Get Ready for MLS Next Fest!

MLS Next Fest is almost here! Taking place from December 6-11 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California, this event is one of the hottest scouting opportunities of the year. With over 400 teams competing across the U15, U16, U17, and U19 age groups, hundreds of scouts from professional clubs, national teams, and top colleges will be watching closely. Now is your chance to get noticed!

Why Your Highlights Matter More Than Ever

In an event as massive as MLS Next Fest, your highlight video can be the first (and sometimes only) way to catch a scout’s eye. With so many talented players on the field, a strong highlight reel lets you stand out from the crowd and showcases your best moments directly to recruiters, even if they don’t get a chance to see your full game.

5 Key Tips for Crafting a Standout 2-Minute Highlight Reel

• Lead with Your Best: Scouts often decide within the first 10 seconds if they want to keep watching, so start with your most impressive plays—whether it’s a game-changing goal, a crucial save, or an intelligent defensive maneuver.
• Keep It Focused: With only two minutes, be selective. Choose clips that show your strengths specific to your position and that demonstrate your soccer IQ, athleticism, and technical skills.
• Showcase Your Position-Specific Skills: Play up the abilities that matter most to your position. Defenders should focus on tackles and positioning, midfielders on passing and control, forwards on shooting and movement, and goalkeepers on saves and distribution.
• Keep It Clear: Make sure you’re easily identifiable in each clip—whether it’s with arrows, highlighting, or ensuring your jersey number is visible. This makes it easy for scouts to follow your actions and keep track of you in each play.
• Quality Over Quantity: Don’t worry about showing every good moment; instead, pick the ones that best highlight what you bring to the game. A clear, impactful video is more memorable than a long, drawn-out one.

Use GoldCleats to Share and Get Discovered

Once your video is ready, upload it to the GoldCleats Player App to get direct exposure to scouts and recruiters who are actively seeking new talent. With our platform, you can easily share your highlights and increase your chances of catching the attention of the right people before and during MLS Next Fest.

Time to Make Your Mark

This tournament is more than just a chance to compete—it’s a real opportunity to launch your future in soccer. Start organizing your highlights today, and be ready to make a statement at MLS Next Fest. You’ve trained hard; now it’s time to show the world what you can do!