Every Wednesday, this newsletter lands in front of ~9,600 people who work in or are actively trying to work in the soccer industry. They open it at a 68% clip.
If you're hiring, this is the perfect opportunity to get your job listing in front of the right audience.
We've opened up a handful of ad spots:
Featured Job: your role at the top of the jobs section with your logo, a short write-up, and a direct apply link
Presenting Sponsor: banner placement at the very top of the email
Search Amplification: the featured job placement, plus posts on my LinkedIn and X (38K combined followers in the industry)
See options and pricing here →
And if you're not hiring but you know someone who is, forward this along! We appreciate it.
-Kyle Sheldon, Co-Founder & CEO
IN THIS ISSUE
⚽️ Soccer Jobs: 20 new jobs just for you
🗣️ Career Tips: The biggest myth about soccer careers
↔️ Extra Extra: Sounders, Sporting KC making moves
NEW SOCCER JOBS
- Sr Manager, FP&A - San Diego FC
- Performance Coach, Academy - LAFC
- VP of Ticketing - Sporting Cascades FC
- Athletic Trainer, Academy - Chicago Fire FC
- Senior Director of Marketing - Atlético Dallas
- Soccer Data Analyst - New England Revolution
- Senior Coordinator, Matchday Operations - MLS
- Director, Ticket Sales - Sacramento Republic FC
- Vice President, Community & Impact - Gotham FC
- Manager, Integrated Communications - KC Current
- U15 Head Coach - MYNT - U.S. Soccer Federation
- Manager, Brand Alliance Marketing - Orlando City SC
- Match Presentation & Production Lead - Atlético Dallas
- Senior Director of Ticket Sales and Service - D.C. United
- Vice President of Revenue Growth - Minnesota Aurora FC
- Data Scientist, Business Ventures - U.S. Soccer Federation
- Membership Services & Engagement Manager - NC Courage
- Coach, Head of Player Development & Management - Gotham FC
- Manager, Community Events and Activations - Soccer Forward Foundation
- Vice President, Business & Commercial Operations, MLS NEXT Pro - MLS
⚽️ CAREER TIP: THE BIGGEST MYTH ABOUT WORKING IN SOCCER
There's a belief that keeps a lot of talented people from ever pursuing a career in soccer.
"You have to know someone to break in."
It sounds true (it even feels true).
And it's the reason a lot of people never even try.
But it's the biggest myth in this industry.
WHERE THE MYTH COMES FROM
It's true that a lot of opportunities in soccer come through relationships rather than job boards.
So people take that fact and draw the wrong conclusion from it.
They assume relationships are something you either have or you don't.
That you're either born into the right network or are locked out for good.
That's where the thinking breaks down.
THE REALITY
Yes, connections help.
Yes, experience helps.
But what's easy to miss is how much clarity, hard work, and a good attitude can open doors on their own.
Nobody I know who built a career in soccer started with a full network.
They built one.
Conversation by conversation.
Relationship by relationship.
Over time.
The people who "know someone" almost always got there by doing the work that this myth convinces everyone else not to bother doing.
HOW TO ACTUALLY BREAK IN
1. Understand Your Value Proposition
Before you reach out to anyone, get clear on what you bring to the table.
What are you good at?
What experience do you have?
What problem can you help an organization solve?
Clarity is magnetic. Vagueness and uncertainty get ignored.
2. Carve Out Time Every Week to Connect
You don't need to know people already.
You need a habit of meeting them.
Block time each week (at least 60 minutes) to reach out to people who have the job you want, or who are a few steps ahead of you on the path.
Do that consistently and your network grows whether you started with one or not.
3. Do Your Research and Ask Great Questions
When you get someone's time, make it count.
Learn about their work before you talk to them.
Come with thoughtful, specific questions.
The quality of your questions signals the quality of your preparation.
4. Be Professionally Persistent
You won't hear back from everyone.
That's normal.
Follow up.
Stay in touch.
Keep showing up.
Not in a way that hounds people, but in a way that keeps you top of mind when something opens up.
DON'T ONLY REACH FOR THE TOP
One more thing worth saying.
When people start networking, they often make the mistake of only reaching out to senior executives.
Reach out to the coordinators and the managers too.
They receive fewer requests, and they often have more flexibility.
Remember, today's coordinators and managers are tomorrow's executive leaders.
Build those relationships now and grow alongside them.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
You don't have to know someone to break into soccer.
You have to be willing to do the work that builds those relationships in the first place.
👉 This week, reach out to one person who is a few steps ahead of you on the path you want to walk.
Come with a clear reason, a great set of questions, and no agenda beyond learning.
The network isn't something you need before you start.
It's something you build by starting.
-Kyle Sheldon, Co-Founder & CEO
ICYMI: MUST-READ ARTICLES
📰 Extra! Extra! Here are a few quick reads to stay up to date with the latest soccer happenings...
Struggling Sounders secure attacking help, acquiring Dejan Joveljic for $6M [via USA TODAY] - Joveljic has 67 career MLS goals in six seasons - that’s pretty good
NWSL adds Roku as new media partner after split with Victory+ [via The Athletic] - Sunday night matches wil be available for free on the Roku Sports Channel beginning Aug. 30
Sporting Kansas City acquire Owen Wolff from Austin FC [via MLS] - It would seem KC is already putting to use its newly-acquired Joveljic funds
ALSO…
If this email was forwarded to you, you can sign up here to ensure you get every issue (sent on Wednesdays!) directly in your inbox.
And, if you’re a club or brand looking to get in front of ambitious talent in soccer, check out out our ad options.
FOLLOW ALONG
SEE YOU SOON, SOCCER FRIENDS
