US Soccer $100 million loss

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7k? Were you flying to every game? The travel does add up but if you want to be economical you can. Drive when ever possible and bring sandwiches. Don't make a vacation out of every game you have to travel for. One parent and a player travel much lighter than the whole family. I'm not criticizing the poster above because they like the comfort I'm just trying to put things in perspective for other parents just starting that are getting scared by the figures. If you are willing to do it you can cut cost.

There are all levels when it comes to costs. For those with the means, I have heard of people spending $10k-$15k because some clubs travel throughout the US and also go overseas to Europe for friendly games. These clubs aren't really any better than less costly clubs but if you can afford it, then go for it.

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7k? Were you flying to every game? The travel does add up but if you want to be economical you can. Drive when ever possible and bring sandwiches. Don't make a vacation out of every game you have to travel for. One parent and a player travel much lighter than the whole family. I'm not criticizing the poster above because they like the comfort I'm just trying to put things in perspective for other parents just starting that are getting scared by the figures. If you are willing to do it you can cut cost.

Yes we had 2 showcases we had to fly to and 6 tournaments in total not too mention quite a few away games where we had to stay in a hotel. So it adds up.

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7k? Were you flying to every game? The travel does add up but if you want to be economical you can. Drive when ever possible and bring sandwiches. Don't make a vacation out of every game you have to travel for. One parent and a player travel much lighter than the whole family. I'm not criticizing the poster above because they like the comfort I'm just trying to put things in perspective for other parents just starting that are getting scared by the figures. If you are willing to do it you can cut cost.

If you're in ECNL or GAL you can hit $7K no problem, and that is with just one parent traveling and not staying at the Ritz. Some league games require overnights, then there's 2-3 tournaments that require flights, hotels, car rentals and food. The only way to lessen it is to send your player with other families. Then you're paying a portion of the hotel and car and just have the flight and food for one person. Some families do that, others aren't comfortable with it or simply want to go and spend time with their child.

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Agree! This site is toxic; full of false narratives; bitching about coaches, clubs, costs; off topic posts on politics; etc.

Whatever you pay, remember, it pays for coach. How much do you pay an hour for private tutor, music lessons, etc.

MatchFit is crazy pricing. But other clubs at 2200-2800, you are paying $200 per month.

For town clubs at $400 - $1000, you get what you paid for: parent coaches, 2 practices per week, kids not showing up, not enough players, difficulty recruiting, short seasons (10 game weeks Fall and Spring).

MLS will be fine. Soccer in US has never been this popular!

You try to knock down the town clubs but I know a few that travel for tournaments and do well, practice 3x a week, practice through winter (included) and have an outside trainer all for half most academies.

We pay $3k and only get 2x practice and option to pay for 3rd, 3 tournaments, no winter league or futsal and a coach that doesn't seem to care about development.....And this is an ECNL team not called MF.

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If you're in ECNL or GAL you can hit $7K no problem, and that is with just one parent traveling and not staying at the Ritz. Some league games require overnights, then there's 2-3 tournaments that require flights, hotels, car rentals and food. The only way to lessen it is to send your player with other families. Then you're paying a portion of the hotel and car and just have the flight and food for one person. Some families do that, others aren't comfortable with it or simply want to go and spend time with their child.

False as GAL has not yet had any showcases and they’ve barely even played any games since the DA implosion. With that said we spent 10k plus with ECNL in 2019. So far only a few D3 schools (some in the middle of nowhere) are interested so hopefully we can get out again and see if others can garner some interest. It’s been a long journey with lots of money and time spent and jumping from club to club so hope an opportunity yields itself down the stretch.

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You try to knock down the town clubs but I know a few that travel for tournaments and do well, practice 3x a week, practice through winter (included) and have an outside trainer all for half most academies.

We pay $3k and only get 2x practice and option to pay for 3rd, 3 tournaments, no winter league or futsal and a coach that doesn't seem to care about development.....And this is an ECNL team not called MF.

Ouch...we pay $2700, there’s been no travel, practice 3x, and if no game on weekends will practice or scrimmage, and took only 1 week off since Aug 1.

Now, with snow, not sure what happens, but we already had scrimmages, team is game shape and fit.

My son plays in a top club, top team. The 2nd team does the same amount of practices, games, and actually had 1 more tournament than top team because of cancellation.

The 2nd team has played more games. There are movement of players up and down. But no more than 5, so you know where you stand. Players go through slumps.

I see more movement of players than any year. Need to relax, COVID-19 hurt everyone.

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False as GAL has not yet had any showcases and they’ve barely even played any games since the DA implosion. With that said we spent 10k plus with ECNL in 2019. So far only a few D3 schools (some in the middle of nowhere) are interested so hopefully we can get out again and see if others can garner some interest. It’s been a long journey with lots of money and time spent and jumping from club to club so hope an opportunity yields itself down the stretch.

Russian Bot

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Not true I pay 3300 at another club not MFA. Added up in 2019 we spent $11,000 all in (club fees, hotels, flights, etc). Pretty staggering, I bet no girl in Europe spends that kind of $ on youth soccer. Pretty sad as we should bring the sport back to what it should be a sport (the beautiful game),not a business!

That Euro kid probably has cheap health care and education as well. Its more than just soccer. Its the culture you signed up for. Im not advocating for either, just keeping it real

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That Euro kid probably has cheap health care and education as well. Its more than just soccer. Its the culture you signed up for. Im not advocating for either, just keeping it real

Russian bot

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That Euro kid probably has cheap health care and education as well. Its more than just soccer. Its the culture you signed up for. Im not advocating for either, just keeping it real

Things are much, much different in Europe. America came from this same place, in 1970, taxes were 70% at top bracket, and less progressive, which meant no one had disposable income.
Anyway, Europe has socialized medicine and much lower college tuition, but...
1) Taxes on average are 50%, no chance of a Return, no deductions
2) Additional VAT tax on everything you buy
3) Similar brands more expensive in Europe
4) Stronger laws preventing dumping of cheap products
It probably turns out to be equivalent in Europe or US, but at least in US the money is in your pocket first and you choose how to spend it.

[Unregistered]

Things are much, much different in Europe. America came from this same place, in 1970, taxes were 70% at top bracket, and less progressive, which meant no one had disposable income.
Anyway, Europe has socialized medicine and much lower college tuition, but...
1) Taxes on average are 50%, no chance of a Return, no deductions
2) Additional VAT tax on everything you buy
3) Similar brands more expensive in Europe
4) Stronger laws preventing dumping of cheap products
It probably turns out to be equivalent in Europe or US, but at least in US the money is in your pocket first and you choose how to spend it.

sure. soccer being one of them.

[Unregistered]

Things are much, much different in Europe. America came from this same place, in 1970, taxes were 70% at top bracket, and less progressive, which meant no one had disposable income.
Anyway, Europe has socialized medicine and much lower college tuition, but...
1) Taxes on average are 50%, no chance of a Return, no deductions
2) Additional VAT tax on everything you buy
3) Similar brands more expensive in Europe
4) Stronger laws preventing dumping of cheap products
It probably turns out to be equivalent in Europe or US, but at least in US the money is in your pocket first and you choose how to spend it.

Who's pocket? Not my pockets that's for sure.

[Unregistered]

Things are much, much different in Europe. America came from this same place, in 1970, taxes were 70% at top bracket, and less progressive, which meant no one had disposable income.
Anyway, Europe has socialized medicine and much lower college tuition, but...
1) Taxes on average are 50%, no chance of a Return, no deductions
2) Additional VAT tax on everything you buy
3) Similar brands more expensive in Europe
4) Stronger laws preventing dumping of cheap products
It probably turns out to be equivalent in Europe or US, but at least in US the money is in your pocket first and you choose how to spend it.

Free healthcare, free or dirt cheap university education, free preK education, better sick and maternity leave, retirement pensions you can live on. Most EU countries score much higher than US on happiness/health/well being measures

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Free healthcare, free or dirt cheap university education, free preK education, better sick and maternity leave, retirement pensions you can live on. Most EU countries score much higher than US on happiness/health/well being measures

Seriously??? See points 1 & 2 - nothing is free

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Free healthcare, free or dirt cheap university education, free preK education, better sick and maternity leave, retirement pensions you can live on. Most EU countries score much higher than US on happiness/health/well being measures

Please move over to the EU with all those miserable Euros