The Revolution Academy needs to make some changes.

[Guest]

But sadly they can't play soccer in college.

They can't use soccer to get themselves into a school they normally wouldn't qualify for academically.

What's the point of getting into a school that you wouldn't qualify for academically. Most schools are challenging enough for the students who do qualify academically, but don't have to juggle academics with a high demanding sports schedule. For most student-athletes not up to par academically, that means four years of struggling through classes in subjects they might actually be interested in, or taking the designated "easy" courses in subjects they don't really care about, but won't be preparing them for the career that best suits them. I guess networking with alumni is the saving grace here, but even that won't help you to be successful in a career for which you are woefully underprepared.

[Guest]

Yes, this ^. Some of these kids are young, starting off in USL2 as juniors/seniors in high school. So they try it out for 3 or 4 years, playing at a higher level than college programs. If they find they are stuck in USL2, with no prospect of taking the next step to USL Championship or MLS, they head off to college. They have probably saved enough to pay for at least two years of college, with an added plus of atttending to be a student focused on working toward a non-soccer career, rather than taking the junk courses that many student-athletes take. In the end, they graduate college two years behind, they are two years of tuition down (maybe not even that much, with the lack of full scholarships out there), but are probably set up much better for a career or graduate studies and also happier with their career choice. That's worse case scenario... not terrible.

great perspective and I guarantee you future employers will look on someone who bet on themselves, even if they failed, as someone who has more maturity and perspective than the average, coddled college grad.

[Guest]

great perspective and I guarantee you future employers will look on someone who bet on themselves, even if they failed, as someone who has more maturity and perspective than the average, coddled college grad.

Really? Not a flipping chance friend.

[Guest]

Really? Not a flipping chance friend.

how many college grads are you hiring pal? if presented the choice between the 24 y.o. stanford grad who played pro for 2 years and the generic 22 y.o. stanford grad, with all else being equal, whom do you choose?

[Guest]

how many college grads are you hiring pal? if presented the choice between the 24 y.o. stanford grad who played pro for 2 years and the generic 22 y.o. stanford grad, with all else being equal, whom do you choose?

Sorry bro’, no “pro” down in Foxboro is getting in to Stanford without the college soccer hook.

[Guest]

Sorry bro’, no “pro” down in Foxboro is getting in to Stanford without the college soccer hook.

Remember when BAs kid went to Stanford? That worked out really well.

A player at that level - pro potential/top program recruit - only comes once every few years here. Keep in mind that there's not as much $ in men's soccer, although a pro potential player would probably get more if he's really desired by a coach. What you might lose and not be able to get back is the coach tip that gets you in to a top university. You can usually defer admission for a shkrt time, but not for several years. Some players do jump from college to MLS after a year or two of college but staying the whole time while your peers are playing professionally will set you back.

Anyway it's a tough life choice no one on this board will face

[Guest]

Sorry bro’, no “pro” down in Foxboro is getting in to Stanford without the college soccer hook.

i put stanford because it is would get a rise, but the point still stands -- all else being equal, if you are hiring an undergrad from X school, who are you giving the nod to - the kid who showed ambition as a teenager or the kid who just showed up?

[Guest]

i put stanford because it is would get a rise, but the point still stands -- all else being equal, if you are hiring an undergrad from X school, who are you giving the nod to - the kid who showed ambition as a teenager or the kid who just showed up?

The undergrad with the better GPA and multiple internships focused on their area of expertise gets the job. I'm a soccer parent and I wouldn't be the least bit impressed with a USL bullet point on a prospective employee's resume.

[Guest]

The undergrad with the better GPA and multiple internships focused on their area of expertise gets the job. I'm a soccer parent and I wouldn't be the least bit impressed with a USL bullet point on a prospective employee's resume.

Exactly, all of which can't really be easily done as a D1 student athlete. Much easier to try the soccer route first, and if it doesn't work out, go to college, where you can now put all focus on your area of study, get a good GPA, do the co-op program, get multiple internships so you'll stand out to employers.

[Guest]

The undergrad with the better GPA and multiple internships focused on their area of expertise gets the job. I'm a soccer parent and I wouldn't be the least bit impressed with a USL bullet point on a prospective employee's resume.

Yes being a D1 athlete means very few chances for those internships or even study abroad to broaden your horizons. Yes D1 athletes are generally well focused but narrowly so. All depends on the employer needs and what types of employees find success in their business.

[Guest]

The undergrad with the better GPA and multiple internships focused on their area of expertise gets the job. I'm a soccer parent and I wouldn't be the least bit impressed with a USL bullet point on a prospective employee's resume.

maybe you missed the "all else being equal" part, but don't let your unconscious bias show.

and i'm pretty surprised by the comment anyway.

[Guest]

how many college grads are you hiring pal? if presented the choice between the 24 y.o. stanford grad who played pro for 2 years and the generic 22 y.o. stanford grad, with all else being equal, whom do you choose?

I would hire the kids who lived and played in Europe, speak several languages and have world experience.

[Guest]

I would hire the kids who lived and played in Europe, speak several languages and have world experience.

Lol that applies to a handful of US players, and you'd still expect them to get their degrees.

[Guest]

Did you see the performance this weekend against philly… it is worth watching!
U15 & U17 lost
Not sure what our new academy head is teaching them…

[Guest]

Did you see the performance this weekend against philly… it is worth watching!
U15 & U17 lost
Not sure what our new academy head is teaching them…

Is there a site tracking those results? Couldn’t find the showcase online.