FanBlog: Soccer

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Youth Soccer Development the Real Question for USSF


With no Dynamo action this weekend I figured I could touch on a topic that came up after the world cup and seems to be left out of the soccer limelight. The topic, what to do about youth development in the United States? The question seems simple on the surface but the true reason for the lack of development has quite a few factors and no clear solution. Here are few reasons, some of my own and some from reading several people’s perspective.

1. Soccer is a “rich kid’s game”

According to Jurgen Klinsmann this is the major problem. As he put it America has the soccer pyramid upside down. Instead of kids playing ball in the streets or fields, soccer is considered “a rich kids game” in the United States. It is true to some extent. Top players are funneled to select or traveling teams that require extensive financial resources. High school soccer is secondary in regards to development. For USSF, top national talents are brought to Bradenton, Florida to live and train together.

Despite the fact that soccer is a pay to play sport in the U.S. plenty of kids come from poor or disadvantaged backgrounds to play soccer. If the kids love the game and exhibit skill they will be found. The interesting thing is that many of these kids are found and moved to foreign professional academies. Just look at the Mexican league. Numerous young Mexican-Americans are plucked from the U.S. and enrolled in Mexican professional academies. Need evidence? Look at the recent U-20 teams.

2. Are kids taught shape and team play too early?

One of the reasons I have heard is that we teach kids shape and team organization too early. Kids in other countries are kicking the ball around and learning ball and creative skills playing “sandlot” soccer. This is the most intriguing aspect for me and I think I agree with this the most. The lack of a creative middle of the park player is the biggest problem area in the U.S. system. Are we killing these players creativity too early? If we let these kids “play” with the ball more and promoted individualism early in the development process would we see more creative players later? I think this is a great question.

3. Dependence on education

Another major difference is the insistence on education in the America. Personally I think access to education is the greatest attribute in the United States. That is a social commentary. Speaking from a soccer perspective this may be an issue. Brian Ching and Klinsmann both touched on the pursuit of a scholarship as hindrance. According to Klinsmann, instead of aspiring to get a contract or residency spot kids are working toward a college scholarship.

In the rest of the world it is the opposite. If a kid shows promise they are signed to a contract as early as the age of 10 and put into a professional academy. Yes they receive an education, but make no mistake about it they are there to maximize the club investment in them on the field. Would this fly in the United States? I am not sure but it seems Real Salt Lake will be the pilot program.

4. Lack of professional (MLS) residency academies

To continue on the previous topic, the lack of professional residency academies is an issue. In Europe clubs have resident academies where youth players live, eat, sleep, and train together. These kids are receiving professional coaching at the youngest of ages. In the Ivory Coast, kids are plucked from the homes and put into soccer academies when they show skill. Didier Drogba, Didier Zokora, YaYa Toure, and Kolo Toure are all graduates of a Nike sponsored academy set up to produce professional players. In the United States, MLS clubs operate youth team but these players live at home and train with other teams. They are not always receiving professional coaching.

This shows up on the field. Watch a U-17 or U-20 match and look at the rosters. The U.S. roster is comprised of college and MLS academy/high school players. Countries like Spain, Brazil, and England rosters are littered with seasoned professionals. Think about it, the young Brazilian Neymar who torched the USMNT in August is eligible to play in the 2011 U-20 world cup. Name one U-20 player that is close to that level. The reason he and his cohorts are miles ahead, they started with professional clubs at a very young age.

5. USSF control over youth development

My last reason is the control that Sunil Gulati and USSF insist on having over the youth development system. It has been reported widely that Gulati’s insistence on keeping control of the youth system was the reason Klinsmann turned down the top job in 2006. Is this a great thing? Is it right for each level of the U.S. system to operate independently? As Bill Parcells once said, if you want me to cook the dinner you have to let me buy the groceries.

I read a quote from Bob Bradley on the youth system recently that he offers Thomas Rongen and Wilmer Cabrera his thoughts on the youth prospects. Listening to the comment it was clear that Bradley has little influence on player development. Is this right? Why is USSF so adamant on keeping control?

Also, is the residency academy in Bradenton a truly professional atmosphere? That was the reasoning behind opening the academy. While it has a great reputation and graduates of the program are all over professional soccer, is it really creating top soccer talent or a collection of players that can play in the system.

These are just a few of my thoughts. Could all of this be totally off? Sure. These are a few of the issues that I see when I listen, read, talk, or think about why the U.S. cannot produce standout talents. I will say that I think we are getting better. The success of players like Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, and Stuart Holden are evidence of this progress.

What do you think? Think these thoughts are way off base? Do you agree? What are some of the problems or issue areas that you see?

Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott Injured for Arsenal

Stuart Holden and Bolton got a little help in the way of unfortunate injuries to Arsenal attacking stars Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott. Both stars are looking to miss up to six weeks of action and that is a worrying thought for Gunners fans. If Bolton wanted a good time to play at the Emirates this would be it as the Gunners are down two skilled attacking options.

U.S. U-20′s Drop 2-0 Decision to Colombia

The second match in Peru for the U.S. U-20′s yielded a bad result as the team dropped the match 2-0. Not sure what is more concerning? The fact that the team has not scored in two matches or the seven goals they have allowed. I have not watched these matches but from reports the team has not been impressive. I think this shows one thing, the depth in the system overall is not strong. This squad is considered a B/C team and there seems to be a big gap between this group and the A group that played in the Milk Cup. Francisco Navas-Cobo played all 90 minutes but I have not read anything on his performance.

Categories: General
Darrell Lovell

6 Responses

  1. FrankD says:

    Darrell, I agree strongly with your observations, especially the parts that the game is geared towards rich kids and the part about coaches picking players that fit the system instead of top soccer talent. players like Tevez and Messi would never have made it in the US because they came from working class families unable to pay our club teams and they are physically not in the mold we pursue. My own experience as a parent was one of frustration. Kids on our club teams were largely accepted if they could pay the fees. Playing time, however, was largely determined by the athleticism of the kids. Smaller, more talented kids rarely made the field because they were constantly getting knocked down or making passes too complex for some of the “linebackers” on their team. Maybe the fact that the coaches were all British had some influence on the whole situation. whatever the reason, lots of kids with talent bail early.

    great analysis.


    I like your linebacker comment. Kids are seen as great athletes in this country when they are big, fast, and strong. The better the combination the more looks they get but that has nothing to do with soccer. This is why I am not a fan of the “if our best athletes played soccer” theory. Soccer is more about skill and creativity than measurables. Is it nice when you have a speedy 6’3 striker who can jump out of the building? Yes. Is he going to succeed at a high level if he cannot dribble, his first touch is awful, and he cannot head the ball accurately? Not a chance. -Darrell-

  2. Andy says:

    I completely agree that “competitive” teams are mostly filled by those who can afford travel, uniforms, training fees, etc. I’ve seen players added to travel and ODP squads due to parental pressure.

    “Training” for players younger than junior high is a hit and miss proposition. I’ve watched practices where players are constantly moving, getting many touches and the opportunities to make decisions, but more often I see practices where kids are standing around or are constantly getting “instruction.” I don’t see enough coaching that emphasizes game situations or small game learning. I don’t see enough learning from the game.

    I don’t see structured player evaluation. Instead of coming out and watching practices, “professional staff” occasionally watch games and make appeals to players/parents to join the competitive program.

    I’m afraid this is a common situation. If that is so, it is easy to see why the Dutch, with their approach to youth development, can produce so many talented youngsters from a relatively small population while the US produces fewer capable of competing at higher levels.

  3. Interested Observer says:

    Darrell-Very interesting post. It is worth noting that US most accomplished international player developed outside of the traditional USSF development programs and managed to make his way from Nacogdoches to Fulham without being part of USSF resident program.

    I would like to add that the focus on “winning” in the younger ages has a definate negative effect on youth development. The club where I coach is making a serious effort to emphasize fun over “winning” in the U7 through U10 ages but the challenge lies in managing the aspirations of 40 or 50 volunteer coaches.

    Far too many coaches at the younger ages are forcing young players into a “system” because it produces results in their club and allows their “star” to shine with very little regard to the development or enjoyment of the other players.

  4. TwoFootedTackle says:

    Money and winning take priority over development. Too many professional trainers squeeze the creativity out of players in order to win and pacify parents. Winning is a much easier sell than development. Most parents cannot see or appreciarte development. They equate winning with development.

  5. Steve says:


    Another great post!! I wish that Klinsmann would’ve taken over at some point in time because I believe his comments about youth soccer are right on. Travel teams are all based on finances in every youth sport. All volunteer coaches want to win at a high rate and developement is not their thing. Having said all that, what is a parent to do?


    That is the issue. You want to put kids on the better teams with better talent but that may not be the best for the player. But you are right winning dominates at the youth level. -Darrell-

  6. mattoomba says:

    While there is a lot of clamor for having Klinsman coach the USMNT, I wonder if the US would benefit more from having Klinsmann in Sunil Gulati’s job than in having Klinsmann in Bob Bradley’s job.