As regards high school soccer in our state, the reality is this: High school soccer is a great low-pressure vacation; a chance to hang with friends and play for your school; a chance to get a hug from your family and friends afterward. These things are very important in LIFE. However, high school soccer is not an ideal, or even good, environment for player development. From what I've seen, many "elite club" kids "play down" to the level of their high school teammates, rather than helping to lift them to a higher level. Human nature, I suppose.
