Read the rules of the carding organization and you will see if you have an out. (So you know what you are looking for, here are MSYSA's - http://www.msysa.org/about/release/) The fact that the team doesn't have enough players for a team should be sufficient to get the carding organization to require the release if the club will not. Would call the carding organization, explain the situation and see what they say WITHOUT disclosing the identity of the club. (The club likely will have a cozy relationship with the organization so get your info first.) Would act very quickly because the club undoubtedly is trying to fill that team.

Even if the club is forced to release the card, they may still come after you for the rest of the year's fees depending on what you signed with them. I view that as pretty unlikely, but it is a possibility depending on the situation.

OP - are you in Maryland by any chance? Sounds familiar.

Does the club have higher teams at your son's age level that he could play or train with? Is there a technical director you can speak with?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

Call/email the state carding organization.

Maryland http://www.msysa.org/registration/player_registration/
http://www.vysa.com/administration/index_E.html

If you are not in one of those states, google it.

I think it is a good idea to contact the state organization. My understanding is that the player card normally belongs to the player. The club should not hold the player card hostage and demand a ransom for its release.

Not true. When you join a travel team, there is a paper you signed that contains information about this. The club is within its rights not to release the player card mid-season if their paperwork stipulates that payment in full must be made. Your only option is to join a different team under a a different US soccer association (as stated above).

Not true. VYSA rules explicitly forbid this. Club can hold card until past dues are paid but cannot demand payment for future fees.

That club ought to be ashamed of itself. Sometimes name and shame is the right way to go.

But I think the club will claim that the full amount is the 'current fee', not future fees -- they're just allowing a payment plan to be used...

They can't. The rules are pretty clear on this. Otherwise every club would try to say the same thing.

As long as you are current on payments, they have to let you go.

Those are VYSA rules though and I know the OP said they're not from VA. I think all USYSA orgs follow the same rules though.

Contract disputes just kill me. This is a child, not Neymar. Give him the freaking card already.

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

If you paid by credit card can you dispute saying you did not get the services promised? The services being a full soccer team? I don't think you can get your money back because you think your child is a better player.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

Call/email the state carding organization.

Maryland http://www.msysa.org/registration/player_registration/
http://www.vysa.com/administration/index_E.html

If you are not in one of those states, google it.

I think it is a good idea to contact the state organization. My understanding is that the player card normally belongs to the player. The club should not hold the player card hostage and demand a ransom for its release.

Not true. When you join a travel team, there is a paper you signed that contains information about this. The club is within its rights not to release the player card mid-season if their paperwork stipulates that payment in full must be made. Your only option is to join a different team under a a different US soccer association (as stated above).

Not true. VYSA rules explicitly forbid this. Club can hold card until past dues are paid but cannot demand payment for future fees.

That club ought to be ashamed of itself. Sometimes name and shame is the right way to go.

But I think the club will claim that the full amount is the 'current fee', not future fees -- they're just allowing a payment plan to be used...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

Call/email the state carding organization.

Maryland http://www.msysa.org/registration/player_registration/
http://www.vysa.com/administration/index_E.html

If you are not in one of those states, google it.

I think it is a good idea to contact the state organization. My understanding is that the player card normally belongs to the player. The club should not hold the player card hostage and demand a ransom for its release.

Not true. When you join a travel team, there is a paper you signed that contains information about this. The club is within its rights not to release the player card mid-season if their paperwork stipulates that payment in full must be made. Your only option is to join a different team under a a different US soccer association (as stated above).

Not true. VYSA rules explicitly forbid this. Club can hold card until past dues are paid but cannot demand payment for future fees.

That club ought to be ashamed of itself. Sometimes name and shame is the right way to go.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

Call/email the state carding organization.

Maryland http://www.msysa.org/registration/player_registration/
http://www.vysa.com/administration/index_E.html

If you are not in one of those states, google it.

I think it is a good idea to contact the state organization. My understanding is that the player card normally belongs to the player. The club should not hold the player card hostage and demand a ransom for its release.

Not true. When you join a travel team, there is a paper you signed that contains information about this. The club is within its rights not to release the player card mid-season if their paperwork stipulates that payment in full must be made. Your only option is to join a different team under a a different US soccer association (as stated above).

But the OP may also want to look into getting money back b/c club can't field full team. I have seen that many clubs have that as a clause to get out of paying the entire yearly fee just like the one if they move to a distance that no longer allows player to attend training/games.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

Call/email the state carding organization.

Maryland http://www.msysa.org/registration/player_registration/
http://www.vysa.com/administration/index_E.html

If you are not in one of those states, google it.

I think it is a good idea to contact the state organization. My understanding is that the player card normally belongs to the player. The club should not hold the player card hostage and demand a ransom for its release.

Not true. When you join a travel team, there is a paper you signed that contains information about this. The club is within its rights not to release the player card mid-season if their paperwork stipulates that payment in full must be made. Your only option is to join a different team under a a different US soccer association (as stated above).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

Call/email the state carding organization.

Maryland http://www.msysa.org/registration/player_registration/
http://www.vysa.com/administration/index_E.html

If you are not in one of those states, google it.

I think it is a good idea to contact the state organization. My understanding is that the player card normally belongs to the player. The club should not hold the player card hostage and demand a ransom for its release.

Find a new team that uses a different carding system? There is US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer that I know of that issue the player cards.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

Call/email the state carding organization.

Maryland http://www.msysa.org/registration/player_registration/
http://www.vysa.com/administration/index_E.html

If you are not in one of those states, google it.

Depending on where you are, he may be eligible to be carded with a different club under a different carding organization. For instance, in VA you have VYSA and US Club. If he's only carded in one with his current club, he could play under the other.

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

Call/email the state carding organization.

Maryland http://www.msysa.org/registration/player_registration/
http://www.vysa.com/administration/index_E.html

If you are not in one of those states, google it.

Anonymous wrote:I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.

I'm assuming your U12 league plays 9v9? Stop paying, put him in a rec league and use your money towards supplementary training? Not sure you have much recourse.

I have a player who was put in an incomplete soccer team ( he’s U12). Only 8 kids on roster. And his teammates are beginners and he’s not. He is extremely unhappy and wants to switch leagues. Trying to get my son’s player card but club won’t release it unless we pay for the entire year. He is not going to the practices. What do I do?

Full disclosure: im not in DC area.