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US Soccer just blew it.
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<blockquote data-quote="Techster" data-source="post: 351876" data-attributes="member: 360"><p>The problem with the US Soccer structure is that it's an inverted pyramid in terms of player development. It cost a LOT of time and money to play organized soccer. The better you get at the sport, and if you have the desire to move up, it cost even more time and money. The US is the only country in the world that's like that. That's why we don't necessarily get the best talent in soccer even though the US is one of the biggest countries in terms of population. Even if a kid does make it to a high level, the system is so structured and rigid that our kids lose their ability to create that makes good players special. I mean, how many of these types of highlights have we seen from an American soccer player?</p><p></p><p>[MEDIA=youtube]0bZaTZXk2Vo[/MEDIA]</p><p></p><p>In other countries, kids pretty much pay for their cleats and show up to play. Or, they play in their barefeet. Like America with other sports, kids in other countries can use soccer as means to improve their economic and social situation. In basketball, talented kids get scooped up by big AAU teams who pay for all their expenses. Travel, uniforms, and sometimes even shoes are given to these kids so they can play. All these kids need to do is work hard and show up. Same thing for football. If kids want to play, their local team pays for all their equipment, and there's a bus that takes them to games. Kids grow up with other kids playing basketball in driveways, or football out in the front yard or neighborhood streets all night. In other countries, there are large groups of kids who meet up at a dirt patch and kick homemade soccer balls until they can't see the ball anymore, or spend hours "trying sh!t" with their friends. How often do you see that in America? Usually, you show up to a soccer field with friends, and you get kicked off because they don't want you to tear up the grass fields. The only way to really play soccer in America is to pay to play.</p><p></p><p>The shame of the US system is that soccer is PERFECT for kids who don't have the size or height to play basketball or football. The best player in the world, Lionel Messi, is 5'6 120 lbs. America's best player right now, Pulisic, is 5'8 135lbs. Two of the best to have ever played, Pele and Maradona, are both under 5'8. Skill, and brain for soccer is more important than size. How many kids were lost to football or basketball because they weren't big enough or tall enough that could have been stars in soccer? I don't blame those kids, because if you're poor, how do you justify paynig thousands of dollars a year and time spent away from work when there are other sports you can play for free?! Soccer in America is a rich family's sport, whereas soccer in other countries is considered a "poor" man's sport. </p><p></p><p>Volumes of books can be written on this topic. Until the US addresses player participation and development at the very youngest levels, the US will continue to get what we're getting.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Techster, post: 351876, member: 360"] The problem with the US Soccer structure is that it's an inverted pyramid in terms of player development. It cost a LOT of time and money to play organized soccer. The better you get at the sport, and if you have the desire to move up, it cost even more time and money. The US is the only country in the world that's like that. That's why we don't necessarily get the best talent in soccer even though the US is one of the biggest countries in terms of population. Even if a kid does make it to a high level, the system is so structured and rigid that our kids lose their ability to create that makes good players special. I mean, how many of these types of highlights have we seen from an American soccer player? [MEDIA=youtube]0bZaTZXk2Vo[/MEDIA] In other countries, kids pretty much pay for their cleats and show up to play. Or, they play in their barefeet. Like America with other sports, kids in other countries can use soccer as means to improve their economic and social situation. In basketball, talented kids get scooped up by big AAU teams who pay for all their expenses. Travel, uniforms, and sometimes even shoes are given to these kids so they can play. All these kids need to do is work hard and show up. Same thing for football. If kids want to play, their local team pays for all their equipment, and there's a bus that takes them to games. Kids grow up with other kids playing basketball in driveways, or football out in the front yard or neighborhood streets all night. In other countries, there are large groups of kids who meet up at a dirt patch and kick homemade soccer balls until they can't see the ball anymore, or spend hours "trying sh!t" with their friends. How often do you see that in America? Usually, you show up to a soccer field with friends, and you get kicked off because they don't want you to tear up the grass fields. The only way to really play soccer in America is to pay to play. The shame of the US system is that soccer is PERFECT for kids who don't have the size or height to play basketball or football. The best player in the world, Lionel Messi, is 5'6 120 lbs. America's best player right now, Pulisic, is 5'8 135lbs. Two of the best to have ever played, Pele and Maradona, are both under 5'8. Skill, and brain for soccer is more important than size. How many kids were lost to football or basketball because they weren't big enough or tall enough that could have been stars in soccer? I don't blame those kids, because if you're poor, how do you justify paynig thousands of dollars a year and time spent away from work when there are other sports you can play for free?! Soccer in America is a rich family's sport, whereas soccer in other countries is considered a "poor" man's sport. Volumes of books can be written on this topic. Until the US addresses player participation and development at the very youngest levels, the US will continue to get what we're getting. [/QUOTE]
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