Discussion: What actually matters to you about your club and coaches?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a player who has been playing up 2 age groups for years, starts every match and is often one of the best on the field every game. Was competing for minutes and performing well for a U16 team when he was 12. Made varsity and started as a freshman. Whoever said there’s no reason for players to play up is asinine, and that kind of thinking holds back truly talented players who are actually on a higher level than their peers. If you’re good enough, you’re old enough.

Not having seen in, who knows? I will say playing up seems to make more sense when I have it seen it watching my son come up through travel. On the girl's side, it seems a lot more political and less about talent. Girl soccer parents are nutty, especially if they haven't experienced the boys' side of things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ no matter how good my kids are, they know I will never join something where every other weekend they are crossing multiple state borders. It's not happening.

There are too many decent players in the DMV for this sh*t to be happening. There needs to be a movement. Too many pissing matches between local clubs and leagues without the good of the kids/families involved.

Sign me up. We have the money, and my son may have the talent, but who needs to waste the time traveling when there are plenty of elite clubs that could play each other here. Leagues and club agendas are getting in the way of common sense. The other problem in this area (and forgive the regional elitism) is that a lot of these players in this area are really intelligent and don't need to play college soccer to go to a really good school and don't want to spend all of their time traveling for this crap.

There are local leagues for your kid to play in already. Find the club, team and league that meets your family needs and be happy.

True but nonresponsive and irrelevant. This is a collective action problem (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_action_problem). If we could coordinate our actions before tryouts, you might see different, better, cheaper outcomes. Because we (and teams, and clubs, and leagues) cannot assume that others will act in rational self-interest, we each act stupidly and decrease collective welfare. So yes, we all maximize utility today, but no, we are not happy as we could be if we acted more rationally. Other people's suboptimal decisions raise barriers to better travel soccer because people need or want to get on jets to play teams that may not be as good as their neighboring clubs (and all neighboring clubs might all improve if we all agreed to stay home). This isn't hard to understand. But of course some people benefit from building barriers to participation. So things look pretty rational from their point of view.

Workers of the world, unite!

Thanks, Bernie!

[Anonymous]

^ oh f@ck off Coach.

This needs to start. Us Youth soccer needs to be held accountable for what soccer has become. Too many barriers just to keep adults in business, making $ off of the backs of kids’ play.

They should be ashamed of themselves. USMNT will never win a World Cup. They made it just for the dumb elite. Smart elite see it for the joke it has become and wish to make a more rational, open system. But, then dumb elite’s kid wouldn’t be able to make the team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ oh f@ck off Coach.

This needs to start. Us Youth soccer needs to be held accountable for what soccer has become. Too many barriers just to keep adults in business, making $ off of the backs of kids’ play.

They should be ashamed of themselves. USMNT will never win a World Cup. They made it just for the dumb elite. Smart elite see it for the joke it has become and wish to make a more rational, open system. But, then dumb elite’s kid wouldn’t be able to make the team.

When you say things like "US Youth Soccer needs to be held accountable" , I realize you don't understand the soccer landscape. Why them? They aren't responsible for either the ECNL or the DA leagues (the 2 big "offenders" ). That would be US Club Soccer and US Soccer respectively. Go learn about what is going on and why so when you post, you can at least say something meaningful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ no matter how good my kids are, they know I will never join something where every other weekend they are crossing multiple state borders. It's not happening.

There are too many decent players in the DMV for this sh*t to be happening. There needs to be a movement. Too many pissing matches between local clubs and leagues without the good of the kids/families involved.

Sign me up. We have the money, and my son may have the talent, but who needs to waste the time traveling when there are plenty of elite clubs that could play each other here. Leagues and club agendas are getting in the way of common sense. The other problem in this area (and forgive the regional elitism) is that a lot of these players in this area are really intelligent and don't need to play college soccer to go to a really good school and don't want to spend all of their time traveling for this crap.

There are local leagues for your kid to play in already. Find the club, team and league that meets your family needs and be happy.

True but nonresponsive and irrelevant. This is a collective action problem (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_action_problem). If we could coordinate our actions before tryouts, you might see different, better, cheaper outcomes. Because we (and teams, and clubs, and leagues) cannot assume that others will act in rational self-interest, we each act stupidly and decrease collective welfare. So yes, we all maximize utility today, but no, we are not happy as we could be if we acted more rationally. Other people's suboptimal decisions raise barriers to better travel soccer because people need or want to get on jets to play teams that may not be as good as their neighboring clubs (and all neighboring clubs might all improve if we all agreed to stay home). This isn't hard to understand. But of course some people benefit from building barriers to participation. So things look pretty rational from their point of view.

You sound like the nutty professor. Certainly if nobody signed up for the elite/travel intensive programs, they would die off. However, it won't happen because the majority won't sacrifice the few years that Johnny has left in youth soccer to start this crusade. No amount of brow beating about suboptimal/irrational decisions will change that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ oh f@ck off Coach.

This needs to start. Us Youth soccer needs to be held accountable for what soccer has become. Too many barriers just to keep adults in business, making $ off of the backs of kids’ play.

They should be ashamed of themselves. USMNT will never win a World Cup. They made it just for the dumb elite. Smart elite see it for the joke it has become and wish to make a more rational, open system. But, then dumb elite’s kid wouldn’t be able to make the team.

When you say things like "US Youth Soccer needs to be held accountable" , I realize you don't understand the soccer landscape. Why them? They aren't responsible for either the ECNL or the DA leagues (the 2 big "offenders" ). That would be US Club Soccer and US Soccer respectively. Go learn about what is going on and why so when you post, you can at least say something meaningful.

USYS or USCS or USFS whatever —- at the end what matters is how a club And coaches are granted a license. I’d add when a club is in jeopardy because it has an hidden agenda with a few families. It is fine it’s their business and they do whatever they want, if you don’t like it bye. There is always another idiot signing on. Fine, except when it affects others. How can you promote that you sell quality tomatoes when 70% of your clients get rotten produce?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ no matter how good my kids are, they know I will never join something where every other weekend they are crossing multiple state borders. It's not happening.

There are too many decent players in the DMV for this sh*t to be happening. There needs to be a movement. Too many pissing matches between local clubs and leagues without the good of the kids/families involved.

Sign me up. We have the money, and my son may have the talent, but who needs to waste the time traveling when there are plenty of elite clubs that could play each other here. Leagues and club agendas are getting in the way of common sense. The other problem in this area (and forgive the regional elitism) is that a lot of these players in this area are really intelligent and don't need to play college soccer to go to a really good school and don't want to spend all of their time traveling for this crap.

There are local leagues for your kid to play in already. Find the club, team and league that meets your family needs and be happy.

True but nonresponsive and irrelevant. This is a collective action problem (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_action_problem). If we could coordinate our actions before tryouts, you might see different, better, cheaper outcomes. Because we (and teams, and clubs, and leagues) cannot assume that others will act in rational self-interest, we each act stupidly and decrease collective welfare. So yes, we all maximize utility today, but no, we are not happy as we could be if we acted more rationally. Other people's suboptimal decisions raise barriers to better travel soccer because people need or want to get on jets to play teams that may not be as good as their neighboring clubs (and all neighboring clubs might all improve if we all agreed to stay home). This isn't hard to understand. But of course some people benefit from building barriers to participation. So things look pretty rational from their point of view.

You sound like the nutty professor. Certainly if nobody signed up for the elite/travel intensive programs, they would die off. However, it won't happen because the majority won't sacrifice the few years that Johnny has left in youth soccer to start this crusade. No amount of brow beating about suboptimal/irrational decisions will change that.

Right. And you sound like a really good student. I don’t think the argument is that nobody should sign up. It is that people should stop signing up for ECNL and ECNL clubs should stay local. So you essentially advise that everybody should do what they are doing because nobody else will do anything more rational. Actually, wait a second, that is exactly what a collective action problem is. That is a very easy argument to follow, I grant you that. And I made it. I think we agree on the issue but not on whether it requires a solution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ no matter how good my kids are, they know I will never join something where every other weekend they are crossing multiple state borders. It's not happening.

There are too many decent players in the DMV for this sh*t to be happening. There needs to be a movement. Too many pissing matches between local clubs and leagues without the good of the kids/families involved.

Sign me up. We have the money, and my son may have the talent, but who needs to waste the time traveling when there are plenty of elite clubs that could play each other here. Leagues and club agendas are getting in the way of common sense. The other problem in this area (and forgive the regional elitism) is that a lot of these players in this area are really intelligent and don't need to play college soccer to go to a really good school and don't want to spend all of their time traveling for this crap.

There are local leagues for your kid to play in already. Find the club, team and league that meets your family needs and be happy.

True but nonresponsive and irrelevant. This is a collective action problem (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_action_problem). If we could coordinate our actions before tryouts, you might see different, better, cheaper outcomes. Because we (and teams, and clubs, and leagues) cannot assume that others will act in rational self-interest, we each act stupidly and decrease collective welfare. So yes, we all maximize utility today, but no, we are not happy as we could be if we acted more rationally. Other people's suboptimal decisions raise barriers to better travel soccer because people need or want to get on jets to play teams that may not be as good as their neighboring clubs (and all neighboring clubs might all improve if we all agreed to stay home). This isn't hard to understand. But of course some people benefit from building barriers to participation. So things look pretty rational from their point of view.

You sound like the nutty professor. Certainly if nobody signed up for the elite/travel intensive programs, they would die off. However, it won't happen because the majority won't sacrifice the few years that Johnny has left in youth soccer to start this crusade. No amount of brow beating about suboptimal/irrational decisions will change that.

Oh, and by the way, yes, thanks, I have had the benefit of a really good education and a lot of brilliant friends. Always happy to help others as others have helped me, especially those who confuse intelligence with being a nutty professor. Obviously you didn’t make it far past Econ 101. But that is no bar to lifelong learning. Keep up the good work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ no matter how good my kids are, they know I will never join something where every other weekend they are crossing multiple state borders. It's not happening.

There are too many decent players in the DMV for this sh*t to be happening. There needs to be a movement. Too many pissing matches between local clubs and leagues without the good of the kids/families involved.

Sign me up. We have the money, and my son may have the talent, but who needs to waste the time traveling when there are plenty of elite clubs that could play each other here. Leagues and club agendas are getting in the way of common sense. The other problem in this area (and forgive the regional elitism) is that a lot of these players in this area are really intelligent and don't need to play college soccer to go to a really good school and don't want to spend all of their time traveling for this crap.

There are local leagues for your kid to play in already. Find the club, team and league that meets your family needs and be happy.

True but nonresponsive and irrelevant. This is a collective action problem (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_action_problem). If we could coordinate our actions before tryouts, you might see different, better, cheaper outcomes. Because we (and teams, and clubs, and leagues) cannot assume that others will act in rational self-interest, we each act stupidly and decrease collective welfare. So yes, we all maximize utility today, but no, we are not happy as we could be if we acted more rationally. Other people's suboptimal decisions raise barriers to better travel soccer because people need or want to get on jets to play teams that may not be as good as their neighboring clubs (and all neighboring clubs might all improve if we all agreed to stay home). This isn't hard to understand. But of course some people benefit from building barriers to participation. So things look pretty rational from their point of view.

Workers of the world, unite!

Thanks, Bernie!

Wrong again. Go back to pretending the coronavirus doesn’t exist.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ no matter how good my kids are, they know I will never join something where every other weekend they are crossing multiple state borders. It's not happening.

There are too many decent players in the DMV for this sh*t to be happening. There needs to be a movement. Too many pissing matches between local clubs and leagues without the good of the kids/families involved.

Sign me up. We have the money, and my son may have the talent, but who needs to waste the time traveling when there are plenty of elite clubs that could play each other here. Leagues and club agendas are getting in the way of common sense. The other problem in this area (and forgive the regional elitism) is that a lot of these players in this area are really intelligent and don't need to play college soccer to go to a really good school and don't want to spend all of their time traveling for this crap.

There are local leagues for your kid to play in already. Find the club, team and league that meets your family needs and be happy.

True but nonresponsive and irrelevant. This is a collective action problem (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_action_problem). If we could coordinate our actions before tryouts, you might see different, better, cheaper outcomes. Because we (and teams, and clubs, and leagues) cannot assume that others will act in rational self-interest, we each act stupidly and decrease collective welfare. So yes, we all maximize utility today, but no, we are not happy as we could be if we acted more rationally. Other people's suboptimal decisions raise barriers to better travel soccer because people need or want to get on jets to play teams that may not be as good as their neighboring clubs (and all neighboring clubs might all improve if we all agreed to stay home). This isn't hard to understand. But of course some people benefit from building barriers to participation. So things look pretty rational from their point of view.

You sound like the nutty professor. Certainly if nobody signed up for the elite/travel intensive programs, they would die off. However, it won't happen because the majority won't sacrifice the few years that Johnny has left in youth soccer to start this crusade. No amount of brow beating about suboptimal/irrational decisions will change that.

Oh, and by the way, yes, thanks, I have had the benefit of a really good education and a lot of brilliant friends. Always happy to help others as others have helped me, especially those who confuse intelligence with being a nutty professor. Obviously you didn’t make it far past Econ 101. But that is no bar to lifelong learning. Keep up the good work.

Wait, you looked something up on wikipedia that describes the situation and that qualifies you as intelligent? You and your nutty pals sure have set a high bar for us. When you propose an actual solution that does not compromise Johnny's college soccer career, perhaps people will start paying attention to you. Tell us, does your kid play in a local league?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ oh f@ck off Coach.

This needs to start. Us Youth soccer needs to be held accountable for what soccer has become. Too many barriers just to keep adults in business, making $ off of the backs of kids’ play.

They should be ashamed of themselves. USMNT will never win a World Cup. They made it just for the dumb elite. Smart elite see it for the joke it has become and wish to make a more rational, open system. But, then dumb elite’s kid wouldn’t be able to make the team.

When you say things like "US Youth Soccer needs to be held accountable" , I realize you don't understand the soccer landscape. Why them? They aren't responsible for either the ECNL or the DA leagues (the 2 big "offenders" ). That would be US Club Soccer and US Soccer respectively. Go learn about what is going on and why so when you post, you can at least say something meaningful.

Ha! A testament to how much the landscape has changed and become more diluted and confusing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ no matter how good my kids are, they know I will never join something where every other weekend they are crossing multiple state borders. It's not happening.

There are too many decent players in the DMV for this sh*t to be happening. There needs to be a movement. Too many pissing matches between local clubs and leagues without the good of the kids/families involved.

Sign me up. We have the money, and my son may have the talent, but who needs to waste the time traveling when there are plenty of elite clubs that could play each other here. Leagues and club agendas are getting in the way of common sense. The other problem in this area (and forgive the regional elitism) is that a lot of these players in this area are really intelligent and don't need to play college soccer to go to a really good school and don't want to spend all of their time traveling for this crap[b].

+1 with a kid entering HS next year and other one following right behind, kind of don’t care at all anymore. Kids are fortunately incredibly bright and school is more important. The sacrifices don’t equal the return.

I saw a different conclusion with a sibling that was not a good student, but a superior player. For my kids, it doesn’t matter.

Of course they love the sport and want to continue playing - but doubtful they want or will have the time to spend weekends in the car/bus whizzing up and down I95.

[Anonymous]

What matters most?

Club: well administered and organized, good fields, no embezzlement, and stays out of the way of soccer details.

Coach: a teacher and leader of young people; understands the game; and more interested in coaching and developing than making a quick buck and getting quick wins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ no matter how good my kids are, they know I will never join something where every other weekend they are crossing multiple state borders. It's not happening.

There are too many decent players in the DMV for this sh*t to be happening. There needs to be a movement. Too many pissing matches between local clubs and leagues without the good of the kids/families involved.

Sign me up. We have the money, and my son may have the talent, but who needs to waste the time traveling when there are plenty of elite clubs that could play each other here. Leagues and club agendas are getting in the way of common sense. The other problem in this area (and forgive the regional elitism) is that a lot of these players in this area are really intelligent and don't need to play college soccer to go to a really good school and don't want to spend all of their time traveling for this crap.

There are local leagues for your kid to play in already. Find the club, team and league that meets your family needs and be happy.

True but nonresponsive and irrelevant. This is a collective action problem (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_action_problem). If we could coordinate our actions before tryouts, you might see different, better, cheaper outcomes. Because we (and teams, and clubs, and leagues) cannot assume that others will act in rational self-interest, we each act stupidly and decrease collective welfare. So yes, we all maximize utility today, but no, we are not happy as we could be if we acted more rationally. Other people's suboptimal decisions raise barriers to better travel soccer because people need or want to get on jets to play teams that may not be as good as their neighboring clubs (and all neighboring clubs might all improve if we all agreed to stay home). This isn't hard to understand. But of course some people benefit from building barriers to participation. So things look pretty rational from their point of view.

Workers of the world, unite!

Thanks, Bernie!

Wrong again. Go back to pretending the coronavirus doesn’t exist.

and you go back to wearing your tinfoil cap. I didn't realize how paranoid you commies were!

[Anonymous]

For reference, the "nutty professor" is the same deranged individual who creates and derails threads to rail against ECNL and DA.

These threads have become pure comedy at this point.