Thread by @THEChrisKessell

The term "recreational" soccer was created by people who didnt want the sport to be as competitive as the traditional American sports.

It was intentional.

"Travel" soccer was created by those who wanted to take it serious.

It was coopted by those who saw they could $ off it

Every level of soccer governance has failed when it comes to the children who play the game in this nation.

"Rec soccer" is used as a pejorative nationally.

Basically every single player starts in some sort of "rec" program.

If you take "rec" too serious you are ostracized

"Why dont you go play club?"
"This isnt what rec is for!"
"Why are you so serious?"

Well... the kids deserve the best that we can offer them no matter who they play for first and foremost.

That is a fact.

We have 100s of thousands if not millions of players in the US playing in underdeveloped "rec" programs within clubs and leagues and the kids are being screwed over by it...

By not taking the MAJORITY of the sport serious we are setting the tone for what the game is.

Now what does "taking it serious" mean?

Coaching ed, amount of practice time, opportunity for growth, competitions, etc.

This hyper localized community based soccer is the part of youth soccer than needs fixed.

This is where basically every player starts.

This is the entry point for every single family that isnt a soccer first family already.

This is where things are most broken.

This is where a national soccer culture change can/will happen.

This is where investment needs to happen.

This is where the "keep them playing as long as possible as a high a level as possible" will happen.

This is where we are going to be able to find thousands and thousands of coaches who really care about kids... these are the ones who need to be trained how to develop players.

These kids care.

They care just as much as your child that you pay big money to play club soccer for...

They don't want to lose... they want to get better... they want to win... they want to have fun... they want to play with their friends... with other good players

They are kids... just like your kid that plays "club" or "travel" or whatever you call it where you are...

They ALL deserve the best environment that we can give them.. not to be forgotten about, used as a bank account for the club/business, or relegated to crap programs

We need change when it comes to soccer in this country for ALL the players... not just the ones at the "top".

#ReformUSSF
#ProRelForUSA