Turning Pro at 13

[GLangevinito]

No that's not the truth.

The truth is that the parents signed her up for the thorns knowing that the senior women's league doesn't allow minors to play.

2 years later and their regretting that decision so instead of taking responsibility they are blaming other and suing. Class case of entitlement and manufacturing drama.

From what I know, this is exactly the case. She was impressive at the youth level, when her extra aggression and overly practiced scissors/stepover combo was all WHOA. There are many of us who have watched her play on Beach before she "went pro". I watched her play for Beach and was ineffective. She was muscled off the ball, she failed to pass, she got frustrated and acted like Neymar when she didn't get the ball. Beach bought into the hype her Dad created, just like Nike did, just like the Thorns did.

She would not start on most college squads, what makes her Dad she can compete professionally?

 

[Sunil Illuminati]

From what I know, this is exactly the case. She was impressive at the youth level, when her extra aggression and overly practiced scissors/stepover combo was all WHOA. There are many of us who have watched her play on Beach before she "went pro". I watched her play for Beach and was ineffective. She was muscled off the ball, she failed to pass, she got frustrated and acted like Neymar when she didn't get the ball. Beach bought into the hype her Dad created, just like Nike did, just like the Thorns did.

She would not start on most college squads, what makes her Dad she can compete professionally?

Beach, Nike and Thorns all fooled but not you huh?

 

[full90]

I’m so torn.
On one hand I think the rules are in place to help protect these kids from this exact scenario. 18 is a wise age to work up thru the youth ranks and maturity wise be at a spot to work with pros and survive in that environment. So the rules protect kids from their own worst ideas and parents insanity.

but on the other there will be cases like this. This kid is good, and wants the chance to compete. Being allowed to compete for a spot will solve the mystery. She’ll make it or not. She’s good enough or not. Every other country allows kids to join the pro ranks at whatever age and if their good enough they get promoted thru the ranks.
But we see the byproduct of that system with thousands of kids spit out each year. Do we want that in America?

I’ve seen her be magical and I’ve seen her be average. I didn’t agree with their initial decision (could they not see this coming? Geez) and zero people are surprised this is where we are.

they knew when they left LA (with tons of options and opportunities for high level soccer training and much better youth teams than the thorns) what the NWSL rules were. They knew. What did they think would happen?

 

[espola]

From what I know, this is exactly the case. She was impressive at the youth level, when her extra aggression and overly practiced scissors/stepover combo was all WHOA. There are many of us who have watched her play on Beach before she "went pro". I watched her play for Beach and was ineffective. She was muscled off the ball, she failed to pass, she got frustrated and acted like Neymar when she didn't get the ball. Beach bought into the hype her Dad created, just like Nike did, just like the Thorns did.

She would not start on most college squads, what makes her Dad she can compete professionally?

After my son's college career was over, I found an old DVD that included his high school highlights. We watched some of it at a family gathering.

"How come you never made moves like that when you played in college?"

"Those defenders weren't good enough to make a college team."

 

[notintheface]

OM is good, there shouldn't be a debate there.

Her parents are choosing an inexplicably bad path for her. The lawsuit being successful may have some wider repercussions but it will do nothing to advance her career. When she is 30, she will probably look back on this with an extreme amount of regret.

 

[crush]

Child actors usually wind up pretty fucked up too (But they make a ton of money. For themselves and their parents)

We're all learning ((some keep their heads in the sand)) how f up too. Sad stuff coming out coach buck. Buckle up timmy....

 

[Emma]

If your life affords flexibility and your child wants it, why not provide it if it doesn't harm anyone? Every kid has a unique path. Why not give girls the same options boys have in the MLS? Then let the coaches and individuals/families decide if it's the right path and fit.

OM's parents have sacrificed a lot of time, energy and money into helping her achieve her goals. So long as they are letting her guide her own path, why not?

Professional level Gymnast and ice skaters go down this path too.

How many of us look back on our lives and say ...I regret going for it all? Most of our regrets come from stopping short of it and if we worked hard and failed, we're still darn proud we tried and didn't just find an excuse to stop. I cheer anyone on that has the courage and hardwork to pursue something different and new while opening up more doors for girls.

My children do not want to travel down this path for soccer, but if they did, I would support them as much as I could like OM's parents.

 

[crush]

Sounds like the elite university admissions system. Lots of people "buying" success for their kids. The club soccer system is riddled with it. When the $10k investment in fees and travel doesn't seem to be cutting it they add additional training, private lessons, resident programs, etc.

So true. One higher up prick told me that they were in the process of building full time housing camps for girls. I'm like, "who the fuck would send their dd to some full-time soccer camp to.live with adult females?" He told me the men had DA and camps for boys, the girls will have their camps." Again, I said, "That's whack and lame and 99% of.parenrs would never send dd away."

 

[LASTMAN14]

[

If your life affords flexibility and your child wants it, why not provide it if it doesn't harm anyone? Every kid has a unique path. Why not give girls the same options boys have in the MLS? Then let the coaches and individuals/families decide if it's the right path and fit.

OM's parents have sacrificed a lot of time, energy and money into helping her achieve her goals. So long as they are letting her guide her own path, why not?

Professional level Gymnast and ice skaters go down this path too.

How many of us look back on our lives and say ...I regret going for it all? Most of our regrets come from stopping short of it and if we worked hard and failed, we're still darn proud we tried and didn't just find an excuse to stop. I cheer anyone on that has the courage and hardwork to pursue something different and new while opening up more doors for girls.

My children do not want to travel down this path for soccer, but if they did, I would support them as much as I could like OM's parents.

I can agree with you in theory. However, this situation does not fit this scenario as simply as you have stated. Previous posts have eluded to the truth of the matter.

 

[espola]

If your life affords flexibility and your child wants it, why not provide it if it doesn't harm anyone? Every kid has a unique path. Why not give girls the same options boys have in the MLS? Then let the coaches and individuals/families decide if it's the right path and fit.

OM's parents have sacrificed a lot of time, energy and money into helping her achieve her goals. So long as they are letting her guide her own path, why not?

Professional level Gymnast and ice skaters go down this path too.

How many of us look back on our lives and say ...I regret going for it all? Most of our regrets come from stopping short of it and if we worked hard and failed, we're still darn proud we tried and didn't just find an excuse to stop. I cheer anyone on that has the courage and hardwork to pursue something different and new while opening up more doors for girls.

My children do not want to travel down this path for soccer, but if they did, I would support them as much as I could like OM's parents.

Gymnasts and figure skaters have absolute standards to compare against and experienced professionals to judge their abilities. Soccer players only have to be better than the opponents of the moment to stand out. They won't know their full level unless they play against opponents who can test the full range of their ability.

 

[LASTMAN14]

So true. One higher up prick told me that they were in the process of building full time housing camps for girls. I'm like, "who the fuck would send their dd to some full-time soccer camp to.live with adult females?" He told me the men had DA and camps for boys, the girls will have their camps." Again, I said, "That's whack and lame and 99% of.parenrs would never send dd away."

It's not really that different than sending ones child to a boarding school that emphasizes sports (whether coed or not). Or a boarding school for girls only. For example-IMG Academy (Florida), or FCBEscola, or Chatham Hall.

 

[watfly]

If your life affords flexibility and your child wants it, why not provide it if it doesn't harm anyone? Every kid has a unique path. Why not give girls the same options boys have in the MLS? Then let the coaches and individuals/families decide if it's the right path and fit.

OM's parents have sacrificed a lot of time, energy and money into helping her achieve her goals. So long as they are letting her guide her own path, why not?

Professional level Gymnast and ice skaters go down this path too.

How many of us look back on our lives and say ...I regret going for it all? Most of our regrets come from stopping short of it and if we worked hard and failed, we're still darn proud we tried and didn't just find an excuse to stop. I cheer anyone on that has the courage and hardwork to pursue something different and new while opening up more doors for girls.

My children do not want to travel down this path for soccer, but if they did, I would support them as much as I could like OM's parents.

Well said. If its the kids drive and goals, and not just the parents, I don't have a problem with it (well, actually its none of my business). There does appear to be some inequities between sports and genders, but some of that may be contact related.

I understand that these scenarios don't work at well for some, but it has for others. I wish her the best of luck and hope she does everything on her own terms.

 

[myself]

Good luck to the young lady, but I find it difficult to believe she'd make any sort of impact as a high school freshman going against grown women that have gone thru 4 years of college and are trying to earn a living.

 

[crush]

It's not really that different than sending ones child to a boarding school that emphasizes sports (whether coed or not). Or a boarding school for girls only. For example-IMG Academy (Florida), or FCBEscola, or Chatham Hall.

No judgement from me bro. I can;t imagine sending my dd to some boarding school or soccer house at 12 or 13. This is crazy ass shit. I told you years ago that some ((not all!!!!)) Docs were whacked bro. I'm sorry for beating a dead horse but man, the shit I heard from some were insane. I know they do this in Europe but not in my house. I swear if I could have taped the convo I had with this Doc you would be concerned. Peace to all of you.

 

[Emma]

[

I can agree with you in theory. However, this situation does not fit this scenario as simply as you have stated. Previous posts have eluded to the truth of the matter.

If her parents are the ones dreaming it and Olivia would prefer to stay local and play with her peers to establish friendships, I hope her parents snap out of it soon.

 

[crush]

If her parents are the ones dreaming it and Olivia would prefer to stay local and play with her peers to establish friendships, I hope her parents snap out of it soon.

Emma, read the article. OM is quoted as saying it's her dream, not dads dream. Parents have their own dreams as well and sometimes dreams co-mingle. Let the dreamers dream and let's see what happens. Remember, good always winds out at the end It's good to see you posting again Emma

 

[crush]

BTW, I'm sorry for some of the F bombs today. Sometimes I let it out. I did keep that fucking word in my head from 1988 til July 2019. That is a long time holding something in. I like to use it only to make a strong point and that's it.

 

[LASTMAN14]

If her parents are the ones dreaming it and Olivia would prefer to stay local and play with her peers to establish friendships, I hope her parents snap out of it soon.

Me too.

 

[Yousername]

I love it Let her go pro whenever she wants is my take. Same for basketball players. I'm still SMFH why any stud ball player can't sign at 16. This BS that they have to wait until 18 and also go to college for one year. Oh Please, #lethemgopro. Who needs college when pro is right around the corner? My dd was able to battle the great OM for two years at practice every week and let me tell you Soccer Fan 4 Life, this player loves to play soccer and is very happy when she plays and my dd says she is one of kind and is all in soccer 24/7. It's called freedom of choice. The free choice to be whatever the hell you want to be in life. My dd was approached to go pro as well back when she was 12. Of course I was blushing with dad pride and ego. I heard about dads sending kids to far away places to be a pro in soccer player for the boys ((my dd former All American coach left home at 15 to play in Holland with the flying Dutchman)). However, this new proposal for girls seemed whack if I were to be honest. I thought about her going pro for a few seconds and then it was a big fat, "hell no." I came on here with satire three years ago and so many damn fools thought I was serious about sending my daughter away at 13 to be trained by the "Pros." Ahhhhh, no thank you

YOU?!!! Shocker!!!

 

[foreveryoung]

If her parents are the ones dreaming it and Olivia would prefer to stay local and play with her peers to establish friendships, I hope her parents snap out of it soon.

I don't think it's as always as simple as this. Many kids don't feel like they can speak up about their own desires, or they feel an immense desire/responsibility to please their parents. That definitely could be in play here. There are plenty of stories of people in professions that took many years of school that felt completely forced into by their parents. I also don't think kids really grasp the sacrifices they are making or what's really involved and it shouldn't just be "what the kid wants". It needs to be a carefully thought through "family" decision. These kind of sacrifices also impact siblings. That said I also think that supporting your child's dream is valid. It's just not as black and white if it's the kid's dream then it's okay. Kids can be heavily influenced into what their dream should be or what "success" looks like and parents are often not even conscious they are doing it.

 

[msoccerm]

Can't judge OM's situation because I have never watched her play. However, the rest of the world are allowing their young players to play pro and get paid at at least 16. College soccer IN GENERAL is a waste of time if you want to go pro. The season is short and you're required to play 2 games a week which takes a toll on the body and means that practice can't be too intense because you are either recovering from a game or going into a game. And a player can't grow as much in college as they could playing with experienced, older pros. And the coaches aren't necessarily the best fit for an elite player.

That being said the NWSL is known for being a solid comp where every team is very good - unlike the European Leagues where only the top 2 or 3 are very good. This would mean to me that it would be very hard to get on the pitch as a 15 yo in the NWSL as opposed to a team at the bottom of the German League.

Anyways bravo OM for paving the way for other USWNT hopefuls and helping the US keep up with the rest of the world.

What a bunch of negative, mean, jealous people on this thread. What do you care what she is doing? You're kid got their little scholarship. Why are you pulling others down that are choosing a different path?