PDA Showcase

[Guest]

There’s a lot of wealth at that PDA campus. Disproportionate wealth. Break down this fact.

Why is this such a shock to you? There are many things in this state you could say the same thing about.

[Guest]

Can someone get Soccer Nut and Eric a room.

Maybe instead of trying to be funny…..you should absorb some of their wisdom. Two guys with extremely successful kids that have been in this rat race for awhile. Their’s are the rare perspectives that actually bring some value and insightful discussion to this blog.

[Guest]

Maybe instead of trying to be funny…..you should absorb some of their wisdom. Two guys with extremely successful kids that have been in this rat race for awhile. Their’s are the rare perspectives that actually bring some value and insightful discussion to this blog.

Lmao....

[Guest]

The USMNT is over 50% AA and Latino. That’s way disproportionate with the amount of AA and Latino people in the population, so they’re actually over represented groups and Caucasians are underrepresented if we want to be honest. But that doesn’t play to the woke narrative, so we’ll just ignore it.

The USMNT is not the same as club soccer. Walk the fields of ECNL, GA or MLSN pay to play clubs and it's predominantly white and middle to upper income. The pros and NT call ups aren't based on income or race, just skill(in theory any way).

[Guest]

Maybe instead of trying to be funny…..you should absorb some of their wisdom. Two guys with extremely successful kids that have been in this rat race for awhile. Their’s are the rare perspectives that actually bring some value and insightful discussion to this blog.

Son I have been around the block myself. I don’t need rich white males from upper class neighborhoods telling me anything about the game.

[Guest]

Soccer Nut,

You make a valid and great point that I will bet you if you surveyed the players themselves you would get a different look into who is at the top of the game and who is not. Now of course you can't weigh their opinion as law because you know if I know there will be HATERS lol sorry but it's just a fact. Even in my days of playing sure I would give you as a player respect but to say that you are better than me....NAWWWW ain't happening lol. Yes this will be my 15th year and counting at PDA and I still have my Junior in HS to go but I tell you even when she leaves for college I am not leaving PDA. PDA is where my kids call there home and has it been a perfect place I would be a fool and hypocrite to say everything has been peachy and clean on their journey. But what I can say is that although it's not perfect.....they call it home and no home is perfect I don't care what you say. No one's house is like the Brady's or Cosby's nope not even close. Although we tend to look at things from a black vs white or minority vs white I feel we put all those "white kids" in a situation that is 100% not fair. Those kids work just as hard and any other minority and what I feel we are creating is reverse racism and to be a successful player who happens to be white people will look at you as you're only there because your mommy and daddy and that is not the case and its sad. Its really sad and not fair to those kids in my opinion and that's why I take the stance I take because I refuse to roll around in that mess and say the color of your skin should be enough to get you a look. HECK NO not in my house.....you deserve a look because you worked your butt off and you CONTINUE to get better and you CONTINUE to WORK HARD and perfect your craft. There are a ton of kids that are getting left out the picture due to the travel of youth soccer. I know at PDA they offer scholarships to any family that needs one. I know this for a fact because and I know they do offer them. The problem is TRAVEL....and I have brought this up to leadership in meetings several times and our hands are tied when it comes to that. Sure you can give families scholarships all you want but if those kids can't get to practice, can't make it to Florida, Cali, Texas etc it really doesn't matter how many kids you let come in on scholarships. Soccer Nut it's important that you don't disappear off the sense once your children are done. I feel it voices like yours and many others on this board that at times gives everyone a time to reflect and sit back and look at real issues as these in this state of soccer and these discussions are real discussion that we all need to talk about and discuss and peel back our skin to the bare-naked of what lies beneath. We speak about journey and as my oldest finished her college career with a lost in the sweet 16 to Duke I said her as she will now prepare to enter the NWSL which in many soccer circle she may be selected high in the first round.....but I said to her that no matter what you do you journey is the same as everyone else in this game. If you had won you would be preparing for the next round as you're not, but the fact that you lost you have the same journey as them and that's to prepare for your next stage and if it the NWSL draft that is great but if its not, that is great also but your journey is no different. I feel as you said earlier that we look at these young kids and we say at the age of age of 8,9, 10, 11 etc years old what these kids are and will be. I remember at a very early age my oldest wasn't select at all for anything and always was put on the outside looking in. Yes she was 13 years old and sure I trust with all these soccer men and women sad.....NOT....lol I would laugh and I still do when I hear the stories or people ask me how my oldest has become what she has and I simply say to them.....well for one she was 12 years old when you made it up in your mind that she wasn't ELITE lol lol. Has she outshined those that she has come through the system with.....nope not at all. Those kids are who they are and mine is who she is and has been but again its NOT WHAT YOU KNOW......ITS WHO YOU KNOW and its who owes who a favor in my opinion.

Eric Harris

You’re not leaving PDA after your kids are gone? Should we be concerned? Creepy.

[Guest]

Maybe instead of trying to be funny…..you should absorb some of their wisdom. Two guys with extremely successful kids that have been in this rat race for awhile. Their’s are the rare perspectives that actually bring some value and insightful discussion to this blog.

Please. The authorities on soccer. Sounds like this is the only place they have a voice and they are listening to each other. I suggest they find hobbies and a social circle.

[Guest]

Glad to know that the money I’ve spent trekking with my kid across the country for tournaments and league games have nothing to do with money. And she’s only 13. I’m sure every parent can put out the expense of flights, hotel, meals, additional uniforms, etc. The US soccer system on the girl’s side is f@cked up. At least on the boys side, it doesn’t matter where you live, how you look or how much you have in the bank, if you’re truly elite, MLS clubs will fund your development.

[Guest]

You’re not leaving PDA after your kids are gone? Should we be concerned? Creepy.

Sounds like he’s very involved and clearly admits he got his kids where they are bc of his involvement and WHO he knows. Appreciate that transparency. For me the bigger question is what’s the end game? After 15 years your kid gets into draft and makes $30k? That’s where the logical parents and players take a pause. I’m all for it if parent is wealthy and willing to foot the bill for another couple of years. But then they get out and if not the very top (only a handful are) they have a hard time finding proper jobs- even Carli Lloyd has to do sponsored IG posts. It’s sad, but that’s the reality

[Guest]

If anyone is concerned about under-representation they should start a nonprofit for underprivileged kids if you're not doing anything I don't wanna hear sh1t. Things are they way they are and if you don't like it do something about it and stop bitching on an anonymous site. Life is not fair and if you work hard your chances are better but nothing is guaranteed. My family came to this country with nothing and I was raised by a single mother and she helped me get through college and now my kids have the advantages I didn't have. I can afford to have them play in top clubs and I don't feel bad about it.

[Guest]

Maybe instead of trying to be funny…..you should absorb some of their wisdom. Two guys with extremely successful kids that have been in this rat race for awhile. Their’s are the rare perspectives that actually bring some value and insightful discussion to this blog.

Completely unreadable ramblings with no structure. Maybe make the posts readable and I may

[Guest]

Son I have been around the block myself. I don’t need rich white males from upper class neighborhoods telling me anything about the game.

Ha Ha….. you’re so ignorant! You obviously don’t know Eric or his two incredible kids. Better take another lap around the block you dolt! Or turn the TV on or watch the draft!

[Guest]

Eric. You have a lot of experience with PDA. I’d like your thoughts on their White and Regional programs. This is a serious question. What do you see them as?

[Guest]

Ha Ha….. you’re so ignorant! You obviously don’t know Eric or his two incredible kids. Better take another lap around the block you dolt! Or turn the TV on or watch the draft!

No op but you do realize that no parent cares about anyone else’s kid, unless they are a friend or family. I could care less about this guys kids and he doesn’t give a **** about mine. Plus he admitted over and over it’s who he knows that got his kids help- imo that’s something to admire. I personally see that as lack of grit, kids too comfortable, no pressure -kids like that tend to struggle.

[Guest]

[QUOTE=Guest;n4414668]

Please. The authorities on soccer. Sounds like this is the only place they have a voice and they are listening to each other. I suggest they find hobbies and a social circle. [/

Then we would only be left with people like you! Now that would be miserable.