I mean, an odd question? If my son or daughter was talented enough to be the <1% of soccer players able to play at the professional level AND had the desire and drive to do so? Sure I'd be excited for them, it's a big accomplishment.

For the guys, the pay is pretty decent. For the girls, mostly not so much. But it's also not something they will do forever. And if they love doing it and are happy? I hope they could find that combination regardless of occupation.

Most pro women still play in college, although a few have skipped.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a purely hypothetical situation for my kid, but professional soccer players don't seem to attend college at the same rate as athletes who play other sports. I'm sure it has something to do with the differences in higher level education in the UK and Europe vs US and how soccer programs in those areas develop talent compared to here. So if my kid's ability to play professional soccer meant he had to forego college, then no, I would not want him to play professionally.

Soccer is sport where kids develop much earlier and play professionally at younger ages than in other sports. It's not uncommon to hear of 15, 16 or 17 yr old phenoms. There's no college soccer to pro pathway. If you're playing college soccer, it's becuase you are likely never going to be a pro.

There are plenty of college players on MLS rosters and tons who play NWSL. We know several kids who have gone this route, and I think it’s a mostly fun thing to do for a few years after graduation. We also know a few kids who have gone pro from high school. That’s not a path I would want for my kid even if they were enormously talented. It’s an isolating lifestyle in a lot of ways.

Sorry, I understand MLS has college players but I was referring to higher level of play. You don't go from NCAA to EPL, La Liga, or Bundesligue. MLS might be a fun path but the salary is terrible.
Soccer is one big mafia anyway. It's an awful career choice.

I agree, other than to note that even the MLS minimum salary is no longer terrible for kids just out of college. The $67k base is supplemented by bonuses and housing allowances in most cases. It’s a fine salary for a young person in most cities. I doubt any of them will regret the experience when they are stuck in an office down the line. And all of the college players I know are happy on balance with their experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a purely hypothetical situation for my kid, but professional soccer players don't seem to attend college at the same rate as athletes who play other sports. I'm sure it has something to do with the differences in higher level education in the UK and Europe vs US and how soccer programs in those areas develop talent compared to here. So if my kid's ability to play professional soccer meant he had to forego college, then no, I would not want him to play professionally.

Soccer is sport where kids develop much earlier and play professionally at younger ages than in other sports. It's not uncommon to hear of 15, 16 or 17 yr old phenoms. There's no college soccer to pro pathway. If you're playing college soccer, it's becuase you are likely never going to be a pro.

There are plenty of college players on MLS rosters and tons who play NWSL. We know several kids who have gone this route, and I think it’s a mostly fun thing to do for a few years after graduation. We also know a few kids who have gone pro from high school. That’s not a path I would want for my kid even if they were enormously talented. It’s an isolating lifestyle in a lot of ways.

Sorry, I understand MLS has college players but I was referring to higher level of play. You don't go from NCAA to EPL, La Liga, or Bundesligue. MLS might be a fun path but the salary is terrible.
Soccer is one big mafia anyway. It's an awful career choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's a purely hypothetical situation for my kid, but professional soccer players don't seem to attend college at the same rate as athletes who play other sports. I'm sure it has something to do with the differences in higher level education in the UK and Europe vs US and how soccer programs in those areas develop talent compared to here. So if my kid's ability to play professional soccer meant he had to forego college, then no, I would not want him to play professionally.

Soccer is sport where kids develop much earlier and play professionally at younger ages than in other sports. It's not uncommon to hear of 15, 16 or 17 yr old phenoms. There's no college soccer to pro pathway. If you're playing college soccer, it's becuase you are likely never going to be a pro.

There are plenty of college players on MLS rosters and tons who play NWSL. We know several kids who have gone this route, and I think it’s a mostly fun thing to do for a few years after graduation. We also know a few kids who have gone pro from high school. That’s not a path I would want for my kid even if they were enormously talented. It’s an isolating lifestyle in a lot of ways.

Anonymous wrote:It's a purely hypothetical situation for my kid, but professional soccer players don't seem to attend college at the same rate as athletes who play other sports. I'm sure it has something to do with the differences in higher level education in the UK and Europe vs US and how soccer programs in those areas develop talent compared to here. So if my kid's ability to play professional soccer meant he had to forego college, then no, I would not want him to play professionally.

Soccer is sport where kids develop much earlier and play professionally at younger ages than in other sports. It's not uncommon to hear of 15, 16 or 17 yr old phenoms. There's no college soccer to pro pathway. If you're playing college soccer, it's becuase you are likely never going to be a pro.

No, my daughter loves soccer but I think the demands to reach that level can be hard on the body and often involve toxic coaches. I’m not even sure I’d want her to play at the Div I level in college if that were a choice.

It's a purely hypothetical situation for my kid, but professional soccer players don't seem to attend college at the same rate as athletes who play other sports. I'm sure it has something to do with the differences in higher level education in the UK and Europe vs US and how soccer programs in those areas develop talent compared to here. So if my kid's ability to play professional soccer meant he had to forego college, then no, I would not want him to play professionally.

Having had 2 teenagers playing competitive (CCL, MLSNext and EDP) soccer since U9, NO.

Unless that's their calling and they are truly gifted. Otherwise, soccer should be just for "enjoyment" not a career.

No. The averages that you listed are not MLS, USL or anything resembling a US based league. The chances of my kid playing professionally abroad at the rate that you stated is .000001%.
Even if DC did play abroad, the rate assumes top level league and not English League 2. That's still professional but not in any way comparable to EPL.

People forget that there are numerous tiers of professional soccer, many of which don't pay crap. If your kid did play professionally, he would be far more likely to occupy the lower echelons than the very top. salary would be closer to 40K.

I'd rather have my kid working a desk job.

I truly have no preference at all. I want them to be happy and financially independent. That’s it. If they find soccer can provide that, I’d support them. If they want to quit soccer their senior year in HS because they don’t enjoy it anymore, I’d support that too.

No more or less so than I'd want them to be a professional basketball or baseball player. The problem is wanting it means nothing. The odds of becoming a professional athlete in any sport is so small, it's like wanting them to win the lottery. Yes, I would want my child to beat the odds and be at the top of whatever field they choose to do - professional sports, brain surgeon, astronaut, movie star.

No because I do not enjoy being around professional soccer players.

Their choice?

If they can, would you want/hope your son or daughter become a professional soccer player? Why and why not?

(A quick google search indicates that average income of a male professional player is about $200,000 - $500,000, while of course stars like Messi have income in $50-60 million. Average female soccer player's income is around $50,000/year, with stars like Alex Morgan making $500,000/year.)