Brandon Aubrey’s journey is a testament to the unpredictable nature of sports careers. After playing Division I soccer at Notre Dame and securing a national championship as a freshman, he was drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. However, his aspirations to play in Major League Soccer did not materialize, leading him to a minor league career before finding his footing in a different sport altogether. Today, Aubrey has made a name for himself as an All-Pro placekicker for the Dallas Cowboys.
Aubrey’s path is not typical for most players in the NFL, where the majority have come up through college football programs. The same can be said for Eddie Lewis, who transitioned from collegiate soccer at UCLA to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Lewis credits his business idea to an observation he made while watching the basketball team practice during his time at university. He noticed the use of smaller hoops to help players improve their three-point shooting, and he sought to adapt that concept for soccer training.
By utilizing tennis balls to simulate basketball drills, Lewis aimed to enhance soccer training. Once his playing career ended, he focused on developing a more soccer-specific training system. This vision materialized into TOCA Football, a company that has established tech-driven soccer training facilities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, along with TOCA Social venues that combine soccer with dining experiences.
Lewis’s innovative training methods contributed to his success as a player, including appearances on two U.S. World Cup teams and a notable club career in both Europe and Major League Soccer. However, the journey to professional soccer has evolved, with the current landscape showing a significant decline in the number of players coming from college programs. In fact, only eight players from the 2026 World Cup roster had collegiate soccer experience, a stark contrast to the majority of Lewis’s teammates in the 2002 and 2006 tournaments.
While Aubrey had dreams of representing the U.S. in a World Cup, he acknowledges that soccer is an international sport with diverse pathways to success. The traditional model of making a professional debut at a young age is more prevalent in European and South American leagues, and the U.S. is increasingly adopting similar structures through youth academies. Aubrey emphasizes that aspiring American players face competition not only from college athletes but also from international talent.
Currently, many male players are making the leap directly from soccer academies to professional teams, bypassing the collegiate route altogether. In contrast, the women’s game, although growing, still heavily relies on NCAA programs as a crucial avenue for aspiring professionals. The recent Women’s World Cup roster included 20 players with college soccer backgrounds, highlighting the importance of this pathway for female athletes.
The debate surrounding the effectiveness of the college system in developing elite soccer talent continues, with many advocating for a shift towards a model similar to those seen in European academies. However, both Aubrey and Lewis recognize the broader benefits of a college education. For Aubrey, having a backup plan became essential after his soccer career didn’t unfold as hoped. Lewis, who witnessed the challenges faced by young athletes in Europe, appreciates how college can foster maturity and responsibility.
The docuseries “Raising Her Game,” which I directed, explores the evolution of U.S. soccer through the lens of the 2023 University of Texas women’s soccer team. Players highlighted the importance of the resources available to them, including state-of-the-art facilities and medical care often funded by the revenue from football programs. Professor Paolo Bonifazio, who taught languages at UT, remarked on the expansive athletic infrastructure that exists in the U.S., contrasting it with European norms where sports at universities are less intertwined.
Bonifazio’s observations illustrated the value of allowing athletes to explore their futures beyond sports while still benefiting from their athletic experiences. The collegiate environment provides opportunities for personal growth that can be vital for athletes, enabling them to make informed decisions about their careers.
Although the college soccer system may require adjustments to enhance its effectiveness as a developmental pathway, it remains a critical space for young athletes. Ongoing discussions surrounding legal issues, realignment, and player compensation continue to impact university athletics. Nonetheless, the collegiate experience equips many young adults with valuable skills and connections that extend beyond their sports careers.
Lewis, reflecting on his unique journey, advocates for the college route as a viable developmental pathway for many players. He believes that the education, social experiences, and maturation that come with college can significantly benefit aspiring professionals, even if they only spend a few years there.
The women’s soccer team featured in “Raising Her Game” has produced 11 professional players and a medical student, underscoring the diverse paths athletes can take. Despite the ongoing challenges in achieving financial stability in women’s soccer compared to men’s, the experiences gained during college remain invaluable.
Aubrey emphasizes the importance of obtaining a degree and preparing for life after sports. As the FIFA Men’s World Cup captivates audiences in the U.S., the global soccer community is observing and discussing the American approach to the sport. While there are lessons to be learned from international standards, it is equally important to recognize the successes stemming from the unique American system that has shaped the careers of players like Aubrey and Lewis.
