Interesting discussion. I have driven a friend several times whose parents work and that kid does start and I guess that leaves less time for my child to play. Never really thought of it that way either. Guess some people think pretty differently than I do.

I am the original poster and I never really thought about it that way either. My thinking was more along the lines that it is additional work for me to deal with another kid in the car (who my son may not have tons to talk about with, even if the kid is nice enough), getting lunch for etc., especailly at a tournament with time to kill between games. Happy to do it sometimes, but am not going to pick up all of the slack for people that never take a turn.

Interesting discussion. I have driven a friend several times whose parents work and that kid does start and I guess that leaves less time for my child to play. Never really thought of it that way either. Guess some people think pretty differently than I do.

18 and it makes sense. I feel terrible saying this, but every year, our club makes offers to talented kids that cannot pay and gives them scholarships. Despite this, many of them have logistical issues getting to practices and games. Some other parents are willing to share giving occasional rides, but since not everyone pitches in, there is a limit to how often the few parents that do are willing to take on the burden. Because of this, we rarely have 18 players at games - almost never.


If your kid is 15-18 why on earth would you drive a starter to the game?

I never really gave this any thought. My kid is a defender and there does not seem to be a glut of qualified and interested ones.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18 and it makes sense. I feel terrible saying this, but every year, our club makes offers to talented kids that cannot pay and gives them scholarships. Despite this, many of them have logistical issues getting to practices and games. Some other parents are willing to share giving occasional rides, but since not everyone pitches in, there is a limit to how often the few parents that do are willing to take on the burden. Because of this, we rarely have 18 players at games - almost never.

If your kid is 15-18 why on earth would you drive a starter to the game?

This thread is about U13.

15-18 on the roster. I'm happy to carpool, but I'm not going out of my way to pick up and drive a kid whose presence pushes my kid to the bench

Good role model for your kid. How about getting them some outside coaching to improve their skills instead of being a d!ck to a kid in need?

how about a club rostering kids who it intends to play instead of stashing full pay kids to subsidize scholarship kids?

We have 16. Usually, on any give game day, one is out for injury or other reason, so we'll have four subs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18 and it makes sense. I feel terrible saying this, but every year, our club makes offers to talented kids that cannot pay and gives them scholarships. Despite this, many of them have logistical issues getting to practices and games. Some other parents are willing to share giving occasional rides, but since not everyone pitches in, there is a limit to how often the few parents that do are willing to take on the burden. Because of this, we rarely have 18 players at games - almost never.

If your kid is 15-18 why on earth would you drive a starter to the game?

This thread is about U13.

15-18 on the roster. I'm happy to carpool, but I'm not going out of my way to pick up and drive a kid whose presence pushes my kid to the bench

Good role model for your kid. How about getting them some outside coaching to improve their skills instead of being a d!ck to a kid in need?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18 and it makes sense. I feel terrible saying this, but every year, our club makes offers to talented kids that cannot pay and gives them scholarships. Despite this, many of them have logistical issues getting to practices and games. Some other parents are willing to share giving occasional rides, but since not everyone pitches in, there is a limit to how often the few parents that do are willing to take on the burden. Because of this, we rarely have 18 players at games - almost never.

If your kid is 15-18 why on earth would you drive a starter to the game?

This thread is about U13.

15-18 on the roster. I'm happy to carpool, but I'm not going out of my way to pick up and drive a kid whose presence pushes my kid to the bench

18 and it makes sense. I feel terrible saying this, but every year, our club makes offers to talented kids that cannot pay and gives them scholarships. Despite this, many of them have logistical issues getting to practices and games. Some other parents are willing to share giving occasional rides, but since not everyone pitches in, there is a limit to how often the few parents that do are willing to take on the burden. Because of this, we rarely have 18 players at games - almost never.


If your kid is 15-18 why on earth would you drive a starter to the game?


This thread is about U13.

Correct, and I am also not having a 15 year old with limited driving experience take himself to Spotsylvania.

U13 needs anywhere between 14 to 16 players

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:18 and it makes sense. I feel terrible saying this, but every year, our club makes offers to talented kids that cannot pay and gives them scholarships. Despite this, many of them have logistical issues getting to practices and games. Some other parents are willing to share giving occasional rides, but since not everyone pitches in, there is a limit to how often the few parents that do are willing to take on the burden. Because of this, we rarely have 18 players at games - almost never.

If your kid is 15-18 why on earth would you drive a starter to the game?

This thread is about U13.

Anonymous wrote:18 and it makes sense. I feel terrible saying this, but every year, our club makes offers to talented kids that cannot pay and gives them scholarships. Despite this, many of them have logistical issues getting to practices and games. Some other parents are willing to share giving occasional rides, but since not everyone pitches in, there is a limit to how often the few parents that do are willing to take on the burden. Because of this, we rarely have 18 players at games - almost never.

If your kid is 15-18 why on earth would you drive a starter to the game?

18 and it makes sense. I feel terrible saying this, but every year, our club makes offers to talented kids that cannot pay and gives them scholarships. Despite this, many of them have logistical issues getting to practices and games. Some other parents are willing to share giving occasional rides, but since not everyone pitches in, there is a limit to how often the few parents that do are willing to take on the burden. Because of this, we rarely have 18 players at games - almost never.

Most will try to have 18.

Depends on the club, but for larger clubs with a big player pool 18 is not uncommon. I've seen everywhere from 13-20 (if 20, 2 kids have to stay home for each game as max game roster is 18). Smaller clubs may not be able to get that many players so sometimes have smaller rosters.

My opinion - 16 is about right at U13 if soccer is the first choice sport of the players on the team. More is fine if it's a more casual team, which has players who do (and prioritize) other sports.

Rosters often get larger as teams get older, partly as injuries start to increase. My kids U14 team has 20, but rarely has 20 healthy players.

Wondering how much larger the teams get at 11v11