Turning Pro at 13

SoccerFan4Life said:
Speaking of going pro, this is a great article on Mallory Pugh
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/mallory-pugh-united-states-world-cup-reckless-child

Interesting how she decided to go pro after she tried college for a year and she knew that she was good enough to go pro. Still think she made a mistake but then again she is playing in the World Cup. Lol.
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From my limited viewpoint, it was obvious she was good enough to be called out of college to play on the WNT, so why shouldn't she be getting paid for it?
 
dk_b said:
In my younger days, I'd see guys going pro early and I'd think, "oh, they should stay in college. Pro sports will be there. The college experience is irreplaceable." I still agree with that last statement but I don't think that top line pros should stick it out in college and it was Tiger who made me think that way (and I'm about 8 years older than he is so I was in my late 20s around this time - a grown ass adult doing my graduate work). I worry (in a paternalistic way) about a young person giving up too much to chase a very illusive dream but if you are told you will be a lottery pick in the NBA draft or you can make millions in endorsements and win majors (like Tiger) or, in Pugh's/Davidson's case, have a guaranteed shot at winning a WC . . . if that dream is NOT illusive, who am I to say that they should stay in school (setting aside the exploitive nature of college sports for the revenue sports)?
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If playing in college would make a player who desires to be a professional player into a better pro player, then stick with college. If a player is already good enough to make a National Team or a top-flight pro team, then skip college.
 
espola said:
If playing in college would make a player who desires to be a professional player into a better pro player, then stick with college. If a player is already good enough to make a National Team or a top-flight pro team, then skip college.
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Or delay college. It will still be there.
 
OM is a 2005 playing with 2002's and has 13 goals in 21 games. In other words, she's doing amazing. Feels like people are rooting against her succeeding or sad that she doesn't want to join the exploitative NCAA because they are fans of the PAC 12 or whoever. We should all be rooting for her and recognize that she's doing great. How many of you have a u14 that is crushing it while playing three years up?
 
Janie270 said:
OM is a 2005 playing with 2002's and has 13 goals in 21 games. In other words, she's doing amazing. Feels like people are rooting against her succeeding or sad that she doesn't want to join the exploitative NCAA because they are fans of the PAC 12 or whoever. We should all be rooting for her and recognize that she's doing great. How many of you have a u14 that is crushing it while playing three years up?
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From another view, that would be like a HS Freshman being a starter on his/her HS team, which is not all that unusual.
 
Janie270 said:
OM is a 2005 playing with 2002's and has 13 goals in 21 games. In other words, she's doing amazing. Feels like people are rooting against her succeeding or sad that she doesn't want to join the exploitative NCAA because they are fans of the PAC 12 or whoever. We should all be rooting for her and recognize that she's doing great. How many of you have a u14 that is crushing it while playing three years up?
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Your interpretation is wildly different than mine - and we are reading the same comments. I see no one rooting against her even while the broad discussion about a 13yo playing with women, giving up college, etc. has been reasonable with a lot of different opinions. And why would it matter if anyone has a u14 playing similarly? The entire reason this is something worthy of discussion is because it has been publicized because it is so unique. Is it out of bounds unless one has a similar kid?
 
Soccer43 said:
Excellent post! Exactly. This is a personal choice for her and her family but I don’t see this as a way to change or improve women’s professional soccer.

On another note, How many child star actors turned out well? If you treat a child like an adult and emerge them in an adult environment when they are still kids it often isn’t good for them. There is some basic science involved where their frontal lobes are not developed yet which is the area of their brain that is needed for complex decision making and planning and analysis.
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What about kids who enter college at a real young age?
 
espola said:
From another view, that would be like a HS Freshman being a starter on his/her HS team, which is not all that unusual.
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It is actually quite different. DD started as a freshman and scored 15 goals in the first half of the season (including one against Cathedral). She was an average player on her club team. HS teams have a wide range of player talent when compared to elite club teams.
 
espola said:
From another view, that would be like a HS Freshman being a starter on his/her HS team, which is not all that unusual.
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It's not even closely the same because that happens all the time due to the shallow talent pool at most schools. There are probably five 2005's in the whole country who have gotten playing time on a regular basis with 2002's in DA and none have scored like she has.
 
Janie270 said:
It's not even closely the same because that happens all the time due to the shallow talent pool at most schools. There are probably five 2005's in the whole country who have gotten playing time on a regular basis with 2002's in DA and none have scored like she has.
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You said it better than I did.
 
Just A Dad said:
What about kids who enter college at a real young age?
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Exactly. My kid will be ready to start college at 12. I recently spoke with the NCAA and was told to make sure my kid only attends college part time. According to NCAA if she goes to college full time her eligibility clock will start ticking.
Since OM is being homeschooled maybe she’s on a similar academic trajectory as my kid. If so, I think she could get an academic scholarship, graduate college early, skip college sports, and be ready by 18.
 
Now that brings up a general question: Are there any international rules regarding a pro playing on a Youth national team? Or is this another uncharted territory.
 
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