Hope Solo - Youth Soccer is for Rich White Kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha, the point she’s implicitly making p is that far better athletes than suburban white kids are missing out. That’s what hey US men’s soccer sucks beyond human comprehension.

clearly that message is here too https://www.ussoccer.com/rising



these guys have a lot to live up based on the arguments above...

15, maybe more, of the players listed at latest roster aren't your traditional causcasian American profile. see USMNT vs. Ireland & France - Dublin & Lyon - June 2 & 9, 2018 https://www.ussoccer.com/mens-national-team/latest-roster#tab-1

Tyler Adams
Cameron Carter-Vickers
Joe Corona
Luca De La Torre
Julian Green
Bill Hamid
Eric Lichaj
Weston McKennie
Matt Miazaga
Shaq Moore
Andrija Novakovich
Erik Palmer-Brown
Tim Parker
Keaton Parks
Antonee Robinson
Rubio Rubin
Josh Sargent
Zack Steffen
Wil Trapp
Jorge Villafana
Tim Weah
Bobby Wood
William Yarbrough
DeAndre Yedlin

[Anonymous]

How do you know by these faces that they weren’t rich kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How do you know by these faces that they weren’t rich kids?

Didnt say they were rich or not, i said they werent traditional caucasian americans. i say traditional because some of the non non-caucasians are first gen americans it appears according to the stories

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ha, the point she’s implicitly making p is that far better athletes than suburban white kids are missing out. That’s what hey US men’s soccer sucks beyond human comprehension.

The white kids of Germany, England, Iceland seem to be playing fine. It’s not the race, it’s the set up we have in this shitty travel pay-to-play environment t loaded with politics and focus on wins young.

But, it’s not the Race. Christian Pulisic is not poor or Hispanic/Central American and he’s the best player to come out of the US. Suburban kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't this true of EVERY sport once you get to a certain level? Yes, some sports have more "scholarships" for leagues, camps, etc. (basketball) but the fundamental costs are always high once you get to the level where you need paid coaches, travel, etc.

No, I'm no expert but I think there are lots more grass roots kids in basketball, baseball and football. Maybe hockey.

And you are wrong. There is no such thing as "grass roots kids" in any of these sports, past about age 10- 12.

Really? Street kids who make it to pro basketball? Dominican kids who make it to MLB? Is that all history?

Basketball: Yes, there are "street kids" as you call them but they are usually recruited at an early age to play for clubs, and most players play for a club either on "scholarship" or pay to play.

MLB: *American* kids who make it to the MLB by and large played Little League starting well before high school and continue with clubs while playing for their high school. There are very few "grass roots" kids if you are looking at the American born kids. Scouting starts early in the US but it's through clubs--Little League, then Babe Ruth, etc.

Football: This one's a little different because, physically, the body can't really take playing at a top high school while also playing with a club. But usually the best players do clubs BEFORE high school, do a lot of extra camps to prep, etc. in order to make the team at a top high school. And playing for a top high school program increases your chances of playing for a top college. High school football is insanely expensive (big coaching staff, fields, equipment, travel) but in this case, the good schools have booster clubs, sell tickets for cash, etc.

NHL: Hockey is insanely expensive to play and you need to play for a club team. Not to mention a lot of the best hockey high schools are prep schools and boarding schools.

Why are you quoting? And taking this so seriously? Also she didn't say American, she said Dominion. Also, hockey players come from Russia and Canada and play on ponds. Maybe you feel like you have a lock on America and how it works, but I'm not so sure, and it certainly doesn't apply to the rest of the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Soccer is different than football or basketball where genetics really dictate outcome combined with skill. Soccer is the only technical sport a 5’7” male can play; other than individual sports like wrestling or gymnastics or whatever.

LOL sure Messi was a slow weak non aggressive kid who had great technical skills. Soccer is a sport. Just stop with oh anyone can play soccer because it’s all about learning technical skill. Do you even watch soccer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Isn't this true of EVERY sport once you get to a certain level? Yes, some sports have more "scholarships" for leagues, camps, etc. (basketball) but the fundamental costs are always high once you get to the level where you need paid coaches, travel, etc.

No, I'm no expert but I think there are lots more grass roots kids in basketball, baseball and football. Maybe hockey.

And you are wrong. There is no such thing as "grass roots kids" in any of these sports, past about age 10- 12.

Really? Street kids who make it to pro basketball? Dominican kids who make it to MLB? Is that all history?

Basketball: Yes, there are "street kids" as you call them but they are usually recruited at an early age to play for clubs, and most players play for a club either on "scholarship" or pay to play.

MLB: *American* kids who make it to the MLB by and large played Little League starting well before high school and continue with clubs while playing for their high school. There are very few "grass roots" kids if you are looking at the American born kids. Scouting starts early in the US but it's through clubs--Little League, then Babe Ruth, etc.

Football: This one's a little different because, physically, the body can't really take playing at a top high school while also playing with a club. But usually the best players do clubs BEFORE high school, do a lot of extra camps to prep, etc. in order to make the team at a top high school. And playing for a top high school program increases your chances of playing for a top college. High school football is insanely expensive (big coaching staff, fields, equipment, travel) but in this case, the good schools have booster clubs, sell tickets for cash, etc.

NHL: Hockey is insanely expensive to play and you need to play for a club team. Not to mention a lot of the best hockey high schools are prep schools and boarding schools.

Hockey --- expensive yes. But the big thing is geography, you don't have to play for a club team where they take hockey seriously (i.e north) . You may want to go some camps and play on some elite teams. But you may have to play junior hockey while your body matures.

Football --- varies by location, schools that have money get better facilities, etc. but go down south and they are plenty of great teams from poorer areas.

[Anonymous]

I guess since Hope is really trailer trash who could play goalie, she'd know something about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha, the point she’s implicitly making p is that far better athletes than suburban white kids are missing out. That’s what hey US men’s soccer sucks beyond human comprehension.

The white kids of Germany, England, Iceland seem to be playing fine. It’s not the race, it’s the set up we have in this shitty travel pay-to-play environment t loaded with politics and focus on wins young.

But, it’s not the Race. Christian Pulisic is not poor or Hispanic/Central American and he’s the best player to come out of the US. Suburban kid.

Our system misses so many kids it’s not even funny. I disagree with it’s all white. It’s changed a lot in the past few years but it’s about money and time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ha, the point she’s implicitly making p is that far better athletes than suburban white kids are missing out. That’s what hey US men’s soccer sucks beyond human comprehension.

The white kids of Germany, England, Iceland seem to be playing fine. It’s not the race, it’s the set up we have in this shitty travel pay-to-play environment t loaded with politics and focus on wins young.

But, it’s not the Race. Christian Pulisic is not poor or Hispanic/Central American and he’s the best player to come out of the US. Suburban kid.

Our system misses so many kids it’s not even funny. I disagree with it’s all white. It’s changed a lot in the past few years but it’s about money and time.

That's true across the board not just sports, not just soccer --- education, music, the arts --- there are plenty of unrealized great talents in every facet life who aren't given an environment to succeed.

[Anonymous]

She's right. so many kids miss out
I work in title 1 schools with mostly Latino kids, they all want to play soccer but only get the chance when programs come to school. otherwise they are out of luck. or they have to wait to play on middle school or high school teams but by then, they are too into video games or just dont feel confident because of lack of experience

[Anonymous]

Everyone can play soccer. Rec leagues are inexpensive. If you want to play soccer, you can pay $70 in the local rec league for a full season and play. Or get half off or a scholarship.

For example, Arlington's in-house rec league is very competitive at the high school level. Loads of kids who will never set foot on a travel team who could but there is no way their families are going to pay the $ for it. Are they missing out? no.

If they want to get recruited, all they have to do is have a family member record their games with a cell phone or camera, make a highlight video, put it on youtube. If they are good enough, coaches will have a look.

Bottom line is if you want to play soccer, there's nothing preventing you from doing that. If you want to hire the best coaches who are not free, then you can't if you don't have the money.

If you don't have the money, go to the pick-up spots and play with adults or older kids. Go to Arlington, Alexandria, Annendale, anywhere with concentrations of latinos or people from other cultures or immigrant populations - soccer is in their lifeblood, unlike suburban america.

Soccer is NOT culturally important to the average suburban american family. However, the world series and the NCAA tournament is.

Find those environments, play as often as you can, and you can get better without the fancy tournaments, uniforms, age group categories, and $$$ fees.

[Anonymous]

I mostly agree but that still does not deal with Hope's issue. ECNL/DA make the game insanely expensive. Seriously, if you have more than two kids and are not making $150k/year, forget about playing in a top league. Who can afford travel every other weekend or trips across the country three or four times a year for a showcase event?

Keep the game local. Have more id camps. Keep the game simple until u14/u15. It is insane that people feel the draw to put their ten-year-old in travel.

Also, this is less about race and more about economics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really can't stand Hope Solo. She has major issues.

She beats up family members, abuses alcohol and is a sore/bad loser. She insulted Sweden after her team lost to them in the Olympics. Disgusting and disgraceful.

I wouldn't listen to anything she has to say.

Well that’s just stupid.

[Anonymous]

My comments in bold below. What you're proposing isn't feasible for any except those with exceptional raw talent...

Anonymous wrote:Everyone can play soccer. Rec leagues are inexpensive. If you want to play soccer, you can pay $70 in the local rec league for a full season and play. Or get half off or a scholarship.

70$ in fees is a significant amount to poor families. And who is going to shuffle the kid around to play games? A lot of poor families don't even have cars. Try taking public transportation to games--even in urban DC, it's not convenient to get to many fields.

For example, Arlington's in-house rec league is very competitive at the high school level. Loads of kids who will never set foot on a travel team who could but there is no way their families are going to pay the $ for it. Are they missing out? no.

If they want to get recruited, all they have to do is have a family member record their games with a cell phone or camera, make a highlight video, put it on youtube. If they are good enough, coaches will have a look.

True there are those with exceptional raw talent, but for most others, how are they magically going to get good without lots of opportunity for practice?

Bottom line is if you want to play soccer, there's nothing preventing you from doing that. If you want to hire the best coaches who are not free, then you can't if you don't have the money.

Many poorer kids are working jobs or watching little siblings at a young age, so yes, there's a lot of things preventing kids from playing soccer.

If you don't have the money, go to the pick-up spots and play with adults or older kids. Go to Arlington, Alexandria, Annendale, anywhere with concentrations of latinos or people from other cultures or immigrant populations - soccer is in their lifeblood, unlike suburban america.

Soccer is NOT culturally important to the average suburban american family. However, the world series and the NCAA tournament is.

Find those environments, play as often as you can, and you can get better without the fancy tournaments, uniforms, age group categories, and $$$ fees.