I will put it to you all like this:

- 80% of travel players belong in rec teams but their parents are fooled into thinking their kids can play soccer either by the coaches or organization $$$.
- 80% of travel players want to join a travel club because their friends play there and they have been brainwashed by the clubs into thinking that if you do not belong to a travel team you are not getting the best experience and you are a loser.
- 80% of travel coaches are inexperienced and/or have lost the passion and only want the paycheck. Some do not even have the appropriate coaching licenses yet they say they do (check your coach online). https://learning.ussoccer.com/#!/directory most have just the grassroots coaching license and that's a joke.
- 80% of travel coaches are former "soccer" players who could not get past college soccer and we know college soccer is not even close to pro in Europe, Latin America or Africa.
- 90% of travel players are all white kids who lack the soccer IQ and athletic soccer talent. See for yourself at the next travel game or tournament. See the difference between the players and how they touch the ball, trap the ball and pass the ball. Most are weak players. Most is the result of poor coaching and training they receive.
- 90% of talented soccer players are minorities who cannot afford to pay the $3k+ fees.
- All these "non-profit" soccer clubs in our country are nothing more than businesses that do not pay taxes and pay all directors and coaches a nice income for rec-level soccer.

I could go on and on but I think I made my point here.

Anonymous wrote:People romanticize the "European" soccer experience for kids. Like it is some kind of soccer nirvana. No way the average DCUM snowflake and snowflake parents would ever be able to handle the grind and cut-throat environment of these academies.

Com'on, what's more a cut-throat grind than Potomac or Bethesda U8 girls?

I think I'm going to need therapy after the snowflake comment

Anonymous wrote:People romanticize the "European" soccer experience for kids. Like it is some kind of soccer nirvana. No way the average DCUM snowflake and snowflake parents would ever be able to handle the grind and cut-throat environment of these academies.

I romanticize it and I agree with you

The amount of “showcases” for my two high school age sons in places like Phoenix, SC, Florida, California, Georgia, etc….

Crazy. And the $3500 team fee, paying for uniforms, plane tickets, hotels….

Yes - if you aren’t in a pro academy but footing the bill for your own club MLS Next & ECNL players—it is incredibly costly —up to $8-10k year. Those leagues are the top under the actual academies.

Think this isn’t a rich kid sport in the US??? Haaaaaa. The vast majority of great players around this country are not able to be on these teams because they can’t afford it, they can’t get rides to practices or games, etc

Dude, we are behind as soon as our kids come out of the womb. The culture of soccer isn’t here. These 3 planned practices per week and a game on Saturday of Sunday 3 hours away ain’t how players become great.

People romanticize the "European" soccer experience for kids. Like it is some kind of soccer nirvana. No way the average DCUM snowflake and snowflake parents would ever be able to handle the grind and cut-throat environment of these academies.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every single justification for the expensive pay-to-play system in America is an excuse.

If we truly can't afford it, then no country can.

I'm not sure I understand this argument? Coaches need to get paid. Fields need to be paid for. Referees get paid... etc. etc. where do you expect this money to come from?

Where there's a will, there's a way.
Everybody else has coaches, fields and refs.

The main difference is that youth coaches in other countries only make a couple of hundred bucks a year. Coaches here are making money in the thousands per team. Unfortunately here coaches are not giving up their free time for nothing. Club directors in other countries aren't making over a hundred k unless you are at a top D1 club. If you cut off coaches and multiple director salaries your child would only have to pay a few hundred per year.

Ironic.
You're saying the guy with the high level playing experience and UEFA Youth or UEFA 'B' license is getting paid pennies for coaching
While here the Insurance Agent working part time as a coach with a 5 minute on-line certification is raking in the big bucks.

topsy turvy

That is correct. They are putting in their time for little in order to gain experience in order to move up the ranks. They are only able to keep up with the low pay for a few years. It's one of the reasons why you see so many foreign coaches coming over here or going to the middle east academies. The better pay. I don't have any other sources other than what I've heard other coaches describe their international youth coaching experience in podcasts or by speaking to coaches who came from overseas. Clubs there don't operate the way our youth clubs operate. Their teams are there to develop their players to one day get them on the pro team to either assist the team move up in the promotion/relegation pyramids or to sell a player to a bigger club.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every single justification for the expensive pay-to-play system in America is an excuse.

If we truly can't afford it, then no country can.

We can afford it. Look at football. Look at very high level basketball. We just don't care enough about soccer to bother

Then why are thousands of kids on fields every Saturday and Sunday playing in fancy uniforms?
Why so many Soccerplexes?
Why so many tournaments?
Why so many teams in every metro area?
Why so many thousands of kids training every weekday evenings?
....if we don't care enough about soccer?

Because they make money. Just because parents will pay for their own kids doesn't mean there is any interest in subsidizing other kids

For the vast majority of kids playing in fancy uniforms soccer is just another fun activity to them and their parents. There are parents paying the same money for their kids to do fancy dance teams, play fancy instruments, take fancy SAT and college prep classes, fancy Disney vacations, and on and on. Parents have a lot of money to spend and want the best for their kids.

In the US, the majority of kids are idolizing NFL and basketball players. Those are the passion sports here. It's not a knock on soccer. The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world.

"The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world"

Living in the DMV bubble has many thinking all of America sits on a pile of disposable income.

Whilst there are many pockets of affluent areas especially on the coasts, there are many many many living paycheck to paycheck to no check and a sneeze away from eviction, repossession and homelessness.

Travel soccer is a luxury good in the US. Academy soccer at a high level is free for a kid who is that gifted, but a kid good enough to get into an academy on athletic merit without trainers is probably playing football or basketball in the US

What do you mean by that exactly?
Natural athleticism is enough to make a kid a top basketball of football player?

An elite athlete who is good enough to show up to tryouts for a spot in Philadelphia Union's academy and get a spot without the benefit of thousands in travel soccer and trainers and camp is probably playing football or basketball. The best athletes in the US aren't playing soccer and basketball, and especially football, are especially open to kids from families that can't afford travel sports

There is no athlete who can make a Philadelphia Union team unless they are an exceptional soccer player.

Are you using "athletes" as a euphemism?
Based on what facts or evidence or data can you make a statement that the best athletes in America play basketball and football?

The offensive lines of both teams in the Rose Bowl are all over 300lbs and all wore knee-braces. What makes them the best athletes in America?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sorry, they are playing basketball and football because those sports are affordable and offer paths to college and the pros not dependent on how much money a parent has

You have a very outdated view of football and basketball.

How much do you think EYBL teams charge? You much does it cost to play football in high school?

Anonymous wrote:sorry, they are playing basketball and football because those sports are affordable and offer paths to college and the pros not dependent on how much money a parent has

You have a very outdated view of football and basketball.

sorry, they are playing basketball and football because those sports are affordable and offer paths to college and the pros not dependent on how much money a parent has

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every single justification for the expensive pay-to-play system in America is an excuse.

If we truly can't afford it, then no country can.

We can afford it. Look at football. Look at very high level basketball. We just don't care enough about soccer to bother

Then why are thousands of kids on fields every Saturday and Sunday playing in fancy uniforms?
Why so many Soccerplexes?
Why so many tournaments?
Why so many teams in every metro area?
Why so many thousands of kids training every weekday evenings?
....if we don't care enough about soccer?

Because they make money. Just because parents will pay for their own kids doesn't mean there is any interest in subsidizing other kids

For the vast majority of kids playing in fancy uniforms soccer is just another fun activity to them and their parents. There are parents paying the same money for their kids to do fancy dance teams, play fancy instruments, take fancy SAT and college prep classes, fancy Disney vacations, and on and on. Parents have a lot of money to spend and want the best for their kids.

In the US, the majority of kids are idolizing NFL and basketball players. Those are the passion sports here. It's not a knock on soccer. The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world.

"The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world"

Living in the DMV bubble has many thinking all of America sits on a pile of disposable income.

Whilst there are many pockets of affluent areas especially on the coasts, there are many many many living paycheck to paycheck to no check and a sneeze away from eviction, repossession and homelessness.

Travel soccer is a luxury good in the US. Academy soccer at a high level is free for a kid who is that gifted, but a kid good enough to get into an academy on athletic merit without trainers is probably playing football or basketball in the US

What do you mean by that exactly?
Natural athleticism is enough to make a kid a top basketball of football player?

An elite athlete who is good enough to show up to tryouts for a spot in Philadelphia Union's academy and get a spot without the benefit of thousands in travel soccer and trainers and camp is probably playing football or basketball. The best athletes in the US aren't playing soccer and basketball, and especially football, are especially open to kids from families that can't afford travel sports

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every single justification for the expensive pay-to-play system in America is an excuse.

If we truly can't afford it, then no country can.

We can afford it. Look at football. Look at very high level basketball. We just don't care enough about soccer to bother

Then why are thousands of kids on fields every Saturday and Sunday playing in fancy uniforms?
Why so many Soccerplexes?
Why so many tournaments?
Why so many teams in every metro area?
Why so many thousands of kids training every weekday evenings?
....if we don't care enough about soccer?

Because they make money. Just because parents will pay for their own kids doesn't mean there is any interest in subsidizing other kids

For the vast majority of kids playing in fancy uniforms soccer is just another fun activity to them and their parents. There are parents paying the same money for their kids to do fancy dance teams, play fancy instruments, take fancy SAT and college prep classes, fancy Disney vacations, and on and on. Parents have a lot of money to spend and want the best for their kids.

In the US, the majority of kids are idolizing NFL and basketball players. Those are the passion sports here. It's not a knock on soccer. The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world.

"The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world"

Living in the DMV bubble has many thinking all of America sits on a pile of disposable income.

Whilst there are many pockets of affluent areas especially on the coasts, there are many many many living paycheck to paycheck to no check and a sneeze away from eviction, repossession and homelessness.

Travel soccer is a luxury good in the US. Academy soccer at a high level is free for a kid who is that gifted, but a kid good enough to get into an academy on athletic merit without trainers is probably playing football or basketball in the US

What do you mean by that exactly?
Natural athleticism is enough to make a kid a top basketball of football player?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every single justification for the expensive pay-to-play system in America is an excuse.

If we truly can't afford it, then no country can.

We can afford it. Look at football. Look at very high level basketball. We just don't care enough about soccer to bother

Then why are thousands of kids on fields every Saturday and Sunday playing in fancy uniforms?
Why so many Soccerplexes?
Why so many tournaments?
Why so many teams in every metro area?
Why so many thousands of kids training every weekday evenings?
....if we don't care enough about soccer?

Because they make money. Just because parents will pay for their own kids doesn't mean there is any interest in subsidizing other kids

For the vast majority of kids playing in fancy uniforms soccer is just another fun activity to them and their parents. There are parents paying the same money for their kids to do fancy dance teams, play fancy instruments, take fancy SAT and college prep classes, fancy Disney vacations, and on and on. Parents have a lot of money to spend and want the best for their kids.

In the US, the majority of kids are idolizing NFL and basketball players. Those are the passion sports here. It's not a knock on soccer. The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world.

"The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world"

Living in the DMV bubble has many thinking all of America sits on a pile of disposable income.

Whilst there are many pockets of affluent areas especially on the coasts, there are many many many living paycheck to paycheck to no check and a sneeze away from eviction, repossession and homelessness.

Travel soccer is a luxury good in the US. Academy soccer at a high level is free for a kid who is that gifted, but a kid good enough to get into an academy on athletic merit without trainers is probably playing football or basketball in the US

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Every single justification for the expensive pay-to-play system in America is an excuse.

If we truly can't afford it, then no country can.

We can afford it. Look at football. Look at very high level basketball. We just don't care enough about soccer to bother

Then why are thousands of kids on fields every Saturday and Sunday playing in fancy uniforms?
Why so many Soccerplexes?
Why so many tournaments?
Why so many teams in every metro area?
Why so many thousands of kids training every weekday evenings?
....if we don't care enough about soccer?

Because they make money. Just because parents will pay for their own kids doesn't mean there is any interest in subsidizing other kids

For the vast majority of kids playing in fancy uniforms soccer is just another fun activity to them and their parents. There are parents paying the same money for their kids to do fancy dance teams, play fancy instruments, take fancy SAT and college prep classes, fancy Disney vacations, and on and on. Parents have a lot of money to spend and want the best for their kids.

In the US, the majority of kids are idolizing NFL and basketball players. Those are the passion sports here. It's not a knock on soccer. The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world.

"The culture is just different, and parents have more money to spend, than in other parts of the world"

Living in the DMV bubble has many thinking all of America sits on a pile of disposable income.

Whilst there are many pockets of affluent areas especially on the coasts, there are many many many living paycheck to paycheck to no check and a sneeze away from eviction, repossession and homelessness.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Slightly off topic too but it does matter and something to think about. Capitalism in Europe isn't the same as capitalism here in the states.

Youth soccer is a machine that is allowed to grow without many checks and balances. How good or bad that is depends on your perspective I guess.

I think people just don't realize the financial gap that there is.

Here are a few simple figures from the best data I could find.

EPL: €2,208,128 average salary, €2,111,838,000 total league salary
La Liga: €2,517,929 average salary, €1,203,570,000 total league salary
Bundesliga: €2,208,128 average salary, €967,160,000 total league salary
Serie A: €1,898,505 average salary, €992,918,000 total league salary
Ligue 1: €1,797,765 average salary, €764,050,000 total league salary
English Championship €768,002 average salary, €456,961,352 total league salary
MLS: €543,745 average salary, €241,966,716 total league salary

These are just the top leagues in those countries and the second division in England still out grosses the MLS almost 2 to 1.

I'm not even sure we're catching up, but at least our totals are going up. Still a long way to go. For more perspective the salary cap of a single NFL team is $224,800,000, almost as much as the MLS combined. In baseball the NY Mets have a payroll of about $343,605,067....

That MLS 'average' salary is very misleading. You throw out Messi and a couple others, things look very different.

Oh I completely agree, NWSL is even worse.