USWNT and are we still 'the best'? or is the rest of the world closing in?

[Guest]

More teams are taking more foreign players. It's not nearly the same level as the men but it is growing. Also, as most of women stay playing in college instead of going pro, they're not developing at the same pace as players abroad who are playing professionally.

We continue to move forward, but the gap between us and everyone else is closing. Call we it: we take one more step, but elsewhere is taking 1.75 steps and are catching up.

"Also, as most of women stay playing in college instead of going pro, they're not developing at the same pace as players abroad who are playing professionally"

Is this true? If it was, why have the U-17s never won a WC? Why is the RoW not dominating the USA by the time we get to 21/22? Why has the pattern been WNT>U20s>U17s in terms of WC wins?

"We continue to move forward, but the gap between us and everyone else is closing. Call we it: we take one more step, but elsewhere is taking 1.75 steps and are catching up."

You would have to define moving forward. Yes salaries in the NWSL have increased. Has the style and sophistication of play in Youth, College and the Pros? Are we playing "better" more consistent soccer than we used to? WE failed to get out of the group stage in the last U-20 WC WITH Shaw, Thompson, Moultrie, Albert...ALL pros. Why?

If you are implying the USA is ahead at WNT level and you state that the elsewhere is developing faster by 1.75 to 1, they it has to be more that just development pathways. it is. An inefficient high volume process seems to be outlasting more efficient lower volume ones. That tells me critical mass/ volume is key and/or from 17 up, the US women's teams get a "boost" from something. They don't seem to get an individual boost. Its not like the best Club teams in the world are full of US players. So what is it?

[Guest]

IF more foreign players start coming to US Colleges, it will impact the USWNT. there are a limited number of Colleges that consistently prepare players to be Pros. Where did I say they have to take anyone?

There aren't too many high quality players outside the US that are 1 willing to move to the US and 2 are in our 1% (among college players not just overall) for school so I wouldn't worry too much about immigrants taking spots from American players. You actually have more American girls playing for other national teams than foreigner girls in American Universities.

[Guest]

"Also, as most of women stay playing in college instead of going pro, they're not developing at the same pace as players abroad who are playing professionally"

Is this true? If it was, why have the U-17s never won a WC? Why is the RoW not dominating the USA by the time we get to 21/22? Why has the pattern been WNT>U20s>U17s in terms of WC wins?

"We continue to move forward, but the gap between us and everyone else is closing. Call we it: we take one more step, but elsewhere is taking 1.75 steps and are catching up."

You would have to define moving forward. Yes salaries in the NWSL have increased. Has the style and sophistication of play in Youth, College and the Pros? Are we playing "better" more consistent soccer than we used to? WE failed to get out of the group stage in the last U-20 WC WITH Shaw, Thompson, Moultrie, Albert...ALL pros. Why?

If you are implying the USA is ahead at WNT level and you state that the elsewhere is developing faster by 1.75 to 1, they it has to be more that just development pathways. it is. An inefficient high volume process seems to be outlasting more efficient lower volume ones. That tells me critical mass/ volume is key and/or from 17 up, the US women's teams get a "boost" from something. They don't seem to get an individual boost. Its not like the best Club teams in the world are full of US players. So what is it?

The US youth national teams are always at a disadvantage because they don't have a lot time to prepare and train together, once they make the team the competition is so fierce that the chemistry is not there and it's noticable. Other countries have a definite core group that's always played together but the US keeps switching coaching staff every year or two and with that they bring in their favorites and don't build on top of what was there.

[Guest]

There aren't too many high quality players outside the US that are 1 willing to move to the US and 2 are in our 1% (among college players not just overall) for school so I wouldn't worry too much about immigrants taking spots from American players. You actually have more American girls playing for other national teams than foreigner girls in American Universities.

What is your point. American women give up on getting a chance for the USWNT pretty quickly based on selection history. There are a lot of players outside the US who could come here and play in College. The issue for them is do they see soccer as a career? Look at FSU. the most dominant team in College over the last decade. Built on foreign players. They took spots at a less favorable school and beat the blue bloods consistently. Why? Do I think there will be enough volume to make a difference? No. but not because they are not good enough soccer wise, they are. Its more about culture, money and opportunity. That is why the RoW catching up is not a given. The USA IS still the an exporter of talent to other pro leagues

[Guest]

The US youth national teams are always at a disadvantage because they don't have a lot time to prepare and train together, once they make the team the competition is so fierce that the chemistry is not there and it's noticable. Other countries have a definite core group that's always played together but the US keeps switching coaching staff every year or two and with that they bring in their favorites and don't build on top of what was there.

You are kidding right? They have more camps, resources, games and time than any other team in the world. What does this once they make the team the competition is so fierce that the chemistry is not there and it's noticeable" mean? To me , only one of two things. Players are playing for themselves or coaches are not doing their job. Why would that suddenly change as we move thru NT age groups?

[Guest]

There aren't too many high quality players outside the US that are 1 willing to move to the US and 2 are in our 1% (among college players not just overall) for school so I wouldn't worry too much about immigrants taking spots from American players. You actually have more American girls playing for other national teams than foreigner girls in American Universities.

This couldn't be further from the truth. There are hundreds of foreign players playing on college teams here. We absolutely do not send more abroad. Top caliber players typically get full or close to full rides. Why wouldn't they want to play competitive soccer, get a free education, experience living in another country and becoming fluent in English for a future career. Yes some will stay abroad and play professionally, but many are taking advantage of opportunities here.

[Guest]

Ncaa says 11% of female D1 players are international, men's is low 30s. Both have grown over the years. Women's will probably not reach the level men's is at (simply less volume of quality players) but on some teams like FL it's an undeniable strategy.

https://scholarshipstats.com/varsityodds

[Guest]

There aren't too many high quality players outside the US that are 1 willing to move to the US and 2 are in our 1% (among college players not just overall) for school so I wouldn't worry too much about immigrants taking spots from American players. You actually have more American girls playing for other national teams than foreigner girls in American Universities.

Ncaa says 11% of female D1 players are international, men's is low 30s. Both have grown over the years. Women's will probably not reach the level men's is at (simply less volume of quality players) but on some teams like FL it's an undeniable strategy.

https://scholarshipstats.com/varsityodds

So according to that data there's about 1,000 foreign D1 female players in the US. We definitely are not sending more than that abroad, more like 3 dozen if that many. Guess you were wrong, by a lot.

[Guest]

So according to that data there's about 1,000 foreign D1 female players in the US. We definitely are not sending more than that abroad, more like 3 dozen if that many. Guess you were wrong, by a lot.

OP is clueless.

[Guest]

Ireland with a bunch of players who played College soccer in the USA. Why would they ever truly catch the USA? Could they win a one off game? Sure, but if they are relying on College and other countries/leagues to develop their players, how is this going to happen?