Harsh Reality for your Beloved Soccer Player

[Anonymous]

If your DS wants to be a successful pro player, the last thing he should do is shoot for a college scholarship. Even at a D1 school, the level of competition won't even be close to what he would need to keep up with the 17-year-olds getting 1st team minutes in top-level pro teams. Instead, he should be looking for a pro team to sign him to a development contract, preferably outside MLS. If he's really that good, he can use his savings to go to college later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading this thread has been a bit fun. My son has played for VYS, McLean, ABGC & Villarreal Virginia. He has guested with other teams just to play in some out of state tournaments as well. At VYS he was deemed 4th team by a director that didn't like him. At McLean, we found it to be totally compartmentalized with no movement available at all. Then we got caught up in a four year hurricane of ABGC-AUFC-VIVA-ABGC mess. Luckily we just let our kid play. Let him make his decisions from leaving Vienna to sticking it out with ABGC for the coaching. Now at over 6 foot tall, skilled and confident and still loving the sport. He has more choices going forward. We just focused on providing the most opportunities and positive exposure.

Still with Villarreal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading this thread has been a bit fun. My son has played for VYS, McLean, ABGC & Villarreal Virginia. He has guested with other teams just to play in some out of state tournaments as well. At VYS he was deemed 4th team by a director that didn't like him. At McLean, we found it to be totally compartmentalized with no movement available at all. Then we got caught up in a four year hurricane of ABGC-AUFC-VIVA-ABGC mess. Luckily we just let our kid play. Let him make his decisions from leaving Vienna to sticking it out with ABGC for the coaching. Now at over 6 foot tall, skilled and confident and still loving the sport. He has more choices going forward. We just focused on providing the most opportunities and positive exposure.

Still with Villarreal?

Guessing no. Likely at LMVSC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Reading this thread has been a bit fun. My son has played for VYS, McLean, ABGC & Villarreal Virginia. He has guested with other teams just to play in some out of state tournaments as well. At VYS he was deemed 4th team by a director that didn't like him. At McLean, we found it to be totally compartmentalized with no movement available at all. Then we got caught up in a four year hurricane of ABGC-AUFC-VIVA-ABGC mess. Luckily we just let our kid play. Let him make his decisions from leaving Vienna to sticking it out with ABGC for the coaching. Now at over 6 foot tall, skilled and confident and still loving the sport. He has more choices going forward. We just focused on providing the most opportunities and positive exposure.

Still with Villarreal?

Guessing no. Likely at LMVSC.

Ah. Was curious how the Villareal thing was working out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NOVA Coach here. Here's what I have to say about all your ECNL dreams for your kid. Harsh reality is by U12 most can already make an assessment on whether your kid will be good enough for D1. This is not only from technical standpoint but from a Soccer IQ standpoint. If you watch your kid and your kid is losing the ball 50% of the time, can't beat players 1v1, can't dribble or looks to get rid of the ball quickly it's pretty much a wrap for your D1 hopes for your kid. Record your kid's stats whenever they touch the ball and you'll be shocked.

I love this and yes I agree! I can see that my 6.5 year old son is dramatically better than any kid his age in our little local soccer league, in terms of dribbling 1v1, ball possession, maneuvering in tight spaces and the game IQ that helps him determine when to pass, when to shoot, etc.... Soccer IQ is a visible thing even at this age. By 12 it is for sure established! What league can I put my kid in on the Maryland side where he's exposed to coaches that are serious and really espousing concepts like this post?

[Anonymous]

This attitude is ruining the love of the game for so many kids, aggressive parents and coaches who can't live in the moment, and instead are projecting college chances on 10 year olds. Recently some U10 coaches were penalized by our league for screaming at each other and my teenage son who referee'd their rec game. That's the real harsh reality, shocking that these parents and coaches exist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typical NOVA coach--if your kid isn't learning from me it's because they can't not because I can't. Reminds me of the NOVA coach who about 5/6 years ago told me, "I had Andi at U12 and she was nothing special." Full ride at Stanford and top pick in NWSL draft later--nothing special.

Her mother, Marianna, was her coach at U12. I can't believe that Marianna did not think her daughter was special. That said, there were a number of girls in that age group who were as good--some better. Some kids go D1 and find better things to do. Some kids decide not to play.