Anonymous wrote:Agree with these rather harsh sentiments for the most part. Parents' dreams can be tricky things, tho. Did you see that one of Arsenal's top young midfield prospects played for Olney Rangers? What's the story with that - he's German but lived here for a bit, I guess. It's that kind of thing that distorts our sense of what your kids might be able to accomplish.

He was born in Germany. Parents are Ethiopian. He’s American now, to be eligible to play on the MNT. Played for his MCPS high school team in addition to the Rangers.

Why you feel the need to blurt out that shit is beyond me. Let me guess, you are tired of parents around you talk about soccer and how their kid is great. Ignore and move on and get off our internet, you need professional help.

OP you sound insufferable and really weird.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Agree with these rather harsh sentiments for the most part. Parents' dreams can be tricky things, tho. Did you see that one of Arsenal's top young midfield prospects played for Olney Rangers? What's the story with that - he's German but lived here for a bit, I guess. It's that kind of thing that distorts our sense of what your kids might be able to accomplish.

I am pp above you and I live in Olney, so close to where they play. So, yes, I know that, I know rich parents coming from Potomac and around to play there. When you find a right fit and you have the right coach and talent... yes, it can happen. I am all for supporting our kids in their passion and kids dreaming big. That is the only way you will make it. But, I have seen, sadly, so many kids with two left feet, and parents who keep spending and spending and kids who are having no fun in their sport because parents(it is usually one parent) have gone nuts. That is where I draw the line, my kid has to want it, not me.

Agree with these rather harsh sentiments for the most part. Parents' dreams can be tricky things, tho. Did you see that one of Arsenal's top young midfield prospects played for Olney Rangers? What's the story with that - he's German but lived here for a bit, I guess. It's that kind of thing that distorts our sense of what your kids might be able to accomplish.

The list of US players playing abroad is not that long, the list of those playing in Bundesliga is even shorter for a country as populous as US. US parents ought to realize that their kids making it pro soccer is beyond minuscule as so many European parents realize. As so many parents in all sports realize. The thing about parents in Europe is that if they see their kid is not going to be really, really good, they are not willing to spend money on sport for their kid. The thing about US parents is that they are fools who support and pay for coaches that really often don't have the kids best interest in their minds but their own pockets. This goes for any sport. My sons' coach in Europe(different sport) told him he can play college, but not to hope for anything else at the age of 11! His coach here painted a glorious picture of world fame! But me being a realist found another, honest coach here. Send your kid to tryouts to Ajax academy, if he is not accepted, relax and have him play for fun, in college and enjoy the benefits of sport that is not pro but might have great fun benefits.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does OP feel like it’s her place to tell us how to do anything without anyone asking for guidance or advice?

And why make fun of people and be sarcastically mean? If you don’t have anything nice to say, stfu.

Is this ironically not self-aware?

I like the original post because, if you read these boards, you'd think everyone here has kids going to European academies, defying the odds and become top-flight pros. The reality is that very few people from this area go pro AT ALL. If your last name isn't Gyau or Sullivan, what are you talking about?

Most kids on travel just have fun playing soccer. That is why her post is stupid.

But the target here isn't those kids. It's parents who come here insisting everything short of CCL ... no, wait, the ECNL ... no, wait, the DA ... no, wait, a European academy ... is rec soccer.

I disagree. My son played Region 1, CCL etc. Why because he really, really, really loved soccer and rec would just be too frustrating. He lived and breathed soccer (and 1 other travel sport). He loved it. Some of his friends went to European Academies or camps.

Most of his rich friend are actually going to really good colleges and continuing to play.

I actually think its a really healthy thing to do, have a passion and follow it.

So what, if you want your kid to do rec do rec but let others do whatever.

I don't get it. Are congratulations in order?

I agree you with, OP. Modern parents are way to intense about this stuff.

My son Michael was cut from his high school basketball team as a sophomore but then had a growth spurt and kept on working and ended up getting pretty good.

Anonymous wrote:7? I guess you are sick of constant insane bragging here about soccer kids too?

Who is bragging here?

7? I guess you are sick of constant insane bragging here about soccer kids too?

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does OP feel like it’s her place to tell us how to do anything without anyone asking for guidance or advice?

And why make fun of people and be sarcastically mean? If you don’t have anything nice to say, stfu.

Is this ironically not self-aware?

I like the original post because, if you read these boards, you'd think everyone here has kids going to European academies, defying the odds and become top-flight pros. The reality is that very few people from this area go pro AT ALL. If your last name isn't Gyau or Sullivan, what are you talking about?

I might have liked the original post if it were well written enough that the satire came through clearly. Since it wasn't, it just came across as patronizing and painfully unfunny.

Also, there is a sizable number of kids from around here who have gone pro recently or will when the graduate from HS, or who, though they have opted for college, are still (reasonably) considering it as a potential option--this includes every kid who was recruited to a top D1 soccer program, and there are many. When those kids were younger, their families all took soccer very seriously, as did scores of other families whose kids were really talented but didn't quite end up making it or lost interest. I don't think anyone should act like a lunatic on a public forum (or sideline), but I'm not clear on why anyone should be looking down on posters here who think professional soccer may be a possibility down the line. No one here is saying that their U8 player is going pro or will be getting a full ride to college.

100%. Cringeworthy.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does OP feel like it’s her place to tell us how to do anything without anyone asking for guidance or advice?

And why make fun of people and be sarcastically mean? If you don’t have anything nice to say, stfu.

Is this ironically not self-aware?

I like the original post because, if you read these boards, you'd think everyone here has kids going to European academies, defying the odds and become top-flight pros. The reality is that very few people from this area go pro AT ALL. If your last name isn't Gyau or Sullivan, what are you talking about?

And there is always someone on the board like you who is always somehow above it all but still here anyway. Your "love of the purity of the game" is what keeps you coming here to dispense your "wisdom" upon us all. Where would we be without somebody like you to tell us that our kids are not special.

I'm sorry you have been ground down by the big soccer machine and that nostalgia has the best of you now. I know, music was better when you were a kid, gas was cheaper too. Perhaps you should take off your rose colored glasses and put them away or just sit on the rocking chair on your front porch away from the wifi and try and just enjoy your life and let people try and enjoy theirs.

Step away from the game and step away from the forums for a while and you might find some peace. And don't say you are at peace because a "peaceful" man does not sign their posts as "RantingSoccerDad".