Question:
How does a player benefit from attending an InfoSport Pro Soccer
Combine?
Answer:
There are a myriad of benefits for players.
1. Increased Exposure - Regardless of a player's
talent level and soccer background or experience, it is a team's
AWARENESS of that player that will put them on the short list of
potential signees. Attendance at InfoSport's Pro Soccer Combine is one
of the best ways to ensure that a player's COMPLETE soccer resume and
professional evaluation is in front of the key decision makers for the
entire professional soccer community. Players from our past events that
have signed professional contracts came from schools and programs of all
levels. The staff at every InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine is also
comprised of coaches from the pro community (MLS, USL, MISL, etc.)
2. Professional Evaluation - InfoSport's Director of
Soccer is
Daryl
Shore, a current MLS and former A-League coach. The written
evaluations on each combine participant are based upon years of
professional and collegiate soccer talent scouting and evaluation
at the highest levels. The
coaching and evaluation staff he assembles for the combine comes from
the pro soccer ranks of the USA. For a list of former and current
InfoSport Pro Soccer combine staff, please click
here.
3. Credibility - InfoSport and its staff have years of
credible experience in professional soccer. When a team reviews a report
generated by
Daryl
Shore and InfoSport, it can be assured that the data and evaluations
are of the highest professional quality and accuracy. The coaching and
scouting staffs that have worked with players at past InfoSport events
have come from the MLS, USL and MISL ranks.
4. 12-Month Exposure - Pro Soccer Combine participants
have their combine and career data housed on the InfoSport web site for
at least 12 months, allowing professional teams around the world, the ability
to search online, 24 hours a day, for players to fill their roster
openings. Personal contact information for each player is made available
so interested parties can contact players directly, eliminating the
delay of a middle party.
5. Worldwide Data Sharing - Unlike team,
league or agent-sponsored free agent camps, InfoSport makes player data
from our event available to every professional soccer team in the world.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
What are my chances of getting a pro contract after I participate in an
InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine?
Answer:
The primary objective behind the development of the InfoSport Pro
Soccer Combine was to provide players with the "complete package" for
obtaining a pro soccer playing contract. Our events are designed to
give the players the critical tools they and/or their agent need to
thoroughly market them for playing opportunities. The comprehensive player resume and evaluation
of each participant is uploaded to the InfoSport web
site which is constantly searched by professional soccer coaches and
agents. Our
staff, after the event, is made available to speak with potential teams
on behalf of combine participants.
Additionally, the combine itself will often make very
clear to players their status in terms of their pro potential. Our
evaluations are thorough and informative and in addition to highlighting
strengths, also emphasizes opportunities for improvement.
Because the InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine staff
includes coaches from a variety of pro leagues and teams, many players
are directly invited to individual team camps following the combine.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
How do I get to participate in an InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine?
Answer:
The application process is started by completing an
official application
and submitting it to InfoSport with the
registration fee. Additional materials (video, clippings, etc.) may
be submitted as support, but they are not required, nor will they be
returned, so do not send originals.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
Are all applicants accepted into a Pro Soccer Combine?
Answer:
No. Each Pro Soccer Combine has a limited number of openings at each
position, to ensure that each player receives the maximum exposure to be
effectively evaluated. If there is no room remaining in the event at
your position, a complete refund will be made of the registration
fee, or you may opt to be placed on a waiting list. Regardless, if
your registration is not accepted, because there is no more room at your
position, you will not be charged. Due to the limited enrollment of the event, once a player is
accepted, there are NO REFUNDS. There are no exceptions.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
When is the registration deadline?
Answer:
Applications are reviewed and processed on a first-come, first-served
basis, and the combine rosters are filled accordingly. We encourage
early registration to improve your chances of being accepted. Once a
player has registered and been accepted, there are NO REFUNDS of the
registration fee. There are no EXCEPTIONS. There is a reduced fee for
players that register early. See the
application
for details.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
How will I know that I will be given enough of a chance to demonstrate
my skills at the event and be thoroughly evaluated?
Answer:
Each InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine has a maximum number of player
openings at each position to ensure that each player will get maximum
playing time in games and drills.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
Are there pro coaches at InfoSport Pro Soccer Combines?
Answer:
Yes. InfoSport's Director of Soccer Scouting & Player Evaluations,
Daryl
Shore, is a current MLS coach. He is
responsible for the final written evaluation of every combine
participant. In addition, there
is an extensive list of invited guests, including general managers, pro
coaches, scouts and agents. The 2001-2008 Pro Soccer Combines
had scouts and coaches from numerous MLS, MISL, and USL teams on hand to evaluate the players.
Additionally, the staff that
works with Daryl Shore to evaluate players comes from the pro ranks of
US soccer, including MLS, USL and MISL teams. You can be assured that
you are being evaluated by some of the top coaches in US professional
soccer.
For a list of former and current InfoSport Pro Soccer combine staff,
please click
here.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
What pro teams and leagues receive InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine player
data?
Answer:
All player profiles will be uploaded to the InfoSport web site following
the combine, where teams from around the globe can and do search the database
24 hours a day for available players. Teams and agents from the USA and
abroad are constantly accessing the InfoSport web site to search player
profiles.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
How will I know if teams want to sign me after I attend an InfoSport Pro
Soccer Combine?
Answer:
Teams with an interest in a specific player will often contact our
office for additional information and references. Our staff is available
year-round to answer requests for additional data or references. As soon as a team contacts us, we notify the specific player to
alert them of the interest, and pass along pertinent information to them
or their agent. You and your agent have your contact information listed
on all profiles, for interested teams to contact you directly, if they
choose, and many do so via that method.
Please be aware, that unfortunately, there are some
unscrupulous agents who use the internet as a means to contact
unsuspecting players and solicit personal financial information. If you
receive an email with an offer that sounds too good to be true, it just
might be. We maintain a list of known fraudulent activity on our main
web page. Please refer to the
list or contact InfoSport
if you have any
questions.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
May I bring any one with me to the InfoSport Pro Soccer Combine?
Answer:
Yes. Players are permitted to bring family members, spouses and agents.
However, keep in mind that this event is similar to a job interview and
you need to be focused on soccer throughout the event. Guest passes
are available for purchase on the application form. The guest pass is
valid for admission all days.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
When should I plan on arriving and leaving for the Pro Soccer Combine?
Answer:
The Combine begins on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 and ends on Thursday,
January 9, 2009.
Player registration will take place between 5-8pm on Monday, January 5th
at the Comfort Inn-Sanford, Florida and again from 11am-12pm Tuesday,
January 6th at the Seminole County Sports Training Center. Players will
be on the field half day, Tuesday January 6th, all day Wednesday January
7th and half day Thursday January 8th. The schedule is subject to change
by a few hours in either direction. The complete detailed schedule will
be posted on our web site prior to the combine.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
What accommodations and meals are available?
Answer:
InfoSport will announce local hotels in your acceptance letter and on
the web site shortly.
Please visit the section on
Hotels & Directions for more information.
Players are responsible for their own transportation and lodging
expenses. A boxed lunch will be provided to all registered players
on Wednesday January 7th and one other meal to be determined (based on
the final schedule) will also be provided.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
Must I have an agent in order to attend the InfoSport Pro Soccer
Combine?
Answer:
No. Most of the players attending our combines in the past did not
have representation. In many instances, players have signed with an
agent who may have seen their performance live at the combine or their
evaluation afterwards.
Many players also find that they do not require the
services of outside representation.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
How can I find an agent that will be best for me and my career goals?
Answer:
You do not necessarily need an agent. Please see InfoSport's
Soccer Links section for a partial listing of soccer agents. InfoSport
does not endorse any individual agents.
Top
of Page ▲
Question:
Should I attend individual team free agent tryout camps?
Answer:
Most minor league teams hold open free agent tryout camps. These events
typically charge a fee where an unlimited number of players audition for
one or a few roster spots at best. There are no evaluations provided
to players or other teams and players not asked to
veterans' camp have nothing to show for their monetary or time
investment. Between registration fees and travel expenses, it would cost
a player thousands of dollars to attend EVERY minor league soccer team's
free agent camp in a year. For one low registration fee, the InfoSport Pro
Soccer Combine will have your data uploaded to our web site for
worldwide access, and many US pro scouts are on our staff, or in
attendance each year scouting for their respective clubs.
Top
of Page ▲
