College or Pro? It’s a Tough Call When You’re 12 Years Old

Bravo! Another cautionary tale about trophy children. I read this like a warning label about raising children in affluent suburban culture.

The players on the USWNT were never known for their technical skills or their tactical acumen. The United States women's program was able to become ascendent due to the fact that their players were more athletic than their opposition and it was culturally acceptable for women to train as "athletes" in America than in was in other parts of the soccer world. Now that the rest of the world has caught up the US in terms of development the US is going to need to adapt their approach to developing players or they're going to get left behind.

If this guy really knew anything about soccer, the LAST thing he would do is make his daughter play on artificial turf. Even dry, brown grass, even dirt is preferable to artificial turf. Just like they do in South America. The guy's an ignoramus.

My son is 15, playing soccer since he was 5. He is currently going to school and playing soccer in Germany...as a foreign exchange student. Will he burn out, I doubt it. He has played at the top level of US soccer in an MLS academy for 5 years...that almost burned him out. He started at the Jr. Academy at age 7. He loves the game. I tell him,"if you aren't having fun, are they paying you? No, then do it for the joy." This girl may end up being the best thing in US soccer, or not. At age 12 she should be having fun while doing it. Let her drive the ship.

I see that this girl has a lot of talent. She is young and has a long long way to go to actually know what she want. No one should be able to tell her what to do. She likes playing soccer and is good that she got people looking at her and are interested. I am proud of her and she could become someone big.

Being an administrator in DII Athletics I couldn’t finish reading this article. I have dealt with many athletes who burn out early due to being parental “projects “. And, knowing NCAA rules I’m not sure how an 11 year old “accepts an offer” from an NCAA institution. Athletics can truly be a positive defining factor in a young adult’s life and I have so many positive stories. So unfortunate this child probably will never make it to that point.

I wish this young lady nothing but the best. Her father, as portrayed here, is problematic. She’s 12 .... a lot will happen to her in the next 4 years, not least puberty.

Am I the only one who shudders at this? Another sport that exploits young girls? Isn't the record of smashed young male bodies enough?

Interesting that the subheading refers to "women's soccer." If the story described a boy named Oliver, instead of a girl named Olivia, would the subheading have read, "Oliver Moultrie and his family are challenging long-held assumptions about the best way to develop an American men’s soccer star?" Somehow I doubt it.

The decision of choosing to skip college to pursue a professional sport is a common phenomenon for many students and young athletes outside of the United States. No reward can be achieved without taking a risk. It is important that when talent is apparent in the early stages of one's development in any sport, the parents are able to guide their children to efficiently and successfully accelerate their progress. The best way to enable further growth is to make a quicker transition to the pro level, as an athlete such as Olivia can learn from the professional coaches and from her teammates who share similar talents. Choosing to attend college may seem like a proper choice for athletes who are unsure about their future, however, Olivia has immense talent for playing soccer and will most likely end up playing professional soccer whether or not she decides to go to college. Therefore, why not enable her to allocate more of her time to develop into a better soccer player? Furthermore, there has recently been controversy within the soccer association after the United States Men's Soccer Team failed to qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup. Regarding this unfortunate outcome, many critics pointed out the potential loss of soccer superstars due to the social norm of going to college before playing at a professional level. Athletes develop the most when they are young, therefore, it is crucial that players like Olivia receive the highest level of coaching as early as they can.

The decision of choosing to skip college to pursue a professional sport is a common phenomenon for many students and young athletes outside of the United States. No reward can be achieved without taking a risk. It is important that when talent is apparent in the early stages of one's development in any sport, the parents are able to guide their children to efficiently and successfully accelerate their progress. The best way to enable further growth is to make a quicker transition to the pro level, as an athlete such as Olivia can learn from the professional coaches and from her teammates who share similar talents. Choosing to attend college may seem like a proper choice for athletes who are unsure about their future, however, Olivia has immense talent for playing soccer and will most likely end up playing professional soccer whether or not she decides to go to college. Therefore, why not enable her to allocate more of her time to develop into a better soccer player? Furthermore, there has recently been controversy within the soccer association after the United States Men's Soccer Team failed to qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup. Regarding this unfortunate outcome, many critics pointed out the potential loss of soccer superstars due to the social norm of going to college before playing at a professional level. Athletes develop the most when they are young, therefore, it is crucial that players like Olivia receive the highest level of coaching as early as they can.

Olivia’s story could either turn out to be incredible or heartbreaking. She is a trailblazer for wanting to explore a new way to become "the best soccer player in the world". Obviously there are many concerns associated with taking on such a daunting task that were not even mentioned in the article (injuries, lack of true childhood experiences, etc.) However, Olivia must know all of the risks but is choosing to focus on the reward. I find it hard to believe that her parents would allow her to be traveling so much if they hadn't spoken to her about what she'll be missing. They probably made it seem more enticing by including all that she'll gain assuming she does make it to the top. As an athlete myself, I find it hard to believe that at one point she won't get burnt out. A lot of athletes (including myself) who are consumed by their sport often encounter a time when they simply cannot keep putting in the hours of work required to be great. That is not to say she won't return to the soccer or sports in general but sometimes athletes just need a break. That is my biggest concern and that would be the heartbreaking side of this all. The potentially incredible side of this would be that truly does become "the greatest soccer player in the world", despite her haters and other expected challenges. If she continues on this revolutionary path, it's inevitable that she will inspire other female athletes to pursue their similar goals the same way she is.

Itzhak Perlman, famous violinist, has seen this situation play out in musical "prodigies". His quote: "That sometimes is a worrisome situation. Because you say, well, will this child, girl or boy, survive their gift?" With all this pressure, I doubt she plays college soccer. Or any soccer by the time she is 18.

Dad expresses concern about daughter eating a Snickers bar. He should be more worried about her knees, and whether she'll be able to walk normally after age 40. Or her brain after repeated minor concussions heading the ball or making unprotected head contact with other players and the ground. Or whether the adult pressures she is facing at age 12 will cause lasting emotional harm. These are far greater, and very real, risks for all athletes at this level. I'm a former kids' soccer referee. I absolutely understand the competitive desire top young soccer players have to excel. But I mourn the loss of childhood, and the enormous risks that are taken for a small chance at grabbing the ring.

D1 American sports are pointless. Olivia should play pro as soon as she can and for as long as she can. She will be able to dedicate herself fully to her sport and not have to worry about taking classes and filling requirements and living in a dorm all while working 60 hours a week as an unpaid source of revenue for the school. Once she makes money in clubs and on the international stage, she can go back to college whenever it works for her! Also, she's 12. This kind of overexposure and that fact that I can write a comment about what a TWELVE year old should do with her life seems ridiculous and potentially damaging to her psyche.

All I can think of as I read this is about Todd Marinovich's dad. I understand wanting your children to excel and succeed - but at the crazy cost - both monetary and to her childhood - it seems crazy and borderline abusive. For every Serena Williams there are thousands of tragic Marinovich stories.