Cost of Development Academy Prohibitive to Some

[soccerwatcher]

Recently heard via grapevine that parents of kids with Academy team (Metro United, FC Milwaukee, Sockers FC) say that the travel is very expensive - plan on $4,000 per year and flight delays and cancellations as well as missed school- All those who are not sponsored by the MLS where travel is paid for, will not stay as competitve. In today's environment with gas cost so high, parent's simply can't afford to be forced to spend this kind of money. At least with a club team you do have some say in tournaments that you will attend.

Concept, except for MLS sponsored teams, seems to be making soccer a very elitest sport - like tennis - if you can't afford it at that level, you can't participate.

[SoccerDad2006]

Soccer, like any sport, can be played at all levels and all costs. There are high school and recreational club teams that millions of teens enjoy. There are elite teams with associated costs, but pontential rewards of college play.

I'm 42 years old. Some folks my age spend thousands on travel and uniforms to play senior-level volleyball at national and international competitions. Tonight I'll start my summer league with the same friends I've played with for years. $80 per player, not including libations during the game.

It's all in what you make it, and I choose to make my sports FUN!!!:)

[winner4life]

As I posted in another thread, my buddy is wired to the top of the OESA organization and he told me the other night that they were going to offer free fee and uniforms to their USSDA players. The players still pay for travel, but it keep it in perspective, it's almost a dollar-for-dollar trade off from traveling to showcases across the country, we spent almost $4k in travel this past showcase season.

[TheStuff142]

winner4life....check your PM's.