The SoCal Youth Soccer Mafia™ : A Deep Dive Into the Corrupt, Shadowy Cartel Clusterfuck That Is Ruining the Game In the Nation

[FrankoRunner99]

Alright, you guys thought my first rant was salty ? Buckle the fuck up, AGAIN, because I’m about to take you down the GOPHER HOLE of what I like to call the SoCal Youth Soccer Mafia™. That’s right. My first rant about the High School shitstorm was just the goddamn appetizer. The real corruption ? The piping hot meat ? It’s the shady, backdoor, cash-fueled cartel of youth soccer in SoCal, where money and shadowy-ass CONNECTIONS talk, while hardwork and dedication get stuffed up your ass.

This is not just a high school soccer problem. This is a systemic, top-down, backroom deal-level SCAM that spans CLUBS, ACADEMIES, HIGH SCHOOLS, and every single "elite" system in this godforsaken state. If soccer is supposed to be the beautiful game, these clipboard-holding assholes have turned it into the corporate Squid Game.

Step 1 : The Club Pyramid Scheme™

Let’s start with the clubs because that’s where this absolute fuckery begins. Every club in SoCal markets itself like it’s the golden ticket to playing pro or some bullshit. “West Coast Elite SoCal Premier.” “Riverside Galaxy FC Elite Academy.” “South Bay Surf FC ECNL.” "Your first MILESTONE to reach your professional DREAMS !!!" Those polished ass names alone make it sound like they’ve got FIFA scouts hiding behind every bush, just waiting to pounce. Spoiler alert: THEY DON’T GIVE A SHIT.

Here’s the first part of the scam : pay-to-play. These clubs don’t give a flying fuck about talent or how much blood, sweat and tears you can piss. What they care about is your parents’ credit score. Oh, your family can shell out $1,500 a season ? Your mom drives a Mercedes and your dad wears a Rolex ? Congrats, Brayden ! You’ve got a spot. Oh, you’re actually good but can’t afford it ? Sorry, motherfucker, better luck next lifetime.

But wait, it gets better. Want to TRY OUT for one of these "pro academies" ? (Those are like clubs on triple steroids + more dick sucking) Yeah, that’ll be $190 just to register for an LA Galaxy tryout. Just to fucking register. As in, pay money to maybe get selected, but if you don’t, they keep your cash. "Thanks for trying out ! Now fuck you !" And if you make it ? Congrats, son ! Now go tell mommy to give those $3,500, we're on the PATHWAY to get you to the MLS afterall ! And don’t forget the "uniform fees," the "training fees," and the constant “mandatory tournament trips” to places like Arizona or Nevada. It's like a goddamn Ponzi scheme for cleats.

Oh, and those “scholarship” spots they like to brag about ? Pure corporate bullshit. They throw a few crumbs to one or two kids just to make their Instagram look good, and make it look like they're "changing lives" or some shit.

Step 2 : The Academy Pipe Dream

Let’s talk about the so-called “elite academies”—MLS Next, ECNL, GA, whatever-the-fuck-they’re-calling-it-now. These academies market themselves as the chosen path to D1 colleges or pro teams. But guess what ? They’re just glorified clubs with an even higher price tag and more politics.

Take MLS Next, for example. Sounds prestigious, right ? WRONG. You still gotta pay. And I’m not talking pocket change—I’m talking $3,000–$5,000 a season, plus travel, plus gear, plus whatever shady fees they tack on because they can. And you’d think that paying all this money means top-tier coaching, right ? Nope. Half these coaches are washed-up dudes who only know how to yell “PRESS !” and “RECOVER !”

But here’s the kicker : even getting into these academies is rigged. Tryouts are a joke. They already have their “core players” pre-selected. You think they’re actually scouting ? Nah, they’re just collecting fees from all the desperate parents who think their kid’s the next Messi.

And don’t even get me started on the politics. These academies are basically run by cliques. It’s not what you know; it’s WHO you know. If your dad golfs with the academy director, congrats, you’re on the roster. If not ? Fuck off, you broke piece of shit. I don't even remember your name.

Step 3 : The High School-Club Cartel

Now here’s where shit gets real shady. The SHADOWY OVERLAP between high school and club soccer is the most toxic, corrupt, incestuous relationship in sports. SOMEHOW, all these high school coaches have deep ties to the local clubs. They're IN BED with eachother. (only metaphorically though, I hope) It’s like they all go to the same underground poker game or some shit.

So, when tryouts roll around, guess who makes the team ? The CLUB KIDS. The same kids who’ve been funneling money into the system for years. If you’re an AYSO kid, or God forbid, a street soccer player who plays on the appartment's cracked asphalt, they look at you like have stage 8 cancer, as if you beat up their son Aiden who's on Varsity but loses the ball more often than I spam-screamed "BALL BALL BALL BALL BALL" during every fucking scrimmage.

The high school tryouts ? Pure theater. Just a dog-and-pony show to make it look like the coaches are “evaluating talent.” It's the FAT covering the meat in this absolute shitshow. In reality, they’ve already got their varsity and JV rosters locked in before tryouts even start. How ? Because they already know the club kids. They’ve been coaching them in club, or their club buddies vouched for them.

And let’s talk about these high school coaches for a second. Most of them are also CLUB COACHES. They’re double-dipping, milking both systems for cash and power. They’re not developing players—they’re developing their connections. They're not coaches, they're fucking POLITICIANS with clipboards that are SURGICALLY ATTACHED to their hands. I swear to God, I'm almost sure they're even showering with those clipboards or some shit.

Step 4 : The Private Coaching Scam

Oh, you thought we were done ? Think again. Enter the private coaching industry, the seedy underbelly of this already corrupt system. These private trainers charge $75–$200 an hour to “develop” your kid and make him do stepovers and sprints that won't bring jack shit to his game. And guess what ? The same coaches running these sessions are the ones coaching club and high school teams.

So now, not only do you have to pay for club and academy fees, but if you want to even have a chance at being noticed, you better cough up even more cash for private sessions. It’s like a fucked-up tax system where your kid’s dreams are the currency.

And the worst part ? These private coaches are the gatekeepers. They’ll “recommend” their private clients to the club and high school coaches, creating this insane feedback loop of nepotism and cash flow.

Step 5 : The Social Media Shitshow

Let’s not forget the Instagram flexing. These club kids and academy kids treat their profiles like LinkedIn for soccer. “Grateful to announce I’ve been selected for ECNL South Bay Division #TheGrind #Blessed #NoDaysOff” Bro, shut the fuck up. Nobody gives a shit. You're gonna end up as a cashier in Foot Locker no matter how deep you suck the coaches' dicks.

It’s all a façade to make their parents feel like the money’s worth it. But behind the scenes, it’s all politics and pay-to-play. These kids aren’t getting scouted—they’re just boosting the egos of their coaches and directors.

The Final Scam : The Pipeline™

Here’s how the pipeline works:

1. Clubs and academies take your money.

2. They funnel their players into high school teams through backdoor politics.

3. High schools pump these players back into the club system to maintain the cycle.

4. A tiny percentage make it to college or pro, and the clubs use those kids as marketing to suck in the next generation of victims.

The rest ? Burned out, broke, and disillusioned.

CONCLUSION

This entire system is a corrupt, pay-to-play racket designed to milk parents dry while giving a giant middle finger to actual talent, passion and hardwork. Soccer in SoCal isn’t about passion, skill, or hard work—it’s about money, connections, politics, and how much dick you can shove up your mouth. And until this shit changes, the beautiful game will never grow in this country.

Fuck the clubs. Fuck the academies. Fuck the coaches. And fuck the SoCal Youth Soccer Mafia™.

Sincerely,
Franko, the kid who saw through the bullshit.

I'm going to kick a ball against a wall for 2 hours now.

 

[Carlsbad7]

Now that you know how it all works from a players perspective.

Check out what corruption is like from the coaching and club leadership perspective.

LOST LOCKER ROOM - The Collapse of Global Premier Soccer

LOST LOCKER ROOM - The Collapse of Global Premier Soccer

stephengriffinauthor.com

 

[Carlsbad7]

Here's another book by the same author. I can't remember which one he wrote first. But the first book goes though how corruption is intertwined with youth soccer. To the point where corrupt and unethical business practices were the norm and club leadership thought nothing about it.

In the second book the author retells the original story but this time includes names and club information. Also the feds get involved.

Front Row Seat: Greed and Corruption in a Youth Sports Company https://a.co/d/7hiKUsS

 

[Grace T.]

Alright, you guys thought my first rant was salty ? Buckle the fuck up, AGAIN, because I’m about to take you down the GOPHER HOLE of what I like to call the SoCal Youth Soccer Mafia™. That’s right. My first rant about the High School shitstorm was just the goddamn appetizer. The real corruption ? The piping hot meat ? It’s the shady, backdoor, cash-fueled cartel of youth soccer in SoCal, where money and shadowy-ass CONNECTIONS talk, while hardwork and dedication get stuffed up your ass.

This is not just a high school soccer problem. This is a systemic, top-down, backroom deal-level SCAM that spans CLUBS, ACADEMIES, HIGH SCHOOLS, and every single "elite" system in this godforsaken state. If soccer is supposed to be the beautiful game, these clipboard-holding assholes have turned it into the corporate Squid Game.

Step 1 : The Club Pyramid Scheme™

Let’s start with the clubs because that’s where this absolute fuckery begins. Every club in SoCal markets itself like it’s the golden ticket to playing pro or some bullshit. “West Coast Elite SoCal Premier.” “Riverside Galaxy FC Elite Academy.” “South Bay Surf FC ECNL.” "Your first MILESTONE to reach your professional DREAMS !!!" Those polished ass names alone make it sound like they’ve got FIFA scouts hiding behind every bush, just waiting to pounce. Spoiler alert: THEY DON’T GIVE A SHIT.

Here’s the first part of the scam : pay-to-play. These clubs don’t give a flying fuck about talent or how much blood, sweat and tears you can piss. What they care about is your parents’ credit score. Oh, your family can shell out $1,500 a season ? Your mom drives a Mercedes and your dad wears a Rolex ? Congrats, Brayden ! You’ve got a spot. Oh, you’re actually good but can’t afford it ? Sorry, motherfucker, better luck next lifetime.

But wait, it gets better. Want to TRY OUT for one of these "pro academies" ? (Those are like clubs on triple steroids + more dick sucking) Yeah, that’ll be $190 just to register for an LA Galaxy tryout. Just to fucking register. As in, pay money to maybe get selected, but if you don’t, they keep your cash. "Thanks for trying out ! Now fuck you !" And if you make it ? Congrats, son ! Now go tell mommy to give those $3,500, we're on the PATHWAY to get you to the MLS afterall ! And don’t forget the "uniform fees," the "training fees," and the constant “mandatory tournament trips” to places like Arizona or Nevada. It's like a goddamn Ponzi scheme for cleats.

Oh, and those “scholarship” spots they like to brag about ? Pure corporate bullshit. They throw a few crumbs to one or two kids just to make their Instagram look good, and make it look like they're "changing lives" or some shit.

Step 2 : The Academy Pipe Dream

Let’s talk about the so-called “elite academies”—MLS Next, ECNL, GA, whatever-the-fuck-they’re-calling-it-now. These academies market themselves as the chosen path to D1 colleges or pro teams. But guess what ? They’re just glorified clubs with an even higher price tag and more politics.

Take MLS Next, for example. Sounds prestigious, right ? WRONG. You still gotta pay. And I’m not talking pocket change—I’m talking $3,000–$5,000 a season, plus travel, plus gear, plus whatever shady fees they tack on because they can. And you’d think that paying all this money means top-tier coaching, right ? Nope. Half these coaches are washed-up dudes who only know how to yell “PRESS !” and “RECOVER !”

But here’s the kicker : even getting into these academies is rigged. Tryouts are a joke. They already have their “core players” pre-selected. You think they’re actually scouting ? Nah, they’re just collecting fees from all the desperate parents who think their kid’s the next Messi.

And don’t even get me started on the politics. These academies are basically run by cliques. It’s not what you know; it’s WHO you know. If your dad golfs with the academy director, congrats, you’re on the roster. If not ? Fuck off, you broke piece of shit. I don't even remember your name.

Step 3 : The High School-Club Cartel

Now here’s where shit gets real shady. The SHADOWY OVERLAP between high school and club soccer is the most toxic, corrupt, incestuous relationship in sports. SOMEHOW, all these high school coaches have deep ties to the local clubs. They're IN BED with eachother. (only metaphorically though, I hope) It’s like they all go to the same underground poker game or some shit.

So, when tryouts roll around, guess who makes the team ? The CLUB KIDS. The same kids who’ve been funneling money into the system for years. If you’re an AYSO kid, or God forbid, a street soccer player who plays on the appartment's cracked asphalt, they look at you like have stage 8 cancer, as if you beat up their son Aiden who's on Varsity but loses the ball more often than I spam-screamed "BALL BALL BALL BALL BALL" during every fucking scrimmage.

The high school tryouts ? Pure theater. Just a dog-and-pony show to make it look like the coaches are “evaluating talent.” It's the FAT covering the meat in this absolute shitshow. In reality, they’ve already got their varsity and JV rosters locked in before tryouts even start. How ? Because they already know the club kids. They’ve been coaching them in club, or their club buddies vouched for them.

You’ve almost got it spot on. Not quite. Quite a bit wrong in your rant:
1. Yes there’s corruption and favoritism. Any time you introduce money into any system you are going to get that. The more money at stake the higher the propensity for corruption. Wait til you start working. It’s not always a meritocracy. While hard work matters, it’s not enough.
2. Not all clubs are created equal. Academies like the la galaxy are fully funded or near fully funded. The rip off there tends to be camps and id camps where you pay for the hope of getting noticed to go to a trial.
3. The real problem with the cartel is a handful of clubs are in mls next for boys and ecnl for girls. If you are in you draw customers to even b and c teams with families looking for a shot at the big leagues. If you don’t it’s really hard to build a program because when letter league opens up you are going to lose all your best players. There’s a potential here for some legal jeopardy, depending on how they determine which clubs are allowed into the highest tiers. Those of us looking from the outside in have been baffled by some of the decisions.
4. The corruption and favoritism affects only the center or bottom of the bell curve. If you are the top 25% coaches come calling for you. They offer scholarships. Let’s say you are in the 60% of mls next and don’t get a scholarship. Ea coaches will give you a scholarship. The reality is the need to win is even more important for their careers than the dad bud who plays golf.
5. Same in high school. If you had been the top 25% then the corruption tie breaker wouldn’t enter into it. If you could make a difference in the game, they won’t care where you came from. It only matters what you can do for them (whether that means winning games or paying for golf).
6. Soccer is unique as a game in that skill is made up of athletic, technical and soccer iq components. The reality is there is a vast difference between the levels played. My kid started out on a f3 local team which everyone around here loves to call glorified rec. they’d play the ayso all star team for the region at the start of every summer preseason. It was always the same story (even after he had moved on): double digit scores against the all star team. You won’t develop on just sunday league team or ayso. You need to play with the better players. You need to develop soccer iq by playing with the faster pace. Unfortunately that means dealing with the repulsive mess that is the us youth soccer landscape.
7. Public school? Here another reality. They care less. If you went to private they would have gone more out of their way to give you a fair look at least.

 

[sigmabody]

I wish basic club was only $1500 per season. Personally I shell out quite a bit more than that to be "scammed" by the club program.

Of course, as a partial counter-point, I think the OP's rant/thesis is conditioned upon the idea that parents are trying to ultimately achieve a professional soccer career for their children, and don't have any potential other motive(s) for encouraging participation in competitive sports. I feel that's probably true for some club parents, perhaps even a majority, but there might be some parents who are paying those costs for more nuanced motivations.

 

[Grace T.]

I wish basic club was only $1500 per season. Personally I shell out quite a bit more than that to be "scammed" by the club program.

Of course, as a partial counter-point, I think the OP's rant/thesis is conditioned upon the idea that parents are trying to ultimately achieve a professional soccer career for their children, and don't have any potential other motive(s) for encouraging participation in competitive sports. I feel that's probably true for some club parents, perhaps even a majority, but there might be some parents who are paying those costs for more nuanced motivations.

These days parents are paying club not just for a pro or college soccer career but to give their kids even a shot at playing varsity at some of schools.

 

[zanian]

And if you think this is bad, check out ballet or dance. Oh boy.

 

[Luis Andres]

Alright, you guys thought my first rant was salty ? Buckle the fuck up, AGAIN, because I’m about to take you down the GOPHER HOLE of what I like to call the SoCal Youth Soccer Mafia™. That’s right. My first rant about the High School shitstorm was just the goddamn appetizer. The real corruption ? The piping hot meat ? It’s the shady, backdoor, cash-fueled cartel of youth soccer in SoCal, where money and shadowy-ass CONNECTIONS talk, while hardwork and dedication get stuffed up your ass.

This is not just a high school soccer problem. This is a systemic, top-down, backroom deal-level SCAM that spans CLUBS, ACADEMIES, HIGH SCHOOLS, and every single "elite" system in this godforsaken state. If soccer is supposed to be the beautiful game, these clipboard-holding assholes have turned it into the corporate Squid Game.

Step 1 : The Club Pyramid Scheme™

Let’s start with the clubs because that’s where this absolute fuckery begins. Every club in SoCal markets itself like it’s the golden ticket to playing pro or some bullshit. “West Coast Elite SoCal Premier.” “Riverside Galaxy FC Elite Academy.” “South Bay Surf FC ECNL.” "Your first MILESTONE to reach your professional DREAMS !!!" Those polished ass names alone make it sound like they’ve got FIFA scouts hiding behind every bush, just waiting to pounce. Spoiler alert: THEY DON’T GIVE A SHIT.

Here’s the first part of the scam : pay-to-play. These clubs don’t give a flying fuck about talent or how much blood, sweat and tears you can piss. What they care about is your parents’ credit score. Oh, your family can shell out $1,500 a season ? Your mom drives a Mercedes and your dad wears a Rolex ? Congrats, Brayden ! You’ve got a spot. Oh, you’re actually good but can’t afford it ? Sorry, motherfucker, better luck next lifetime.

But wait, it gets better. Want to TRY OUT for one of these "pro academies" ? (Those are like clubs on triple steroids + more dick sucking) Yeah, that’ll be $190 just to register for an LA Galaxy tryout. Just to fucking register. As in, pay money to maybe get selected, but if you don’t, they keep your cash. "Thanks for trying out ! Now fuck you !" And if you make it ? Congrats, son ! Now go tell mommy to give those $3,500, we're on the PATHWAY to get you to the MLS afterall ! And don’t forget the "uniform fees," the "training fees," and the constant “mandatory tournament trips” to places like Arizona or Nevada. It's like a goddamn Ponzi scheme for cleats.

Oh, and those “scholarship” spots they like to brag about ? Pure corporate bullshit. They throw a few crumbs to one or two kids just to make their Instagram look good, and make it look like they're "changing lives" or some shit.

Step 2 : The Academy Pipe Dream

Let’s talk about the so-called “elite academies”—MLS Next, ECNL, GA, whatever-the-fuck-they’re-calling-it-now. These academies market themselves as the chosen path to D1 colleges or pro teams. But guess what ? They’re just glorified clubs with an even higher price tag and more politics.

Take MLS Next, for example. Sounds prestigious, right ? WRONG. You still gotta pay. And I’m not talking pocket change—I’m talking $3,000–$5,000 a season, plus travel, plus gear, plus whatever shady fees they tack on because they can. And you’d think that paying all this money means top-tier coaching, right ? Nope. Half these coaches are washed-up dudes who only know how to yell “PRESS !” and “RECOVER !”

But here’s the kicker : even getting into these academies is rigged. Tryouts are a joke. They already have their “core players” pre-selected. You think they’re actually scouting ? Nah, they’re just collecting fees from all the desperate parents who think their kid’s the next Messi.

And don’t even get me started on the politics. These academies are basically run by cliques. It’s not what you know; it’s WHO you know. If your dad golfs with the academy director, congrats, you’re on the roster. If not ? Fuck off, you broke piece of shit. I don't even remember your name.

Step 3 : The High School-Club Cartel

Now here’s where shit gets real shady. The SHADOWY OVERLAP between high school and club soccer is the most toxic, corrupt, incestuous relationship in sports. SOMEHOW, all these high school coaches have deep ties to the local clubs. They're IN BED with eachother. (only metaphorically though, I hope) It’s like they all go to the same underground poker game or some shit.

So, when tryouts roll around, guess who makes the team ? The CLUB KIDS. The same kids who’ve been funneling money into the system for years. If you’re an AYSO kid, or God forbid, a street soccer player who plays on the appartment's cracked asphalt, they look at you like have stage 8 cancer, as if you beat up their son Aiden who's on Varsity but loses the ball more often than I spam-screamed "BALL BALL BALL BALL BALL" during every fucking scrimmage.

The high school tryouts ? Pure theater. Just a dog-and-pony show to make it look like the coaches are “evaluating talent.” It's the FAT covering the meat in this absolute shitshow. In reality, they’ve already got their varsity and JV rosters locked in before tryouts even start. How ? Because they already know the club kids. They’ve been coaching them in club, or their club buddies vouched for them.

And let’s talk about these high school coaches for a second. Most of them are also CLUB COACHES. They’re double-dipping, milking both systems for cash and power. They’re not developing players—they’re developing their connections. They're not coaches, they're fucking POLITICIANS with clipboards that are SURGICALLY ATTACHED to their hands. I swear to God, I'm almost sure they're even showering with those clipboards or some shit.

Step 4 : The Private Coaching Scam

Oh, you thought we were done ? Think again. Enter the private coaching industry, the seedy underbelly of this already corrupt system. These private trainers charge $75–$200 an hour to “develop” your kid and make him do stepovers and sprints that won't bring jack shit to his game. And guess what ? The same coaches running these sessions are the ones coaching club and high school teams.

So now, not only do you have to pay for club and academy fees, but if you want to even have a chance at being noticed, you better cough up even more cash for private sessions. It’s like a fucked-up tax system where your kid’s dreams are the currency.

And the worst part ? These private coaches are the gatekeepers. They’ll “recommend” their private clients to the club and high school coaches, creating this insane feedback loop of nepotism and cash flow.

Step 5 : The Social Media Shitshow

Let’s not forget the Instagram flexing. These club kids and academy kids treat their profiles like LinkedIn for soccer. “Grateful to announce I’ve been selected for ECNL South Bay Division #TheGrind #Blessed #NoDaysOff” Bro, shut the fuck up. Nobody gives a shit. You're gonna end up as a cashier in Foot Locker no matter how deep you suck the coaches' dicks.

It’s all a façade to make their parents feel like the money’s worth it. But behind the scenes, it’s all politics and pay-to-play. These kids aren’t getting scouted—they’re just boosting the egos of their coaches and directors.

The Final Scam : The Pipeline™

Here’s how the pipeline works:

1. Clubs and academies take your money.

2. They funnel their players into high school teams through backdoor politics.

3. High schools pump these players back into the club system to maintain the cycle.

4. A tiny percentage make it to college or pro, and the clubs use those kids as marketing to suck in the next generation of victims.

The rest ? Burned out, broke, and disillusioned.

CONCLUSION

This entire system is a corrupt, pay-to-play racket designed to milk parents dry while giving a giant middle finger to actual talent, passion and hardwork. Soccer in SoCal isn’t about passion, skill, or hard work—it’s about money, connections, politics, and how much dick you can shove up your mouth. And until this shit changes, the beautiful game will never grow in this country.

Fuck the clubs. Fuck the academies. Fuck the coaches. And fuck the SoCal Youth Soccer Mafia™.

Sincerely,
Franko, the kid who saw through the bullshit.

I'm going to kick a ball against a wall for 2 hours now.

While there is some truth to your statements I do not blame clubs, coaches, and even the private trainers. All these people have jobs like you and I and need to make money. They are all in business to do a service while making money. It’s the parents fault for buying into the let’s win at all costs which fuels the racket. The reality is that 99% should be playing Ayso. Only 1% should be in academies but parents are delusional.

 

[crush]

While there is some truth to your statements I do not blame clubs, coaches, and even the private trainers. All these people have jobs like you and I and need to make money. They are all in business to do a service while making money. It’s the parents fault for buying into the let’s win at all costs which fuels the racket. The reality is that 99% should be playing Ayso. Only 1% should be in academies but parents are delusional.

My favorite avatar is back. Good morning brother Luis. 100% some truth to the OP rants and with some truth bombs. I do have to disagree with you Luis regarding "it's the parents' fault." I'm all for coaches making money to pay them bills but when they lie and use bait and switch tactics, it becomes the coach and clubs' fault for allowing liars in the sport. Parents are told and them sold that coach could develop their kid into elite payer if they sign up for 12 months of full-time soccer with extra privates and commit to 6years at $20K a year (after all costs are finally added Dec 31st). Lots of Coaches will let parent know he/she knows everyone in college and pros and if mom and dad do as sold, their kid will get groomed into the system and all will go well. I guess my take is it's everyone's fault.

 

[Luis Andres]

My favorite avatar is back. Good morning brother Luis. 100% some truth to the OP rants and with some truth bombs. I do have to disagree with you Luis regarding "it's the parents' fault." I'm all for coaches making money to pay them bills but when they lie and use bait and switch tactics, it becomes the coach and clubs' fault for allowing liars in the sport. Parents are told and them sold that coach could develop their kid into elite payer if they sign up for 12 months of full-time soccer with extra privates and commit to 6years at $20K a year (after all costs are finally added Dec 31st). Lots of Coaches will let parent know he/she knows everyone in college and pros and if mom and dad do as sold, their kid will get groomed into the system and all will go well. I guess my take is it's everyone's fault.

Not all coaches are saints and that’s for sure. But if parents could control their emotions, be real with themselves and their kids then we may have progress. I’ve seen so many delusional parents that I just gave up even trying to put some sense in them. I know the system is messed up but parents are fueling this all

 

[crush]

Not all coaches are saints and that’s for sure. But if parents could control their emotions, be real with themselves and their kids then we may have progress. I’ve seen so many delusional parents that I just gave up even trying to put some sense in them. I know the system is messed up but parents are fueling this all

I agree. It's a two-tiered system of pay for play. Coach tells mommy want she wants to hear and then dad pays. A good and honest coach wouldn't take the money. They would tell the parents the truth, "I'm sorry mam, but your kid can't play at the elite level. I would enroll your child in AYSO and save your money and your kids time." That never happens Luis. What truly happens is Sally's mom is told she has elite potential and with coaches' privates, Sally could become elite. Sally starts on the C team but with enough money and time, in no time she will make the B team and with more money and hard work (good grades as well) Sally might make the A team. I watched this happen at the highest of levels.

 

[Carlsbad7]

And if you think this is bad, check out ballet or dance. Oh boy.

I've always thought soccer is a lot like cheerleading or gymnastics if there's teams involved. Specifically the social dynamic and all the nuances involved in deciding who plays which position.

Thank God soccer has goals to determine which team wins. I can't imagine all the ridiculousness involved with judges deciding who the winners are.

Could you imagine spending all kinds of $$$ for your kid to go to a cheerleading "tournament". Only to find out the winner was predetermined before the event even occurred.

 

[Luis Andres]

I agree. It's a two-tiered system of pay for play. Coach tells mommy want she wants to hear and then dad pays. A good and honest coach wouldn't take the money. They would tell the parents the truth, "I'm sorry mam, but your kid can't play at the elite level. I would enroll your child in AYSO and save your money and your kids time." That never happens Luis. What truly happens is Sally's mom is told she has elite potential and with coaches' privates, Sally could become elite. Sally starts on the C team but with enough money and time, in no time she will make the B team and with more money and hard work (good grades as well) Sally might make the A team. I watched this happen at the highest of levels.

Here’s the reality… while there is some truth to this posters statement the same thing can be said about the real world and how to navigate it. Yes it comes down to who you know and your networking & connections are important. Moving up the corporate ladder and growing a business works the same way. You need to build relationships with people to get ahead in life.I’m going to give you my perspective. I’ve never had a problem with my daughter making a team, I have clubs hitting me up all the time to come over for free full scholarship. I have colleges hitting me up and pro teams interested. I even have personal trainers hitting me up to train her for free… oh and HS scholarship to private school straight to varsity as a freshman. Never paid anyone. just giving you the other side of the coin. But then again she’s earned it with talent and works harder than most. Until delusional parents figure it out then we may have progress. I ain’t paying anyone or greasing pockets either… cream always rises to the top… and others will recognize it. So if your kid is really talented and works hard they will be recognized.

 

[crush]

Here’s the reality… while there is some truth to this posters statement the same thing can be said about the real world and how to navigate it. Yes it comes down to who you know and your networking & connections are important. Moving up the corporate ladder and growing a business works the same way. You need to build relationships with people to get ahead in life.I’m going to give you my perspective. I’ve never had a problem with my daughter making a team, I have clubs hitting me up all the time to come over for free full scholarship. I have colleges hitting me up and pro teams interested. I even have personal trainers hitting me up to train her for free… just giving you the other side of the coin. But then again she’s earned it with talent and works harder than most. Until delusional parents figure it out then we may have progress. I ain’t paying anyone or greasing pockets either… cream always rises to the top… and others will recognize it. So if your kid is really talented and works hard they will be recognized.

True and great advice. The thought of having to pay a coach or grease his pockets makes me feel sick thinking about that way to get a head of the line. I know one mom that did more than pay. How does one sleep at night knowing they had to grease the coach, yuk!

 

[Carlsbad7]

True and great advice. The thought of having to pay a coach or grease his pockets makes me feel sick thinking about that way to get a head of the line. I know one mom that did more than pay. How does one sleep at night knowing they had to grease the coach, yuk!

A coach from your favorite club literally had his hand out when we jumped in for a couple of sessions. (Wasn't AR) I was blown away by how overt he was. It was especially annoying because the last time my kids team played his team they beat them. In this case the coach was choosing $$$ over better players. The teams ranking in southwest reflects this type of decision on the coach's behalf.

It's just disgusting that if I greased the skids I could have gotten a better (using previous game results) player on that team. I'm sure if I kept paying it would have secured a starting position.

Frustrating that this type of thing happens. Also frustrating that in a year or so this coach will get a new team and start over with a new group of parents. Playing the same money games.

 

[Grace T.]

While there is some truth to your statements I do not blame clubs, coaches, and even the private trainers. All these people have jobs like you and I and need to make money. They are all in business to do a service while making money. It’s the parents fault for buying into the let’s win at all costs which fuels the racket. The reality is that 99% should be playing Ayso. Only 1% should be in academies but parents are delusional.

I agree the trophy chasing mentality is a problem, but it’s not the parents fault entirely either. The ultimate culprit is college sports and admissions which causes a trickle down effect throughout the entire system. And it impacts not just those pursuing the college scholarships/admission but others (such as those looking to play varsity in high school like the op) since they have to keep up with the Joneses.

As for ayso there were 2 issues (well now 3). 1. There weren’t a lot of parents that didn’t know how to coach so the product was poor, 2. For some people time is more valuable than money so the volunteer requirement was a burden, and 3. (And this one ayso did to themselves) rather than tier rec, their “everyone plays” philosophy had everyone from the future pro to the disabled vip kid playing together.

 

[Luis Andres]

A coach from your favorite club literally had his hand out when we jumped in for a couple of sessions. (Wasn't AR) I was blown away by how overt he was. It was especially annoying because the last time my kids team played his team they beat them. In this case the coach was choosing $$$ over better players. The teams ranking in southwest reflects this type of decision on the coach's behalf.

It's just disgusting that if I greased the skids I could have gotten a better (using previous game results) player on that team. I'm sure if I kept paying it would have secured a starting position.

Frustrating that this type of thing happens. Also frustrating that in a year or so this coach will get a new team and start over with a new group of parents. Playing the same money games.

I’m not saying this type of stuff does not happen as it happens in the real world of business. But I just wanted to state that there are still good people out there looking out for great talent that works hard. I know our youth development system needs work but parents need to also wake up and smell the coffee. There are delusional parents out there that have no clue about soccer development nor have they ever played the sport and expect Sally to make it to the top…

 

[Carlsbad7]

I’m not saying this type of stuff does not happen as it happens in the real world of business. But I just wanted to state that there are still good people out there looking out for great talent that works hard. I know our youth development system needs work but parents need to also wake up and smell the coffee. There are delusional parents out there that have no clue about soccer development nor have they ever played the sport and expect Sally to make it to the top…

I agree with you. The whole BY vs SY arguement is am example of parents worrying about something that doesn't matter.

With corruption it takes two willing participants to make it happen. If enough people choose to walk away when you see it corruption goes away. Corruption exists in youth soccer because some parents are willing to participate.

 

[crush]

The system is rigged and that's all she wrote. If you got $20,000 a year to help spread the grease, you qualify as elite youth soccer player. Parents get to brag on Instabrag and with that, insta dopamine to their rich brain. Parents with lots of cash will hand it out to the coach willing to say whatever Sally's mommy wants to hear. Hey Franko, let me us know when your TM gets that R for restricted. You might have a winner tagline.

 

[Luis Andres]

The system is rigged and that's all she wrote. If you got $20,000 a year to help spread the grease, you qualify as elite youth soccer player. Parents get to brag on Instabrag and with that, insta dopamine to their rich brain. Parents with lots of cash will hand it out to the coach willing to say whatever Sally's mommy wants to hear. Hey Franko, let me us know when your TM gets that R for restricted. You might have a winner tagline.

In other parts of the world where they have academies the top 1% play academies for free. The rest play Rec. problem here is we are selling a pipe dream to the 99% that will never make it pro or even D1 college. Delusional parents keep taking the bait.