Shame on you parents

In order to compete you need to develop skills, learn the game, become strong mentaly, but it is a process that takes time. There are teams at 9 that win because of 1 or 2 great players, gifted in skills, and as athletes, but the rest of the parents are proud of the team "winning" and their DD barely touch the ball....

I agree. if your 5-7 year old does not have advanced fundamentals and skills for their age, leave them in rec and send them to additional skills sessions to learn. They will have more fun and maintain confidence executing what they learn in rec level games.

All the clubs will take your money and will develop your player, but that does not mean automatic play time and it doesn't automatically mean that it will be fun. Kids have fun when they are successful.

No one wants a kid that cannot perform basic fundamentals on the field with advanced players. It makes everything you practice fail, which does not help anyone. Be careful of coaches who are taking your money just for the money. Thats not good for anyone either, except the coach.

If you do not want pressure put on a player, academy soccer is not for you. A good coach will have high expectations for capable players and will not accept sub-par performance.

That being said,  there is a distinct line between pressure and abusiveness.

Last thing on this thread topic: parents should shut up on the sidelines. Bad coaches let parents coach too.