In this episode of The Insider’s Lounge, we sit down with Mark Kelkenberg, a soccer scout and coach well-known in the college soccer space for sharing detailed scouting reports, opinions, and film on X (formerly Twitter). Mark shares his journey from his early passion for the game to becoming a trusted voice in scouting, offering a comprehensive look at the 2025 MLS SuperDraft and the ever-evolving college soccer landscape.

We begin by exploring how the transfer portal has fundamentally reshaped college soccer, followed by a discussion of the varying play styles across programs and what it takes for players to successfully make the leap to MLS. Mark highlights top players to watch in the upcoming draft, including Hakim Karamoko (NC State), Charlie Harper (UNC), Alioune Ka (Cornell), and Joran Gerbet (Clemson), breaking down what makes them standout prospects in today’s competitive environment.

Lastly, we wrap up the conversation by discussing how MLS teams approach the draft, exploring suggestions to improve its effectiveness, and hearing Mark's picks for the best MLS SuperDraft players of all time and the players from this draft he’d build a roster around.

Whether you’re a college soccer fan, MLS enthusiast, or aspiring scout, this episode provides valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the journey from college soccer to the professional stage.

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Mark's X: https://x.com/MarkKelkenberg
Mark's YT: https://www.youtube.com/@KelkenSport

🎙️ More Insider's Lounge Content: https://linktr.ee/theinsiderslounge

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:58 First Soccer Memory + Passion for the Game
05:39 Balancing a Full-Time Job and Scouting Aspirations
11:00 Understanding College Soccer: An Overview
17:49 Exploring Varying Play Styles in College Soccer
25:17 Top College Soccer Programs of 2025
30:36 The Impact of the Transfer Portal on College Soccer
35:03 The MLS SuperDraft: What It Is and How It Works
41:50 Identifying Players Who Transition Best to MLS
48:48 How MLS Teams Approach the Draft Differently
53:46 What Mark Would Change About the MLS SuperDraft
1:00:03 Mark’s Bold Predictions for the Upcoming Draft
1:05:26 Quick-Fire Questions
1:12:34 Outro