Turning Pro at 13

Zen said:
She didn't catch my eye in the U15 Concacaf game. Others did - I think the Thompson sisters, Shaw, are legit (and others on that team), and are way closer to 'phenom' status at her age. I looked up 2 games from last June's DA playoffs (they are all on youtube) since she may showcase better with her own team. It looked like her team passed around her at times. Dominant mids win, receive, distribute, and keep the ball...didn't see that. If it's quality vs quantity of touch (very strange for a midfielder), I didn't see her do much with the ball when she had it, often losing it. She may better than most 05's, but by far not the best on the field or even her team...granted Beach is a very talented team. It's clear how she scores a lot - she takes every corner, free kick, and penalty for her team (even if she didn't earn it), and she does have nice technical shooting capability. I don't see pro-ready now...not that she won't be later. I wish her the best.

For those that prefer entire game footage - link to DA qtr-final game vs. Dallas:
Click to expand...
As I could not remember I had to ask a friend about the FC Dallas player. JS is an 04 and plays up on 00/01 on her club team. That's impressive.
 
MacDre said:
Lot of merit to what you are saying. This is why I’m taking a different approach.
My daughter will start college this fall. She will graduate from Cal (Math & Spanish major) around 17 and then we are off to Spain.
There’s definitely more than one way to skin a cat.
Please do not under estimate the social aspect. She’s not going to have an opportunity to enjoy here teens years and when your famous with money it’s harder to find genuine friends.
I’m so glad I grew up dirt poor in area where all we had was each other.
I kinda feel sorry for her!
Click to expand...

Am I reading this right? Your daughter will graduate from Cal at 17? What sort of social aspect of college do you expect she'll enjoy at 13?
 
LASTMAN14 said:
Here is an article that I believe has not been posted anywhere on the forum. It gives a different perspective on this situation. Non-the-less it appears there is much about this situation that has not been revealed.

https://www.topdrawersoccer.com/club-soccer-articles/olivia-moultrie-is-a-sign-of-the-times_aid45892
Click to expand...

Now that they've monetized their daughter, I wonder if the family business will include above the line deductions for the residential property and soccer field they put into the backyard? The substantial GDA fees and travel costs? A European vacation, er, soccer trip? The daughter's cell phone that she uses to "market" herself via social media? Health insurance premiums? Mileage to soccer practice and back? Shoot, giving up a free ride to UNC might make financial sense even if Nike only gave her a pair of cleats.

On average, there are maybe two girls every birth year in the U.S. for whom "professional soccer player" ends up being a better financial decision than, well, just about any other job. Miss Moultrie is obviously a very talented 13 year old soccer player but reasonable minds will differ whether she is tracking even now to be one of the two once you get past the Nike and NYT hype. If giving up a free ride makes sense financially for her and her family, great. But it does not bode well for the future of girls youth soccer now that sports agents and shoe reps are trolling the U14 sidelines instead of sticking to the AAU basketball games where they belong.
 
broshark said:
Am I reading this right? Your daughter will graduate from Cal at 17? What sort of social aspect of college do you expect she'll enjoy at 13?
Click to expand...
Not much. She’s going to Cal for an academic education not socialization. Also she’s starting early enough so she can attend college part time and still have enough free time to be a normal teen and do normal teen things.
In terms of socialization my daughters trajectory has been very different from Olivia’s.
First, my kid has not been homeschooled and attended a regular school. Second she’s also a swimmer and a dancer. Third, she also has lots of friends from ATDP at Cal. So, I think we have a much better social foundation.
My daughter has many talents and I do not want her to put all her eggs in one basket.
Marshawn is encouraging her to quit soccer and focus on running his Family’s Fist organization.
I agree with Marshawn but soccer is her dream so, I am reluctantly supporting her in her endeavors.
 
LASTMAN14 said:
As I could not remember I had to ask a friend about the FC Dallas player. JS is an 04 and plays up on 00/01 on her club team. That's impressive.
Click to expand...
JS and AT are 05's and her younger sister is an 06 who also played...their impact is clear at any age group, no excuses for their age needed. There are other 05's (and 04's) I know that are impact players even if/when they play up, every time they play. Phenom? Marketing phenom maybe.
 
End of the Line said:
Now that they've monetized their daughter, I wonder if the family business will include above the line deductions for the residential property and soccer field they put into the backyard? The substantial GDA fees and travel costs? A European vacation, er, soccer trip? The daughter's cell phone that she uses to "market" herself via social media? Health insurance premiums? Mileage to soccer practice and back? Shoot, giving up a free ride to UNC might make financial sense even if Nike only gave her a pair of cleats.

On average, there are maybe two girls every birth year in the U.S. for whom "professional soccer player" ends up being a better financial decision than, well, just about any other job. Miss Moultrie is obviously a very talented 13 year old soccer player but reasonable minds will differ whether she is tracking even now to be one of the two once you get past the Nike and NYT hype. If giving up a free ride makes sense financially for her and her family, great. But it does not bode well for the future of girls youth soccer now that sports agents and shoe reps are trolling the U14 sidelines instead of sticking to the AAU basketball games where they belong.
Click to expand...
I respectfully disagree with your last sentence. I think the “new money” is going to make the game attractive to those that have been politically, socially, and economically disenfranchised instead of rich hardworking un athletic Anglo girls.
Soccer in the US is one of the most flagrant examples of de facto segregation and white privilege.
We will start winning when those Americans whose ancestors were selectively bred for performance like pitbuls for centuries have an incentive to enter the game.
 
Zen said:
Thanks, I assumed 05 vs. young 04. She's definitely a stand-out and game changer - even for the older age groups. Her talent is clear and undisputable.
Click to expand...
I agree with you on the GT and AT. They have dramatically grown as players. Been watching them for a long time. One of my girls has played against them in various arena's over the years. And remember watching them play with boys as well. They are also plus one year in age. I had to check because I too thought the younger was an 06.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Zen
MacDre said:
I respectfully disagree with your last sentence. I think the “new money” is going to make the game attractive to those that have been politically, socially, and economically disenfranchised instead of rich hardworking un athletic Anglo girls.
Soccer in the US is one of the most flagrant examples of de facto segregation and white privilege.
We will start winning when those Americans whose ancestors were selectively bred for performance like pitbuls for centuries have an incentive to enter the game.
Click to expand...
stupidest thing you've said this entire thread. de facto segregation? you need a ball to play that is it. no special equipment no special field or arena use a ball. but you did get the hardworking anglo part right though.
 
LASTMAN14 said:
I agree with you on the GT and AT. They have dramatically grown as players. Been watching them for a long time. One of my girls has played against them in various arena's over the years. And remember watching them play with boys as well. They are also plus one year in age. I had to check because I too thought the younger was an 06.
Click to expand...

This is why I say it is one thing to be the best at 12/13 and quite another to be the best at 18+.
 
MakeAPlay said:
It's not about how fast you paint a masterpiece, what matters is at the end is it actually a masterpiece....
Click to expand...
Yes, and if you look at the current WNT (for example) there are a few players who rose through ranks slowly, over time and hitting stride later rather than earlier.
 
MacDre said:
I respectfully disagree with your last sentence. I think the “new money” is going to make the game attractive to those that have been politically, socially, and economically disenfranchised instead of rich hardworking un athletic Anglo girls.
Soccer in the US is one of the most flagrant examples of de facto segregation and white privilege.
We will start winning when those Americans whose ancestors were selectively bred for performance like pitbuls for centuries have an incentive to enter the game.
Click to expand...

Ohhh here we go.

So if your really not trolling us which one of Marshawns snake charmers are you? The adult film star?
 
jose said:
stupidest thing you've said this entire thread. de facto segregation? you need a ball to play that is it. no special equipment no special field or arena use a ball. but you did get the hardworking anglo part right though.
Click to expand...
Hasty conclusion my friend. If you bring soccer balls to my hood, kids are gonna play basketball or football with them. These kids have no concept of soccer. They have never even heard of Messi, Ronaldo, & Newymar. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I knew absolutely nothing about soccer until my daughter introduced me to the game. You see, in the US descendants of slaves see basketball, football, and baseball as a way out of the ghetto. I think this is mostly because basketball, football, and baseball are what kids in the US have been exposed to.
To further illustrate my point lets look at Brazil. Brazil controlled the slave trade. Approximately 85% of African-Americans are From Brazil. After the abolition of slavery Brazil gave the descendants of slaves soccer balls and this is why Brazil is a great soccer nation. Also, I suspect that if you took a bag of basketballs to a favella in Brazil the kids would play soccer with them because most have no concept of basketball.
jose said:
stupidest thing you've said this entire thread. de facto segregation? you need a ball to play that is it. no special equipment no special field or arena use a ball. but you did get the hardworking anglo part right though.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top