Anonymous
Post 09/08/2025 13:46     Subject: U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:I have a boy in this age range. He's excited for the season to ramp up and is sometimes so excited he loses sleep before game days.

Then there's me. I played some in HS, intramural in college, and in adult leagues through the decades, even in a park or two overseas. I still play regularly as a dad and love my group and the game (TBD how long my knees play along). My only regret with this beautiful, diverse, global game is that I didn't get better in my teen years when skill acquisition was (relatively) easy because then it might have been even more fun through the years.

So sure, pro or college soccer is a great goal for many. But let's not forget the health benefits, the friendships, the time management learned and the competitiveness fed by playing through these years.

I firmly believe my son will be a better professional in some field thanks to these experiences. I plan to let him have fun on the way there. And even though I have hopes for more for him at times, I try to remember how much I still get out of the game and how much that's tied to it having been fun when I was younger, not because I was great at it.

My son is MLSN, but he's spent his share of time on the bench. For me, that's ok because he (and the rest of the team) continue to get better and he still loves to play. Maybe he'll play in college, maybe not. Maybe he'll play intramural or on a club team. However he approaches it, He's already already much better prepared and way more skilled than I ever was.


I love this. It's about so much more than the actual game.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2025 21:25     Subject: Re:U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the general sentiment of the post. U16 MLSN this year and it has turned into rugby with little focus on technical skills. My son used to live for games and now dreads them. The quality of play is low. Starting to question whether it's worth it.


Ha. It ain’t any better in college. Poor level. My kid is playing in Europe and even the street pick up is a million times better.


No one believes you BTW.
Anonymous
Post 09/07/2025 20:16     Subject: Re:U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
totally different experience for us. My kid is having the time of his life. Loves playing for his HS and his club team, enjoys the social aspect of it...for me, it keeps him out of trouble, we love watching games on the weekends and we've built great friendships with the families on the team. Most of the players on his team are already committed (or want to play) in college so they are all 'in' on the season--plus the coach is great and keeps them engaged. . League play started this weekend and games were great!
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2025 12:28     Subject: Re:U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the general sentiment of the post. U16 MLSN this year and it has turned into rugby with little focus on technical skills. My son used to live for games and now dreads them. The quality of play is low. Starting to question whether it's worth it.


Ha. It ain’t any better in college. Poor level. My kid is playing in Europe and even the street pick up is a million times better.


My kid is low level D1 and agreed. They play a physical loft ball to the wings and run on it. Not a ton of technique. It will vary on college. His coach has a very American high school coach style.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2025 12:24     Subject: Re:U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the general sentiment of the post. U16 MLSN this year and it has turned into rugby with little focus on technical skills. My son used to live for games and now dreads them. The quality of play is low. Starting to question whether it's worth it.


Ha. It ain’t any better in college. Poor level. My kid is playing in Europe and even the street pick up is a million times better.
Anonymous
Post 09/06/2025 08:52     Subject: U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
I have a boy in this age range. He's excited for the season to ramp up and is sometimes so excited he loses sleep before game days.

Then there's me. I played some in HS, intramural in college, and in adult leagues through the decades, even in a park or two overseas. I still play regularly as a dad and love my group and the game (TBD how long my knees play along). My only regret with this beautiful, diverse, global game is that I didn't get better in my teen years when skill acquisition was (relatively) easy because then it might have been even more fun through the years.

So sure, pro or college soccer is a great goal for many. But let's not forget the health benefits, the friendships, the time management learned and the competitiveness fed by playing through these years.

I firmly believe my son will be a better professional in some field thanks to these experiences. I plan to let him have fun on the way there. And even though I have hopes for more for him at times, I try to remember how much I still get out of the game and how much that's tied to it having been fun when I was younger, not because I was great at it.

My son is MLSN, but he's spent his share of time on the bench. For me, that's ok because he (and the rest of the team) continue to get better and he still loves to play. Maybe he'll play in college, maybe not. Maybe he'll play intramural or on a club team. However he approaches it, He's already already much better prepared and way more skilled than I ever was.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 22:05     Subject: U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is nothing to play for at these ages. It's all about showcases. Few players care about the team, only how good they look individually. Half the kids are ambivalent about playing college soccer. Coaches have stopped trying to develop players by this point. Its just a sad shit show of "look at me, look at me." I cannot wait until it's over.


You think winning meaningless games is more important than a kid looking out for their future?


Playing three years worth of meaningless games is a little much for anyone to take. You play the game to win. Taking away that aspect of the game is a detriment to all involved.


Your kid must be on a low level team in a low level league
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 21:59     Subject: U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
They are all getting near the end of their soccer “career”. Sit back and enjoy because in a couple more years it will be long forgotten and you might even miss it.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 21:57     Subject: Re:U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:Agree with the general sentiment of the post. U16 MLSN this year and it has turned into rugby with little focus on technical skills. My son used to live for games and now dreads them. The quality of play is low. Starting to question whether it's worth it.


I find this post more than a little suspect. The season hasn't started.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 21:28     Subject: Re:U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Agree with the general sentiment of the post. U16 MLSN this year and it has turned into rugby with little focus on technical skills. My son used to live for games and now dreads them. The quality of play is low. Starting to question whether it's worth it.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 12:48     Subject: U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:There is nothing to play for at these ages. It's all about showcases. Few players care about the team, only how good they look individually. Half the kids are ambivalent about playing college soccer. Coaches have stopped trying to develop players by this point. Its just a sad shit show of "look at me, look at me." I cannot wait until it's over.


You think winning meaningless games is more important than a kid looking out for their future?


Playing three years worth of meaningless games is a little much for anyone to take. You play the game to win. Taking away that aspect of the game is a detriment to all involved.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 12:23     Subject: U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:There is nothing to play for at these ages. It's all about showcases. Few players care about the team, only how good they look individually. Half the kids are ambivalent about playing college soccer. Coaches have stopped trying to develop players by this point. Its just a sad shit show of "look at me, look at me." I cannot wait until it's over.


You think winning meaningless games is more important than a kid looking out for their future?
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 11:16     Subject: U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:There is nothing to play for at these ages. It's all about showcases. Few players care about the team, only how good they look individually. Half the kids are ambivalent about playing college soccer. Coaches have stopped trying to develop players by this point. Its just a sad shit show of "look at me, look at me." I cannot wait until it's over.


At that age, go find a UPSL/APSL team.
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 11:07     Subject: U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
Anonymous wrote:There is nothing to play for at these ages. It's all about showcases. Few players care about the team, only how good they look individually. Half the kids are ambivalent about playing college soccer. Coaches have stopped trying to develop players by this point. Its just a sad shit show of "look at me, look at me." I cannot wait until it's over.


This post is sad
Anonymous
Post 09/05/2025 09:59     Subject: U16-U18/19 Boys club soccer sux
There is nothing to play for at these ages. It's all about showcases. Few players care about the team, only how good they look individually. Half the kids are ambivalent about playing college soccer. Coaches have stopped trying to develop players by this point. Its just a sad shit show of "look at me, look at me." I cannot wait until it's over.