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USL Confidential Part VI- One Current USL Player Talks About Changing Teams

A new USL Player X pulls back the curtain a little further when it comes to what happens when moving to a new club

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The lives of USL soccer players aren’t always easy. Job security is usually tenuous, as multiple-year contracts and guaranteed situations are few and far between. Even the best players are subject to being sent all over the globe on loan or transfer at a moment’s notice, making changing teams one of the most impactful things that will experience throughout their careers, which we discuss at length with USL Player X in installment number six of the series, USL Confidential.

This edition’s USL Player X is a veteran of multiple USL seasons spent with multiple teams. Accordingly, his experience has given him a great bird’s eye view on topics impacting USL soccer and the players who compete among its tiers. Let’s check in with him to get his perspective about the unique experiences players go through when they’re changing teams.

What thoughts/feelings do you experience when you first know that for whatever reason, you won’t be returning to the team for which you have most recently played?

It depends on what the situation is. I’ve been in situations where it was my decision to leave a club and others where it was the club’s choice not to renew my contract. Whenever I’ve left a team, there has been a sense of relief, excitement, nostalgia for the experiences I shared with my teammates throughout the year, anxiousness for what is to come, and optimism for the future. It takes time for the new reality to sink in and to process all of the emotions that come with it.

Typically, there are end-of-season meetings where the coaching staff recaps the year and lets players know whether they want them to return the following season. Sometimes those conversations happen earlier because of contract situations or the relationship between the player and coach. Generally, players are not too surprised by the outcome of those meetings. The way players are treated during the final months of the season usually gives a glimpse into what the future may hold.

What’s harder: adapting on the field to a new team or fitting in off the field in a new area?

Every transition brings challenges, even if it is for the better. As a player, you have to understand new team dynamics, build relationships, and perform. You begin learning how teammates move, what they like, how they communicate, and how they see the game. At the same time, you are adjusting to different coaching styles, tactics, and expectations from the staff. Adjusting to a new environment rarely happens overnight, but in this profession you are expected to perform regardless of the circumstances.

Fitting in off the field can be just as difficult. If players already know people on the team before arriving, the transition becomes much easier. Not everyone has that advantage though, especially in locker rooms made up of players from all over the world. As a new player, you can walk into a locker room, see strong friendships and connections already formed, and naturally feel left out or discouraged.

This is a difficult question because there really is no definitive answer. Personally, I struggle with both whenever I move teams. Eventually, the challenges on and off the field get figured out with time, but which one comes first varies depending on the environment.

How do you earn trust in a locker room and with new coaches where relationships may already exist?

Time spent training, performing in games, and working through struggles. Those are three of the biggest factors for me. You can see someone’s quality when you train with them every day. You notice their passing, first touch, movement, and football IQ. That alone builds a level of respect and trust among teammates.

Players also gain respect through their performances in actual matches, which is the most important thing at the end of the day. I’ve seen players dominate training sessions but fail to bring that same level into games, and vice versa. Performing on the weekend is how you truly earn respect in a locker room.

I also think the way a player carries themselves through struggles is underrated when it comes to earning trust. When someone shows up every day ready to work despite playing time, form, or injuries, it says a lot about their character. In professional sports, there is so much outside of a player’s control, and it is easy to let those things consume you. Being able to push through adversity day after day earns respect not just as a player, but as a person.

When you are a free agent, what goes into deciding which team you will sign with?

To be honest, as a free agent, you do not always have the luxury of choosing where you will go. Some offseasons bring interest from multiple clubs, while others can be very quiet.

If a player does have options, factors like money, contract length, location, playing style, role within the team, and housing all become important. What players prioritize also changes with age. Younger players are usually more focused on development and the football side of things because they are trying to move up. Older players often have additional responsibilities, especially if they have families, so financial security becomes a much bigger factor.

If players do not have many options, they may take the best opportunity available or begin considering life outside the game if the situation is not something they want to pursue.

What’s something fans may not fully understand about how difficult it can be to change teams?

There is so much more that goes into changing teams than just football. One of the biggest things fans overlook is the challenge of moving your entire life from city to city. Finding housing, relocating family members, adjusting to new schools, and managing the financial side of moving can create a lot of stress, especially if clubs do not provide adequate housing support.

Language barriers are another challenge that often goes unnoticed. I’ve played with teammates who struggled both on and off the field because they did not speak English fluently. They may have difficulty understanding tactics, communicating with teammates, or even handling everyday responsibilities outside of football. Those things can make adapting to a new country and team much more difficult than people realize.

When considering moving to a different team, are you more concerned about what players are already on the roster, or who is coaching? Why?

I place more importance on the coach than the roster when considering a move. Coaches are ultimately the decision-makers and have a huge influence on the culture and direction of a club. You can have an extremely talented squad with poor leadership and struggle to get results, while a great coach can elevate an average team far beyond expectations.

Before signing players, coaches will usually explain where they see them fitting into the team and what their plans are. Of course, coaches will always try to sell players on the project, but those conversations still give players a better understanding of where they stand.

It is also important to understand what the coach’s long-term goals are. If you are joining a team primarily because of the coach, you want to know they plan on staying for at least the near future. You do not want them leaving midway through the season after being one of the main reasons you signed there in the first place.

How do you balance proving yourself with not over-pressing in your first games?

Being present. The moment you start worrying too much about the assumptions of teammates, coaches, or your overall situation is when you begin forcing actions. It happens to everyone, especially during transition periods, but it is important to give yourself time to settle in.

At the same time, earning the respect of teammates and coaches is vital for every player. That pressure exists at every level of professional sports. It is completely normal to feel anxious about those things, but problems arise when those thoughts take over while you are trying to perform. That pulls you away from the present moment and away from your job. You tense up and begin playing not to make mistakes rather than playing to win.

Have you ever had to “unlearn” instincts from your old team to succeed in a new system? What was the hardest one?

Honestly, when it comes to tactical systems, I haven’t had much trouble adjusting or unlearning ideas from previous teams. What tends to stay with me more are the demands and expectations of different coaches. One coach may praise you for a certain action or decision, while another coach may rip into you in front of the entire team for doing that exact same thing. Figuring out those differences takes time. Every coach values different qualities, and understanding those expectations is one of the biggest adjustments players have to make when changing teams.

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