Games Grownups Play

"Nothing like a common enemy to bring friendships and kinships," says one veteran of the recent soccer battles.

Still, some parents think that, given what happened with the Texans and with Sonny Newsom, NTSSA really doesn't want to face up to select soccer's problems.

Other parents hope some good has come from the controversy. "In order to get a flower to grow, sometimes you have to throw some fertilizer on it," says Jackie Stanford. "The bottom line is that we're dealing with kids' hopes and dreams here, and they have to feel good about themselves.