Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 23:10     Subject: Re:How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:For what it’s worth my kid started on the bottom team at ASA, they are now on the top team. Half the old team is now on one of the top two teams. Silly to think that your lot is cast at 8 or 9.


But that’s only because of DA.

The top teams get absorbed into DA U12-U14. Also, at U13 the teams play 11v11.

A white team at U12 is really a blue/black team. The red team is the white team, etc.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 22:04     Subject: Re:How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
For what it’s worth my kid started on the bottom team at ASA, they are now on the top team. Half the old team is now on one of the top two teams. Silly to think that your lot is cast at 8 or 9.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 21:12     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
cash cow

a business, investment, or product that provides a steady income or profit

. . . Sounds like the point was that OP shouldn't worry at all because ASA takes everyone on the girls side to keep the cash cow going. Actually explained the situation well.

Get over it.

Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 20:00     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wow! A whole lot of defensiveness about my cash cow comment.

Truth is, the opinion is a common one, even if you don't want to read it. O P, I would think hard before taking a spot below the 3rd team. Too much money for too little return.


This is very true, and it's something parents should realize all the way through their kids' sports careers (including high school), but many don't want to face.

Every single sport - soccer, swimming, hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, you name it, has this set-up for the travel level teams.

If you make one of the top teams, it means you are good at the sport and have a future in it, and can expect to continue to improve.

Anything less and you are just paying for your kids to play. If you have plenty of money and are fine with that, more power to you.

Sorry, but that's the way it is. But too many parents are convinced that DC is going to be a high school or even college player in a sport because he or she regularly "makes" a travel team. Unless it's one of the very top teams, it means nothing.


We know that soccer is not free. We know that travel costs more than Rec. What is tired and stale is the "Cash Cow" comment. The only thing that should matter is do you think that you and your child are getting value for the money spent. Worrying about where the money is going is pointless. EVERYTHING that you spend your money on is a "cash Cow" that doesn't mean you question it beyond the value you receive in services returned.



Sorry. Cash cow is the expression. I didn't make it up. I just applied it correctly: you pay your $2k and get less than that in value. Clearly I am hitting a nerve.

Don't you think it is funny that the ASA travel kids are whiter than the county? The program in its current enormous form, does not serve the county well. At all.


Nobody asked whether you thought Travel soccer is a cash cow. They just asked how competitive a program is period. They are just currently interested in knowing if it is reasonable or not for their kid to make a Goddamn soccer team.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 19:59     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wow! A whole lot of defensiveness about my cash cow comment.

Truth is, the opinion is a common one, even if you don't want to read it. O P, I would think hard before taking a spot below the 3rd team. Too much money for too little return.


This is very true, and it's something parents should realize all the way through their kids' sports careers (including high school), but many don't want to face.

Every single sport - soccer, swimming, hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, you name it, has this set-up for the travel level teams.

If you make one of the top teams, it means you are good at the sport and have a future in it, and can expect to continue to improve.

Anything less and you are just paying for your kids to play. If you have plenty of money and are fine with that, more power to you.

Sorry, but that's the way it is. But too many parents are convinced that DC is going to be a high school or even college player in a sport because he or she regularly "makes" a travel team. Unless it's one of the very top teams, it means nothing.


Nobody asked whether you thought Travel soccer is a cash cow. They just asked how competitive a program is period. They are just currently interested in knowing if it is reasonable or not for their kid to make a Goddamn soccer team.

We know that soccer is not free. We know that travel costs more than Rec. What is tired and stale is the "Cash Cow" comment. The only thing that should matter is do you think that you and your child are getting value for the money spent. Worrying about where the money is going is pointless. EVERYTHING that you spend your money on is a "cash Cow" that doesn't mean you question it beyond the value you receive in services returned.



Sorry. Cash cow is the expression. I didn't make it up. I just applied it correctly: you pay your $2k and get less than that in value. Clearly I am hitting a nerve.

Don't you think it is funny that the ASA travel kids are whiter than the county? The program in its current enormous form, does not serve the county well. At all.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 16:23     Subject: Re:How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:Jesus, the OP just asked if basically if a typical kid can play travel soccer at ASA and clearly everyone just brought their own personal baggage into it.

To the OP YES, likely your kid can play travel soccer.


OP. Listen to this poster. This is what you are signing up for.

(Mom of former ASA player)
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 16:22     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wow! A whole lot of defensiveness about my cash cow comment.

Truth is, the opinion is a common one, even if you don't want to read it. O P, I would think hard before taking a spot below the 3rd team. Too much money for too little return.


This is very true, and it's something parents should realize all the way through their kids' sports careers (including high school), but many don't want to face.

Every single sport - soccer, swimming, hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, you name it, has this set-up for the travel level teams.

If you make one of the top teams, it means you are good at the sport and have a future in it, and can expect to continue to improve.

Anything less and you are just paying for your kids to play. If you have plenty of money and are fine with that, more power to you.

Sorry, but that's the way it is. But too many parents are convinced that DC is going to be a high school or even college player in a sport because he or she regularly "makes" a travel team. Unless it's one of the very top teams, it means nothing.


We know that soccer is not free. We know that travel costs more than Rec. What is tired and stale is the "Cash Cow" comment. The only thing that should matter is do you think that you and your child are getting value for the money spent. Worrying about where the money is going is pointless. EVERYTHING that you spend your money on is a "cash Cow" that doesn't mean you question it beyond the value you receive in services returned.



Sorry. Cash cow is the expression. I didn't make it up. I just applied it correctly: you pay your $2k and get less than that in value. Clearly I am hitting a nerve.

Don't you think it is funny that the ASA travel kids are whiter than the county? The program in its current enormous form, does not serve the county well. At all.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 14:02     Subject: Re:How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Jesus, the OP just asked if basically if a typical kid can play travel soccer at ASA and clearly everyone just brought their own personal baggage into it.

To the OP YES, likely your kid can play travel soccer.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 13:45     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wow! A whole lot of defensiveness about my cash cow comment.

Truth is, the opinion is a common one, even if you don't want to read it. O P, I would think hard before taking a spot below the 3rd team. Too much money for too little return.


This is very true, and it's something parents should realize all the way through their kids' sports careers (including high school), but many don't want to face.

Every single sport - soccer, swimming, hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, you name it, has this set-up for the travel level teams.

If you make one of the top teams, it means you are good at the sport and have a future in it, and can expect to continue to improve.

Anything less and you are just paying for your kids to play. If you have plenty of money and are fine with that, more power to you.

Sorry, but that's the way it is. But too many parents are convinced that DC is going to be a high school or even college player in a sport because he or she regularly "makes" a travel team. Unless it's one of the very top teams, it means nothing.


But, for chrissakes, not at 8-years old. I can’t tell you how many players I’ve coached that were misidentified or late bloomers that were not on top teams that crushed it in their teens. And, conversely, how many kids that peaked by age 10/11.

You don’t hang up your shoes in the elementary years. This is a problem with big clubs because your fate is sealed at U9.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 12:58     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wow! A whole lot of defensiveness about my cash cow comment.

Truth is, the opinion is a common one, even if you don't want to read it. O P, I would think hard before taking a spot below the 3rd team. Too much money for too little return.


This is very true, and it's something parents should realize all the way through their kids' sports careers (including high school), but many don't want to face.

Every single sport - soccer, swimming, hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, you name it, has this set-up for the travel level teams.

If you make one of the top teams, it means you are good at the sport and have a future in it, and can expect to continue to improve.

Anything less and you are just paying for your kids to play. If you have plenty of money and are fine with that, more power to you.

Sorry, but that's the way it is. But too many parents are convinced that DC is going to be a high school or even college player in a sport because he or she regularly "makes" a travel team. Unless it's one of the very top teams, it means nothing.


We know that soccer is not free. We know that travel costs more than Rec. What is tired and stale is the "Cash Cow" comment. The only thing that should matter is do you think that you and your child are getting value for the money spent. Worrying about where the money is going is pointless. EVERYTHING that you spend your money on is a "cash Cow" that doesn't mean you question it beyond the value you receive in services returned.



Not PP.Value can be assessed by your opportunity cost.If you care about carpools and friends then stay at ASA on a bottom 4 team.You have the money and may not care about development.But if you care about practices that actually make your DC get better, then many do share the opinion that you don't go there or you will be part of the cash cow that will just frustrate you in the end.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 12:29     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wow! A whole lot of defensiveness about my cash cow comment.

Truth is, the opinion is a common one, even if you don't want to read it. O P, I would think hard before taking a spot below the 3rd team. Too much money for too little return.


This is very true, and it's something parents should realize all the way through their kids' sports careers (including high school), but many don't want to face.

Every single sport - soccer, swimming, hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, you name it, has this set-up for the travel level teams.

If you make one of the top teams, it means you are good at the sport and have a future in it, and can expect to continue to improve.

Anything less and you are just paying for your kids to play. If you have plenty of money and are fine with that, more power to you.

Sorry, but that's the way it is. But too many parents are convinced that DC is going to be a high school or even college player in a sport because he or she regularly "makes" a travel team. Unless it's one of the very top teams, it means nothing.


We know that soccer is not free. We know that travel costs more than Rec. What is tired and stale is the "Cash Cow" comment. The only thing that should matter is do you think that you and your child are getting value for the money spent. Worrying about where the money is going is pointless. EVERYTHING that you spend your money on is a "cash Cow" that doesn't mean you question it beyond the value you receive in services returned.

Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 11:41     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:But the previous posters comment is true. If you make the top two teams pull the trigger and do it.
Go to a different club before the 5th or 6th team tho, unless it is some priority to be in Arlington.All the girls do make a team there. The only competition is about making red or white

and staying there.

So not bitterness. It is just a fact at the bigger clubs. don't get riled up


“The bottom travel teams are all cash cows and the club doesn't care about them at all. ”

It kinda sounds like you’re the one riled up.


I didn't post that. I am just acknowledged that it is true. Many parents get it, and they aren't bitter. You sound defensive though.


Uggh, fine, you win. ASA is terrible, club soccer is a cash grab. OP just hide your kid in the basement until
College.


PP. You need to relax. There are many ways to raise children, and even (wait for it) many ways to play soccer outside of ASA.

OP, in case you are wondering, by the time kids are 10 or so, families start shopping around more. Arlington kids play for CFC in DC, Alexandria, and Boys and Girls in Annandale, among other places. Different clubs make different choices so you pick the ne that works for you. Or even just rec. Personally, 8seems a bit young for the craziness and pressure, but you do what makes sense among the choices you have.

I hope your family finds a way to keep this fun.


Agreed. Clubs are vastly different and, yes, some kids do make the top 1 and 2 ASA teams and choose to go somewhere else. It’s not unheard of and you need to find the right Club environment for player and family. Sometimes it pays not to just do what everyone around you does. The most important is fun, good coaching and low-stress/pressure at 8. Parents can ruin it for kids as their behavior trickles down and permeates the sidelines.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 11:41     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:Wow! A whole lot of defensiveness about my cash cow comment.

Truth is, the opinion is a common one, even if you don't want to read it. O P, I would think hard before taking a spot below the 3rd team. Too much money for too little return.


This is very true, and it's something parents should realize all the way through their kids' sports careers (including high school), but many don't want to face.

Every single sport - soccer, swimming, hockey, baseball, volleyball, basketball, you name it, has this set-up for the travel level teams.

If you make one of the top teams, it means you are good at the sport and have a future in it, and can expect to continue to improve.

Anything less and you are just paying for your kids to play. If you have plenty of money and are fine with that, more power to you.

Sorry, but that's the way it is. But too many parents are convinced that DC is going to be a high school or even college player in a sport because he or she regularly "makes" a travel team. Unless it's one of the very top teams, it means nothing.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 11:15     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:DD LOVES soccer and really wants to play travel. She will be old enough in the spring to try out (8 yrs old).

How hard is it to make the team? My daughter is one of the stronger players on her rec team but I honestly don’t know enough about soccer to know if she’s really that good or not.

Just want to set the right expectations with her. Perhaps developmental is a better program for her but not sure. Any insight would be much appreciated.


So you should start doing some skills camp/winter training. There is a big difference between rec and club Soccer. At your kids age it is more important to start learning the proper technique in a fun environment.
Anonymous
Post 01/06/2018 09:18     Subject: How competitive is ASA travel soccer team? Is it hard to make the team?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:But the previous posters comment is true. If you make the top two teams pull the trigger and do it.
Go to a different club before the 5th or 6th team tho, unless it is some priority to be in Arlington.All the girls do make a team there. The only competition is about making red or white

and staying there.

So not bitterness. It is just a fact at the bigger clubs. don't get riled up


“The bottom travel teams are all cash cows and the club doesn't care about them at all. ”

It kinda sounds like you’re the one riled up.


I didn't post that. I am just acknowledged that it is true. Many parents get it, and they aren't bitter. You sound defensive though.


Uggh, fine, you win. ASA is terrible, club soccer is a cash grab. OP just hide your kid in the basement until
College.


PP. You need to relax. There are many ways to raise children, and even (wait for it) many ways to play soccer outside of ASA.

OP, in case you are wondering, by the time kids are 10 or so, families start shopping around more. Arlington kids play for CFC in DC, Alexandria, and Boys and Girls in Annandale, among other places. Different clubs make different choices so you pick the ne that works for you. Or even just rec. Personally, 8seems a bit young for the craziness and pressure, but you do what makes sense among the choices you have.

I hope your family finds a way to keep this fun.