Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 10:42     Subject: Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anyone on a soccer forum asking why soccer is a big deal shouldn't be taken seriously
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 09:26     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights


There is no exaggeration there. If you able plugged into U9-U11 instagram feeds of these soccer kids, you will see 6 days a week is common for the most dedicated families. Throw in high demand training featured on IG, and you will see near daily posts from these parents featuring their kids training about 6 days per week. Travel practices are 3 days, games 1 or 2 days. On top of that, you have at home workouts and sign up ad-hoc training sessions.

There is even another level: the home school level so the kids can prioritize training over school level. This level includes flying across country to guest play in tournaments or get high end training from trainers who usually coach professional level players.

In the NOVA area, I'd say 40-50 kids aged 8-10 practice 6 days per week and 2-4 families homeschool or arrange school in a way that works around soccer.


Do all these families report to you? Where are you pulling these numbers from?

I suggest you get off the Instagram machine. It has warped your grasp on reality


Bro, tell me you don't even do False8 without even telling me you don't do False8. Do you even know about Ballers Elite? The elite train has already left the station and you're still on the platform.
Anonymous
Post 02/26/2026 08:03     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights


There is no exaggeration there. If you able plugged into U9-U11 instagram feeds of these soccer kids, you will see 6 days a week is common for the most dedicated families. Throw in high demand training featured on IG, and you will see near daily posts from these parents featuring their kids training about 6 days per week. Travel practices are 3 days, games 1 or 2 days. On top of that, you have at home workouts and sign up ad-hoc training sessions.

There is even another level: the home school level so the kids can prioritize training over school level. This level includes flying across country to guest play in tournaments or get high end training from trainers who usually coach professional level players.

In the NOVA area, I'd say 40-50 kids aged 8-10 practice 6 days per week and 2-4 families homeschool or arrange school in a way that works around soccer.


Oh good lord. If your data comes from insta, let’s just end the thread here.

#baller #grind #puttinginthework

🙄


If you want to be world class, you’re absolutely training 6 days a week at 8 years old. It’s just a fact.

It doesn’t mean you’re the best at 8. Doesn’t meant training 6 days a week will make you work class. But there are ZERO world class soccer players that were not irrationally crazy about soccer and working hard at 8.


And the clubs want you to believe your kid is that one kid who can be world class. If you pony up.

Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 22:59     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights


There is no exaggeration there. If you able plugged into U9-U11 instagram feeds of these soccer kids, you will see 6 days a week is common for the most dedicated families. Throw in high demand training featured on IG, and you will see near daily posts from these parents featuring their kids training about 6 days per week. Travel practices are 3 days, games 1 or 2 days. On top of that, you have at home workouts and sign up ad-hoc training sessions.

There is even another level: the home school level so the kids can prioritize training over school level. This level includes flying across country to guest play in tournaments or get high end training from trainers who usually coach professional level players.

In the NOVA area, I'd say 40-50 kids aged 8-10 practice 6 days per week and 2-4 families homeschool or arrange school in a way that works around soccer.


Oh good lord. If your data comes from insta, let’s just end the thread here.

#baller #grind #puttinginthework

🙄


If you want to be world class, you’re absolutely training 6 days a week at 8 years old. It’s just a fact.

It doesn’t mean you’re the best at 8. Doesn’t meant training 6 days a week will make you work class. But there are ZERO world class soccer players that were not irrationally crazy about soccer and working hard at 8.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 22:51     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Fun fact: that is a myth from weird counter culture anti-club self-promoters that pray on anxious parents.

I guess all those u11s at SPFC and Paulista just have to compete against cones for 2 years until they’re allowed to “organize”
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 22:19     Subject: Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:My daughter plays bc she loves it. It has saved us at least $100K a year so far in college. She has also had the opportunity to play for the US a few dozen times and has traveled to several countries and seen some of the world. She does plan to play professionally (could have already) but it trying to get some college in and gain more experience.

We didn't do all the crazy stuff. She trained a lot on her own and had trainers that wanted to work w her for free. We happen to live near a NWSL club so she was also able to train w them for awhile before college for free.


Another snippet from the fiction section
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 18:24     Subject: Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:I’m genuinely curious. My child does not play sports but I did competitively growing up in the NE before soccer became the popular fad.

What is the appeal of it? Why does it start so young and why are 8/9 year olds practicing 6 days a week all year long? Why do parents drive all over the place for futsal during the winter and tournaments for 9 year olds? What is the end game?

I understand for some it’s fun, but this type of demand cannot be “fun” for a 8-10 year old. Do so many parents really think their kids are going to all get D1 scholarships or go pro? And who cares about pro soccer - they barely make a living wage.

I guess where is the insanity coming from?



Of course if would be great if my kid went pro but that’s not the reason why we’re doing this. This is a lesson on hard work and dedication. We enjoy the journey and whatever comes we accept. If you’re doing it to get scholarship and go pro, you will be dissatisfied if you don’t get those things. That may vary person to person
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 18:24     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights


There is no exaggeration there. If you able plugged into U9-U11 instagram feeds of these soccer kids, you will see 6 days a week is common for the most dedicated families. Throw in high demand training featured on IG, and you will see near daily posts from these parents featuring their kids training about 6 days per week. Travel practices are 3 days, games 1 or 2 days. On top of that, you have at home workouts and sign up ad-hoc training sessions.

There is even another level: the home school level so the kids can prioritize training over school level. This level includes flying across country to guest play in tournaments or get high end training from trainers who usually coach professional level players.

In the NOVA area, I'd say 40-50 kids aged 8-10 practice 6 days per week and 2-4 families homeschool or arrange school in a way that works around soccer.


Oh good lord. If your data comes from insta, let’s just end the thread here.

#baller #grind #puttinginthework

🙄


lol I agree, but you can’t escape the fact it directly ties into this thread, ‘Why Soccer is Such a Big Deal.’

Kids are balling out, grinding daily. It’s well documented. We know the kids, we know the coaches, we know the trainers they are grinding and lots of posting to support it. This goes past being on the 1st team. This is in hopes of getting a USYNT training invite. Which will peak the interest of college coaches down the road.

Soccer can lead to college access.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 17:19     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights


There is no exaggeration there. If you able plugged into U9-U11 instagram feeds of these soccer kids, you will see 6 days a week is common for the most dedicated families. Throw in high demand training featured on IG, and you will see near daily posts from these parents featuring their kids training about 6 days per week. Travel practices are 3 days, games 1 or 2 days. On top of that, you have at home workouts and sign up ad-hoc training sessions.

There is even another level: the home school level so the kids can prioritize training over school level. This level includes flying across country to guest play in tournaments or get high end training from trainers who usually coach professional level players.

In the NOVA area, I'd say 40-50 kids aged 8-10 practice 6 days per week and 2-4 families homeschool or arrange school in a way that works around soccer.


Oh good lord. If your data comes from insta, let’s just end the thread here.

#baller #grind #puttinginthework

🙄


What, Instagram is not the reflection of reality….oh no!
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 17:13     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights


There is no exaggeration there. If you able plugged into U9-U11 instagram feeds of these soccer kids, you will see 6 days a week is common for the most dedicated families. Throw in high demand training featured on IG, and you will see near daily posts from these parents featuring their kids training about 6 days per week. Travel practices are 3 days, games 1 or 2 days. On top of that, you have at home workouts and sign up ad-hoc training sessions.

There is even another level: the home school level so the kids can prioritize training over school level. This level includes flying across country to guest play in tournaments or get high end training from trainers who usually coach professional level players.

In the NOVA area, I'd say 40-50 kids aged 8-10 practice 6 days per week and 2-4 families homeschool or arrange school in a way that works around soccer.


Oh good lord. If your data comes from insta, let’s just end the thread here.

#baller #grind #puttinginthework

🙄
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 17:02     Subject: Why is soccer such a big deal?

My daughter plays bc she loves it. It has saved us at least $100K a year so far in college. She has also had the opportunity to play for the US a few dozen times and has traveled to several countries and seen some of the world. She does plan to play professionally (could have already) but it trying to get some college in and gain more experience.

We didn't do all the crazy stuff. She trained a lot on her own and had trainers that wanted to work w her for free. We happen to live near a NWSL club so she was also able to train w them for awhile before college for free.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 16:54     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights


There is no exaggeration there. If you able plugged into U9-U11 instagram feeds of these soccer kids, you will see 6 days a week is common for the most dedicated families. Throw in high demand training featured on IG, and you will see near daily posts from these parents featuring their kids training about 6 days per week. Travel practices are 3 days, games 1 or 2 days. On top of that, you have at home workouts and sign up ad-hoc training sessions.

There is even another level: the home school level so the kids can prioritize training over school level. This level includes flying across country to guest play in tournaments or get high end training from trainers who usually coach professional level players.

In the NOVA area, I'd say 40-50 kids aged 8-10 practice 6 days per week and 2-4 families homeschool or arrange school in a way that works around soccer.


Do all these families report to you? Where are you pulling these numbers from?

I suggest you get off the Instagram machine. It has warped your grasp on reality
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 16:49     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights


There is no exaggeration there. If you able plugged into U9-U11 instagram feeds of these soccer kids, you will see 6 days a week is common for the most dedicated families. Throw in high demand training featured on IG, and you will see near daily posts from these parents featuring their kids training about 6 days per week. Travel practices are 3 days, games 1 or 2 days. On top of that, you have at home workouts and sign up ad-hoc training sessions.

There is even another level: the home school level so the kids can prioritize training over school level. This level includes flying across country to guest play in tournaments or get high end training from trainers who usually coach professional level players.

In the NOVA area, I'd say 40-50 kids aged 8-10 practice 6 days per week and 2-4 families homeschool or arrange school in a way that works around soccer.


You're focusing on bs instagram kids that will burn out before they even reach hs. 8-10 year olds aren't doing 6 days a week all year, including ones who will end up being D1/USNT caliber.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 16:44     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights


There is no exaggeration there. If you able plugged into U9-U11 instagram feeds of these soccer kids, you will see 6 days a week is common for the most dedicated families. Throw in high demand training featured on IG, and you will see near daily posts from these parents featuring their kids training about 6 days per week. Travel practices are 3 days, games 1 or 2 days. On top of that, you have at home workouts and sign up ad-hoc training sessions.

There is even another level: the home school level so the kids can prioritize training over school level. This level includes flying across country to guest play in tournaments or get high end training from trainers who usually coach professional level players.

In the NOVA area, I'd say 40-50 kids aged 8-10 practice 6 days per week and 2-4 families homeschool or arrange school in a way that works around soccer.
Anonymous
Post 02/25/2026 16:11     Subject: Re:Why is soccer such a big deal?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The above posters are prime example of why America is never going to be good at football.

It just isn’t in the culture. The king sport is king because all you need is a ball to have fun. No fancy or expensive equipment. Just a ball to kick at.

Poors, rich, intelligent, dumbs… anyone can play it.

When it’s embedded in your life like outside of USofA then you inherently develop talented players with minimal to almost virtually no oversight of organized play.

Fun fact: in Brazil, the kids do not start organized club futebol until AFTER U13. Make of that what you will.


Op here -
I mean I think the posters above would generally agree with you? It sounds like some weird FOMO funnel has been created. I think it makes sense that it’s like the first sport kids can really get competitive in.

I also don’t think it should be competitive until HS. That’s the way it was when I was playing.

The posters above sound like their kids just enjoy playing and to keep playing the system requires a certain amount of time.

But even those posters aren’t doing as much as I’m seeing, 6 days a week all year for 8-10 year olds.

I don’t care that soccer will never be the biggest sport. I get why it won’t be in the US. I just don’t get why people have subscribed to the insanity.


8-10 year olds doing 6 days a week all year takes exaggeration to new heights