Writing is hard. Getting twelve-thirteen years of my experience and thoughts in American soccer media down on paper in a digestable manner is even more of a challenge. But for the last year or so I have wanted to put together some of the things that I have learned while working in this crazy medium and put it into writing. As someone who didn’t go to college for journalism and picked this career up while figuring out what I wanted to do, I want to provide insight and knowledge to the next generation that is picking this career up.

I should note: This is an incomplete list. The reason for this is that I would like to turn this more into a series where people can ask me questions or for topic ideas. What I’ve noticed through the years in similar projects is that there will be ideas that will come up later. I also want to avoid writing 6000 word articles (SEO kids!) So if you have a topic suggestion email me at semaslin05@gmail.com.

You Have To Build Up A Portfolio

One of the biggest misconceptions about American soccer media is that it is easy to get a press pass. It is not. There are a variety of reasons for why it is so difficult to actually obtain a press pass but in short: Teams, in particular at the higher divisions, are shy about giving press passes to everyone.

To get a press credential, you have to have a strong body of work to prove that you are actually someone who is interested in covering the game and not just wanting a free ticket. As an editor, I always encouraged new writers before each season to write at least 2-3 times a week on their team to build up their portfolio. For new photographers, I encouraged them to go to whatever professional or semiprofessional game they could to have photos ready to show that they are familiar with the game and some of the basics on where they can be positioned.

The key though is to keep working at your craft. Good writers write all of the time much like good photographers are trying to go to as many games as possible and take as many shots as they can. While covering a USL League Two game might not be as sexy as say covering a Seattle Sounders-Portland Timbers match chances are you will have more opportunities to build your portfolio and gain a bigger audience. While you don’t have to say yes to every assignment, try to think big picture and take in as many opportunities as you can.

Network, Network, Network

This kind of goes in line with that last point. The American soccer world is very, very small. Chances are even if you go to a Sunday league game in the fifth division you are going to run into someone who has played with, coached with, or knows someone with a team or league at a higher level. Whenever you can, introduce yourself to other media members, the players, team, and staff. Don’t hide in the press-box or behind your camera or keyboard. Especially if you are at a semiprofessional or college game where there isn’t as much red tape. These are great opportunities to not just meet other people in your field, but it leads to other opportunities to cover the game.

For photographers, one of the best ways to increase their audience is by tagging the players and share the links to your galleries. It is also not uncommon to have players directly message you and ask if you have any photos of them. Send them your gallery but make sure that they tag you in their social media posts. Developing these relationships increases your followers and again can lead to more opportunities.

Do Your Research

Especially in the lower divisions and in college, you need to do your own research before each match. Yes, teams will typically hand you media resources but those are very often written by interns who are overworked and doing a ton of things at once. Mead composition books are great for housing tons of information and can handle crazy weather conditions.

Follow The Club’s Media Guidelines and Rules

If your team hands media guidelines for gameday, make sure you read them and go through them. Some teams can be very fickle with their rules and if you don’t follow them it can cause issues. As an editor, I’ve had received reports from teams where credentials have been denied/revoked for a littany of reasons. Club media guidelines can border on the absurd (I once had a photographer lose their credential because they parked in someone’s favorite spot), but in the end the club rules are the club rules.

If they don’t provide you with a media guide, then email the Communications Manager.

Don’t Take It Personally If You Are Denied A Media Credential

Even having a strong portfolio isn’t necessarily a golden ticket to a press pass. In the American soccer media world, a writer/photographer can have a fantastic portfolio and still be denied for a credential for one reason or another. The biggest reason usually stems from press box/photography pool space. Press boxes can be at times a little cramped and given that most teams have their own video and production teams working in the same space spots may be limited. If the game that you are looking to go is a game that is nationally televised look for there to be even less space.

Receiving that denial email sucks, there’s no sugar coating it. But it happens to all of us. In my twelve years of reporting I have had media credentials denied for MLS, NWSL, USMNT, USWNT, USL, and Copa America matches. I’ve also had media credentials approved for MLS, NWSL, USMNT, USWNT, USL, and Copa America matches.

One of the great things about the American soccer landscape is that there are so many games going on at the same time. If an MLS side decides to deny your credential, go to a semiprofessional or college game! Chances are the credentialing process is either easier or non-existent and you will be competing with far less media members for assets and coverage. Again, while everyone wants to cover the top teams and top leagues very often there are more opportunities at the lower divisions.

Have A Life Outside Of Soccer and Media

This one is easier said than done. With there being so many soccer games on the calendar it can seem almost impossible to manage work and life. That problem gets compounded when most people in soccer media don’t make that much money and have to work 9-5. The answer is that no matter how you shake it-you can’t make every game and write 20 articles on a weekend. Burnout is a very real problem in our business, so pick your spots. Go to the gym or go out for a brunch date before a 7 PM game. (Also, 20 minute condensed matches on MLS are great for building up background research on teams).

Enjoy It.

At the end of day, it is about enjoying the experience. The hours are long, the opportunities to earn money can be tough, and it can be at times cutthroat. Finding your space where you can create cool content while possibly making some level of income and not burning yourself out can be a real challenge. So it is important to make sure you are still enjoying it.

I was very much at a cross-roads in this profession last year. Years of covering MLS and NWSL games had really burned me out mostly because I felt like no one was really paying attention to what I was doing. I would travel hundreds of thousands of miles, write articles, take pictures, and get minimal to no response. I had already earned a full-time job in soccer as the Marketing Director for Bethesda Soccer Club, I had the chance to cover games across the country, meet some incredible people, and I had the chance to have my work featured in one of the top print soccer magazines in the world in Soccer 360 Magazine (Small sidebar: Seeing my work in a magazine rack at brick and mortar Barnes and Noble was one of the coolest fucking experiences in the business. Nothing will beat me finding out my eleven year old nephew reads my work ). I was good.

Then I took in a FC Frederick-Christos FC match. I was just looking for something to do on a Saturday night (the game was less than 3 miles from my house) and decided to bring my camera. Getting the chance to just go to a game and take pictures for fun led me to paid work with the NPSL, the chance to cover games with NISA, NCAA Division 1-3 games, USL League Two, and the U.S. Open Cup. From there I have had the chance to meet so many individuals who live the game, want to see it grow, and are interested in having media at their events. I’ve gone to games that were two blocks from my house (shoutout Hood College), my alma mater (hi there, McDaniel College), and games that were 80 miles away in dimly lit high school fields (Tauro versus Virginia United). Getting the chance to cover the games that might not show up on a streaming service would otherwise not be reported has brought me much more personal satisfaction.

Even as my career goes in a different direction (In December, I became the Marketing Director of the Frederick Keys of the MLB Draft League), I still find myself wanting to put in the extra hours and cover games in the region. Because I still love it.

My hope is that is each of you that chose to read this, also finds that same level of enjoyment that I do. It doesn’t matter what facet of the game that you want to cover-find that personal level of satisfaction. If you can find that and make it work, you will be fine.