|
^^ also, almost none of that applies unless you are on 1st team. Most players at these large clubs are on the B, C, D, E, and F teams . . . the "cash cow" as others have called it.
Even on 1st team, we have been at big clubs where the development seemed to stagnate. Although the OP makes several good observations about the many problems playing soccer at a very small program, agree there. |
don't matter. i hope he finds 2nd career in soccer, 3rd team or not. plus bball and soccer aren't comparable when it comes to required athletic abilities. |
I can see the misplacement could easily happen the first year, i.e. kid makes a lower team but is better than kids who played well the day the coaches were watching at the tryout. Does that get better the 2nd year? after the kid has played on a lower team and does well, does that play into the evaluation the next time, or is it just how the kid plays at the tryout again? Is there much movement at Arlington, McLean, Alexandria at the younger ages? |
You all seem yo think the only way a child can learn to play soccer is by being on a soccer team and going to the 1.5 hour practices twice a week. Would you be saying the same thing about big vs small if the sport was basketball? I'd venture to think not. |
Nope, we wouldn't. Soccer is a wealthy man's sport in the U.S.. If you can't pay-to-play and you can't politic your way in---your chances are nil at being 'seen' by college coaches, much less National team and beyond. If you aren't in a stupid feeder system, that's it. It is complete BS to tell any kid in this country 'if you are good enough, we will find you'. It does not work that way in this sport, in this country. Even the HS teams in this area are direct feeders from the travel teams and some of the HS coaches are even travel coaches from the Clubs the students play for. Walk-ons not part of that travel team are unheard of. That said, I've met some unbelievable soccer players whose parents know that's the story, but refuse to pay and be part of the feeder system when the training is inferior to what they could do on their own and with better trainers outside of the Big Club business. Hopefully, there will be a place where these kids at 16/17 can be seen and the 'cream theory' will hold. Who knows? You would hope if they got good enough they would actually be able to get a fair tryout somewhere---but they even determine who gets invited to those and which field the kids get put on (the one they watch, vs the one just for show/to say they held it). And, yes, this is boys we are talking about. Girls soccer is very different. |
I have a boy, and an ASA coach who also coaches travel told me not to do it unless my son made one of the top three teams. |
Did the coach say that since it was a waste of money, or because the kid will never progress? My son is on an ASA bottom team, and no expectations he will make a top team or college scholarship. But he thinks Rec is not competitive, enjoys the practice and friends and games. Keeps him busy during the week and active. We can afford it and think it is productive for the team work. I think parents on bottom teams know the limitations, but still enjoy the sport and activity. |
I guess my only issue with this statement is the affordability. You're saying that you know nothing will probably come from the training, the kid might not ever be good enough to be on the top team, there is this nuanced teamwork virtue you hope your child recognizes, and that everyone else knows it as well, and yet you would still pay what many would consider 'tons of money' for shitty training. Why? Because you have so much discretionary income, why not... right? I myself am not wealthy, have made a career and am in my early thirties, $2k over the course of 10 months would not be an issue, I just woudln't do it based on principle. |
Some people consider $2,000 to be crumbs off their plate and are fine with the value proposition. |
I sometimes think that the Supply/Demand issue with so many families considering $2k to be a bargain and so few "good" programs that the $3k-4k price range for one year for travel are those clubs recognizing many will pay it without thinking. |