
My 13yr old son has become a soccer nut while playing for EFC RED for the past 3 years. We moved from CT in 2002 where he had played rec and then travel (select).He has played soccer essentially year round since he was 5! Soccer was always fun for him but I never thought it would become an obsession (and I mean that in a good way). He almost quit altogether 2 years ago when he was simply tired of missing out on a lot of things his friends were doing.Then something clicked. I don't know if its a coming of age. But he is different in his approach to the game.He has thrived in a nurturing environment under the guidance of Stuart Lee and Vince Volpe. Because of this his
physical improvement has been remarkable but his
mental dedication to learning the game is what strikes me most. He delights me with his mental toughness now as well as his touches,field vision and team play. He enjoys winning, hates losing but seems to have a great understanding of never getting too high or too low anymore.
He lives soccer 24/7. When I get home the FSC is always on and then he is outside trying out the moves. Chelsea is his favorite team and Drogba

his man although he loves Ronaldinho

as well. His goal is to play in Europe. Who knows...maybe he will.
I worry about burnout though and wonder how you prevent it yet sustain high intensity at this age when so much other
stuff is going on...like homework, girlfriends, etc
Question: Do other WPSers' kids have similar ambitions? Have some seen it and then watched their child
lose it? For those who have were there warning signs? For those who have watched their kid make it to the next level, did they always know they would?