Not quite sure how this thread devolved to its current point, but I'd like to weigh in on several elements of the discussion.
1) Adults should spend their weekends how they wish. I prefer to spend it with my kid. I have no problem with parents who prefer to watch FB. What those choices say about parents varies, case-by-case.
2) The idea of teaching, licensing and accrediting coaches is no different than doing the same thing for teachers. What are coaches, if not teachers? Don't get me wrong. There are plenty of "unlicensed" people out there who'd do just fine as teachers/coaches. But, in general, shouldn't we be trying to raise the bar?
3) While I agree that the cost of youth soccer in America can be high, I'd point out that music lessons, dance lessons, other youth sports, private school education, etc., are similarly expensive. As parents, we all do our best to support what we perceive as "good choices" by our kids.
4) The racial makeup of youth soccer players is much more complicated than a simple "cost" or "skill" issue. As a small child, mine was a way better "prospect" in swimming/baseball/basketball than in soccer. He CHOSE soccer. I supported the choice, because I understood that commitment and interest are far more relevant than a kid's skill as an 8-year-old.
Having seen youth soccer teams from dozens of states, I'd say that each club's demographic is far more reflective of the community and the parents' backgrounds, than the cost of the product. Therefore, it doesn't surprise me when a team from a certain part of Los Angeles is comprised largely of latino/hispanic kids.
There's a whole "world" of kids playing soccer in America. FAR FAR more so than in many sports.
