The running dialogue in the soccer sphere for the past half-decade has been the changing landscape of men’s college soccer due to the rise of MLS youth academies. In theory, the academies are taking top talent away from college and directly into the professional game.

Whether it’s been the all too common decree of the downfall of the college game or the looming possibility of the sport becoming irrelevant, college soccer has taken its beatings in ink recently.

While college soccer is changing, it’s not for the reason many are saying.