In the summer of 2021, soccer players Sam Henneberg and Victor Cascon found themselves sharing a host family in Greensboro, N.C, while playing for NC Fusion U23. That season ended with a trip to the national final, where they competed in front of more than 8,500 fans.
At the time, they were simply teammates focused on the next match. What they didn’t know was that less than a year later, they would be building a global soccer agency, Select Generation, out of a small apartment in Charlotte.
It wasn’t until they became roommates that they realized just how often their paths had crossed.
Before joining the same team, Henneberg and Cascon spent three seasons on opposite sides in NCAA Division II’s South Atlantic Conference. Cascon’s Lenoir-Rhyne teams won each of those matchups, a detail they only pieced together while reminiscing on their college careers.
Select Generation officially launched in August 2022. What started as a way to help teammates on their UPSL team gain exposure has since grown into a talent identification agency working with players across North America and Europe.
Most of the athletes it supports are between 16 and 18 years old and want to play college soccer or join professional academies overseas. Select Generation does not charge players to join and only works with athletes it has seen play in person or who come through trusted recommendations.
Since day one, the agency’s mission has remained the same: helping players take the next step in their soccer careers.
Using Experience as the Blueprint
Select Generation is shaped by the lived experiences of its founders. Henneberg and Cascon grew up in different countries and played soccer in different systems, yet encountered many of the same obstacles along the way.
“A big part of our inspiration comes from our own personal journeys,” Henneberg shared.
Both relied on university scholarships to move abroad and learned early on that talent alone does not guarantee opportunity.
Today, the agency serves as a resource for players, scouts, and coaches, creating exposure for athletes at the collegiate level and with professional academies in Europe. Much of its work centers on motivated players who fall outside traditional recruiting pipelines.
Many come from international or underrepresented backgrounds, closely reflecting the founders’ own transitions into new countries.
“We understand firsthand what it is like to transition into a new culture, adapt to a new environment, and earn respect by showing effort and humility,” Henneberg explained. “We encourage our players to respect local cultures, engage with the community, and truly become part of it.”
During placements in Spain, Select Generation players have volunteered at local schools and assisted with coaching at nearby clubs. Others have supported grassroots teams in England or connected with their local communities through church.
The founders also lead by example, supporting nonprofits like Miami Scores, which provides underserved youth with educational support and after-school soccer programs.
“Community engagement is something we want to continue expanding as we grow,” Henneberg said.
Setting a Higher Standard for Player Development
Growing up in Salamanca, Spain, Victor Cascon was drawn to soccer from an early age. He developed within professional academies and competed with local clubs and regional teams, earning numerous league titles and cup victories.
Driven by a desire to improve his English and challenge himself in a new setting, Cascon continued his soccer journey in the United States at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
Over five seasons with the Bears, he helped guide the team to a conference championship as an underclassman and later earned Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior.
Off the field, he completed undergraduate studies in marketing and business before earning an MBA.
After college, Cascon returned to Spain, where he now competes for UD Santa Marta in the third division. He also serves as Director of the Select Generation Academy in Spain, focusing on scouting, mentorship, and player development.
At Select Generation, mentorship and leadership are shared responsibilities. Coaches and staff recognize the influence they hold over young athletes and aim to guide them through honest feedback, real-world perspective, and personal experience.
Each athlete is supported both on and off the field, ensuring their character develops alongside their soccer skills.
“Select Generation was built to support undiscovered players not just as athletes but as people,” Henneberg said. “Our long-term vision is to build a strong, values-driven community with good people who are hungry to grow.”
Athletes who first joined Select Generation years ago in search of opportunity are now committing to Division I programs. Those milestones are rewarding, but they are also a reminder of the patience required to create meaningful impact.
Just as important is what players carry forward. Many naturally share their experiences with former clubs, schools, and younger athletes. In doing so, they step into mentorship roles themselves, extending the same guidance they once received.
It’s the outcome Select Generation hopes for, and one that continues to take shape through each generation of players.
Earning Every Opportunity
Raised in Guildford, England, Henneberg relocated to the U.S. at 18, continuing his soccer career at the NCAA Division II level with Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C. Without the backing of a professional academy, he built experience through club teams, school programs, and county-level squads.
When he was 16, he worked with a college soccer agency to create a highlight reel and connect with NCAA programs. Eventually, that led to a competitive scholarship and his move to the U.S.
At Catawba, Henneberg was named team captain as a freshman and completed a double major in economics and accounting in just three years. Though team results were limited, he built lasting relationships across the South Atlantic Conference.
In 2019, he joined NC Fusion’s USL League Two side, which captured the regular-season conference title and exposed him to a higher level of competition.
After graduating, he transferred to the University of New Hampshire, an NCAA Division I program. There, the team won back-to-back conference championships, reached a top-five national ranking, and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.
Henneberg started every match during his time with the program and later earned his MBA.
Growing With Purpose
After the 2021 session, Henneberg returned to the University of New Hampshire and Cascon to Lenoir-Rhyne. Both completed their MBAs before relocating to Charlotte for corporate careers while continuing to play for NC Fusion.
During the U.S. Open Cup, they helped NC Fusion defeat professional USL League One side Charlotte Independence, advancing to the third round. Months later, they hosted Select Generation’s first college showcase.
That inaugural event, held in Matthews, N.C., featured 26 players and marked the agency’s official start. From there, Select Generation quickly expanded, hosting events in Charlotte, South Carolina, Boston, California, and New York.
As participation grew, a consistent challenge emerged. Many domestic players lacked clear access to college coaches.
When Cascon returned to Spain, Select Generation extended its reach abroad, organizing camps and trials with clubs in Salamanca. Meanwhile, Henneberg focused on expanding live scouting efforts across the U.S.
In August 2024, Select Generation launched its own academy, which now competes in the eighth tier of the Spanish football pyramid.
Building Something That Lasts
Select Generation is built on the belief that soccer can be a catalyst for meaningful change, both for individual players and the communities they become part of. The game has a rare ability to bring people together, offering structure, accountability, and a sense of belonging that extends well beyond training sessions and matches.
What the organization continues to build is not simply a pathway to college or professional soccer, but a community of driven, like-minded individuals.
“During difficult times, having teammates, shared goals, and a healthy routine can be incredibly powerful,” Henneberg said. “That sense of unity and shared purpose can make a real difference.”
At Select Generation, every decision is made with long-term impact in mind.
“Short-term involvement often leads to short-term decision making, which rarely creates meaningful change,” Henneberg explained. “For us, it is about working with the right people, building genuine relationships, and staying aligned with a clear mission. Sustainable impact takes time, consistency, and trust.”
Some of the most meaningful feedback the founders receive comes from players who describe how the experience changed their mindset or led them to opportunities they believed to be out of reach.
Regardless of where those players end up, the life lessons and personal growth they gain are considered lasting achievements.
As Select Generation expands, accessibility remains a priority. Through donor-supported scholarships and partnerships with values-aligned sponsors, the agency continues to support talented athletes who may not otherwise have access to these opportunities.
That commitment benefits individual players and raises the standard of the program itself. While placements and competitive results offer clear markers of progress, they are not the only measures of success.
The character, confidence, and perspective players carry with them after the season ends matter just as much.
