How can I become a better soccer player?
I feel you. I also want to go pro and so far it looks good. I think this is what we all need! determination, skills, time, hope, and some luck! Lol. Because theres so many of us. Im 16 as well, born in mexico but live in cali, i play in a club also. Its not that hard when you think about it, if you love the sport you wouldnt mind practicing everyday and really its all about practicing 24/7 i started playing when i was 8, theres guys in the club that have been playing since they were 3 and at diff clubs and camps i gotta admit thats intimidating sometimes lol. Every now and then people come see us play, we play in a league were mls clubs play and chances are everywhere. I come from what we call street soccer, never played in a club only local leagues and schools with friends, so i play different and they might hate me for that because i get peoples attention... Also practice practice practice!!!! When the rest of the players are resting you practice! My dad always says "he who dares to do the unthinkable will succeed" in soccer it fits perfect, that does not mean you should be cocky, and ballhog and showoff! What it means is to THINK! Be a smart player, observe. its all about taking chances if that decision does not come out right tooo ******* bad!!! But hear this, Teams would rather take players who try, it shows they have potential, If teams want a good player theyll take the one who takes chances even if he misses, why? Because eventually he wont miss!!! Be aggressive, a leader, be confident in what you do, be amotivator, commited, take chances and most important be humble because who wants an asshole on their team? Lol. I hope it helps i know it helped me alot in becoming a better player.
Is 20 too late to become a professional soccer player?
Most professional and National Team level players are in their mid to late twenties. Due to needing amateur status to play soccer in a College/University. (If you didn't know that, you might be in trouble) Scouting first starts with a semi professional team. You still pay to play (in some places) but you travel around the country and play other semi pro teams. Normally coaches start there to recruit for an MLS squad. The next step would be to attend an open tryout. (Again, if you didn't know about this step, you're in trouble.) Open tryout usually cost anywhere from 100-300USD (ouch says the wallet) and there is a slim to none chance that you will make the team in an open tryout. If you are exceptional, you might have a chance to make their reserve squad but that means: No play time, no not being on the roster, and slim hope that you will move on from that position. Take it from someone on the long hard road to NWSL (if you don't know what this is, neither does anyone else). Everything is rough when you are an outsider to the Elite and Academy Worlds. If you are not on a semi professional team: get on one. If you can't make that: keep finding them. If you have tried out for more than ten teams and still no luck, you have no chance of moving forward without improvement. That is how American Soccer is done.
Do you think soccer has become too soft?
Joshua, I've played football at a decent level and I tell you now, football has little contact, especially as the technicality increases as you move up from amateur to semi-pro and eventually pro. You're comparing football, a contact sport, to basketball, a none contact sport. Of course there's going to be more contact, it's the nature of the game. Back on topic: Yes, football has gotten too soft, way too soft.