Matt Sheldon

Growing up in Oregon, I spent countless hours training on my own and chasing the dream of becoming a professional footballer. That journey took me from local club soccer in Portland to NCAA Division I soccer at UC Davis. After college, I went on trial in Iceland with Þróttur Reykjavík, trialed with Vancouver Whitecaps 2, trained with Sacramento Republic, and eventually moved to Germany, where I spent months traveling between trials before signing with SG Kinzenbach. Those experiences taught me persistence, resilience, and a willingness to keep showing up.

In 2016, I signed my first professional contract with Orange County Blues FC in the USL Championship, beginning a career that would span more than a decade. Over the following years, I played for Saint Louis FC, Waterside Karori AFC in New Zealand, FC Tulsa, Charleston Battery, Hartford Athletic, and Detroit City FC. Every club, coach, teammate, and setback shaped not only the player I became, but also the way I teach the game today.

While still playing professionally, I started Become Elite to document my journey and give players an honest look at life in the professional game. What began as a small YouTube channel has grown into one of the largest online platforms dedicated to football education, reaching millions of players each year through videos, social media, training programs, and educational resources.

Everything I create is built around one principle: practical, evidence-informed advice that players can actually apply. Whether you're aiming to make your first competitive team, earn a college scholarship, sign your first professional contract, or simply become a better player, my goal is to provide the knowledge, tools, and guidance to help you reach your full potential.