Recently, the Northern Super League (NSL) club, Montreal Roses FC, announced several new signings, including six ex-Montreal college soccer players from McGill University, Université de Montréal, and Champlain College Saint-Lambert.
“I think these university players making it to the NSL is exciting,” said fourth-year Concordia Stingers women’s soccer player Carolyne Beaudoin. “It keeps the talent local and encourages the community. It’s a first step to professional soccer in Canada.”
Despite these encouraging transfers for ex-U Sports players, the gap between college and professional soccer remains significant, even for top-form players.
One of the new signings, Montreal Roses FC player Felicia Roy, is currently dealing with this transition into the professional world.
“The speed of the game and the quality of it in professional players are the two biggest differences [from college soccer],” said Roy.
For Beaudoin, the amount of work necessary to succeed in the professional world is completely different than in college sports.
“I’d guess at least double the training time and a lot more time spent with athletic therapists. And I’m sure they would triple the time we put into recovery,” she said.
While balancing academics and sports might already be a hardship for athletes, many studies show that their environment can also be crucial to their success. College environments often prioritize balance, which ends up limiting players’ time to improve their game at a professional level.
According to a study titled “Exploring former NCAA Division I women soccer players’ transition: college to career,” while college coaches focus on player’s athletic development, the lack of a “professional-like” environment can hinder players from fully adapting to the demands of pro-soccer. This can add to the lack of resources and exposure certain programs will suffer from.
Not only that, but the level of game performances themselves are also different.
“I definitely think that there is a noticeable gap between the two levels. However, I don’t think it’s insurmountable,” said Beaudoin. “I’ve personally played alongside and against professional players, and usually, I find they have superior consistency and mental toughness. I also find the gap is a matter of exposure and development opportunities in their youth.”
Breaking into professional soccer is a process; the competition doesn’t end on the pitch. Professional soccer clubs often promote players from their own training programs, known as academies. These young players work with the club and are given a chance to play professionally. Some players move from these academies to college soccer, where their skills are already well-developed, and the visibility of these programs can lead to opportunities with national teams.
Roy, a renowned youth-ranked Canadian international player who recently signed from Champlain College to Montreal Roses FC, already has a lot of experience. She has played at many levels, including the CF Montréal Academy.
“Montreal Roses noticed me when I played for Champlain. They approached me and recruited me from there,” she said.
She has been a soccer player since she was four years old, and even with an already impressive background, the news meant a lot to her.
“After all the efforts I’ve put into this sport, I’ve made it pro. It was really a magical moment for me and my parents. It means a lot to me, and I’m proud of myself, but it is not over. My adventure just started, and now is the time to multiply my efforts and go even further.”