U-17 MNT World Cup

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This birth year controversy really has no bearing on these male YNT players at this point since most of them are bypassing HS and college to go right into the pros, either USL/MLS or in Europe. Nobody is worried about birth year when you are playing with grown men.

They should be going to college as at least it provides education.
Most of these players will not play “pro” anywhere that provides a livable wage

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They should be going to college as at least it provides education.
Most of these players will not play “pro” anywhere that provides a livable wage

Half the people coming out of college don’t make a livable wage. I support the very best talent following their dreams and going pro even if it’s a bumpy ride and they end up sleeping on someone’s couch in Europe. You can’t play when you’re old so live while you’re young and have no regrets for not trying even if you aren’t successful. You can always go to college when you are older (and you’ll probably make better decisions than when you are 17 or 18).

We’ve got to move the men’s game forward in this country and taking the scenic, safe root through college isn’t helping.

[Unregistered]

Half the people coming out of college don’t make a livable wage. I support the very best talent following their dreams and going pro even if it’s a bumpy ride and they end up sleeping on someone’s couch in Europe. You can’t play when you’re old so live while you’re young and have no regrets for not trying even if you aren’t successful. You can always go to college when you are older (and you’ll probably make better decisions than when you are 17 or 18).

We’ve got to move the men’s game forward in this country and taking the scenic, safe root through college isn’t helping.

US Men will never be successful internationally and the women's side will fall to the rest of the world come next WC. The culture in this country doesn't support the sport and football is better known as the sport where men beat the hell out of each other and try to kill their opponent. The beautiful game is simply not appreciated in this country.

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US Men will never be successful internationally and the women's side will fall to the rest of the world come next WC. The culture in this country doesn't support the sport and football is better known as the sport where men beat the hell out of each other and try to kill their opponent. The beautiful game is simply not appreciated in this country.

We can come up with 11 tiddlywinks players before 11 footballers

[Unregistered]

Half the people coming out of college don’t make a livable wage. I support the very best talent following their dreams and going pro even if it’s a bumpy ride and they end up sleeping on someone’s couch in Europe. You can’t play when you’re old so live while you’re young and have no regrets for not trying even if you aren’t successful. You can always go to college when you are older (and you’ll probably make better decisions than when you are 17 or 18).

We’ve got to move the men’s game forward in this country and taking the scenic, safe root through college isn’t helping.

Playing Fifa in this country or another does not a player make

[Unregistered]

Half the people coming out of college don’t make a livable wage. I support the very best talent following their dreams and going pro even if it’s a bumpy ride and they end up sleeping on someone’s couch in Europe. You can’t play when you’re old so live while you’re young and have no regrets for not trying even if you aren’t successful. You can always go to college when you are older (and you’ll probably make better decisions than when you are 17 or 18).

We’ve got to move the men’s game forward in this country and taking the scenic, safe root through college isn’t helping.

No the issue is we aren't producing enough international or even MLS level talent. Half the MLS draft and countless college roster spots go to international players who weren't quite good enough to play professionally. The vast, vast majority of players in the system currently are simply college level talent. The so called "safe route" (not root) is the right route for them. Giving it a shot at the pros as a European is different - there's multiple pro leagues to play in, the pay is generally better, and if you want to go to university later it wont' cost you $200,0000.

[Unregistered]

No the issue is we aren't producing enough international or even MLS level talent. Half the MLS draft and countless college roster spots go to international players who weren't quite good enough to play professionally. The vast, vast majority of players in the system currently are simply college level talent. The so called "safe route" (not root) is the right route for them. Giving it a shot at the pros as a European is different - there's multiple pro leagues to play in, the pay is generally better, and if you want to go to university later it wont' cost you $200,0000.

There is no reason the USA can’t produce pro-level players, but directing everyone to take the college route is not the answer. College level is well below competitive international level and is a waste of time for gifted players. More Americans need international exposure playing in Europe and if MLS can eventually entice those players to bring those skills back to the USA it will create a positive cycle to keep improving soccer here.

MLS really has been steadily improving. 10+ years ago it was all unwatchable crap. Now, for the most part it is decent (not really good or great, but decent). Maybe on par with third tier European leagues. If we can develop American talent, it’s possible we can come closer to the top European leagues in 15-20 years.

[Unregistered]

There is no reason the USA can’t produce pro-level players, but directing everyone to take the college route is not the answer. College level is well below competitive international level and is a waste of time for gifted players. More Americans need international exposure playing in Europe and if MLS can eventually entice those players to bring those skills back to the USA it will create a positive cycle to keep improving soccer here.

MLS really has been steadily improving. 10+ years ago it was all unwatchable crap. Now, for the most part it is decent (not really good or great, but decent). Maybe on par with third tier European leagues. If we can develop American talent, it’s possible we can come closer to the top European leagues in 15-20 years.

More gifted players are skipping college - they go MLS or abroad. As the poster said though there aren't enough of them. They're also spread across the country - DA in its present form isn't sufficient for them. Players under the age of 18 can't just go abroad to work without family connections. Most American parents will want them to at least finish HS. The reason not more go abroad >18? They're not good enough. It's the years of lacking development up until 18 when those decisions are made that already puts us well behind the 8 ball. It only gets worse from there.

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More gifted players are skipping college - they go MLS or abroad. As the poster said though there aren't enough of them. They're also spread across the country - DA in its present form isn't sufficient for them. Players under the age of 18 can't just go abroad to work without family connections. Most American parents will want them to at least finish HS. The reason not more go abroad >18? They're not good enough. It's the years of lacking development up until 18 when those decisions are made that already puts us well behind the 8 ball. It only gets worse from there.

You’re right that more and more are playing abroad. Here’s a list of USMNT playing with clubs outside the US. https://ussoccerplayers.com/usmnt-players-abroad

While the exposure to very good international soccer has improved for these players, what hasn’t improved is US Soccer’s identification, preparation and coaching and that’s been the real problem. Look at this last U-17 World Cup as an example. Everyone except USSF understands you have years to prepare for a WC, but USSF does everything last minute and names a head coach and roster months before the WC so there is no time to prepare. Then they use the same predictable 4-3-3 that USSF has committed to as the American “style” regardless whether our players are accustomed to it or how our opponents line up. The worse thing about the 4-3-3 is that it really relies on good, fast outside backs and a midfield that dominates the center which none of the men’s US teams seem to have. It doesn’t even seem like we are watching film on our opponents beforehand because it’s obvious the coach and players have no clue how they play. In the end, you can the best players in position, but if we haven’t built them into a team and prepared them properly, you are going to get poor results.

[Unregistered]

Busio has been a question mark. Has done nothing really at KC.

Reyna is the real disappointment. Supposed to be the next Pulisic. Looked good in his Borrusia debut and earlier NT duty, but looked awful this WC.

My guess is that the new coach Wink gets canned and 90% of this team disappears, but Busio and Reyna will get called onto the U-20 team in a couple years.

Reyna above average but his name got him everywhere he is.

[Unregistered]

You’re right that more and more are playing abroad. Here’s a list of USMNT playing with clubs outside the US. https://ussoccerplayers.com/usmnt-players-abroad

While the exposure to very good international soccer has improved for these players, what hasn’t improved is US Soccer’s identification, preparation and coaching and that’s been the real problem. Look at this last U-17 World Cup as an example. Everyone except USSF understands you have years to prepare for a WC, but USSF does everything last minute and names a head coach and roster months before the WC so there is no time to prepare. Then they use the same predictable 4-3-3 that USSF has committed to as the American “style” regardless whether our players are accustomed to it or how our opponents line up. The worse thing about the 4-3-3 is that it really relies on good, fast outside backs and a midfield that dominates the center which none of the men’s US teams seem to have. It doesn’t even seem like we are watching film on our opponents beforehand because it’s obvious the coach and players have no clue how they play. In the end, you can the best players in position, but if we haven’t built them into a team and prepared them properly, you are going to get poor results.

OP here and yes you're right - it's a mess even when it comes to adults, from coach selection, player selection, frequency of practicing, even "team bonding." It all matters. Also, just because a player is playing in Europe it doesn't mean they're going to be a major force playing against the world's top players. Not all those leagues are the top ones and many of those players aren't exactly top players in those leagues. There's progress, but it's not sufficient

Top to bottom - from the poor coaching of the youngest of players all the way to the most elite US players on the international stage and anything in between - USSF continually proves its incompetence. It's only a matter of time before the women's team gets lapped by other countries as well.

[Unregistered]

OP here and yes you're right - it's a mess even when it comes to adults, from coach selection, player selection, frequency of practicing, even "team bonding." It all matters. Also, just because a player is playing in Europe it doesn't mean they're going to be a major force playing against the world's top players. Not all those leagues are the top ones and many of those players aren't exactly top players in those leagues. There's progress, but it's not sufficient

Top to bottom - from the poor coaching of the youngest of players all the way to the most elite US players on the international stage and anything in between - USSF continually proves its incompetence. It's only a matter of time before the women's team gets lapped by other countries as well.

Agreed on the women’s side. Most countries didn’t even have a women’s NT until 20 years or so ago. The number of women’s NT’s has doubled since then and their quality has steadily improved. Even more important, the major European clubs have made major investments in their women’s sides so those players are getting more quality training and playing opportunities that will help them when they return to their NT. For example, Real Madrid just absorbed Tacon last year and there are plenty of players from different NT’s on that team (Sweden, Italy, etc.).

[Unregistered]

The problem with US Soccer and the "big" clubs that are developing kids at the young ages is that thy are clueless at accessing talent. They routinely pick the big kid, with a big leg, that head down dribbles, only uses 1 foot and bowls everyone over.

DA clubs at ulittle love these kids. They preach connecting the field, playing out the back, taking the touch and knowing where to pass the ball before you get it. But they are full of ****. That kid at ulittle gets pushed (fouled) off the ball and the coaches silently encourage the rugby / wwe play.

Then come game time the kid that plays how they preach rides the bench for the freakishly large player that runs everyone over, can't receive or connect a pass, but can kick the ball really, really hard.

No wonder we suck!