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Victor Cascon was born and raised in Salamanca, Spain, where he developed a passion for soccer at a young age. He trained with professional academies and competed with local and regional teams, earning multiple league and cup titles. He later accepted a scholarship to play college soccer in the United States at Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina.
At Lenoir-Rhyne, he became a standout forward on the roster. He helped his team win a conference championship and was named team all-conference every year and All-American in 2021, as well as Offensive Player of the Year during his final season. He also earned both his undergraduate degree and MBA during his five years at the university, balancing full-time academics with year-round training and competition.
While playing in the NCAA system, he started to notice a pattern. Many players possessed the skills to compete at the next level, but they lacked the necessary training, recruiting opportunities, and information to advance their careers. Some had never even been seen by a college coach, and others didn’t know what to do once their high school season ended.
After graduation, Cascon moved back to Spain and continued playing professionally. Around that same time, he began thinking more seriously about those players who had potential but no clear way to get on a coach’s radar.
During the 2021 USL2 season with NC Fusion U23, he crossed paths with Sam Henneberg. The pair quickly realized that they had competed against each other for years in college without realizing it. Once they began training together, they discovered how similar their college experiences had been. Both had played for multiple years in the same league, earned academic degrees while competing, and had seen firsthand how hard it could be for talented players to advance in their careers without guidance or exposure.
In 2022, Cascon and Henneberg organized a college showcase just outside Charlotte and coached it themselves. Twenty-six players showed up, confirming that plenty of athletes were searching for opportunities but lacked access to the right people and support.
Today, Cascon leads the international programs at Select Generation and directs the full-time academy in Salamanca, Spain. We recently spoke with Victor Cascon about how Select Generation got its start, what he looks for in under-the-radar talent, and how the program continues to grow for players across the U.S. and abroad.
What inspired you to co-found Select Generation, and how did your experiences as an NCAA All‑American and professional player in Spain influence the organization’s founding vision?
The inspiration behind Select Generation came from navigating the U.S. collegiate system and the European professional pyramid. My experiences helped me see the gap that exists for players who are talented but lack the right guidance or cultural bridge. After competing as a student athlete and playing in Spain, I saw how much untapped potential there is, especially in North America. Select Generation was founded to bridge that gap and to create a clear, credible pathway for players to develop, be seen, and thrive in both systems.
Can you share a success story of a player whose career trajectory was significantly impacted by Select Generation’s guidance, either earning NCAA opportunities or joining a European club?
We went to the San Diego Surf Cup in 2023 and saw Thiago, a goalkeeper from Seattle who had nothing lined up after high school. We invited him to join Select Generation Academy for the 2024–25 season. He showed up every day to train with focus and earned the captain’s armband. Eventually, he was invited to train with Unionistas de Salamanca CF first team. This summer, he signed with their B team in the fifth tier of Spanish football. That was awesome for us to show what we are doing is working, but more so for him to achieve his dream of playing football at the next level!
Looking back at the inaugural season of Select Generation Academy in Salamanca (started Fall 2024), what were the most critical challenges and milestones, now that you’re mid-season in July?
We’ve encountered several unexpected challenges, but through the collective effort of our coaching staff and players, we’ve overcome each one with resilience and unity. We try to listen to the players a lot to get their feedback on what they like, what they would like to see, and for us to improve. I think that communication is key between not only the staff, but the players too. There is a lot of moving pieces for operating a football club, so I would say logistically, making sure everything is going smooth was our biggest challenge, and also a milestone to have the Google reviews that we have, for example, that we are making the right decisions.
What objectives are being achieved at the July camp in Salamanca, and how do mid-season adjustments shape player development and exposure strategy?
We’re seeing real progress on and off the field, including better sleep, nutrition, and recovery. We’ve learned that sometimes we need to stop, break things down, and repeat. That’s where growth happens. Players learn how to train smarter, not just harder. Exposure here is about doing the right things consistently. Playing abroad improves their skills, but it also changes their perspective. When players are honest about where they want to improve, that’s when you really get to coach and when they grow. In terms of the Select Generation summer camp, it’s a different experience for them to get a new set of eyes on them, and for our agency to evaluate players we believe in. A lot of players take the summer off or go to local ID camps, which can sometimes feel like you are in a bubble, or not really developing. It’s just a showcase. So we try to develop players and also give them a platform.
How does Select Generation differentiate itself from traditional ‘pay-to-play’ models, and what feedback are you hearing from current families and players about this distinction?
When I was coaching at a European academy in Charlotte, we saw families investing thousands with minimal return. There were no individualized growth plans, little focus on coach development, and a lack of direction. That’s when the contrast between player development methods in Europe and North America became clear. We thought, “This isn’t fair,” and set out to create something that was. Fairness meant offering the same standards as Europe… quality coaching, purposeful training sessions, and personalized development. If you are in a football program, the club or team should have a platform for you to develop and improve.
It’s satisfying to hear from families how much their kids have changed after a year with us at Select Generation Academy. They’re more independent, mature, responsible, and proactive. The players themselves always appreciate everything put into the 10-month season. The coaching staff did a great job of maintaining a high standard and fantastic team culture.
With expansion underway in the Spanish football pyramid, how do you see Select Generation Academy’s role at mid-season—balancing competitive results with creating pathways for North American talent?
For this season in Spain, we’ll have two qualified coaching staff, a physio, a logistics coordinator, and a methodology director. Our lifelong passion for soccer has given us a deep understanding of the sport’s culture and industry. We’ve learned that every player is different, and identifying how to support each one individually is where we can make the biggest impact. A big message to the players is that if we do well collectively, we will do well individually. If we win games, it helps us all.
How are you identifying under-the-radar players at the July camp, and how are their development trajectories assessed?
We’ve scouted many tournaments to get the best players possible, along with contacting clubs, coaches, and families. We now have players from MLS Next, ECNL, NPL, and more. Coaches are very happy with the fitness and level of the players.
The first couple of days are difficult because of jet lag, schedule, food, environment, coaches, and cultural differences. But the staff help make this an unforgettable experience, and these players become so close in just two weeks.
With more scouting, more pathways, and an even stronger commitment to identifying and developing the next generation of top talent, Select Generation remains true to its mission. We want to ensure no gifted player is overlooked, and that every hardworking athlete has a real chance to succeed. We spend a lot of time trying to find players who maybe play in lesser brackets, go to unpopular showcases or show us something that’s different to a standard club player wanting to only play D1.
How are personal development, academics, and cultural immersion unfolding this season, especially for players juggling NCAA requirements, Spanish language learning, and life in Salamanca?
Honestly, it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of the program. Players are not just training hard, but learning, adapting to life in Europe, studying, and growing into more confident, independent young people. We stay closely connected with them to ensure development and standards are met, along with NCAA requirements. The real development is in how they take care of themselves and grow as people.
Select Generation plans to expand into Bournemouth in the 2025–26 period. What progress has been made toward that goal, and how are learnings from Salamanca influencing your strategy for England?
We’ve already established a solid base in the Bournemouth area. What we learned in Salamanca is directly applied, from staffing and scouting to community integration. England offers a different style of football and a different academic pathway. The number of opportunities these boys will have during this year is impressive. They will compete in the men’s and U23 leagues. The philosophy is the same as it is in Spain…selective intake, elite development, long-term impact.
Mid-season reflection: What advice would you give to young athletes participating in July camp, as they look to collegiate or pro trials, especially those who still feel overlooked?
Focus on what you can control: your mindset, work ethic, growth, and consistency. Ask questions, get feedback, and stay curious. If you feel overlooked, it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. It just means your moment hasn’t come yet. We feel lucky to work with players who are engaged, ask questions, and want to learn. As much as you learn from us, we learn from you, too.
Looking Ahead
Now, Victor Cascon and the team at Select Generation remain focused on supporting the players who make the academy possible. In Salamanca, athletes continue to train, compete, and adapt to life abroad. Others are preparing for the academy’s upcoming expansion into Bournemouth, where they’ll face new challenges in both football and academics.
Select Generation was created to serve talented, motivated players who need access to quality training, mentorship, and real development opportunities. The academy focuses on consistent coaching, purposeful training, and a competitive environment that helps players grow on and off the field.
We’re grateful to Victor Cascon for taking the time to share his story with our readers and for continuing to open doors for the next generation of players.
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This content is brought to you by Andrea Mario
Photo provided by the author.
