When Plans Change: Handling Roadbumps in the Recruiting Process
The Part Nobody Talks About
If you’ve been living the college soccer recruiting grind long enough, you know it’s not all highlight reels and campus tours. The truth is, every player, even the most organized and talented, will hit roadbumps along the way.
Visits fall through. Coaches stop replying. Opportunities appear and disappear overnight.
It’s easy to take it personally, but the reality is that recruiting is unpredictable for everyone. Here’s what those bumps can look like, how to handle them, and why they often lead somewhere better.
1️⃣ Our Story: Two Canceled Visits
Last fall, my daughter had two college visits lined up that didn’t go as planned.
The first was one she’d been excited about for weeks - a successful mid-major school she’d talked with regularly, where the coaches were new and seemed genuinely interested. Dates were solidified and flights were being finalized. Then a week of silence, followed by a text, asking for a call.
Due to the changing NCAA landscape and the upcoming transfer window opening, the coaches decided to put 2026 recruiting on hold. No more official visit. "But we're still very interested, so please come to our ID camp at the end of the month so we can evaluate you again in person."
It was disappointing, no question. But it was a story we were hearing over and over for 2026 recruits: the recruiting of 2026 high school players was being delayed due to coaches' uncertainty over how to deal with the new roster caps and the transfer portal.
The second one stung more. A Big East program that had watched our club many times and shown months of interest. Official visit dates were set, agenda ready and hotels booked. Two days before we were leaving, my daughter gets a text - "Do you have time to talk this morning?" They got a verbal commitment from another player at her position that they weren't expecting. Another door closed.
That’s the reality of recruiting: coaches’ needs shift overnight. One phone call, one commitment, and the entire depth chart changes.
💬 CSC Tip: “Canceled doesn’t mean closed. Coaches remember how players and parents handle disappointment.”
2️⃣ Why These Things Happen
There are dozens of reasons why plans change mid-process, and most have little to do with your player personally.
A roster spot unexpectedly fills
A current player decides not to transfer
A coach gets reassigned or leaves the program
Budgets tighten mid-season
The coach simply hasn’t watched enough film yet
From the outside, it feels like rejection. From the inside, it’s just timing. Coaches juggle hundreds of moving parts at once and often have to make quick calls with incomplete information.
The key is staying professional, not reactive.
3️⃣ Common Roadbumps Families Face
If you haven’t hit one of these yet, you will:
Canceled visits or calls — happens more than people realize
Ghosting after strong interest — frustrating but all too common
Roster spots shifting last minute — especially during coaching changes
Miscommunication about offers or timelines
Showcases where no coach from your list ends up watching
None of these end your recruiting journey. They just change your route.
⚽ CSC Tip: “The players who get recruited aren’t always the ones who started strongest. They’re the ones who stay in it the longest.”
4️⃣ What Parents Can Do
Parents play a huge role in how players process setbacks.
Stay calm and keep perspective
Remind your player that coaches notice professionalism
Encourage gratitude and follow-up even when plans fall through
Avoid venting publicly or burning bridges; the soccer world is small
How your player and your family handles adversity can quietly strengthen their reputation with coaches.
5️⃣ Turning a Setback into Momentum
After those canceled visits, my daughter doubled down. She updated her highlight video, sent another round of emails, and lined up new conversations. A month later, she had stronger interest from schools that truly fit her.
Sometimes a roadbump isn’t blocking the path; it’s redirecting it.
Closing: Keep the Faith
The recruiting process will test your player’s patience and confidence. But it will also reveal resilience, character, and clarity about what she really wants.
If your family’s facing roadbumps right now, take a breath. Keep your communication professional, your schedule flexible, and your belief steady. The right opportunity doesn’t require forcing; it just needs preparation and timing.
👉 Need help staying organized? Download the College Soccer Recruiting Playbook and Recruiting Toolkit for templates, email scripts, and tracking tools to keep your player moving forward even when plans change.