Soccer after college

[Anonymous]

I have no idea if there are statistics on this, but I can tell you that a fairly high number of kids at the top men's college soccer programs will try their luck in the pro leagues for at least a few years after graduation. For most this will mean MLS (at best), lower level European leagues, or USL. If you want a realistic chance at higher level leagues, you need to skip college or leave after your first year or two. Kids and families that value education but still want a chance at going pro tend to prioritize programs with a history of sending kids to these leagues, like UMD, UVA, Georgetown (we are lucky to have so many near us!), Indiana, Stanford, etc.

I don't really track the women's game as much, but women have far fewer options to play pro in the US.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait my kid is DA. Are you telling me my DA kid is not going to be a high paid professional athlete?
You're crazy, she is DA
isnt that what the DA does?

The good news is ECNL would be the same

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait my kid is DA. Are you telling me my DA kid is not going to be a high paid professional athlete?
You're crazy, she is DA
isnt that what the DA does?

Wow, there are female soccer players (or any other sport for that matter) that are well paid? Pretty sure that's the worst wage gap that exists. And to put it in perspective, t average salary for a WNBA athlete is about $51,000, while the average NBA salary is $6 million.

[Anonymous]

BUT MY KID IS IN THE DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait my kid is DA. Are you telling me my DA kid is not going to be a high paid professional athlete?
You're crazy, she is DA
isnt that what the DA does?

Wow, there are female soccer players (or any other sport for that matter) that are well paid? Pretty sure that's the worst wage gap that exists. And to put it in perspective, t average salary for a WNBA athlete is about $51,000, while the average NBA salary is $6 million.

plus ~75K overseas.

[Anonymous]

"average salary for a WNBA athlete is about $51,000"

That's the value of their entertainment in the free market. If they brought in more revenue, they'd be paid more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BUT MY KID IS IN THE DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You must be an FCV DA parent that believed all the hype. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"average salary for a WNBA athlete is about $51,000"

That's the value of their entertainment in the free market. If they brought in more revenue, they'd be paid more.

Which is a function of what channels their games are played on, what venues they can access, what support and promotion they receive at the college level ahead of the WNBA, and how much we as a society support them
, or if we have our own prejudices ("men's games are just more fun to watch", blah blah).

But either way, women's professional soccer is typical of women's supports, and the WNT is typical as well, even though it outperforms the MNT and has double the viewers.

[Anonymous]

^typical of women's sports

[Anonymous]

Case in point, the recent WNT vs Haiti. You had to be a dedicated viewer to know it was on and find it on TV, and before you think it's just a coincidence: https://sports.yahoo.com/uswn-ts-farflung-olympic-qualifier-vs-haiti-is-yet-another-indictment-of-concacaf-181845804.html

See what others have to say.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Most seniors in US college soccer are so burnt out after the abuse they took in 4 years of college soccer they can't wait to get away from the sport and are not looking to extend their career at all.

This.

My niece played D1 and had some YWNT call ups but when I asked did she want to keep playing and go for a full cap she said "I'm done and dead. My body simply cannot take anymore of this." I think she still kicks a ball around as part of her fitness, maybe even plays with some friends, but basically it's over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Most seniors in US college soccer are so burnt out after the abuse they took in 4 years of college soccer they can't wait to get away from the sport and are not looking to extend their career at all.

This.

My niece played D1 and had some YWNT call ups but when I asked did she want to keep playing and go for a full cap she said "I'm done and dead. My body simply cannot take anymore of this." I think she still kicks a ball around as part of her fitness, maybe even plays with some friends, but basically it's over.

Curious if she could do it again, would she have chosen a different path like giving up.on soccer after HS ball and focusing on other priorities in college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Most seniors in US college soccer are so burnt out after the abuse they took in 4 years of college soccer they can't wait to get away from the sport and are not looking to extend their career at all.

This.

My niece played D1 and had some YWNT call ups but when I asked did she want to keep playing and go for a full cap she said "I'm done and dead. My body simply cannot take anymore of this." I think she still kicks a ball around as part of her fitness, maybe even plays with some friends, but basically it's over.

Curious if she could do it again, would she have chosen a different path like giving up.on soccer after HS ball and focusing on other priorities in college?

I wrote that original post and it comes off more negative than I meant it. While it is completely true that many seniors are totally burnt from the abuse they went through playing in college, many of those players often do return to the game in a few years in some capacity--they had to really love it to get to college in the first place and that love is still there. I have not had any tell me they would not do it again if they had the choice. If you look at the rosters by class, those that didn't want see it through generally didn't. They have lots of chances to drop out of the game along the way and club soccer is waiting there for them to remember what it was like to play soccer for fun. For the niece, maybe a little time away from the game will help her remember why she loved it so much in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Most seniors in US college soccer are so burnt out after the abuse they took in 4 years of college soccer they can't wait to get away from the sport and are not looking to extend their career at all.

This.

My niece played D1 and had some YWNT call ups but when I asked did she want to keep playing and go for a full cap she said "I'm done and dead. My body simply cannot take anymore of this." I think she still kicks a ball around as part of her fitness, maybe even plays with some friends, but basically it's over.

Curious if she could do it again, would she have chosen a different path like giving up.on soccer after HS ball and focusing on other priorities in college?

I wrote that original post and it comes off more negative than I meant it. While it is completely true that many seniors are totally burnt from the abuse they went through playing in college, many of those players often do return to the game in a few years in some capacity--they had to really love it to get to college in the first place and that love is still there. I have not had any tell me they would not do it again if they had the choice. If you look at the rosters by class, those that didn't want see it through generally didn't. They have lots of chances to drop out of the game along the way and club soccer is waiting there for them to remember what it was like to play soccer for fun. For the niece, maybe a little time away from the game will help her remember why she loved it so much in the first place.

Thanks for clarifying. I guess what I was trying to say was not totally giving up on soccer but giving up on playing college ball, knowing it's gonna end sooner or later. As you mentioned there's always club soccer if you want to play.