Bethesda Soccer On Way Down

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

1. We are talking about youth players

2. Obviously there are Americans playing in top European leagues.

3. What we consider an exceptional player here would probably not be exceptional in Europe where the standards are higher and there are more high caliber players.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post and the one immediately before it are the most thoughtful posts of this entire thread.

This will not meet the meaningful as too many people will take it personal but:

1) My kid came to Bethesda to find other kids like him who live and breathe futbol. There are plenty of places to play in this area if you don’t fit that mold. You can still play at BSC if you don’t fit that mold, depending on your skill level.

2) it is perfectly okay if your kid is playing multiple sports and have a wonderful life. I think Jalen Brunson’s dad told him him you can be great at 2/3 things but not all 3:

1) Your sport
2) Your education
3) Your social life

My kid is too young to sacrifice social life yet but if he stays on the path, I am not sacrificing education so he will have to give up the sport if he wants his social life.

When my kid goes to his friends house, they invariably play soccer or are exchanging soccer cards or in the pool. Our summer has been built with time at the beach, pool, amusement parks, movies, museums, sailing, travel, playground with friends, etc. My kid is having a great summer. He still is tallying 30+ hours a week in camps and pickups with other players from BSC, Achilles, Arlington, Armour, etc.

Now that you know that the top kids you see don’t have magic pixie dust sprinkled on them, you can help your child set appropriate goals based on what they want to achieve. The entire world plays futbol. US is the only sport focused on American football so if you are 6’2” and in decent shape, you can start late and potentially catch up with the best. You simply can’t make up the hours in soccer with the whole world as competition. The neuromuscular patterns that control ball mastery are ripest for formation between the ages of 7-14. It is awkward to see kids who still believe in Santa and enjoy toys with kids meals go so hard in a sport but this is the reality we are in. Like the Matrix, accept the truth pill or keep thinking your child can hit their long-term goals on 3 practices a week in the fall and spring.

Who has ever seen a documentary or interview of a top level professional soccer player's parents where they say,
DS hung out doing social activities most of his time?

I assume most people on here know that their kid is not the next Messi.

They absolutely won’t be if can’t you even see the possibility first. Messi was developed, over time. Coming from the US, yes, much harder to become Messi based on our culture. But our lack of belief is why kids our kids are incredibly successful at meeting our low expectations.

My kid has played overseas in an academy environment and we are not that different at the young ages. The separation happens between 11-14. We focus on speed, strength and winning. Everybody else focuses on ball mastery, soccer IQ and just playing. Italy does not track results until the kids are 14-15.

Cavan Sullivan is world-class based on his age now and we will actually see in real time whether we have corrected missteps from the past (Adu) and whether we can start landing these planes. There are ALOT of talented U.S. players both stateside and in European academies. We fix our 11-14 age groups and we can start seeing more Americans in the Champions League. There is only one Messi but we can have A LOT more Pulisic’s.

I love your support for soccer and US soccer. I am sure Pulisic could tell you 20 kids he thought were going to “make it”. I think it’s a rough road, we don’t hear about all the kids that just barely miss out. Pulisic might not be Messi but he may go down as the best US player ever, still an incredibly high bar.

There's only one Messi
There's only one Ronaldo
There's only one Pele

Every kid even in Europe and South America can't become a Messi or Ronaldo

The fact that you don’t mention Maradona shows how little you know about soccer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post and the one immediately before it are the most thoughtful posts of this entire thread.

This will not meet the meaningful as too many people will take it personal but:

1) My kid came to Bethesda to find other kids like him who live and breathe futbol. There are plenty of places to play in this area if you don’t fit that mold. You can still play at BSC if you don’t fit that mold, depending on your skill level.

2) it is perfectly okay if your kid is playing multiple sports and have a wonderful life. I think Jalen Brunson’s dad told him him you can be great at 2/3 things but not all 3:

1) Your sport
2) Your education
3) Your social life

My kid is too young to sacrifice social life yet but if he stays on the path, I am not sacrificing education so he will have to give up the sport if he wants his social life.

When my kid goes to his friends house, they invariably play soccer or are exchanging soccer cards or in the pool. Our summer has been built with time at the beach, pool, amusement parks, movies, museums, sailing, travel, playground with friends, etc. My kid is having a great summer. He still is tallying 30+ hours a week in camps and pickups with other players from BSC, Achilles, Arlington, Armour, etc.

Now that you know that the top kids you see don’t have magic pixie dust sprinkled on them, you can help your child set appropriate goals based on what they want to achieve. The entire world plays futbol. US is the only sport focused on American football so if you are 6’2” and in decent shape, you can start late and potentially catch up with the best. You simply can’t make up the hours in soccer with the whole world as competition. The neuromuscular patterns that control ball mastery are ripest for formation between the ages of 7-14. It is awkward to see kids who still believe in Santa and enjoy toys with kids meals go so hard in a sport but this is the reality we are in. Like the Matrix, accept the truth pill or keep thinking your child can hit their long-term goals on 3 practices a week in the fall and spring.

Who has ever seen a documentary or interview of a top level professional soccer player's parents where they say,
DS hung out doing social activities most of his time?

I assume most people on here know that their kid is not the next Messi.

They absolutely won’t be if can’t you even see the possibility first. Messi was developed, over time. Coming from the US, yes, much harder to become Messi based on our culture. But our lack of belief is why kids our kids are incredibly successful at meeting our low expectations.

My kid has played overseas in an academy environment and we are not that different at the young ages. The separation happens between 11-14. We focus on speed, strength and winning. Everybody else focuses on ball mastery, soccer IQ and just playing. Italy does not track results until the kids are 14-15.

Cavan Sullivan is world-class based on his age now and we will actually see in real time whether we have corrected missteps from the past (Adu) and whether we can start landing these planes. There are ALOT of talented U.S. players both stateside and in European academies. We fix our 11-14 age groups and we can start seeing more Americans in the Champions League. There is only one Messi but we can have A LOT more Pulisic’s.

I love your support for soccer and US soccer. I am sure Pulisic could tell you 20 kids he thought were going to “make it”. I think it’s a rough road, we don’t hear about all the kids that just barely miss out. Pulisic might not be Messi but he may go down as the best US player ever, still an incredibly high bar.

There's only one Messi
There's only one Ronaldo
There's only one Pele

Every kid even in Europe and South America can't become a Messi or Ronaldo

The fact that you don’t mention Maradona shows how little you know about soccer

Actually, it only shows that the PP didn't mention Maradona

You didn't mention Cruyff, does that show how little you know about soccer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

1. We are talking about youth players

2. Obviously there are Americans playing in top European leagues.

3. What we consider an exceptional player here would probably not be exceptional in Europe where the standards are higher and there are more high caliber players.

Exceptional players leave America and are at European top leagues
So they are not exceptional in your opinion, but obviously Exceptional to be chosen at those clubs over European, African and South American players trying to get same spots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

1. We are talking about youth players

2. Obviously there are Americans playing in top European leagues.

3. What we consider an exceptional player here would probably not be exceptional in Europe where the standards are higher and there are more high caliber players.

Exceptional players leave America and are at European top leagues
So they are not exceptional in your opinion, but obviously Exceptional to be chosen at those clubs over European, African and South American players trying to get same spots.

Shows how little you know about how international football works and how Americans started to become more prominent overseas. You think the top Americans got picked up because they were far better than European or South American players??? They weren't. They had decent talent for sure but what got them opportunity overseas wasn't talent alone, it was because they were free. The European clubs are always searching for an edge. Americans provided that edge starting about 10 or so years ago, particularly in Germany where the immigration rules were less stringent than other countries and the style of play suited American players because the Germans valued size and speed quite a bit. They argued...If we can find a player that is close or maybe a little better than the domestic talent we have in Europe AND they are free, we can control.their development in our far superior system AND retain ALL the money on their sale. Since the US didn't agree to FIFA solidarity payments and training compensation rules until.2022 American players started to become.favored for this reason. This is also exactly why the MLS and the USSF started to agree to the FIFA rules because they realized they were losing out on a ton of money as well as losing their talent. The players that made moves to Europe DEVELOPED into exceptional European players while overseas. Pulisic didn't walk into Dortmund and start dominating overnight. Believe that. Neither did McKinnie at Schalke or Weah at PSV youth or Gio Reyna or Chris Richards at Bayern. Take a kid like Cavan Sullivan one of our more promising youth players. 10 years ago, Man City would have just brought him in house at 15 and they would've gotten around immigration rules. Today, because Philly wanted money for him, they were like cool, you develop him, if he is at the level at 18, we will take.him, if not all good you keep him. His deal isn't finalized until he is 18. Alot can happen between now and then. It's all about money. If he was far better than their domestic talent, they would take him right away. Period. So again, good players in the US, develop into exceptional players when transferred overseas. Why a player we consider exceptional here may not be overseas. Until they spend time overseas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

1. We are talking about youth players

2. Obviously there are Americans playing in top European leagues.

3. What we consider an exceptional player here would probably not be exceptional in Europe where the standards are higher and there are more high caliber players.

Exceptional players leave America and are at European top leagues
So they are not exceptional in your opinion, but obviously Exceptional to be chosen at those clubs over European, African and South American players trying to get same spots.

Shows how little you know about how international football works and how Americans started to become more prominent overseas. You think the top Americans got picked up because they were far better than European or South American players??? They weren't. They had decent talent for sure but what got them opportunity overseas wasn't talent alone, it was because they were free. The European clubs are always searching for an edge. Americans provided that edge starting about 10 or so years ago, particularly in Germany where the immigration rules were less stringent than other countries and the style of play suited American players because the Germans valued size and speed quite a bit. They argued...If we can find a player that is close or maybe a little better than the domestic talent we have in Europe AND they are free, we can control.their development in our far superior system AND retain ALL the money on their sale. Since the US didn't agree to FIFA solidarity payments and training compensation rules until.2022 American players started to become.favored for this reason. This is also exactly why the MLS and the USSF started to agree to the FIFA rules because they realized they were losing out on a ton of money as well as losing their talent. The players that made moves to Europe DEVELOPED into exceptional European players while overseas. Pulisic didn't walk into Dortmund and start dominating overnight. Believe that. Neither did McKinnie at Schalke or Weah at PSV youth or Gio Reyna or Chris Richards at Bayern. Take a kid like Cavan Sullivan one of our more promising youth players. 10 years ago, Man City would have just brought him in house at 15 and they would've gotten around immigration rules. Today, because Philly wanted money for him, they were like cool, you develop him, if he is at the level at 18, we will take.him, if not all good you keep him. His deal isn't finalized until he is 18. Alot can happen between now and then. It's all about money. If he was far better than their domestic talent, they would take him right away. Period. So again, good players in the US, develop into exceptional players when transferred overseas. Why a player we consider exceptional here may not be overseas. Until they spend time overseas.

Are you done with your incomprehensible run-on sentence yet?

So you're saying the big rich clubs in Europe are choosing American players over European, African and South American better players because it's cheaper and winning isn't the priority?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post and the one immediately before it are the most thoughtful posts of this entire thread.

This will not meet the meaningful as too many people will take it personal but:

1) My kid came to Bethesda to find other kids like him who live and breathe futbol. There are plenty of places to play in this area if you don’t fit that mold. You can still play at BSC if you don’t fit that mold, depending on your skill level.

2) it is perfectly okay if your kid is playing multiple sports and have a wonderful life. I think Jalen Brunson’s dad told him him you can be great at 2/3 things but not all 3:

1) Your sport
2) Your education
3) Your social life

My kid is too young to sacrifice social life yet but if he stays on the path, I am not sacrificing education so he will have to give up the sport if he wants his social life.

When my kid goes to his friends house, they invariably play soccer or are exchanging soccer cards or in the pool. Our summer has been built with time at the beach, pool, amusement parks, movies, museums, sailing, travel, playground with friends, etc. My kid is having a great summer. He still is tallying 30+ hours a week in camps and pickups with other players from BSC, Achilles, Arlington, Armour, etc.

Now that you know that the top kids you see don’t have magic pixie dust sprinkled on them, you can help your child set appropriate goals based on what they want to achieve. The entire world plays futbol. US is the only sport focused on American football so if you are 6’2” and in decent shape, you can start late and potentially catch up with the best. You simply can’t make up the hours in soccer with the whole world as competition. The neuromuscular patterns that control ball mastery are ripest for formation between the ages of 7-14. It is awkward to see kids who still believe in Santa and enjoy toys with kids meals go so hard in a sport but this is the reality we are in. Like the Matrix, accept the truth pill or keep thinking your child can hit their long-term goals on 3 practices a week in the fall and spring.

Who has ever seen a documentary or interview of a top level professional soccer player's parents where they say,
DS hung out doing social activities most of his time?

I assume most people on here know that their kid is not the next Messi.

They absolutely won’t be if can’t you even see the possibility first. Messi was developed, over time. Coming from the US, yes, much harder to become Messi based on our culture. But our lack of belief is why kids our kids are incredibly successful at meeting our low expectations.

My kid has played overseas in an academy environment and we are not that different at the young ages. The separation happens between 11-14. We focus on speed, strength and winning. Everybody else focuses on ball mastery, soccer IQ and just playing. Italy does not track results until the kids are 14-15.

Cavan Sullivan is world-class based on his age now and we will actually see in real time whether we have corrected missteps from the past (Adu) and whether we can start landing these planes. There are ALOT of talented U.S. players both stateside and in European academies. We fix our 11-14 age groups and we can start seeing more Americans in the Champions League. There is only one Messi but we can have A LOT more Pulisic’s.

I love your support for soccer and US soccer. I am sure Pulisic could tell you 20 kids he thought were going to “make it”. I think it’s a rough road, we don’t hear about all the kids that just barely miss out. Pulisic might not be Messi but he may go down as the best US player ever, still an incredibly high bar.

There's only one Messi
There's only one Ronaldo
There's only one Pele

Every kid even in Europe and South America can't become a Messi or Ronaldo

The fact that you don’t mention Maradona shows how little you know about soccer

Actually, it only shows that the PP didn't mention Maradona

You didn't mention Cruyff, does that show how little you know about soccer?

El Magico > Maradona

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

1. We are talking about youth players

2. Obviously there are Americans playing in top European leagues.

3. What we consider an exceptional player here would probably not be exceptional in Europe where the standards are higher and there are more high caliber players.

Exceptional players leave America and are at European top leagues
So they are not exceptional in your opinion, but obviously Exceptional to be chosen at those clubs over European, African and South American players trying to get same spots.

Shows how little you know about how international football works and how Americans started to become more prominent overseas. You think the top Americans got picked up because they were far better than European or South American players??? They weren't. They had decent talent for sure but what got them opportunity overseas wasn't talent alone, it was because they were free. The European clubs are always searching for an edge. Americans provided that edge starting about 10 or so years ago, particularly in Germany where the immigration rules were less stringent than other countries and the style of play suited American players because the Germans valued size and speed quite a bit. They argued...If we can find a player that is close or maybe a little better than the domestic talent we have in Europe AND they are free, we can control.their development in our far superior system AND retain ALL the money on their sale. Since the US didn't agree to FIFA solidarity payments and training compensation rules until.2022 American players started to become.favored for this reason. This is also exactly why the MLS and the USSF started to agree to the FIFA rules because they realized they were losing out on a ton of money as well as losing their talent. The players that made moves to Europe DEVELOPED into exceptional European players while overseas. Pulisic didn't walk into Dortmund and start dominating overnight. Believe that. Neither did McKinnie at Schalke or Weah at PSV youth or Gio Reyna or Chris Richards at Bayern. Take a kid like Cavan Sullivan one of our more promising youth players. 10 years ago, Man City would have just brought him in house at 15 and they would've gotten around immigration rules. Today, because Philly wanted money for him, they were like cool, you develop him, if he is at the level at 18, we will take.him, if not all good you keep him. His deal isn't finalized until he is 18. Alot can happen between now and then. It's all about money. If he was far better than their domestic talent, they would take him right away. Period. So again, good players in the US, develop into exceptional players when transferred overseas. Why a player we consider exceptional here may not be overseas. Until they spend time overseas.

Are you done with your incomprehensible run-on sentence yet?

So you're saying the big rich clubs in Europe are choosing American players over European, African and South American better players because it's cheaper and winning isn't the priority?

You're dumb. They WERE choosing equivalent or slightly better American players over European counterparts because the European players were more costly. American players were free. Not so much anymore coming from MLS academies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

1. We are talking about youth players

2. Obviously there are Americans playing in top European leagues.

3. What we consider an exceptional player here would probably not be exceptional in Europe where the standards are higher and there are more high caliber players.

Exceptional players leave America and are at European top leagues
So they are not exceptional in your opinion, but obviously Exceptional to be chosen at those clubs over European, African and South American players trying to get same spots.

Shows how little you know about how international football works and how Americans started to become more prominent overseas. You think the top Americans got picked up because they were far better than European or South American players??? They weren't. They had decent talent for sure but what got them opportunity overseas wasn't talent alone, it was because they were free. The European clubs are always searching for an edge. Americans provided that edge starting about 10 or so years ago, particularly in Germany where the immigration rules were less stringent than other countries and the style of play suited American players because the Germans valued size and speed quite a bit. They argued...If we can find a player that is close or maybe a little better than the domestic talent we have in Europe AND they are free, we can control.their development in our far superior system AND retain ALL the money on their sale. Since the US didn't agree to FIFA solidarity payments and training compensation rules until.2022 American players started to become.favored for this reason. This is also exactly why the MLS and the USSF started to agree to the FIFA rules because they realized they were losing out on a ton of money as well as losing their talent. The players that made moves to Europe DEVELOPED into exceptional European players while overseas. Pulisic didn't walk into Dortmund and start dominating overnight. Believe that. Neither did McKinnie at Schalke or Weah at PSV youth or Gio Reyna or Chris Richards at Bayern. Take a kid like Cavan Sullivan one of our more promising youth players. 10 years ago, Man City would have just brought him in house at 15 and they would've gotten around immigration rules. Today, because Philly wanted money for him, they were like cool, you develop him, if he is at the level at 18, we will take.him, if not all good you keep him. His deal isn't finalized until he is 18. Alot can happen between now and then. It's all about money. If he was far better than their domestic talent, they would take him right away. Period. So again, good players in the US, develop into exceptional players when transferred overseas. Why a player we consider exceptional here may not be overseas. Until they spend time overseas.

Are you done with your incomprehensible run-on sentence yet?

So you're saying the big rich clubs in Europe are choosing American players over European, African and South American better players because it's cheaper and winning isn't the priority?

You're dumb. They WERE choosing equivalent or slightly better American players over European counterparts because the European players were more costly. American players were free. Not so much anymore coming from MLS academies.

DP, but the examples you chose dont really fit the typical American player model except Richards and Sullivan to a lesser extent. McKinnie started youth soccer in Germany when his father was in military. Weahs father was one of the best players of his era and a ballon d or winner. Reyna started playing in England as a kid and both parents were USNT players. Pulisic got to Europe earlier in part because he has Croatian citizenship and he also lived in England as a child for a few years too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

1. We are talking about youth players

2. Obviously there are Americans playing in top European leagues.

3. What we consider an exceptional player here would probably not be exceptional in Europe where the standards are higher and there are more high caliber players.

Exceptional players leave America and are at European top leagues
So they are not exceptional in your opinion, but obviously Exceptional to be chosen at those clubs over European, African and South American players trying to get same spots.

Shows how little you know about how international football works and how Americans started to become more prominent overseas. You think the top Americans got picked up because they were far better than European or South American players??? They weren't. They had decent talent for sure but what got them opportunity overseas wasn't talent alone, it was because they were free. The European clubs are always searching for an edge. Americans provided that edge starting about 10 or so years ago, particularly in Germany where the immigration rules were less stringent than other countries and the style of play suited American players because the Germans valued size and speed quite a bit. They argued...If we can find a player that is close or maybe a little better than the domestic talent we have in Europe AND they are free, we can control.their development in our far superior system AND retain ALL the money on their sale. Since the US didn't agree to FIFA solidarity payments and training compensation rules until.2022 American players started to become.favored for this reason. This is also exactly why the MLS and the USSF started to agree to the FIFA rules because they realized they were losing out on a ton of money as well as losing their talent. The players that made moves to Europe DEVELOPED into exceptional European players while overseas. Pulisic didn't walk into Dortmund and start dominating overnight. Believe that. Neither did McKinnie at Schalke or Weah at PSV youth or Gio Reyna or Chris Richards at Bayern. Take a kid like Cavan Sullivan one of our more promising youth players. 10 years ago, Man City would have just brought him in house at 15 and they would've gotten around immigration rules. Today, because Philly wanted money for him, they were like cool, you develop him, if he is at the level at 18, we will take.him, if not all good you keep him. His deal isn't finalized until he is 18. Alot can happen between now and then. It's all about money. If he was far better than their domestic talent, they would take him right away. Period. So again, good players in the US, develop into exceptional players when transferred overseas. Why a player we consider exceptional here may not be overseas. Until they spend time overseas.

Are you done with your incomprehensible run-on sentence yet?

So you're saying the big rich clubs in Europe are choosing American players over European, African and South American better players because it's cheaper and winning isn't the priority?

You're dumb. They WERE choosing equivalent or slightly better American players over European counterparts because the European players were more costly. American players were free. Not so much anymore coming from MLS academies.

When the argument is lost, the defeated and weak turn to name calling

Can you produce copies of these Free Contracts the US players in Europe are signing? lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

1. We are talking about youth players

2. Obviously there are Americans playing in top European leagues.

3. What we consider an exceptional player here would probably not be exceptional in Europe where the standards are higher and there are more high caliber players.

Exceptional players leave America and are at European top leagues
So they are not exceptional in your opinion, but obviously Exceptional to be chosen at those clubs over European, African and South American players trying to get same spots.

Shows how little you know about how international football works and how Americans started to become more prominent overseas. You think the top Americans got picked up because they were far better than European or South American players??? They weren't. They had decent talent for sure but what got them opportunity overseas wasn't talent alone, it was because they were free. The European clubs are always searching for an edge. Americans provided that edge starting about 10 or so years ago, particularly in Germany where the immigration rules were less stringent than other countries and the style of play suited American players because the Germans valued size and speed quite a bit. They argued...If we can find a player that is close or maybe a little better than the domestic talent we have in Europe AND they are free, we can control.their development in our far superior system AND retain ALL the money on their sale. Since the US didn't agree to FIFA solidarity payments and training compensation rules until.2022 American players started to become.favored for this reason. This is also exactly why the MLS and the USSF started to agree to the FIFA rules because they realized they were losing out on a ton of money as well as losing their talent. The players that made moves to Europe DEVELOPED into exceptional European players while overseas. Pulisic didn't walk into Dortmund and start dominating overnight. Believe that. Neither did McKinnie at Schalke or Weah at PSV youth or Gio Reyna or Chris Richards at Bayern. Take a kid like Cavan Sullivan one of our more promising youth players. 10 years ago, Man City would have just brought him in house at 15 and they would've gotten around immigration rules. Today, because Philly wanted money for him, they were like cool, you develop him, if he is at the level at 18, we will take.him, if not all good you keep him. His deal isn't finalized until he is 18. Alot can happen between now and then. It's all about money. If he was far better than their domestic talent, they would take him right away. Period. So again, good players in the US, develop into exceptional players when transferred overseas. Why a player we consider exceptional here may not be overseas. Until they spend time overseas.

Are you done with your incomprehensible run-on sentence yet?

So you're saying the big rich clubs in Europe are choosing American players over European, African and South American better players because it's cheaper and winning isn't the priority?

You're dumb. They WERE choosing equivalent or slightly better American players over European counterparts because the European players were more costly. American players were free. Not so much anymore coming from MLS academies.

When the argument is lost, the defeated and weak turn to name calling

Can you produce copies of these Free Contracts the US players in Europe are signing? lol

I don’t agree with name calling but this is the same poster who just gets his/her rocks off being a contrarian and finding anything to question you on.

Definitely a law degree and his/her desire to be want to be right has caused them to be underemployed and not understand why their colleagues are not as smart as them but made partner before them. Last time I was on here a few days ago, they argued with me with the same cadence.

Ignore them.

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Anonymous wrote:This post and the one immediately before it are the most thoughtful posts of this entire thread.

This will not meet the meaningful as too many people will take it personal but:

1) My kid came to Bethesda to find other kids like him who live and breathe futbol. There are plenty of places to play in this area if you don’t fit that mold. You can still play at BSC if you don’t fit that mold, depending on your skill level.

2) it is perfectly okay if your kid is playing multiple sports and have a wonderful life. I think Jalen Brunson’s dad told him him you can be great at 2/3 things but not all 3:

1) Your sport
2) Your education
3) Your social life

My kid is too young to sacrifice social life yet but if he stays on the path, I am not sacrificing education so he will have to give up the sport if he wants his social life.

When my kid goes to his friends house, they invariably play soccer or are exchanging soccer cards or in the pool. Our summer has been built with time at the beach, pool, amusement parks, movies, museums, sailing, travel, playground with friends, etc. My kid is having a great summer. He still is tallying 30+ hours a week in camps and pickups with other players from BSC, Achilles, Arlington, Armour, etc.

Now that you know that the top kids you see don’t have magic pixie dust sprinkled on them, you can help your child set appropriate goals based on what they want to achieve. The entire world plays futbol. US is the only sport focused on American football so if you are 6’2” and in decent shape, you can start late and potentially catch up with the best. You simply can’t make up the hours in soccer with the whole world as competition. The neuromuscular patterns that control ball mastery are ripest for formation between the ages of 7-14. It is awkward to see kids who still believe in Santa and enjoy toys with kids meals go so hard in a sport but this is the reality we are in. Like the Matrix, accept the truth pill or keep thinking your child can hit their long-term goals on 3 practices a week in the fall and spring.

Who has ever seen a documentary or interview of a top level professional soccer player's parents where they say,
DS hung out doing social activities most of his time?

I assume most people on here know that their kid is not the next Messi.

They absolutely won’t be if can’t you even see the possibility first. Messi was developed, over time. Coming from the US, yes, much harder to become Messi based on our culture. But our lack of belief is why kids our kids are incredibly successful at meeting our low expectations.

My kid has played overseas in an academy environment and we are not that different at the young ages. The separation happens between 11-14. We focus on speed, strength and winning. Everybody else focuses on ball mastery, soccer IQ and just playing. Italy does not track results until the kids are 14-15.

Cavan Sullivan is world-class based on his age now and we will actually see in real time whether we have corrected missteps from the past (Adu) and whether we can start landing these planes. There are ALOT of talented U.S. players both stateside and in European academies. We fix our 11-14 age groups and we can start seeing more Americans in the Champions League. There is only one Messi but we can have A LOT more Pulisic’s.

I love your support for soccer and US soccer. I am sure Pulisic could tell you 20 kids he thought were going to “make it”. I think it’s a rough road, we don’t hear about all the kids that just barely miss out. Pulisic might not be Messi but he may go down as the best US player ever, still an incredibly high bar.

There's only one Messi
There's only one Ronaldo
There's only one Pele

Every kid even in Europe and South America can't become a Messi or Ronaldo

The fact that you don’t mention Maradona shows how little you know about soccer

Actually, it only shows that the PP didn't mention Maradona

You didn't mention Cruyff, does that show how little you know about soccer?

El Magico > Maradona

We found the El Salvadorian

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Anonymous wrote:Yes agree this is exactly how my kids club is. Highly highly driven and competitive kids; they train all summer and practice 4xweek 4 hour practices all year plus extra in weekends. It’s insane. Most of the kids play for 3-4 teams at the club; for their age and also play up. We don’t like it. But it’s real!!

What age group? Maybe a bit older than the 7-11 range? My philosophy has been “less is more” so far because I just want my kid to have fun.

Explain how less is more = fun

Less of a sport they love or a sport they hate but you are forcing them to do it?

Only 10, loves soccer, not soccer obsessed. Wants to play baseball, basketball, flag football, wrestling plus things like camping and fishing. I think having other interests and not being completely focused on soccer 24/7/365 at this age will actually help in the long run both as a person and player/athlete.

Why do people try to mix kids into recreational soccer with kids serious about excelling at top tier soccer levels in the same conversation thread?

It's fine to want to be Jack of all trades and dabble in everything being master of none.
No one expects dedication in any of the disciplines.

Nope, same kid is one of the best players on the top team.

i think there are different paths for different players. Some may thrive playing multiple sports because they have the drive and natural ability to excel at all of them. At younger ages this is a good thing. Some may be better off specializing at a younger age because they are only really interested in that sport, may not be naturally talented and need to put in the time, or maybe they are trying to keep up with everyone else in their peer group who is doing the same thing. Alot of variables. What is consistent is what works for one kid may not work for the other. Find what works for you and stick with that. Keep a laser focus on your end game. What do you want to do with the sport or sports in general? This will determine your path. Youth soccer in this country is geared toward college for boys and girls anyway. The system is built to produce those level players. If you're thinking of pro soccer, I'm sorry to tell you, you're in the wrong country for that. Not enough experience or knowledge in this country in the sport. Not impossible here but compared to Europe or South America, really difficult. Just on the lack of quality coaches alone.

I've not heard of a top MLS Club academy or International academy player over U13 who plays multiple sports

Several players from the US are playing professionally in Europe.
It's for the exceptional, not the masses.

It's difficult to make it for everyone, but yes Europe, Africa and South America developed has advantages over us

. Pretty sure if you read the prior post it said at younger ages playing multiple sports is good. As the kids get older decisions have to be made. You saying it is for the exceptional not the masses is like saying the sky is blue. Exceptional players do exceptional things on and off the field to be exceptional. If you're doing what everyone else does, by default, you're not exceptional. Exceptional here in the US is not exceptional in Europe or South America. Players here run hard, are usually bigger and some have decent ball skills but most lack significant game IQ and decision making because there aren't enough people who have enough high level experience to teach them that. They are levels to the sport.

The bottom line is that if you want to excel at anything you can't get around putting in the time. There is just no other way. If your player truly wants to be exceptional, they won't burnout mentally. Physical burnout will depend on the training frequency and if it is adequately matched to their current physical ability.
.

Are you saying there aren't American players playing in top European leagues?

Or are you saying everyone else playing in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian leagues are exceptional, except Americans?

1. We are talking about youth players

2. Obviously there are Americans playing in top European leagues.

3. What we consider an exceptional player here would probably not be exceptional in Europe where the standards are higher and there are more high caliber players.

Exceptional players leave America and are at European top leagues
So they are not exceptional in your opinion, but obviously Exceptional to be chosen at those clubs over European, African and South American players trying to get same spots.

Shows how little you know about how international football works and how Americans started to become more prominent overseas. You think the top Americans got picked up because they were far better than European or South American players??? They weren't. They had decent talent for sure but what got them opportunity overseas wasn't talent alone, it was because they were free. The European clubs are always searching for an edge. Americans provided that edge starting about 10 or so years ago, particularly in Germany where the immigration rules were less stringent than other countries and the style of play suited American players because the Germans valued size and speed quite a bit. They argued...If we can find a player that is close or maybe a little better than the domestic talent we have in Europe AND they are free, we can control.their development in our far superior system AND retain ALL the money on their sale. Since the US didn't agree to FIFA solidarity payments and training compensation rules until.2022 American players started to become.favored for this reason. This is also exactly why the MLS and the USSF started to agree to the FIFA rules because they realized they were losing out on a ton of money as well as losing their talent. The players that made moves to Europe DEVELOPED into exceptional European players while overseas. Pulisic didn't walk into Dortmund and start dominating overnight. Believe that. Neither did McKinnie at Schalke or Weah at PSV youth or Gio Reyna or Chris Richards at Bayern. Take a kid like Cavan Sullivan one of our more promising youth players. 10 years ago, Man City would have just brought him in house at 15 and they would've gotten around immigration rules. Today, because Philly wanted money for him, they were like cool, you develop him, if he is at the level at 18, we will take.him, if not all good you keep him. His deal isn't finalized until he is 18. Alot can happen between now and then. It's all about money. If he was far better than their domestic talent, they would take him right away. Period. So again, good players in the US, develop into exceptional players when transferred overseas. Why a player we consider exceptional here may not be overseas. Until they spend time overseas.

Are you done with your incomprehensible run-on sentence yet?

So you're saying the big rich clubs in Europe are choosing American players over European, African and South American better players because it's cheaper and winning isn't the priority?

You're dumb. They WERE choosing equivalent or slightly better American players over European counterparts because the European players were more costly. American players were free. Not so much anymore coming from MLS academies.

DP, but the examples you chose dont really fit the typical American player model except Richards and Sullivan to a lesser extent. McKinnie started youth soccer in Germany when his father was in military. Weahs father was one of the best players of his era and a ballon d or winner. Reyna started playing in England as a kid and both parents were USNT players. Pulisic got to Europe earlier in part because he has Croatian citizenship and he also lived in England as a child for a few years too

This is exactly the point. The top American players were not really developed here. If they were they were they wouldnt be where they are today.