to try to get into MLS Next, I’m playing ECNL rn so thanks!

[@josesantovena1504]

Incredible advise! God bless you brother ❤️

[@oskarxjansson]

Super helpful content as usual Matt 👏 I can personally attest to the importance of having a well-made highlight-video! Without it, I wouldn't have been able to land a trial with the team I went on to sign my first professional contract back in February of this year ⚽️

[@aaronmedina2483]

Nice vid Matt , I live in alabama so I go for BHM Legion , but I also root for the BATTERY!!! every time i go to a legion game i forget to get tickets for when they play the battery so i can see you play, so i have to wait till next season

[@johkansmith]

Really good information this is motivational Matt! can you do a video for Canadian leagues too....

[@johnadams1206]

Thank you. You are truly a great guy!

[@luisfernandoariza655]

Amazing video Matt

[@biomatrix8154]

Matt, as far as breaking into MLS, u could try their expansion team St Louis SC, due to start next season, I hears.

[@mrepix8287]

Lol he probably has many different opportunities he’s looking into because his current team is pretty trash

[@sangma775]

Thanks for this matt

[@aldrinqerimaj7259]

Wow respect, thanks for your support.❤

[@dannmusasa1557]

That was amazing. Really helpful

[@manme6051]

Amazing video! I can see him becoming an agent later on.

[@echelon-thepanamanian_papi6144]

Matt , love this thanks for always doing your best to share the best valuable info. Also do you have a copy of that email and spreadsheet as a template

[@MM6EV]

Great video that helped me alot

[@Aqilfrhn]

Amazing video ❤️❤️

[@mankaudi7845]

Nice one and thanks Alot 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@I_A_A]

Thank u so much🙏🏼

[@IndritCorja]

As American as you may be, thank you for bringing the dignity back to this lovely sport by calling it in its own name. Football 🙌. I do really feel better now.

[@colemerchant8926]

Matt you should attend open trials and see if you would make the team or someone would offer you a position considering you are already a pro would you still be able to pull it off.

[@micahmiller6878]

Could you make a video on what you would do going into college soccer?

[@O3r2]

thank you very much

[@isaklynch7217]

Haha thats cool, i play in the league below Kakkonen in Finland. Kakkonen is a fully contracted league and quite high level but they dont pay very well

[@mikkefr]

Eli kolmosessa?

[@isaklynch7217]

Joo Eif/Akatemiassa

[@trezsolo7330]

Thank you very much. You have helped me so much with this video.👍👍😍😍😍

[@Warith4]

We gonna go pro ان شاء لله

[@ahmedsaeedbj]

Wallahi this guy is a GOAT!!

[@mrepix8287]

There’s also the NISA Nation semi-pro league

[@anythingsoccerpro1844]

Great video, one question though, is there age restrictions on USL league 2 and UPSL?

[@paulalbertol]

I like your videos but I never comment. With this video I just want to say thank you for your services

[@fauzizee7765]

thank u

[@patrickpopescu7594]

Great video as always. What would be your advice for European players without a visa, trying to get a contract in the US. I’m talking about professional football player with experience at a professional level in Europe. Thanks!

[@abnerortiz6027]

MLS is hard bro they looking for big time players since there are rules but USL and USL1 is possible many clubs post about open trial and some you have to submit your experience and they will invite you 👍

[@SonicBaller7]

Can I follow this process even when I'm 25-26 years old and from Outside of the US(Bangladesh)? Please reply 🙏💖 absolute love.

[@cesarrequena2999]

Hello can you do the same format video buy for international players coming out of the college level?

[@wefinishthisnow3883]

I wish this video had existed when I was younger.

[@user-wu8oh1kj8k]

If I live in Germany and I want to send an email to a German club to get a trial do I need to write the email in English or I can write it in my language (German)? Which language do you prefer?

[@zakariamokhtari8729]

You're the best

[@jujubossbaby195]

How did you stay afloat financially while taking time to train with these teams

[@mahimwali3990]

what if youre still a 16 year old in high school?

[@challah4311]

if your high school records video, you can use that for your highlight reel that should help you with getting on to a semi-pro team

[@demy172]

Hi! I played for now by an amateur club in Netherland, but there is not any cam to film my match. Have any of you an idea how I can get highlight clips by myself.

[@gentleman8781]

Hi any tips for bench players?

[@baracahbrian6596]

You're God Sent Browskii

[@jimmyyancy7982]

Matt needs more love

[@angelsulsona6844]

Im about to turn 22 next month I have no CV other than playing as a captain in community college with no highlight videos idk what I can do.

[@bramblej1084]

I’m 17 in Scotland started wanting play football is it too late to start I have no experience playing the game but I practice every day in my garden and working out in the gym⚽️⚽️

[@issayounous2399]

J'aime beaucoup votre chaîne

[@jotbot]

Can you do this every year so that when I’m older I know what to do

[@jotbot]

Please

[@brianlenzer9797]

Anyone familiar with other leagues on the boarder of pro/semi-pro in addition to the ones he mentioned?

[@spikesteggall2937]

Great video! Do you believe the football level in the US is rising to the levels of professional football in Europe? I am playing at a good level in England currently but like the idea of going to the US, is that a waste or is it a genuinely good place to be for football now? Thank you again for the video

[@Michael-cb5nm]

In the USL game I just saw, the Tampa Bay RM Laurence Wyke is an ex Man U academy product. And he was merely average compared to the other players. So the quality seems quite high!

[@abnerortiz6027]

also what is a good level in England? I’d say MLS clubs can compete in the Championship and some teams with the mid to low teams in the EPL. People underestimate the MLS you have to consider travel as well a long flight in other countries can be 3-4 hours here Wednesday you can play at home in LA and Sunday you’ll be playing in New York then go to Montreal and down to Houston and then back to LA the travel is also a challenge here that people don’t think about.

[@mrepix8287]

Soccer in the US is expanding rapidly right now, many teams are forming in the lower divisions and need players. I would highly recommend the soccer scene in the US right now because so many opportunities are opening up.

[@jesusbenitez5864]

Who ever goes pro because of this man has to shout him out that’s law

[@user-yw8dv5ye3v]

Hey Matt, I know this comment is a little late but is it a good idea to start searching for a semi-pro team right after high school graduation?

[@heyfriend22]

Yes, the sooner the better realistically unless u are going straight into college.

[@uhsaamo]

Suomi mainittu!!!

[@simonbarta1244]

Loved it. One Problem:i am from Austria

[@bramblej1084]

How do I find Scottish clubs in Scotland ? HELP🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@jfvalencia1600]

I am a great player (side midfielder), fast, good stamina, good passes and touch yet I have been dealing with a facilities plantar and a injury in my left calf (I think due a surgery in my right knee “meniscus”). I can’t play more than 10 minutes without feeling extreme pain. I know nobody Cares hahaha

[@aroque2170]

What age would you recommend someone stops trying out for a pro team? I will be turning 27 this year, not the best fit still have the quality but I feel I’d need a year or two to get fully match fit. Would you say it’s too late?

[@alejandrojoseamayagamero5172]

Each path is different, make it the way it works for you!

[@francois8770]

Dont stop, just work a lot it's still possible

[@mr.skittletime9304]

But what if ur a girl, like i cant find any teams that are playing during the college season

[@mgk_moloko]

23 year old, starting late. Let me see where i can take it❤️

[@MNR1078]

Hello Matt, I've been watching your videos for a long time and i really admire you. Because you have helped me a lot in football and i really do appreciate it. I would really appreciate if you can do the same thing for those who are trying to make that dream come true here in Canada. thank you once again For your time, effort and motivations.

[@markoantic.3]

How much should I ttrain as a 15 year old and what should I focus on?

[@kevinramacha8208]

Benzema : take 1000 dollar and leave that 20 year old kid alone and tell real Madrid to extend my contract

[@danielalexanderyt3232]

I'm writing this for self-reference but this is a possible follow-up email you can write in case a coach (especially youth coach) doesn't respond within the first week: "hi i just wanted to follow up on my last email I wrote and say that I am still very interested in the ___ program and would really appreciate if I could be put on trial for the team (20__). I believe I have much to offer for the academy and the team and would use my strengths for the benefit of the team. Thank you for your time and please let me know. I hope I can be of value."

[@danielalexanderyt3232]

I got this from an article and the particular paragraph talking about this states... "What if a week has gone by and you still haven’t heard back? A Division I mid-major assistant basketball coach shed some light on the process a recruit should follow in this instance. If a week or more has gone by without any response, a recruit should send one gently worded follow-up email to the coach. In this email, the recruit should reiterate his or her interest in the program and briefly highlight what the recruit believes he or she could offer the program. The email should be concise and serve as a gentle reminder that the coach has yet to respond to the previous communication attempt."

[@herisrobles888]

i’ll like to have ronaldo as my coach😂

[@dansugardude2655]

Do you see yourself not finding a pro contract for next season?

[@nofurtherwest3474]

yeah why

[@ryanmiles8213]

What about professional indoor?

[@mrepix8287]

MASL

[@mxgamer5764]

💖💖💖🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪💖💖💖💖💖

[@biomatrix8154]

In the UK, u could just join a lower level non-league team, and after many years of killin' it, get the team promoted to league play. Then you're a pro! (Prolly easier said than done I'd imagine).

[@Rusty_119]

“It might sound shallow but I need a highlight reel” ABSOLUTELY NOT!! this is professional football! Pros go to smaller teams in the premier league, all parties involved know that the player is on that team to show talent and advance their own career as well!

[@emilfilotasticsandra1222]

This is how it works in the US. They have a more analytical take on things than we do in general and watch film to learn about everything and anything. In europe, we don't... until a pretty high level

[@manuelbaut1044]

Nah you do need a highlight reel

[@norrmanrickardjr1251]

Yeah if you already are a pro people will know you but if you are nobody you gotta take all advantages you can

[@josepacheco010]

Crack

[@sandropirtskhalaishvili3119]

first

[@twistedash9431]

Even if you followed all these steps, you are still not guaranteed Pro football and if we are being honest the chances of becoming one are all against you.

[@something6060]

Bro wtf why you discouraging people

[@LSofJC]

I agree with you, people have to be realistic sometimes too. If you’re a good player and have the iq, physical, technique, skills, control, work ethic etc. then there may be a chance as all it takes there is communication and exposure. But if you’re not that good it’s okay to play for fun

[@scottarrigoni7285]

Appreciate your videos but your understanding of UPSL is not very accurate. Having been involved with several clubs, including one of the very best in the country I can tell you upsl is a glorified men's league... The teams my son played for practice once a week, one team even stopped practices! Owner instead brought in a hand full of players paying them cash per game. As far as I can tell this far, coaches I talk to in usl2 and independent leagues give zero fucks that my kid has goals and appearances ... There is some talent, mostly former D1 players but it's thin... Coaches and owners have no interest in developing younger players such as my kid who is not going to college. This guy is interested more in getting views than he is helping players. Is there a higher agenda on social media?... Nope. Monetize me!