This. Unlike Brazil, Argentina, Italy, Germany, England etc, poor/working class kids here have almost no chance to play and develop.
Agree. I always thought Klinsman was maybe a little lacking as HC and needed a strong #2 to help like he had in Germany, but that his vision was strong and accurate and that perhaps would have been a better fit in Gulati's job than as HC.
In other countries, soccer development occurs regardless of the score.
In the US, with the pay to play system, trained coaches generally have to 'win' to keep the $$$ rolling in.
That means dump and chase. A majority of club coaches find the easiest and most efficient way to win games at the expense of developing players. Even at the youngest ages, they are taught how to win instead of focusing on technical ability and development. Winning state cups on a U9 team means nothing if that team folds in a few years.
Pusilic is an anomaly, having parents from the soccer world. He had opportunities that we can only dream of. But, he was talented. He played for PA Classics, which built their entire team around him. I'm willing to bet that nobody else on that team developed, but this most likely pushed Pusilic to reach his own potential.
That's the curse of academy soccer. Most players are just a number. They fit the players into the system, instead of building the system around the strengths of the players. The youth system needs to be revamped, de-emphasizing winning and stop keeping scores. Develop the players. Train them all as midfielders. The strikers, defenders, creators, will emerge over time. Play more futsal to improve speed of play and technical ability. Maintain pay to play, but offer more scholarships to play club ball.
They should really try to pry kids away from football and basketball that are undersized and fast. Those kids become fillers in the football/AAU leagues where bigger/faster/stronger players get the college recruitment. In soccer, being smaller isn't necessarily a hindrance as much as it is in other sports.
Just my opinions....
In other countries, soccer development occurs regardless of the score.
In the US, with the pay to play system, trained coaches generally have to 'win' to keep the $$$ rolling in.
That means dump and chase. A majority of club coaches find the easiest and most efficient way to win games at the expense of developing players. Even at the youngest ages, they are taught how to win instead of focusing on technical ability and development. Winning state cups on a U9 team means nothing if that team folds in a few years.
Pusilic is an anomaly, having parents from the soccer world. He had opportunities that we can only dream of. But, he was talented. He played for PA Classics, which built their entire team around him. I'm willing to bet that nobody else on that team developed, but this most likely pushed Pusilic to reach his own potential.
That's the curse of academy soccer. Most players are just a number. They fit the players into the system, instead of building the system around the strengths of the players. The youth system needs to be revamped, de-emphasizing winning and stop keeping scores. Develop the players. Train them all as midfielders. The strikers, defenders, creators, will emerge over time. Play more futsal to improve speed of play and technical ability. Maintain pay to play, but offer more scholarships to play club ball.
They should really try to pry kids away from football and basketball that are undersized and fast. Those kids become fillers in the football/AAU leagues where bigger/faster/stronger players get the college recruitment. In soccer, being smaller isn't necessarily a hindrance as much as it is in other sports.
Just my opinions....
Soccer is pretty big among younger kids nowadays and has been for a few years.
Absolutely. They have struggled against some defensive-minded teams, but there is no denying the natural talent of a Mallory Pugh (Colorado!). They should be fine for quite some time, but as the other countries begin to develop their girls/womens programs to match that of the mens, there will be changes at the top...
I get what you are saying but even 4th or 5th most popular sport, we should be able to EASILY qualify given the size of our population and the money we've dumped into it. CONCACAF is really easy. This is a disaster for USSoccer.
Thanks captain
Television and media contracts drive funding in all leagues. It's not a US-specific issue. When Bournemouth was promoted to the EPL, they instantly became like $175M more valuable. Such is business. Though on a smaller scale in the US, there are plenty of investors who'd be willing to take that kind of risk in a smaller team in a lower division for the potential reward - that's what drives investment into the clubs.
