Anonymous wrote:I’m a very big fan of everyone defending this. None of the justifications make any sense. All you need to know is:

18 X $3000 < 22 X $3000

It’s way more than 3k dude

Sadly, becoming very common. $$$$ > Kids

Where is the protection for the kids? Charge them thousands and then tell them they can't even play in a game? That's not youth sports and anyone who justifies this is crazy.

I’m a very big fan of everyone defending this. None of the justifications make any sense. All you need to know is:

18 X $3000 < 22 X $3000

There are tons of injuries once you hit the HS level. Rosters of 24 with 3-4 hurt each week are not uncommon.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks - I had known that top teams had this, like MLS next, but didn't know it became common for lower teams as kids aged. I guess each sport has its pluses and minuses, including the high school one my son now does, but at least it is lower-cost.

You didn't specify "lower level" teams in your OP. MLS next is not the only "top" level team for boys.

Yes, it is.

My son's U18/U19 team rostered 20 kids. 18 could dress per game. As the season wore on, there were some kids hurt, some kids with conflicts so it was rare that kids weren't able to dress. He played for a VA NPL team.

My DD's U17 ECNL team has never rostered more than 18. They do have development players that they can call on from the RL team if they are really even short, which has happened on occasion, but not a regular basis.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From what I have seen over the years, it's very common for the highest level, but not common for lower level (NCSL or ECNL RL).

The level shouldn't matter for the roster size. In fact for lower level teams, it should be more players since many won't show up. HS ages, if you're not the star or on a high level team, the kids find other things to do.

Ignorant statement of the highest flight. The more players there the less time a player gets on average. Simple math.

Do you have a high school student? Around junior and senior year many stop going even if they have signed up. they want to focus on school. That's what i've seen. So our club's second teams have struggled to field players.