This is not an easy question to answer. I have read articles regarding this and seen it in practice. From the female players (these girls are 04's, 05's and 06's) that I personally know andwho have played up (in club) eventually became part of the US National Youth Team pool, or the US Team Pool and/or D1 college players. As well as playing professionally. So, as I read through the list there is one common thread for most of them. Not all of them started playing up at U11. It was a bit later for most with the exception of a few. Which tells me the coaching staff or the parents made solid choices in when they allowed their daughters to do so. With that, the downsides I have seen: 1)home schooling their child (lack of socialization and academic rigor) 2)lack of age appropriate friendships or the inability to maintain friendships because of age 3)susceptible to injury due to the development and strength of the older players 4)parental involvement with the wrong intentions 5)different level of expectations. Now if a player and the family do chose to have their daughter play up it should be for the right reasons. The right reasons that I have witnesed 1)real development because they player was technically/tactically, developmentally and emotionally ready 2)the player wanted it on their own 3)they were able to contribute to the team and playe