Women's soccer

[Unregistered]

I find it interesting the amount of time and effort parents put into posting on the forum. Looking at the posts I think everyone would agree that most, not all, have to do with girls/women's soccer.

Do parents find any of the information posted useful? I myself find most of the information entertaining, however little use to a parent or player.

I would also ask the question...Where do parents and players think women's soccer falls in comparison to all the other sports played in America? Obviously soccer, whether it be men's or women's soccer will never be viewed like professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey or even NASCAR.

In training, traveling and investing the time and money...what is the ultimate goal? and how many or what percent achieve that goal?

[Unregistered]

I find it interesting the amount of time and effort parents put into posting on the forum. Looking at the posts I think everyone would agree that most, not all, have to do with girls/women's soccer.

Do parents find any of the information posted useful? I myself find most of the information entertaining, however little use to a parent or player.

I would also ask the question...Where do parents and players think women's soccer falls in comparison to all the other sports played in America? Obviously soccer, whether it be men's or women's soccer will never be viewed like professional football, baseball, basketball, hockey or even NASCAR.

In training, traveling and investing the time and money...what is the ultimate goal? and how many or what percent achieve that goal?

seriously, and I am not joking. This is not at all about soccer. Most people here dont even watch soccer. Their kids dont watch it. in fact Most of the people who coach their kids dont watch or have even played at any level. This place is all about ego's and one upping. It could be about chess or Scrabble it doesnt matter. Some of the stuff I read here blows me away and Ive been involved with soccer for well over 20 years. Its like a run away judge judy meet jerry springer episode.

[Unregistered]

This is not at all about soccer.

Good point.

[Unregistered]

I like these posts. Agree with you both. For me, it used to be about the soccer and my kid was so passionate about it I used this place for information purposes, and it did help find (or at least find out about and then go directly to ask questions) good clubs, good coaches, teams doing well in the state, etc.

For real soccer information about the game and stuff though, I'd either go to another forum or research and finally (smartest move) ordered Fox Soccer Channel.

Now that my kid has hit some bumps in the road I'm one of those posting on the Loyalty thread and finding solace and comfort in the fact that he is not alone!

I still love the game though, and knew nothing about it 6 years ago.

[Unregistered]

IIn training, traveling and investing the time and money...what is the ultimate goal? and how many or what percent achieve that goal?

For girls, it has to be college for most, and even that's a big maybe and huge sacrifice to the rest of the college experience. (As many have said, it's like a job).

The % that will make any national team or any (floundering) professional team is so miniscule, and even then, your kid will be a young lady with constant traveling and 4 to a hotel room and being paid absolute peanuts.

My daughter was so much more concerned with her school finals last week than tryouts -- at first I worried then level headed spouse reminded me that she was being the smart one in the family!

She will not have played soccer to the detriment of everything else in her life and end up waiting tables!

[Unregistered]

For girls, it has to be college for most, and even that's a big maybe and huge sacrifice to the rest of the college experience. (As many have said, it's like a job).

The % that will make any national team or any (floundering) professional team is so miniscule, and even then, your kid will be a young lady with constant traveling and 4 to a hotel room and being paid absolute peanuts.

My daughter was so much more concerned with her school finals last week than tryouts -- at first I worried then level headed spouse reminded me that she was being the smart one in the family!

She will not have played soccer to the detriment of everything else in her life and end up waiting tables!

The same thing plays out in other sports. For example, look at women's basketball. How many will end up playing in the WNBA?

[Unregistered]

I must admit, for me it's been about watching my 3 kids play at the various premier levels. I was never a fan of the sport, but they enjoy it so we would support it for as long as they wanted play (one left playing). Once they are done, I probably won't watch another game until my grandchildren play.

[Unregistered]

seriously, and I am not joking. This is not at all about soccer. Most people here dont even watch soccer. Their kids dont watch it. in fact Most of the people who coach their kids dont watch or have even played at any level. This place is all about ego's and one upping. It could be about chess or Scrabble it doesnt matter. Some of the stuff I read here blows me away and Ive been involved with soccer for well over 20 years. Its like a run away judge judy meet jerry springer episode.

Agree with you 100%. There are those few posting who really love the game and then there are those who love competition and it could be competitive tiddlywinks for all they care and of course there are those whose only connection are their kids. The last two groups can really cause a problem for the first.

[Unregistered]

I must admit, for me it's been about watching my 3 kids play at the various premier levels. I was never a fan of the sport, but they enjoy it so we would support it for as long as they wanted play (one left playing). Once they are done, I probably won't watch another game until my grandchildren play.

guess this poster proves the point made!

[Unregistered]

Agree with you 100%. There are those few posting who really love the game and then there are those who love competition and it could be competitive tiddlywinks for all they care and of course there are those whose only connection are their kids. The last two groups can really cause a problem for the first.

If you are lucky, you'll find the coach who really loves the game, because they will want to share their love and passion for the game with the kids they coach. The ones who are in it for competition only will look at your kids only in a "what can you do for me to win the game" perspective.

[Unregistered]

If you are lucky, you'll find the coach who really loves the game, because they will want to share their love and passion for the game with the kids they coach. The ones who are in it for competition only will look at your kids only in a "what can you do for me to win the game" perspective.

I could watch my kid watching TV and be fine. Soccer is so much more interesting. Get to hang out with some really nice people on the sidelines. Those that are a little crazy - can always walk away from - or they can walk away from me! My daughter's coaches have been dedicated, nice guys who found a way to serve the girls as well as the clubs. While there are some conflicts and the travel is a little crazy I love it. Do watch on TV, but mainly because I see my girls when I see success stories - and my kids are awesome even if some of that is in my head.

[Unregistered]

If you are lucky, you'll find the coach who really loves the game, because they will want to share their love and passion for the game with the kids they coach. The ones who are in it for competition only will look at your kids only in a "what can you do for me to win the game" perspective.

This is one of the best posts I've read here. It ought to be repeated over on the Loyalty thread.

[Unregistered]

seriously, and I am not joking. This is not at all about soccer. Most people here dont even watch soccer. Their kids dont watch it. in fact Most of the people who coach their kids dont watch or have even played at any level. This place is all about ego's and one upping. It could be about chess or Scrabble it doesnt matter. Some of the stuff I read here blows me away and Ive been involved with soccer for well over 20 years. Its like a run away judge judy meet jerry springer episode.

I agree with your comments. So I have to ask some questions?

What do you make of the DOCs and coaches who provide the service of club soccer in order to make a living? I know this may seem pesimistic, however can any of them really be completely objective? It is their business?

I understand the thrill of parents watching and cheering on their children. However, the amount of money being paid in amazing! You have training, leagues, sometimes more than one league, tournaments, travel, kits, camps that you must attend, extra training for strikers, keepers that you must pay for and now more and more boys and girls involved in specialized performance training.

For what? What is the end result parents are looking for and given the time and money invested, are the DOCs and coaches being completely honest with the parents and players? What are the percentages of players in MA (girls or boys) that reach goals such as US National team or playing professionally, college scholarship, helping them get into a school that they normally would not get into without soccer...

Then we come back the talking-soccer post. It's simply business and in this business there is a lot of money to be made especially if you make certain promises that you have no way of knowing will come true...

[Unregistered]

I agree with your comments. So I have to ask some questions?

What do you make of the DOCs and coaches who provide the service of club soccer in order to make a living? I know this may seem pesimistic, however can any of them really be completely objective? It is their business?

I understand the thrill of parents watching and cheering on their children. However, the amount of money being paid in amazing! You have training, leagues, sometimes more than one league, tournaments, travel, kits, camps that you must attend, extra training for strikers, keepers that you must pay for and now more and more boys and girls involved in specialized performance training.

For what? What is the end result parents are looking for and given the time and money invested, are the DOCs and coaches being completely honest with the parents and players? What are the percentages of players in MA (girls or boys) that reach goals such as US National team or playing professionally, college scholarship, helping them get into a school that they normally would not get into without soccer...

Then we come back the talking-soccer post. It's simply business and in this business there is a lot of money to be made especially if you make certain promises that you have no way of knowing will come true...

I don't mind people making money as long as I get what I paid for. Do a comparison with the cost of just about any youth activities today and you'll probably find the cost comparable and many times a lot less. That, however, does not mean that clubs shouldn't be accountable for the ever increasing costs to play soccer. Those increasing costs are putting soccer out of reach of a lot of kids and it doesn't have to be that way.

[Unregistered]

Elite youth hockey ain't cheap.