Forget everything you think you learned in youth soccer. College is a completely different animal. Everything from your day-to-day, to the team dynamics and relationship with the coach is different.
Understand this: college coaches' priority is to win games. They will play whoever they think will give them the best chance to do so. You're no longer playing under a coach who is trying to develop you (or saying they are). And while they are also trying to win, their livelihood doesn't depend on it. The college season is short, and coaches need to adapt quickly and find rapid solutions when the team isn't performing. So don't be surprised if you've been starting and all of a sudden get relegated to the bench or aren't getting the playing time you think you deserve. Freshmen, especially, get frustrated when they don't see the field. But when coaches are looking for wins and searching for solutions, they will turn to players they can count on and players they can trust. That doesn't mean you can't be that player, but you have to earn that. And that takes time and showing up and performing consistently.
It can be a struggle going from being an undisputed starter, playing full 90 with your club, to barely seeing the field and getting a 5-minute run at the end of each half. You feel like you're starting over and that you've earned more than that. But what you did at the club level means nothing. Every other player on the roster was also the best player on their club team. The awards, rankings, state championships, emails, and interest you got from schools aren't going to get you on the field.
You're entitled to nothing at this level. You have to go out and earn it.
Thinking it's unfair you haven't seen the field, or you should be starting ahead of another player, or have no idea why you're on the bench, is the quickest way to stay there.
You knew it would be hard, but you've been through plenty of challenges throughout your career. There is a reason you're here in the first place. You just need to reset your expectations and approach. That doesn't mean you settle for anything you don't think you can achieve. The goal should be to be an impact player for your team. But know that it won't be easy. You'll have to earn it and prove it every single day. It's the players who can navigate the ups and downs of a season and stay steadfast in their approach and commitment to getting on the field that end up being successful. It's too easy to resign yourself and shift your priorities to the many other interests and lifestyle college can offer. You will get your chances and opportunities. But you have to decide if you are willing to commit, take the hits, rise to the challenge, grind it out, and endure. If you do, I can guarantee it will be worth it. Your choice.
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