Your realistic Soccer list (reach / target / safe)

Since soccer has no personal number, your 'mark' is your club tier, your league and your minutes. Compare it honestly against each division's benchmark (indicative, not official: verify with each coach) and split a list of 15-25 schools into three baskets:

Why it matters more than ever: with the D1 roster capped at 28, coaches have cut watch lists from ~70-80 to 25-30 and from ~10-12 signings/year to 5-6. They must hit on nearly all of them, so international evaluation is slower and deeper. A short or mis-calibrated list leaves you out.

For a European, prioritise the realistic paths:

• D2 and NAIA: very open to internationals (NAIA has 12 scholarships, roster ~30), no House roster cap.
• JUCO (NJCAA DI/DII): the classic bridge if you need a year to fix academics, eligibility or document translation; up to ~24 scholarships.
• D1 only where your club tier genuinely justifies it.

Use TopDrawerSoccer's commitments tracker to see what real level the schools on your list sign at, and recalibrate.