Life comes at you fast - even at age 9

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is anything outrageous about a 9 year old being ambitious and wanting to play at a higher level. Some people here seem to think every kid is supposed to go the same path of mediocrity as everyone else. But these kids are not average, they are outliers. They are the ones that the pro ranks were meant for.

As long as the passion is coming from the child and not being pushed on them by the parent, I would support it as a parent myself by moving to the kid to a team that has the same level of commitment and ability that he's looking for.

This kid is not an outlier that the pro ranks are made for if daily practice plus a personal soccer trainer are not enough for him to even be on the top team in his club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think there is anything outrageous about a 9 year old being ambitious and wanting to play at a higher level. Some people here seem to think every kid is supposed to go the same path of mediocrity as everyone else. But these kids are not average, they are outliers. They are the ones that the pro ranks were meant for.

As long as the passion is coming from the child and not being pushed on them by the parent, I would support it as a parent myself by moving to the kid to a team that has the same level of commitment and ability that he's looking for.

Wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

At 9 all kids are average and mediocre. And this 9 year old in particular apparently has an entire roster that outperforms him, so so the intensity is not warrented. As someone else said, if he is depressed then he doesn't love soccer as much as his parents think he does. He loves the idea of being the best.

I’d be willing to bet that not everyone on that top squad are better than OP DC.

Maybe, but being borderline able to make the top local club roster doesn’t scream future soccer star. And if he loved it that much he’d love playing it at whatever team he was on. In fact he might love it more because if he is that good he should be absolutely dominating the B team and what 3rd grader doesn’t love dominating and scoring all the goals?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

You should become a Pro Scout. Because the current ones admit they can't say who will become a Pro player at 9 years old

[Anonymous]

OP,

Where did he/you get the idea that he could, or likely would, change teams mid-season? This seems to be the crux of the issue. Managing expectations is a key life skill.

I'd try to diversify his interests and sense of identity. As others have said, 1 injury and then what? It already seems to be having a negative impact on his mental health.

Sometimes what may be best for one is not best for the TEAM and that continues throughout life, work, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

You should become a Pro Scout. Because the current ones admit they can't say who will become a Pro player at 9 years old

Look lady. I see what you’re saying. In fact at my high school there was a standout soccer star on our high school team that also included a number of other very strong players, but who were absolutely eclipsed by this one boy. The exceptional boy went on to play in college D1 along with a few other guys on the high school team. The exceptional boy, after college, didn’t launch a successful pro career at all, he kind of fizzled out. And one of the other players was on the World Cup roster in his 20. One of the players who had been eclipsed by this other boy in high school, but who evolved into a true pro international player as an adult.

So you’re right, on one hand, no scout would have predicted that turn of events.

But you know what else, neither of those boys were hustling with extra training sessions and constant practice and getting cut from the A team either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

You should become a Pro Scout. Because the current ones admit they can't say who will become a Pro player at 9 years old

Look lady. I see what you’re saying. In fact at my high school there was a standout soccer star on our high school team that also included a number of other very strong players, but who were absolutely eclipsed by this one boy. The exceptional boy went on to play in college D1 along with a few other guys on the high school team. The exceptional boy, after college, didn’t launch a successful pro career at all, he kind of fizzled out. And one of the other players was on the World Cup roster in his 20. One of the players who had been eclipsed by this other boy in high school, but who evolved into a true pro international player as an adult.

So you’re right, on one hand, no scout would have predicted that turn of events.

But you know what else, neither of those boys were hustling with extra training sessions and constant practice and getting cut from the A team either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

You should become a Pro Scout. Because the current ones admit they can't say who will become a Pro player at 9 years old

Look lady. I see what you’re saying. In fact at my high school there was a standout soccer star on our high school team that also included a number of other very strong players, but who were absolutely eclipsed by this one boy. The exceptional boy went on to play in college D1 along with a few other guys on the high school team. The exceptional boy, after college, didn’t launch a successful pro career at all, he kind of fizzled out. And one of the other players was on the World Cup roster in his 20. One of the players who had been eclipsed by this other boy in high school, but who evolved into a true pro international player as an adult.

So you’re right, on one hand, no scout would have predicted that turn of events.

But you know what else, neither of those boys were hustling with extra training sessions and constant practice and getting cut from the A team either.

Exceptional players over 18 years old aren't playing soccer in college unless they chose academics as the priority in life.
Nobody is going professional without 'extra' training and consistent high level work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

You should become a Pro Scout. Because the current ones admit they can't say who will become a Pro player at 9 years old

Look lady. I see what you’re saying. In fact at my high school there was a standout soccer star on our high school team that also included a number of other very strong players, but who were absolutely eclipsed by this one boy. The exceptional boy went on to play in college D1 along with a few other guys on the high school team. The exceptional boy, after college, didn’t launch a successful pro career at all, he kind of fizzled out. And one of the other players was on the World Cup roster in his 20. One of the players who had been eclipsed by this other boy in high school, but who evolved into a true pro international player as an adult.

So you’re right, on one hand, no scout would have predicted that turn of events.

But you know what else, neither of those boys were hustling with extra training sessions and constant practice and getting cut from the A team either.

Exceptional players over 18 years old aren't playing soccer in college unless they chose academics as the priority in life.
Nobody is going professional without 'extra' training and consistent high level work.

If you’re the OP, I can see why your child is depressed from not getting moved up. Your unrealistic expectations of him are going to destroy his joy. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

You should become a Pro Scout. Because the current ones admit they can't say who will become a Pro player at 9 years old

Look lady. I see what you’re saying. In fact at my high school there was a standout soccer star on our high school team that also included a number of other very strong players, but who were absolutely eclipsed by this one boy. The exceptional boy went on to play in college D1 along with a few other guys on the high school team. The exceptional boy, after college, didn’t launch a successful pro career at all, he kind of fizzled out. And one of the other players was on the World Cup roster in his 20. One of the players who had been eclipsed by this other boy in high school, but who evolved into a true pro international player as an adult.

So you’re right, on one hand, no scout would have predicted that turn of events.

But you know what else, neither of those boys were hustling with extra training sessions and constant practice and getting cut from the A team either.

Exceptional players over 18 years old aren't playing soccer in college unless they chose academics as the priority in life.
Nobody is going professional without 'extra' training and consistent high level work.

If you’re the OP, I can see why your child is depressed from not getting moved up. Your unrealistic expectations of him are going to destroy his joy. Best of luck.

What are you disagreeing with?

[Anonymous]

To OP,
Focus on the reality and ignore the FOMO

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

You should become a Pro Scout. Because the current ones admit they can't say who will become a Pro player at 9 years old

Look lady. I see what you’re saying. In fact at my high school there was a standout soccer star on our high school team that also included a number of other very strong players, but who were absolutely eclipsed by this one boy. The exceptional boy went on to play in college D1 along with a few other guys on the high school team. The exceptional boy, after college, didn’t launch a successful pro career at all, he kind of fizzled out. And one of the other players was on the World Cup roster in his 20. One of the players who had been eclipsed by this other boy in high school, but who evolved into a true pro international player as an adult.

So you’re right, on one hand, no scout would have predicted that turn of events.

But you know what else, neither of those boys were hustling with extra training sessions and constant practice and getting cut from the A team either.

Exceptional players over 18 years old aren't playing soccer in college unless they chose academics as the priority in life.
Nobody is going professional without 'extra' training and consistent high level work.

If you’re the OP, I can see why your child is depressed from not getting moved up. Your unrealistic expectations of him are going to destroy his joy. Best of luck.

What are you disagreeing with?

Nothing in particular (although I think it’s funny you say this dude I knew who ended up on the World Cup roster either wasn’t actually an exceptional player, or that he made a mistake to prioritize academics, both of which are laughable to me). But you seem to be applying it to your own kid and your own kid isn’t going to the World Cup. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

You should become a Pro Scout. Because the current ones admit they can't say who will become a Pro player at 9 years old

Look lady. I see what you’re saying. In fact at my high school there was a standout soccer star on our high school team that also included a number of other very strong players, but who were absolutely eclipsed by this one boy. The exceptional boy went on to play in college D1 along with a few other guys on the high school team. The exceptional boy, after college, didn’t launch a successful pro career at all, he kind of fizzled out. And one of the other players was on the World Cup roster in his 20. One of the players who had been eclipsed by this other boy in high school, but who evolved into a true pro international player as an adult.

So you’re right, on one hand, no scout would have predicted that turn of events.

But you know what else, neither of those boys were hustling with extra training sessions and constant practice and getting cut from the A team either.

Exceptional players over 18 years old aren't playing soccer in college unless they chose academics as the priority in life.
Nobody is going professional without 'extra' training and consistent high level work.

If you’re the OP, I can see why your child is depressed from not getting moved up. Your unrealistic expectations of him are going to destroy his joy. Best of luck.

What are you disagreeing with?

Nothing in particular (although I think it’s funny you say this dude I knew who ended up on the World Cup roster either wasn’t actually an exceptional player, or that he made a mistake to prioritize academics, both of which are laughable to me). But you seem to be applying it to your own kid and your own kid isn’t going to the World Cup. Sorry.

How many USMNT players who played in college are playing professional outside MLS?

Who said it was a mistake to prioritize academics? Present that quote.

People have a bad habit of calling good players exceptional. Waters it down.
Is it Clint Dempsey? Landon Donovan?
Those are examples of former exceptional US players.

[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:If this were my kid i would back far away from this club and possibly even travel soccer as a whole. Youve made him believe his identity is tied up in being on the best team and nothing else matters. "Best team" is highly subjective and he is 9, so this attitude is very misguided. Honestly maybe bail, join a rec team for the spring and also add in another sport to remind him that its meant to be fun. Try something he hasnt done before so that he isnt the best and learns to enjoy it and grow. Flag football, basketball, swim, golf, lacrosse, whatever. Try out for another soccer club for the next year, with renewed passion.

A good soccer player should go play another sport he's not good at to boost his confidence and self-esteem?

Im PP and I wasnt saying to boost confidence or self esteem, I was saying to gain perspective. And to get back to a place where sports are fun and not all consuming and to not have your identity wrapped up in one thing. No matter how good of a soccer player he is, he is 9. And clearly is taking this way to intensely.

All top players and exceptional players take it relatively intensely.

The average and mediocre do not.

Nothing says “top, exceptional player” like being on the B team.

Look. My kid who loves soccer got cut from the B team and plays rec. He takes it very seriously, practices in the back yard, watches old soccer matches on the iPad when he’s given screen time, wears the jerseys of his favorite players to school. But that doesn’t make him an exceptional player. It makes him a normal 9 year old kid who loves soccer and, while he was devestated not to make our local travel team, he enjoyed his rec season. He is 9. So is your kid. Neither of our kids are going to be pro soccer players. But hopefully your kid can gain some perspective about the situation the way my kid eventually did. The end.

You should become a Pro Scout. Because the current ones admit they can't say who will become a Pro player at 9 years old

Look lady. I see what you’re saying. In fact at my high school there was a standout soccer star on our high school team that also included a number of other very strong players, but who were absolutely eclipsed by this one boy. The exceptional boy went on to play in college D1 along with a few other guys on the high school team. The exceptional boy, after college, didn’t launch a successful pro career at all, he kind of fizzled out. And one of the other players was on the World Cup roster in his 20. One of the players who had been eclipsed by this other boy in high school, but who evolved into a true pro international player as an adult.

So you’re right, on one hand, no scout would have predicted that turn of events.

But you know what else, neither of those boys were hustling with extra training sessions and constant practice and getting cut from the A team either.

Exceptional players over 18 years old aren't playing soccer in college unless they chose academics as the priority in life.
Nobody is going professional without 'extra' training and consistent high level work.

If you’re the OP, I can see why your child is depressed from not getting moved up. Your unrealistic expectations of him are going to destroy his joy. Best of luck.

What are you disagreeing with?

Nothing in particular (although I think it’s funny you say this dude I knew who ended up on the World Cup roster either wasn’t actually an exceptional player, or that he made a mistake to prioritize academics, both of which are laughable to me). But you seem to be applying it to your own kid and your own kid isn’t going to the World Cup. Sorry.

How many USMNT players who played in college are playing professional outside MLS?

Who said it was a mistake to prioritize academics? Present that quote.

People have a bad habit of calling good players exceptional. Waters it down.
Is it Clint Dempsey? Landon Donovan?
Those are examples of former exceptional US players.

So you think Clint Dempsey was getting cut from the A team as a U10 player, despite excellent work ethic and a personal coach?