The Elite Experience of a Residential Soccer Academy in Germany
Former FC Schalke 04 Player Connor Louden answers the question: As an American youth soccer player, what is it like to spend an entire season training at a professional European football club and then go to college back in the States?
For aspiring soccer players, the dream of training at a residential soccer academy in Germany—immersed in a professional European football environment—offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate their game. The International Soccer Academy (ISA) provides exactly that, bridging the gap between elite youth development and the pro pathway, while preparing players for the highest levels of competition, whether in Europe or back in the U.S. collegiate system.
This firsthand account dives into what it’s like to spend a full season training at FC Schalke 04, competing alongside top-level talent, and experiencing the tactical and physical demands of European soccer. From high-intensity training sessions to the structured daily routines that shape professional athletes, International Soccer Academy alumni share how this immersive experience transformed their careers. Whether you’re a youth player aiming for the next level, a coach guiding elite development, or a parent seeking the best pathway for your child, this article shares the inside story. 
Connor Louden Reports:
For ambitious American soccer players dreaming of a pro pathway, training at a residential soccer academy in Europe is a game-changing experience. International Soccer Academy (ISA) in Germany is more than just a player development program; it’s a real-life professional experience that prepares young players for the highest levels of soccer and beyond.
International Soccer Academy offered my teammates and me a unique opportunity to develop as players and individuals, setting us up with the skills, discipline, and mindset needed to succeed in competitive environments like a professional atmosphere or collegiate soccer.
My experience began when I arrived in Dusseldorf, Germany, to begin training at the legendary Bundesliga club FC Schalke 04. This journey was instrumental in shaping my soccer career and serves as a testament to how this program can set players up for success. We will hear from a few other of my former teammates on how International Soccer Academy developed them into the players they are today.
My time was transformative. Over nine months, I trained with Schalke’s U23s, started every game, and played a key role in the success of the 22/23 program. Now, with three years of eligibility left, I’m competing at the University of the Pacific (D1, West Coast Conference), using the skills and discipline I gained at ISA to excel.
Michael Divano, another ISA standout spent three years with the program, leading every team in scoring. His success led to trials with Eintracht Frankfurt and SC Paderborn, and he made his professional debut with Fortuna Düsseldorf II.
The Experience: A Deep Dive into Professional Soccer
One of the most significant adjustments when joining the residential soccer academy at FC Schalke was adapting to the highly structured and disciplined environment. The team was integrated into the FC Schalke academy. I woke up in Germany in a professional football setting, where every detail, from training schedules to nutrition, was crucially planned to maximize performance. For me, this meant embracing a new level of expectation and focus, both on and off the pitch. The cultural differences between playing soccer in the USA and across the Atlantic in Germany were also notable.
Germans are known for their direct communication style, which initially surprised me but ultimately helped me better understand expectations and feedback. I prefer this coaching method and have recently received it at my current institution, which I will expand on later.
The level of training and competition at FC Schalke was unlike anything I had experienced before. The program emphasizes technical precision, tactical awareness, and physical fitness, pushing players to their maximum. Training sessions were intense with the coaches correcting any little error, focusing on positional play, pressing, and quick transitions. This level of preparation prepared me for the demands of professional soccer and gave me a competitive edge when I returned to the U.S.
A typical day at the ISA residential soccer academy balanced training, recovery, and personal development. Mornings began with breakfast at 8 AM, and there had to be time to digest food before a rigorous training session, which started at 9 AM. Lunch was served right after training at 11:30 a.m., providing the nutrients needed for recovery.
Afternoons included a second training session from 2 to 3:30 p.m., which was more technical and focused on skill development. Evenings were reserved for rest, recovery, and personal time. This structured routine taught me the importance of discipline, time management, and self-care skills that have been valuable in my transition to NCAA Division 1 soccer.
How the ISA Program Prepares Players for Success
One of the International Soccer Academy program’s defining features is its coaching style. Unlike the more athletic-focused approach often seen in the U.S., coaches overseas often heavily emphasize their country’s specific style of play. Germany is heavy on Gegenpressing, which refers to pressing high up the pitch to win the ball back in the attacking half.
This results in players having a heavy demand for physicality and work rate. Spain is more focused on Tiki-Taka, which is passing the opponent to death and always wanting to have the ball, which is the more technical side of football. This analytical approach in Germany helped me better understand the game and improved my decision-making under pressure.
The program also strongly emphasized mental toughness and consistency, qualities essential for success at higher levels of competition.
One of the most challenging aspects of the program was the pressure to perform consistently at a high level.
The competition for spots was fierce, and the expectations were immense. To put into perspective, the FC Schalke U23s (2nd team) would ask our head coach for three players to train with them multiple times a week, where you would experience playing with some of the best footballers in the world. Sidi Sane (Leroy Sane’s Brother), Europa League winners and 1st team players recovering from injury. I was fortunate enough to train with them consistently, as did Michael Divano and Roscoe Rubinstein.
I asked Michael Divano about his time in Germany and how it has transformed him as a player “I think overall looking back on my three years with the program, it was some of the best imes of my life, now that I have fully grown up, I appreciated the discipline in which we were taught at the program, It helped me adapt more to the changes on the field, like playing in a position I wouldnt prefer and how to deal with that, but mostly I think the discipline helped my maturity grow a lot. However, this environment pushed me to grow as a player and taught me to thrive under pressure.”
The lessons I learned at FC Schalke through the International Soccer Academy program have profoundly impacted my approach to soccer in the U.S. The technical and tactical skills I developed in Germany have given me an edge over other players, and the disciplined mindset I cultivated has helped me balance the demands of being a student-athlete.
The ISA Program: A Launchpad for Future Success
My experience with the International Soccer Academy program at FC Schalke has prepared me for NCAA Division 1 soccer and set me apart in the eyes of scouts, college recruiters, and coaches. This program offers a pathway to success for young players aspiring to reach the highest levels of soccer.
It provides the tools, training, and mindset needed to excel in competitive environments like NCAA Division 1 and beyond. My journey from FC Schalke to the University of the Pacific (WCC) is a testament to the program’s ability to prepare players for the challenges of high-performance soccer at the professional level or as student-athletes.
