Folks
The ACL epidemic in youth soccer—specifically on the girls' side—is no longer something we can ignore.
It was a tough weekend for our community with two more families facing these injuries. Having spent 18 years on D1 sidelines, I know how devastating that news is. It feels like the world stops, but we are building a system here to make sure our players stay durable, informed, and on the field.
In this week's update, we are moving past the "noise" and focusing on the three pillars of a successful journey: Durability, Urgency, and Structure.
1. The Durability Hub: Protecting the Investment
A 2025 study has released data that acts as a direct "unblocker" for how we choose gear.
The 2.57x Risk: The study found that female athletes wearing traditional cleats had 2.57 times higher odds of tearing their ACL compared to those wearing turf shoes.
The Conical Danger: Cleats with conical (round) studs were the most dangerous, showing nearly 3 times the risk of turf shoes. These studs act like anchors in artificial turf, locking the foot in place while the knee rotates.
The Solution: According to the study, If your daughter plays on turf, she should be in Turf Shoes (TF) or Artificial Grass (AG) shoes. The small rubber nubs allow for a safer "release" during a pivot, potentially saving the ligament.
The Data: You can read 2 studies here: Footwear and ACL Injury Risk in Female Athletes (2025) - Testing Soccer Cleats Designed to Reduce ACL Tears
Valuable Resource: I highly recommend spending 17 minutes to watch this U.S. Soccer Health & Safety Summit: ACL Injury Prevention. Dr. Holly Silvers-Granelli breaks down why these programs (performed just twice a week) can reduce injury rates by up to 88%.
2. The Class of 2027: The Roster Gap Reality
If you have a 2027, the clock is your biggest enemy. But there is a massive opportunity right now. I’ve audited the D1 landscape, and many programs are "behind" on their builds. These schools currently have massive recruiting gaps (6–10 open spots):
New Haven, Stonehill, & URI: (10 possible spots each)
FDU & St. Peter's: (8–9 spots)
Lehigh, Manhattan, & Holy Cross: (6–7 possible spots)
The Move: Stop emailing coaches who are already "full." Target the gaps.
STOP GUESSING: The 60-Second Reality Check
Most players waste 90% of their recruiting time emailing schools they will never play for. They guess their level, they get ghosted, and they get frustrated.
The Trade: If you take 60 seconds to fill out this quick 7-question survey, I will personally review your profile and give you a College Level Audit. I will tell you exactly what division and tier you should be targeting (D1, D2, High D3, etc.) so you can stop getting ignored.
Note: Because these take time to review, I can only do this for the first 30 people who complete the form today.
3. The Launchpad: For Those Just Starting Out
If you are a 2028 or 2029 just starting the recruiting process, do not guess. You need three things to be taken seriously:
The Right List: Target schools that actually need your position and grad year.
The Right Video: Coaches have 60 seconds. Your best clips must be in the first minute.
The Right Outreach: Personal, tactical, and data-driven emails—not generic blasts.
How to Use This Information
We’ve built the College Soccer Network portal to be the "Everything Tool" for this journey. Whether you are recovering from an injury or hunting for a D1 roster spot, the answers are inside:
College Finder: Build your "Right List" based on your Major, Location, and Playing Level.
Gap Analysis: Access the full list of schools with open 2027/2028 roster spots.
Durability Hub: Get the gear checklists and injury prevention protocols based on the latest research.
Communication Center: Use our professional templates to talk to your coaches.
Our goal isn't just an "Instagram commitment." It’s to find the right fit—academically, athletically, and financially.
Let's get to work.
Steve Coxon 18-Year D1 Head Coach | CT Hall of Fame | Founder, CFC/CSN
About: Steve Coxon College Soccer Network
Steve has 20 years of college-level experience, 17+ years in D1 as the Head Recruiter. He has facilitated more than $30 million in college scholarships.
Location - Connecticut, USA
