83. Kelvin Jones, Columbus Crew Academy, USMNT U17 Assistant & Justin Chezem, Christopher Newport University, Men's Soccer

In this episode, Justin Chezem, head coach of Christopher Newport University men’s soccer and I welcome Kelvin Jones. Kelvin is the UPSL Head Coach, Crew 2 Assistant Coach, and Assistant Director of Player Development for the Columbus Crew. Additionally, he was the assistant coach for the US Men’s National Team U17 side that played in the recent U17 World Cup in Indonesia. We discussed the recruiting process, finding the right fit, player development, and his experience at the U17 World Cup. It was great to catch up with Kelvin and we’re looking forward to having him on again!

Summary

In this conversation, Kelvin Jones and Justin Chezem discuss various topics related to soccer, including memories of legacy trips, Kelvin's role at the club, the draft process, college soccer, and the transfer portal. They also talk about the factors involved in choosing a college and the challenges and realities of recruiting. They highlight the changing landscape of recruiting and the impact of COVID on the process. The conversation covers various topics related to the future of soccer, player recruitment for academies, youth players advocating for themselves, upcoming plans and demos, injuries and the end of playing days, Kelvin's experience at the World Cup, and his future involvement with the national team.

Takeaways

The draft process in soccer can vary depending on the organization, with some teams using their picks to acquire talent and others focusing on developing their own players.

College soccer offers a pathway for players to continue their development and potentially move on to professional careers.

When choosing a college, it's important to consider the balance between soccer, academics, and the social environment.

The recruiting process for college soccer has changed significantly, with more talent and more events to navigate.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on recruiting, with some players facing challenges in finding the right college fit. The landscape of soccer is constantly changing, and the future of the sport is uncertain. There may be changes in league structures and year-round training processes.

Player recruitment for academies involves casting a wide net and varies depending on the age group. It can range from local scouting to national scouting.

Youth players can actively advocate for themselves by reaching out to academy coaches through various channels such as email, social media, and recruitment websites.

As a coach, it is important to prioritize player safety and avoid unnecessary physical exertion during training sessions.

Kelvin's experience at the World Cup was unique and difficult to put into words. It provided valuable learning opportunities and a different coaching environment.

Future involvement with the national team is uncertain, but Kelvin remains open to opportunities and values the connections he has made in US soccer.

Chapters

00:00 Memories of Legacy Trips

01:46 Kelvin's Role at the Club

04:59 The Draft Process

08:23 College Soccer and the Transfer Portal

11:55 Navigating the College Decision

17:28 Factors in Choosing a College

23:24 Different Timelines for College Decisions

27:41 Recruiting Challenges and Realities

32:44 The Changing Landscape of Recruiting

37:24 The Impact of COVID on Recruiting

39:31 The Future of Soccer

41:05 Player Recruitment for Academies

43:19 Youth Players Advocating for Themselves

45:48 Upcoming Plans and Demos

49:35 Injuries and the End of Playing Days

53:23 Kelvin's Experience at the World Cup

01:00:17 Future Involvement with the National Team