U.S. Soccer’s Elitism Problem

[Unregistered]

totally agree with all of the above, especially the need to build skills from the ulittle ground up, improve DA etc (or make NT separate from DA and use DA as a feeder system). All very big picture issues. But can't players be "sold" once they are of age (18)? If a club thinks a player really has it, then can they justify benchmarking $150K-$200K for a player?

Start by reading this

The European soccer transfer market explained

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/...rope-explained

There is absolutely a world wide market for soccer talent and it is quite lucrative. Unfortunately the US clubs don't have the same ability to participate in the transfer market because they don't have the same rights to "own" players as clubs in most other countries do but that doesn't mean that a smart lawyer couldn't set up some sort of contractual arrangement so a club might essentially purchase similar rights from a family. At that point it becomes nothing but a business deal where the attractiveness of the rewards are relative to the costs and risks.

One of the problems with the thinking around here as it relates to developing elite level soccer players is the notion that an education must be had before the soccer career can be had. It is also limiting to restrict the acquisition of an education to just 4 years and to confine where that education must be had to just the US. If you abandon the idea that a club must guarantee an education the economics of such a deal change rather significantly.

[Unregistered]

Kaka is probably the most well know of the kids who grew up privileged and achieved greatness. Of course that was in Brazil and not in the US. Most of the great German, Dutch, and Belgian players were far from underprivileged. And I again say how do you opetationalize your lofty commentary. Making fun of my precise language doesn't negate the point which is: how does one actually accomplish the ends described in the idealistic rhetoric put forward? The whole issue revolves around that question and until it is answered the unproductive discussion will be never ending.

It's business I agree with the transfer market guy. Money will drive soccer in the USA. Until there is a clear path for all, players, coaches, scouts and clubs, including those without a european passport to real money in the game, we will not advance internationally. There may emerge pockets where an altruistic and charismatic individual might be able to develop a program to develop great underprivileged players, but a national shift won't occur until the money/ incentive is there to develop players and not teams. Of note: developing players often does lead to great teams as a corollary.

Check these guys out. When they were Barcelona USA they were close to the above model. Kleibans website. 3four3.com

[Unregistered]

This should make for an interesting debate.

Good luck changing this. JK said this was the problem when he was lobbying for the job in 2010. However, there are some people who are making too much money with the current set up. No incentive to change it

And if you are part of the 1 % that can pay for club soccer, you do not want to change it

[Unregistered]

Start by reading this

The European soccer transfer market explained

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/...rope-explained

There is absolutely a world wide market for soccer talent and it is quite lucrative. Unfortunately the US clubs don't have the same ability to participate in the transfer market because they don't have the same rights to "own" players as clubs in most other countries do but that doesn't mean that a smart lawyer couldn't set up some sort of contractual arrangement so a club might essentially purchase similar rights from a family. At that point it becomes nothing but a business deal where the attractiveness of the rewards are relative to the costs and risks.

One of the problems with the thinking around here as it relates to developing elite level soccer players is the notion that an education must be had before the soccer career can be had. It is also limiting to restrict the acquisition of an education to just 4 years and to confine where that education must be had to just the US. If you abandon the idea that a club must guarantee an education the economics of such a deal change rather significantly.

Not the OP but I mostly agree. In other parts of the world education doesn't cost nearly what it does here. That's part of the issue - a much bigger risk if you decide to go pro and lose scholarship opportunities. There also isn't much of a development platform for younger players - no baseball minor league or hockey juniors equivalent. So then playing in college (and learning at the same time) seems like a good option to most.

[Unregistered]

Wealthy suburban stay-at-home soccer moms complain about having to drive their 5 series BMW to practice 3x per week in Foxboro. How does a low income, inner city single mother even start to care about DA soccer?

True story - knew a player who was offered a spot on an MLS team. It was quite a distance from home. Both were working poor, angrily divorced parents. No one else lived anywhere nearby to try and carpool; coaches even tried to figure out a way one of them could pick him up (I know some Revs players have hitched rides with coaches). He had no choice but to turn it down. He ended up doing well, but not great; plays at a low level D1 program now. We'll never know if he had those opportunities where he could have taken it.

[Unregistered]

Start by reading this

The European soccer transfer market explained

http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/...rope-explained

There is absolutely a world wide market for soccer talent and it is quite lucrative. Unfortunately the US clubs don't have the same ability to participate in the transfer market because they don't have the same rights to "own" players as clubs in most other countries do but that doesn't mean that a smart lawyer couldn't set up some sort of contractual arrangement so a club might essentially purchase similar rights from a family. At that point it becomes nothing but a business deal where the attractiveness of the rewards are relative to the costs and risks.

One of the problems with the thinking around here as it relates to developing elite level soccer players is the notion that an education must be had before the soccer career can be had. It is also limiting to restrict the acquisition of an education to just 4 years and to confine where that education must be had to just the US. If you abandon the idea that a club must guarantee an education the economics of such a deal change rather significantly.

A big part of the issue is the US clubs are in love with their "pay for play" model and have not really monetized things like a real soccer business would. For example in other parts of the world when a club sends a team to a tournament there may often be appearance fees involved and usually a cash award for winning. Imagine how different things would be if clubs were getting paid to attend ECNL events and bringing home cash prizes for winning them. Part of the solution is US Soccer and the Mega clubs leaning on the big soccer sponsors fund this part of things. The real challenge here isn't really about player development its about building a healthy soccer "market" because if they don't the women's European clubs will eventually leapfrog over the US women's clubs which result in eventual domination over both genders. If that happens the US will never have any shot of being a relevant soccer nation. Here is some interesting food for thought.


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Coaches: NWSL can’t match salaries of Europe
http://equalizersoccer.com/2014/01/1...mpions-league/

[Unregistered]

Not the OP but I mostly agree. In other parts of the world education doesn't cost nearly what it does here. That's part of the issue - a much bigger risk if you decide to go pro and lose scholarship opportunities. There also isn't much of a development platform for younger players - no baseball minor league or hockey juniors equivalent. So then playing in college (and learning at the same time) seems like a good option to most.

Hopefully one of the positives that come out of our recent election is a rethinking of education in this country. Wonder if many people realize that even a US citizen can get a college education up in Canada for under $15K (half that if you happen to have Canadian citizenship) and the cost in Europe is similar. If you back away from the idea that you need to have a scholarship and must play soccer for a college in order to earn it, there are actually a lot more options for an elite level soccer prospect to consider.

[Unregistered]

Hopefully one of the positives that come out of our recent election is a rethinking of education in this country. Wonder if many people realize that even a US citizen can get a college education up in Canada for under $15K (half that if you happen to have Canadian citizenship) and the cost in Europe is similar. If you back away from the idea that you need to have a scholarship and must play soccer for a college in order to earn it, there are actually a lot more options for an elite level soccer prospect to consider.

What's the quality of the play like? You never hear about those teams, but there are many great schools, and a great President.

[Unregistered]

What's the quality of the play like? You never hear about those teams, but there are many great schools, and a great President.

The point was that you don't necessarily need fund an education with a soccer scholarship when the cost of education is reasonable so the idea of playing professional soccer first and then following up with the education later presents itself as another possible option for an elite level player.

[Unregistered]

The point was that you don't necessarily need fund an education with a soccer scholarship when the cost of education is reasonable so the idea of playing professional soccer first and then following up with the education later presents itself as another possible option for an elite level player.

What so called elite player would do that?

[Unregistered]

What so called elite player would do that?

One that wants to make some money playing soccer.

[Unregistered]

One that wants to make some money playing soccer.

Honest question. How many elite seniors in this area are not committed to US universities with $ or are heading to the professional path.

[Unregistered]

Wealthy suburban stay-at-home soccer moms complain about having to drive their 5 series BMW to practice 3x per week in Foxboro. How does a low income, inner city single mother even start to care about DA soccer?

Fair question, even if presented as a hyperbolic false dichotomy.

[Unregistered]

Honest question. How many elite seniors in this area are not committed to US universities with $ or are heading to the professional path.

Zero.

[Unregistered]

And this lofty proclamation would be operationalized exactly how?

Won't. Between no soccer culture or economic incentives to support the change, not ever.