In Response to "Most of Us" Soccer Advice

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02/13/2019 12:48

Subject: In Response to "Most of Us" Soccer Advice

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Anonymous

Hello Everyone! Just got done reading that nightmare of a thread from that bitter OP. Decided to write my own opinion piece...and that's all it is, an opinion and my own advice.

What that OP got wrong in his rant:
1. First off and most importantly was judging parents and their motives. Each and everyone has our own ego about they're children and what the future should be and how we want to help them.
2. That said, you can throw all of his myths and facts out, especially his facts.

What OP got right:
1. Travel soccer is expensive and THE MINORITY do consider it a waste of money.
2. Yes, .001% of players make it to the US Player Pool.

That’s all that whole thread is worth. As for the posts and comments afterwards, hopefully I can answer them below.

Travel Soccer in the US, DA and ECNL
Face it, unless you want to go the ODP route, which seems to be dying, you have no choice but to pay. You can do leg work as you get older to get your kid ID’ed if you want to save money vs spending money on DA or ECNL, but you better have a lot of patience and be ready for disappointment. The other option would be to “walk on” when your child gets to college. Only about 2.5% of all soccer players play in college and receive scholarships and they are mostly only partial. Your #1 priority should be your child's education.

FACT #1 – You have to pay to play, especially in the US, if you want any realistic chance at a scholarship! This is also true if you are one of those nutty parents who thinks your kid can make the US player pool. THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT. Yes, it sucks and we can thank the $$$ for that. Follow the money, and you find the problem. If any of you have experienced a Club director, you will find they are some of the most Pig-headed people tha t earth...I can only imagine what it is like on the absolute highest level. Nothing will change until you cut the head at the source of the problem.

Elite Soccer in Europe
Best kids are scouted at an early age. They are then accepted into schools like Ajax, FCB and others. Most don’t pay a dime when accepted but the chances are still low for those individuals. Fees for local clubs are MUCH cheaper, but yes, they still have to pay and travel, just much less. More on that in a second. Here is a link about how Ajax handles youth which produces some of the best players in the world.
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/magazine/06Soccer-t.html

Why US Soccer (And now Basketball is following) is horrible VS. rest of the world.
Again, we follow the money and throw in some politics here. Sorry if offend the snowflakes here, but being an athlete and coach most of my life has taught me many important things.

1.) GotSoccer.com/ECNL is the worst. Too many tournaments which cost way too much money. The DA is close behind. With so many games starting at an early age, the value of winning is lost, creating a lack of a competitors’ attitude. Look no further than our USMNT failure recently. Trinidad and Tobago, really? SMH...
a. Fix – One League, one tournament per season. ONE National Championship per year.
2.) Participation Awards. I don’t need to go into details on this.
a. Fix – Captain, MVP, and Most Improved Player. No more needed.
3.) Parenting – Egos, electronics and politics
a. Fix – can’t really get into this without offending too many people and a 50 page rant, lol.

That said, fix these things and the greed for $$$’s, and we’ll head the right direction. Much, much, much easier said than done.

Lastly, support your children in whatever they have fun doing at a young age. Don’t commit them to more than they want to do. Let them try other sports. If they are excelling in that sport, keep moving them to places where the competition is equal NO MATTER THE COST OR AGE. That is the correct way to train regardless of the coach. Perhaps most importantly, once you find your child’s level, find a club/coach that your child likes to play/give 100% for. Follow these steps and your child will reach his/her peak if they have a strong work ethic.