How Do I Get Scouted by TopDrawerSoccer?

by TopDrawerSoccer

January 1, 2025

The scouting process for players is an ongoing discussion at TopDrawerSoccer, and it’s the genesis of the vast majority of inquiries to the site. In an effort to address many of those questions, here is a few quick answers to questions regarding the ranking process at TopDrawerSoccer.

How Do You Compile the Rankings?

TDS aims to project the next level success of players through a variety of avenues. First, we take into consideration U.S. Youth National Team call-ups to help lay the foundation for younger age groups; for the older age groups it provides a check on the Top 200. Second, we look at players who have been called into USYNT ID Centers. Next, we are out at events or watching tape to try and cast as wide a net as possible.

Club coaches are contacted for feedback as well, both for players on their roster and in their region. Postseason awards or club honors are also taken into account. Professional opportunities are notable as well, whether competing as an amateur or turning pro and bypassing college altogether. Lastly, college coaches provide another check for the older, recruitable age groups.

How Do I Get Ranked?

The first step is to make sure you have a player profile.

Once that is complete, the best way to get ranked (in the regional or national rankings) or get rated (with a star rating) is for a TopDrawerSoccer scout to see you play. TDS has scouts at a number of events including nearly every ECNL, Girls Academy League and MLS Next events during the club soccer season. TDS also has scouts at National Events for US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer as well as some of the top national tournaments (Surf Cup, Dallas Cup, Jefferson Cup, etc.).

If your team is participating in any upcoming event, prior to the event send your team’s schedule to rankings@topdrawersoccer.com. While it is impossible to guarantee that a scout will be able to attend your game, it does help to have your schedule and jersey number available in case we make it to your field.

What If That Isn’t An Option?

We understand that for some teams and players, national exposure is not a guarantee or an option. We do take input from club coaches. Please ask your club coach to send an email to rankings@topdrawersoccer.com.

What Is The Scale For Your Star Rating?

For more information about how we view that ranking and rating process, please visit this webpage.

How Come I Don’t Have a Rating? You’ve Seen Me Play!

If you have been mentioned in an article on the site from one of the events and graduate in the classes 2025-2028, please send an email to rankings@topdrawersoccer.com and bring this to our attention.

What About The Class of 2029?

TopDrawerSoccer does not give out ratings until we start the process of ranking the class. For the class of 2029, which will be ranked for the first time during our end of the season update, we will begin giving out ratings toward the end of June/July.

Related Topics: IMG Academy Top 150