Eat, train, sleep, it’s that simple…

[Unregistered]

That makes soccer an awfully expensive hobby to have and that seriously limits the population of participants. The money differential is one big reason men's soccer isn't caching on in this country while women's soccer is exploding. There is very little upside for the men unless they are in the elite of the elite category.

who cares if more people play. if you have the money why have more competition?

[Unregistered]

These numbers really highlight the hypocrisy of club soccer and programs like DAP. There are 78 DAP clubs. Presuming that each one has 20 players on their roster that means that each year between the two high school age groups that they are producing approximately 50% more players in just the DAP program than there are D1 men's scholarships. We all know that there are way more high school aged club players out there than those on DAP teams so the reality on the men's side is there is very limited opportunities for men players to advance and yet the clubs and US Soccer are continually expanding the offerings for players aspiring to those opportunities. It is turning club soccer into a needle in the haystack proposition except the hay is actually money families are throwing at club soccer.

If you want to piss your money away on an over priced hobby, go ahead, it's your money. On the men's side what soccer has become is a country club for rich kids with lots of money and very little athletic ability. Its a shame because they are ruining the game.

[Unregistered]

who cares if more people play. if you have the money why have more competition?

Parents like these destroy sports because they usually don't understand the amount of work that their kids need to do to be good at a sport and make excuses for them so they don't have to do it, then expect their checkbook to equalize things. If you read the article that started this thread you can get a sense of how consuming a sport needs to be in order to be good enough to play at the higher levels. Practicing twice a week with huge gaps for vacations and down time are not anywhere near what it takes, yet that is exactly what our club system deludes parents into thinking that it is.

[Unregistered]

Back at it again, BTDT, on a Saturday morning?

Thanks for 25, 29, 30, 32 and 33.

Besides your daily diarrhea about all this on this site, are you planning to do something about all these horrors? Join a national advisory committee? Send a mass mailing to all Mass youth soccer families telling them all the reasons why they are harming your ultimate goals and why they should drop out and just focus on the clarinet lessons? Petition some of the leading D3 conferences like the NESCAC and UAA to drop athletics?

[Unregistered]

Back at it again, BTDT, on a Saturday morning?

Thanks for 25, 29, 30, 32 and 33.

Besides your daily diarrhea about all this on this site, are you planning to do something about all these horrors? Join a national advisory committee? Send a mass mailing to all Mass youth soccer families telling them all the reasons why they are harming your ultimate goals and why they should drop out and just focus on the clarinet lessons? Petition some of the leading D3 conferences like the NESCAC and UAA to drop athletics?

Nope not I am not BTDT. I have not been there or done that, nor do I care about NEFC vs Stars, ECNL, DAP,.... There are lots of activities parents support their kids to do that have no pay off later.

[Unregistered]

Back at it again, BTDT, on a Saturday morning?

Thanks for 25, 29, 30, 32 and 33.

Besides your daily diarrhea about all this on this site, are you planning to do something about all these horrors? Join a national advisory committee? Send a mass mailing to all Mass youth soccer families telling them all the reasons why they are harming your ultimate goals and why they should drop out and just focus on the clarinet lessons? Petition some of the leading D3 conferences like the NESCAC and UAA to drop athletics?

As if what you are spewing is just wholesome fodder for discussion. Get a life asshat.

[Unregistered]

Nope not I am not BTDT. I have not been there or done that, nor do I care about NEFC vs Stars, ECNL, DAP,.... There are lots of activities parents support their kids to do that have no pay off later.

Seems silly to even have to say this, but everything in life isn't about a pay off, and everything that is worthwhile isn't always calculated in dollars and cents. And believe it or not, a fair number of parents aren't deluded.

[Unregistered]

As if what you are spewing is just wholesome fodder for discussion. Get a life asshat.

LOL. Try posting something once in your life that isn't negative and disparaging.

[Unregistered]

Seems silly to even have to say this, but everything in life isn't about a pay off, and everything that is worthwhile isn't always calculated in dollars and cents. And believe it or not, a fair number of parents aren't deluded.

True, but most people don't jump on a train designed for the elite participants in a particular activity if they have no interest in ending up at the same destination and then crap all over everyone else that is serious about ending up there, no?

[Unregistered]

If you want to piss your money away on an over priced hobby, go ahead, it's your money. On the men's side what soccer has become is a country club for rich kids with lots of money and very little athletic ability. Its a shame because they are ruining the game.

No it hasn't! The game has grown on the men's side, just not at the pace or volume the the women's side has. Better athletes are staying, and not moving over to the $$$ sports, in their teens. It's a process, that takes generations to build to the point you're screaming doesn't exist. You're correct we are not there, but we are a hell of a lot closer than 25 years ago. The pace hasn't always been as fast, as some would like to see, but we have passed the tipping point, and have been gaining fast over the past 16 years. The NSCAA has done a fantastic job educating coaches, and you're seeing that dedication starting to pay off. The 45 yr old and under crowd, is making strides. A big majority played the game, at a higher level than just HS, and grew up watching the game on tv, and in US stadiums. My daughters college team had a MLS cup viewing party last Saturday as a fundraiser, and had 200+ regular students in attendance. They all play pick up futsal in one of the gym BBall courts or the outdoor BBall/roller hockey court. She does work study reffing intramural soccer, and soccer and Volleyball are the most popular. I would also argue that the creation of leagues like NEP,NPL, ECNL, DAP has helped the less privileged player gain access to more opportunities, and exposure with their town "club" teams. Players from low income areas, on the town "club" team, are now in maple, and being trained by some of the same coaches at the big clubs, through the inner city initiatives set up by most, or through the services they offer to town programs. They also use these programs to recruit players that wouldn't be coming to the tryouts, and if they are that good, they will at least try to find away to get the player involved with them. Either you're not that good at seeing trends, don't want to, or hate that the game is gaining in America, or(my guess) hate Americans in general. Which is it?

[Unregistered]

No it hasn't! The game has grown on the men's side, just not at the pace or volume the the women's side has. Better athletes are staying, and not moving over to the $$$ sports, in their teens. It's a process, that takes generations to build to the point you're screaming doesn't exist. You're correct we are not there, but we are a hell of a lot closer than 25 years ago. The pace hasn't always been as fast, as some would like to see, but we have passed the tipping point, and have been gaining fast over the past 16 years. The NSCAA has done a fantastic job educating coaches, and you're seeing that dedication starting to pay off. The 45 yr old and under crowd, is making strides. A big majority played the game, at a higher level than just HS, and grew up watching the game on tv, and in US stadiums. My daughters college team had a MLS cup viewing party last Saturday as a fundraiser, and had 200+ regular students in attendance. They all play pick up futsal in one of the gym BBall courts or the outdoor BBall/roller hockey court. She does work study reffing intramural soccer, and soccer and Volleyball are the most popular. I would also argue that the creation of leagues like NEP,NPL, ECNL, DAP has helped the less privileged player gain access to more opportunities, and exposure with their town "club" teams. Players from low income areas, on the town "club" team, are now in maple, and being trained by some of the same coaches at the big clubs, through the inner city initiatives set up by most, or through the services they offer to town programs. They also use these programs to recruit players that wouldn't be coming to the tryouts, and if they are that good, they will at least try to find away to get the player involved with them. Either you're not that good at seeing trends, don't want to, or hate that the game is gaining in America, or(my guess) hate Americans in general. Which is it?

The problem on the men's side that is limiting the growth of the sport is they are grossly over supplying the market place with players. There just is no place for the numbers really to go so they end up flooding a level and watering down the overall quality.

[Unregistered]

True, but most people don't jump on a train designed for the elite participants in a particular activity if they have no interest in ending up at the same destination and then crap all over everyone else that is serious about ending up there, no?

Crapping on the ultra elite? When and where?

[Unregistered]

The problem on the men's side that is limiting the growth of the sport is they are grossly over supplying the market place with players. There just is no place for the numbers really to go so they end up flooding a level and watering down the overall quality.

Gee, another negative, disparaging post.

[Unregistered]

Gee, another negative, disparaging post.

Gee and you think your posts are a ray of sunshine?? At least that speaks to environmental issues that do exist. All you do is get pissed off when you don't like when the reality of the situation gets pointed out. The epitome of the clueless parent.

[Unregistered]

Crapping on the ultra elite? When and where?

Lets start with this one

Of course the average uber parent knows what they are doing - but that doesn't mean that it is misguided, stupid, and chasing rainbows. They are pursuing a dream and dragging their kids along with them for this vague professional accomplishment. Bragging rights, facebook one-upping of their peer-rivals, selfie-ishness, etc etc.

Believe me there are few things more annoying in this world than the parents of a top female soccer player.