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"A Disgusted Soccer Parent!!!"

By Anonymous

What a sad and disgraceful way for you to bring the season to a close. Certainly there is a great amount of pride, competitive spirit, and honor that goes along with competing at any Cup. It is a shame that you have decided to put winning above all values, especially athletic dedication and decisions based on facts. There should be no honor or pride in cutting capable players who were as dedicated, capable and enthusiastic as any player on the soccer, throughout the entire season. You have made an irreparable error of judgment, that is inexcusable. I had the pleasure of watching most every game and many practices during the regular season. Every athlete on the soccer gave their heart. Every athlete on the soccer was eager and willing to play to the outer limits of their ability. Every athlete on the soccer continued to support their soccer members, even though some sat on the sidelines for the bulk of the season. Most of the players you plan to cut were at practices consistently, even when YOU WERE NOT. I WAS there, and the players who did turn out made the best of the practice even though there was obvious disappointment and confusion as to why their coach didn't find it necessary to show to practice or inform the players of the absence.

I am certainly no expert in the field of coaching soccer. But I do have enough life and business experience to know, without doubt, that the best way to improve is by doing. Players improve a great deal by practicing, but gain so much more by playing during games to experience the full competitive challenge. I understand this is a competitive league, however you missed the mark by not bringing ALL potential talent to its fullest. If you think you need to cut players, perhaps you should consider things like attendance at practice and games throughout the regular season - this encourages athletic dedication as opposed to "prima donnas". Then if you do choose to cut dedicated, capable players, you should really check your facts before making a rash decision.

I am both disgusted and offended by the fact that you chose to cut these players. I am not sure of all issues with the "chosen" players but I can speak for my son. He has played league soccer since the age of 8 years. He has played on six "class III" soccers (that's 75% of his soccer career if you're keeping tabs). In addition, he is currently participating in a high school winter sport. In fact he is now qualified to compete at the State Championships in that sport due to his conditioning, dedication and ability. He must have had some visible skills on the soccer field or he wouldn't have been selected to play for that soccer, yet you failed to play him often enough to hone those skills. And now you choose to cut him so you can have a better(?) chance of winning? My understanding at this point is that it is most important to win - skill and personal development are no longer important or necessary at this level as far as you are concerned. I would expect this mentality in class I or O.D.P. levels, but really, at this level? I am disgusted. I questioned your coaching ethics as the soccer was in the midst of a tournament game, and you were 50+ yards from the field, looking at the sky and ground and rubbing a pine cone. Is this what a competitive coach gives his soccer? Sorry, but in my opinion, definitely NOT.

I have coached also, so I very much respect the time and effort a coach must selflessly give to his/her soccer. But a coach's commitment does not qualify as a right to discriminate against soccer members or otherwise undermine soccer spirit and values. Should you be given the honor of coaching again in the future, I hope you give some serious thought as to what value you can provide not to yourself, but to the athletes and the sport.

(Signed)

A disgusted parent!!!