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Post by footy on Apr 27, 2017 7:53:01 GMT -5
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Post by Soccerhouse on Apr 27, 2017 8:35:32 GMT -5
Its very difficult decision, and ultimately up to each individual to decide. Its a problem I didn't have nor any of of my kids will have, thats for sure, they just aren't that level of players!!
My only take is I've seen and and been around kids that were those special players at u16/u17 etc. They were national team players, they were top 10 talent in the entire country. They chose to go oversees to Europe/South America vs the college route at some big time schools. Some would have been their only family members ever to go to college. And now they are back trying to figure out their career. Now that players can stay in the states though, I think its an easier transition for younger kids vs getting shipped across the ocean etc. I've heard stories of kids playing and living with foster parents basically, they couldn't speak the language and the home they were in didn't even have wifi.
Will be interesting to follow the paths of the Carleton's and Goslins vs a few other guys that end up going to college to grow more as a player and a person. I think players now a days like C & G are/were basically professionals since 14. Flying all over the world for various national teams etc. That experience is probably pretty dang amazing and besides the course work, probably learned more than most 14-17 year olds attending a traditional high school.
I was surprised at the salary for the homegrowns and the ATl united roster, was expecting a little bit higher. I assume some of the guys since are on loan, also are getting paid by their original clubs, like Garza?
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Post by gaprospects on Apr 27, 2017 9:33:07 GMT -5
It's entirely up to the player and his level of ambition. There are tons of success stories on both sides. Getting a degree and a good education can be invaluable if the soccer career doesn't work out.
A great recent example was JJ Koval. He was a California kid who was four-year starter at Stanford and went top 10 in the MLS SuperDraft. He never stuck anywhere in MLS and rather than make a cheap salary in USL, he retired and went back to school to become a dentist. So, soccer didn't work out for him, but he still had that bachelor's degree from Stanford, and that gets you a long, long way in the real world.
Most of the guys on the national team had extensive experience in college. I wonder if that will change now that most of the top 25 players every year are usually either getting MLS Homegrown deals, USL deals or going abroad. It feels like a change in landscape and mentality for these young guys.
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Post by mightydawg on Apr 27, 2017 9:50:47 GMT -5
The real issue is to balance the earnings from being a pro v. cost of college. Your earning potential is greater in soccer to go pro at the youngest age possible but you have to make enough money to either be set for life or be able to pay for college once your pro career is over.
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Post by rifle on Apr 27, 2017 17:39:39 GMT -5
Now we know why Miguel is always smiling. Getting PAID to play soccer!
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Post by spectator on Apr 28, 2017 10:40:59 GMT -5
The real issue is to balance the earnings from being a pro v. cost of college. Your earning potential is greater in soccer to go pro at the youngest age possible but you have to make enough money to either be set for life or be able to pay for college once your pro career is over. The caveat on this - regardless of sport - is that the young player be educated on financial planning and budgeting. Having a great sum of money with little to no discipline or guidance is a recipe for disaster. There are many former NFL and NBA players who are broke now after having great financial success at young ages. One I personally know of - William (the Refrigerator) Perry - great player for Clemson University and left school to enter the draft, He signed with the Chicago Bears, did well and even scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl - but today is working paycheck to paycheck as a plumber in SC. And no, he never went back to college. There was an article about him a few years back in the Columbia SC paper and he expressed regret at not knowing how to budget or plan better for the future beyond his sport. He wasn't bitter - just very matter of fact and I believe he's reached out and advised some young athletes in the area where he lives. The best thing that anyone could do for these super young athletes with the opportunity to earn money before college is teach them about finances and planning for their future.
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Post by Futsal Gawdess on May 1, 2017 0:27:49 GMT -5
The real issue is to balance the earnings from being a pro v. cost of college. Your earning potential is greater in soccer to go pro at the youngest age possible but you have to make enough money to either be set for life or be able to pay for college once your pro career is over. You hit the nail on the head. If your kid is smart enough to go to college and isn't just a dumb jock and if you can get a good read on his potential, college might be the way to go. You do have to factor getting a regular job like everyone else making $50k - $75k or more for a few decades and having college paid for. Balanced with going pro and only making $75k or more for maybe 10 years and not having the real skill set to make "real money" as a pro. These are the real kitchen table talks parents and the players need to have. If you're lucky you can play till your late 30s, what then after that...
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