i agree. but the people who run kid's soccer, especially the competitive travel teams, are not reasonable individuals.
i had to assert myself to get a coach to stop games immediately when there was lightning. the parents had voted, and the coach went along with it, to keep the game going, because the lightning "wasn't close yet". the majority of parents of kids on the team thought it was reasonable to have the kids (little girls!) continue playing until the lighning got close!
i should qualify what i said: i am only referring to travel soccer teams on long island, NY.
My son played travel soccer for one year when he was 10. We couldn't get out soon enough. You are absolutely correct that the travel soccer teams even at that age are hypercompetitve to the point of being reckless with the kids. Your lightning story is pretty typical.
Both my boys have played football for 3 years now and I have yet to see a significant injury or cutthroat behavior. I've no problem putting on padding (I make them where rib cages). The idea that soccer is safer than football is a canard.
And travel soccer teams? That is where all the stereotypes end up! We've noticed that most of the high school soccer team comes from local teams and not travel teams - the travel team kids burn out from the sport and change to something else as soon as their parents outgrow the sport.