Soccer parent venting
My 15yo is a disappointing soccer player. There, I said it. She’s got some great qualities: great first touch, excellent 1v1, great speed, pretty good positioning, good movement off the ball, scans almost more than any kid her age.
She also deals with anxiety and OCD. Which we’re getting her treatment and as far as we can tell it’s controlled.
She doesn’t invest time in her game consistently. Doesn’t practice regularly enough outside of training. Doesn’t watch enough pro soccer.
I doubt that many of her teammates do the above either, but since she doesn’t understand the game instinctually—I feel like she should be doing more.
Her biggest problem is, probably, not being physical enough and losing too many 50/50 balls.
It’s clear it’s NOT her passion. She has another interest, she invests a ton of time into that and nobody has to prompt her.
Which is fine. Soccer isn’t her passion. But we are giving up a ton of time and several thousand dollars a year into this. Which I would prefer go into her college fund.
We go play pickup with a bunch of really excellent players (grown ass men from around the globe) every Sunday and she holds her own. She makes plays that gets raves from these guys, they compliment her play. So it makes no sense why her performance is so timid against girls her age.
I keep my mouth shut don’t say anything to her about how I feel and drive her to these games and be positive and supportive and pay the fees. I’m really just here to vent because I can’t do it to anyone in person.
She is at a states-level for track and cross country as a freshman. Even though I love soccer, I’d almost rather she focus on that.
But, I’m also aware that it’s good for kids to struggle at something—unfortunately, for me, it’s in this expensive, time consuming thing. She gets straight As, has a boyfriend, a good kid, etc.
I’m debating whether to ask she be bumped down to the lower team in the club for More playing time, more central role, more. She’s only played 3 games for this team and most of them have been together for years.
Anyway, thanks for reading. If you have any advice I’m all ears.