The Driver
PREMIER
Yes they doNo they don't.
Yes they doNo they don't.
Why?Yes they do
Why notWhy?
I am going to change my name to The Driver II.Why not
Having no kid in DA, I really can't dispute your post, but if there are way too many kids in DA, the second reason the DA exists is money and it may be the first. US will probably never be a powerhouse in men's soccer, but we do pretty well just about everything else. Pay to pay sounds like a capitalist venture, and since we are in the USA that is exactly how it should work. No free lunches. Pay your own way, I do not want to pay for your kid to play soccer.We essentially have too many DA teams. IMO, there should only be 1 or two in a particular area. The DA should be for those who want to follow that path with the 'regular' clubs teams available for those who would like a different experience. But, in the end there are too many DA teams (also leads to diluted talent-lower competitive level)...the DA is using the clubs or the clubs are using the DA as a mechanism to pull kids in (fool parents). The DA is not for everyone. On my sons DA team for example...there are 19 or so kids. 8-9 shouldn't be on that team. At certain point you have to chose, if you want to compete at a world class level. Remember, the DA does not exist to put your kid in college, it exists to build a national team.....paraphrasing a US national team coach that I have spoken with. I have read countless posts about why the US soccer player is inferior. The answer is simple...it's the combo of coaching, structure, and culture. Our coaching in the US, relatively speaking, is not good (or consistent) enough. Secondly...the pay to play structure creates a built in entitlement. Parents pay-kids play mentality does not breed the required intensity and focus that is required for a player to compete at a world class level. It isn't about our 'best' athletes not choosing soccer (my son's team is filled with athletes). We, the US, simply haven't figured out how to coach and compete with the rest of the world in soccer. It is fully apparent in our WC showings and in the number(lack) of players and coaches we have at the elite levels around the world. We might have a few, but many of those have typically been trained outside the US. I think we will get there eventually, but when one goes to Germany, UK, Spain...check out the facilities, the structure, the focus...we just aren't there yet. Sorry for rambling on...just my two cents (probably worth that much)
Having no kid in DA, I really can't dispute your post, but if there are way too many kids in DA, the second reason the DA exists is money and it may be the first. US will probably never be a powerhouse in men's soccer, but we do pretty well just about everything else. Pay to pay sounds like a capitalist venture, and since we are in the USA that is exactly how it should work. No free lunches. Pay your own way, I do not want to pay for your kid to play soccer..
Is your DA team fully or partially funded?No one is asking you to pay for my son. I don't want anything from you. But I appreciate your post as it just proves my point. You don't get it.
Maybe the priorities here are just different, like grades. Would you have the special players that can't afford to pay at least have good grades in order to get financial help, or is it only about soccer.No one is asking you to pay for my son. I don't want anything from you. But I appreciate your post as it just proves my point. You don't get it.
Doesn't matter.Is your DA team fully or partially funded?
Sure it does.Doesn't matter.
It isn't about our 'best' athletes not choosing soccer (my son's team is filled with athletes). We, the US, simply haven't figured out how to coach and compete with the rest of the world in soccer.
It is irrelevant to the discussion.Sure it does.
It obviously does matter if you won't say, which means it is funded. Who pays for it? The non academy teams of your club? U S soccer sure isn't paying for the special ones. They are like the Government, they collect money from dopes like us and distribute it back. This is only my opinion. I maybe and have been way off in the past.It is irrelevant to the discussion.
This is an interesting opinion. Your son's team is filled with athletes but are they on par with the kids that play on your son's high school football, basketball or baseball team? I'm going to bet they aren't even close. Unfortunately in addition to inferior coaching and a non-soccer culture on the boys side the best athletes do not play soccer and that isn't even an argument that can be made.
Good luck to you and your son.
The more I read and think about your posts, you are sounding very hypocritical. You are complaining about DA having too many kids and your kid is getting a full or partial ride.No one is asking you to pay for my son. I don't want anything from you. But I appreciate your post as it just proves my point. You don't get it.
It obviously does matter if you won't say, which means it is funded. Who pays for it? The non academy teams of your club? U S soccer sure isn't paying for the special ones. They are like the Government, they collect money from dopes like us and distribute it back. This is only my opinion. I maybe and have been way off in the past.
The more I read and think about your posts, you are sounding very hypocritical. You are complaining about DA having too many kids and your kid is getting a full or partial ride.