Large Rosters

[Unregistered]

It is unnecessary expense that has forced youth soccer and lots of other youth sports to become a country club for well off players. It is low hanging fruit and eliminating a lot of it at the so-called top levels, would help the sport and the players overall. It would not help the rich players however.

So commenting on it is entirely appropriate for a soccer forum and is a more interesting discussion than the usual "your player sucks your team sucks" Your club sucks"

I take no issue on your opinion of what is wrong with soccer from your perspective. You have choices but want things your way and that’s not how it works. My kid joined to play their ECNL teams in her Region. That is why she joined. No one is forcing you to join and how I choose to spend my money is my choice. I do not like your “country club” analogy. I do not belong to any country club and your implication is racist in tone.

[Unregistered]

I take no issue on your opinion of what is wrong with soccer from your perspective. You have choices but want things your way and that’s not how it works. My kid joined to play their ECNL teams in her Region. That is why she joined. No one is forcing you to join and how I choose to spend my money is my choice. I do not like your “country club” analogy. I do not belong to any country club and your implication is racist in tone.

Why? The country club analogy is because fancy youth soccer is limited to families with the money to pay just like a country club. The golf "champion" at the club only has to beat the other club members.

[Unregistered]

It is unnecessary expense that has forced youth soccer and lots of other youth sports to become a country club for well off players. It is low hanging fruit and eliminating a lot of it at the so-called top levels, would help the sport and the players overall. It would not help the rich players however.

So commenting on it is entirely appropriate for a soccer forum and is a more interesting discussion than the usual "your player sucks your team sucks" Your club sucks"

There are actually quite a few players on my daughter's ECNL team that are nowhere near "well off", but they make it work. There are plenty of kids that bunk up with each other for the overnights and showcases, give kids rides, etc. And I know for a fact, if there was a player with top level talent that couldn't afford the club, the club would work something out.

Always hear the alleged argument of the hidden gem of a player who was iced out of the top league because they couldn't afford it, yet all the top players seem to be coming out of the higher priced clubs. Weird...

[Unregistered]

There are actually quite a few players on my daughter's ECNL team that are nowhere near "well off", but they make it work. There are plenty of kids that bunk up with each other for the overnights and showcases, give kids rides, etc. And I know for a fact, if there was a player with top level talent that couldn't afford the club, the club would work something out.

Always hear the alleged argument of the hidden gem of a player who was iced out of the top league because they couldn't afford it, yet all the top players seem to be coming out of the higher priced clubs. Weird...

Ikr? The best talent of course would be found in the crowd signing up for the fancy clubs and leagues. I mean duh. Right?

[Unregistered]

Large Rosters

The metaphor is there but it is not the one you think. The only kids with access to top youth soccer are the ones that can pay. That is the american way and that is the metaphor. The low income kids are not even in the competition. Which is also the metaphor for the american way. But pure talent is not driving this bus. Sorry.

Only exception are funded teams for some boys that get mls money.

that is a dumb@ss and uneducated statement....do you really think soccer is the most expensive activity your snot nosed kid can participate in? Or perhaps just a cheap excuse for your kids lack of commitment and/or talent?

Travel youth soccer is, a hell lot more cheaper than travel baseball, Travel football, Travel Hockey and Travel Basketball.

Is it not ironic that a "special" (special meaning 1/10,000 type of athlete) dirt poor kid would rather aspire to being a pro football, basketball, baseball player rather than a pro soccer player in the US? average mls salary is about $100k.

In the end amigo, the cream always rises to the top. mommy and daddys money can only get you so far.

[Unregistered]

Ikr? The best talent of course would be found in the crowd signing up for the fancy clubs and leagues. I mean duh. Right?

Nope, never said that...but for every post bashing the higher priced leagues/clubs, there's another post claiming they're unnecessary and that top college programs will find top talent, no matter where they play. So why is it that they rarely find top talent outside of the supposed top leagues/clubs?

[Unregistered]

Why? The country club analogy is because fancy youth soccer is limited to families with the money to pay just like a country club. The golf "champion" at the club only has to beat the other club members.

So now it’s not just country club but fancy country club. That is racism to the core assuming as you are that joining some NJ soccer Club is the same as joining a golf country club. We read your intent! The vast majority of families in my daughters club team are hard working middle class people who do not belong to a fancy country club.

[Unregistered]

Large Rosters

So now it’s not just country club but fancy country club. That is racism to the core assuming as you are that joining some NJ soccer Club is the same as joining a golf country club. We read your intent! The vast majority of families in my daughters club team are hard working middle class people who do not belong to a fancy country club.

don't worry, the ones that pay are the real suckers.

[Unregistered]

So now it’s not just country club but fancy country club. That is racism to the core assuming as you are that joining some NJ soccer Club is the same as joining a golf country club. We read your intent! The vast majority of families in my daughters club team are hard working middle class people who do not belong to a fancy country club.

Low income people are not part of this sport in these types of leagues. We will just use plain English if metaphors and analogies are too difficult.

[Unregistered]

So now it’s not just country club but fancy country club. That is racism to the core assuming as you are that joining some NJ soccer Club is the same as joining a golf country club. We read your intent! The vast majority of families in my daughters club team are hard working middle class people who do not belong to a fancy country club.

How the f*** is this racist? There is absolutely nothing in the post that suggests, implies, or insinuates racism on any level. Maybe you are one of those people who enjoys trying to find "racism" in everything, no matter how innocuous. I hope you are trolling, because anyone stupid enough to genuinely believe it is racist should be kept away from children.

[Unregistered]

I think if the club cares at all about your kid and developing them, 18 is tops. The whole point of developing kids involves playing time. If they just want kids for practice dummies you are on the wrong team.

No one ever mentioned whether this was girls or boys, age group, or league that they play in. For no particular reason, people seem to be jumping to the conclusion that it is Girls ECNL, so I'll play along. ECNL teams have a tendency to roster more players, in part, because they play 2 games a weekend, and there is opportunity to get everyone playing time on at least one of the 2 days. At least that is how the clubs will spin things.

In response to your point, no, the club does not care about your kid or developing them. If your kid doesn't develop, they will just bring in someone else. It is about money. Rostering a superfluous number of players means more tuition payments, nothing more and nothing less.

[Unregistered]

No one ever mentioned whether this was girls or boys, age group, or league that they play in. For no particular reason, people seem to be jumping to the conclusion that it is Girls ECNL, so I'll play along. ECNL teams have a tendency to roster more players, in part, because they play 2 games a weekend, and there is opportunity to get everyone playing time on at least one of the 2 days. At least that is how the clubs will spin things.

In response to your point, no, the club does not care about your kid or developing them. If your kid doesn't develop, they will just bring in someone else. It is about money. Rostering a superfluous number of players means more tuition payments, nothing more and nothing less.

1/2 agree, it's about money and wins. You'd be surprised how quickly a 21 girl roster can turn into a roster of 16 after a season of HS ball. Can they play with 3-4 subs? Sure. But a win in 90 minutes of full court press usually goes to whoever can send in the freshest legs.

[Unregistered]

don't worry, the ones that pay are the real suckers.

Yes. Fun to toy with these soft rich kids while they pay for everything. Soft affluence sharpens steel!

[Unregistered]

Yes. Fun to toy with these soft rich kids while they pay for everything. Soft affluence sharpens steel!

Racism is easy for you when your anonymous. I see that’s your sport instead of soccer.

[Unregistered]

Stop trying so hard with this racism angle. It is not making sense and not working