US Universities tryout

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Success in football takes unexpected paths. Succeeding not only means signing with a big club but also using the sport as a lever to access opportunities that would otherwise be unreachable. Such opportunities include universities in the United States, always on the lookout for new talents to add to their soccer teams. To achieve this, American colleges systematically offer economic incentives to those young footballers who prove themselves capable of competing in their leagues.

With this goal in mind, several scouts from American universities will arrive in Barcelona on the next 4th of March, where they will spend a week evaluating candidates who want to receive a scholarship to study on the other side of the Atlantic. A path that dozens of Marcet alumni have already taken, thanks to their good football performance, covering a significant part, or even the totality, of their studies at some of the world’s most prestigious faculties. Examples include Samuel Pérez Alcántara, Jairo Fernández, María Concha, and many others. Among them is Sergi Ors:

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“There are different profiles that may be interested in this path,” explains Carolina Marcet, head of the Academic Department: “It’s an interesting option for players who still need to gain experience before competing at a professional level and who, in US universities, can hone their skills on the field while combining sports activities with top-quality academic training.”

However, it’s not just about making a living from football. It also works the other way around: using football as an opportunity to study at the world’s most prestigious universities. “When it comes to finding a job in any country, holding a US university degree makes a difference,” adds Marcet.

Meeting in Barcelona

To turn this American dream into reality, from March 4th to 9th, several US universities – McNeese State University, West Valley College, Compton College, University of Puerto Rico – will send their representatives to Barcelona in search of candidates to assign academic scholarships. During the 6-day tryout, coaches will evaluate participants technically, tactically, physically, and personally, grouping them into various training sessions. Candidates will also have the opportunity to showcase their talent in matches and specific tasks related to their positions on the field.

At the end of the tryout, each participant will also receive an academic video profile with the player’s presentation and their best plays. This video profile – usually valued at €600 – is included in the registration fee and is the main tool that US coaches will use to definitively assess the candidates. Additionally, players can use it in the future to apply for positions in football teams or other universities.

Participants, who will have the option of residence at the Marcet Sports City, must meet the following requirements to enroll:

• Be between 16 and 19 years old
• Have a knowledge of the English language
• Fill out this form