Let's Make it Right!

It's time to put a stop to the craziness of club soccer. Not everyone can afford to pay $2500 per child to play at the highest level youth soccer has to offer. I absolutely guarantee everyone that there are independent teams and small clubs that are kept down so that the money making scheme of "talent for sale" can continue. It's great that there are clubs that can build huge practice complexes. I'm sure it make our region look very well in terms of organized soccer. However, too many families can't afford this. Many families can't even afford to drive the distances required to practice. The threat to this money making scheme comes from the Hispanic teams that form where they practice in city parks. Very low budget. Unfortunately, the recruiting rules aren't enforced and they lose some of their top players that are scholarshiped. The referees allow the teams that play these kids to grab, pull, knock the crap out of the dribbler, and whatever else it takes for the other team to be able to compete. You're even allowed to take out their keeper. The Laws of the Game are arbitrarily chosen at the whim of some referees. It's absolutley sickening. Not that the hispanic teams are kept down, but that the possiblity of showing the region an alternative to the high dollar scheme of "Select Soccer". These are kids playing soccer. The kids are more important than a few adults making money. If these hispanic teams were allowed to compete, than there would be more kids on small independent teams practicing in city parks. By the way, these hispanic teams will let anyone join them. You just go out there and play. This is what I am asking everyone who loves the game of soccer to do:

1. Find the best coach for your child that you can afford. Forget the name of the club. The name won't help your child. Look for the bst coach.
2. Keep costs down for all players. What's wrong with a city park, school, or church soccer field. Do we really need the most expensive uniform. Do we really need to play out of state when they are under 13?
3. Insist on a level playing field. When you watch a game that isn't your child's game and see a horrible and intentional call from the referee, there should be a complaint box for signed complaints. I once saw an out of town team from West Texas dribbling towards the keeper on a breakaway past the last defender and as the attacker was about two steps from firing the whistle blew. Yes. If the watch said time, then it is time. But really? We had the center in our qualifying game walk over to the parents on the other team and stated that the second half would go better. We put the ball in the net once only to have the referee blow the whistle and call a foul on the other team. The whistle was after the goal. No excuse for that. There are so many inconsistancies that it is saddening. Yes, there are a few independent and small clubs that are successful. But there could be a lot more. I see big club coaches talking to referees at the half but the same referee wouldn't even explain a confusing call to the small club coach and would just reply "Sit down coach". During that time he could have explained the situation. Does he have to? No. But he didn't have to listen to the big club coach state his case to the ref for five minutes at the half. I agree with Jose Mourinho. Refs should stay away from the coaches at the half.
4. If we allow "Big Money" to call the shots then there will be too many kids that are priced out. It doesn't have to be this way. Yes. Rec is an option but the smaller teams will rise to the higher ranks if a few referees would allow it. Most referees call a fair game. They have a love and respect for the game and get tired of parents and players that don't. But there are a few that don't. Referees, when you see these coworkers that are too close to a coach or club to call a fair game, please let the assignor know. If someone says "I can't stand this team or something else like that, then report it so they won't get that team anymore.

Yes. I always stir up my dissenters. But 10 years from now, don't say I didn't warn you. Just make sure you don't leave home without your American Express.

Their are some big club practicing at city park like Solar but their costs are rising per player that's why we dont go there, how do you explane that Mr. Clean.

Maybe it's because some people think it is worth it to play D1. Maybe some people might think that playing D2 or D3 on a big club might give them an advantage for making D1 later or when teams move up to academy. I have nothing against clubs setting whatever price they want. They could charge $20000 and it wouldn't bother me at all. I just think that some independent teams and small clubs are not always treated fairly. I feel the same way about all select sports. There should be affordable options for kids to develop at the highest level possible. Maybe a Select Rec or something like that would be nice. It would be nice if you could shop for the best rec team that's right for your child. Being put into a draw where you get an inexperienced coach or players that don't care and don't even come to practice is very frustrating. Again, I don't care how club's run there business. I just hate seeing so many kids an teams getting priced out of the opportunity to become the next Dempsey.

I think that every soccer parents needs to take a little reality check every now and then. What is the endgame that you foresee for your soccer player. A scholarship, presumably. Or if not that, then what? What are you doing - driving XX miles to practice X times a week, paying X dollars a month/week/day for X hours of trianing - and is it worth it? Do the ends justify the means? Maybe your BB has a shot at being the next Pele and maybe it is worth it. Or maybe not...

Here's the politically incorrect answer: we work hard to have enough money to enable our kids to get the best coaching available. Our kids are getting the benefit of our family's work ethic.
Harsh...yes. Reality...yes

I certainly agree with the work ethic creating opportunities for your children part but have you ever done any roofing, HVAC, road construction, roughnecking, etc. Just because a family doesn't have $3000 per child doesn't mean they're not working hard. There is also nothing wrong with people wanting a career with full time coaching. It's no different than any other self employed individual. They will charge what the market allows. BUT FOR HEAVEN"S SAKE, the system should allow for some consumer choice. I'm sure you've heard of price fixing and Anti-trust laws. When an independent team arrives on the scene, their top players shouldn't be approached by the Coaches offering a full ride and college showcases. The referees shouldn't be influenced by the name of the celebrity coach or club. I'm sick and tired of seeing coaches complaining to referees at the half while small club coaches are told to be quiet or leave the field.

I am for a free market, but I am against corruption. Watch the way referees work at high school, college, and pro games. Watch them in our league. It's not the same. I overheard a big club coach say "Thanks for giving us one" while hugging the ref at the end of the game. There is nothing wrong with them being friends but on he pitch there needs to be some separation. I think the Big Clubs do have some weight to throw around. Remember when the League thought about limiting each Division to three teams. There were some rumors of threatening to form their own league. Really three out of 10 in every division isn't enough. Hmm? Let's say theoretically that there are FOUR large clubs in North Texas, if each one had three teams in a division that would leave room for.... ???

Maybe there needs to be two leagues. One for the hard working, rich and famous who can afford the best coaches and one for families whose annual inclome is below $80,000 with whoever they can get coaching them. (Maybe some of their parents who played college or professionally) At the end of the season, the top four in each age group play each other.

I would like to bet the maximum bet on the non-hardworking peasants.

I forgot my conclusion.

Harsh, yes. Reality, yes.

Please stop with the independent team whining. There is choice available. Maybe the independent teams should try providing a little better coaching or do something different than the big club so they can differentiate themselves. With very few exceptions they are the same or worse than the big 4. Most have nothing to offer other than a lower price.

Mr. Clean, out of your entire post, the only thing that bothers me is the part about the referees. I agree there should be some sort of grading system. I also think coaches should be able to have list of referees they can exclude from their games.

Everything else is the free market at work, which I have no problem with. I'm not trying to find the next Dempsey, I'm just trying to do the best for my kids.

whyme wrote:Here's the politically incorrect answer: we work hard to have enough money to enable our kids to get the best coaching available. Our kids are getting the benefit of our family's work ethic.
Harsh...yes. Reality...yes

So those who cant afford to pay $2000-$3000 per kid for soccer it is because they have a poor work ethic? Wow that is so wrong on so many diiferent levels!