U17 nt

[Unregistered]

Why can't thé U17 team beat Colombia, I can't believe with all the talk-show about this team and how great they lose 3-1 and finish 3rd. they should have won this group. So please don't buy into this as the next best generation and they will save U.S. Soccer. After the few who go to MLS (game goes downhill) to the one that ends up in Germany(lets hope he plays) to the rest that go to college. Can't see much growth.

[Unregistered]

Why can't thé U17 team beat Colombia, I can't believe with all the talk-show about this team and how great they lose 3-1 and finish 3rd. they should have won this group. So please don't buy into this as the next best generation and they will save U.S. Soccer. After the few who go to MLS (game goes downhill) to the one that ends up in Germany(lets hope he plays) to the rest that go to college. Can't see much growth.

Correct on all points. Broken current model failing in couple of key places.

This u17 team should be scrutinized much more than the current USMNT to see if we actually on the right path. The hay has been in the barn for the USMNT for years...except for a couple bright spots still developing.

This u17 team gives us an idea if the DA system at youth level is paying dividends, or just more of the same

[Unregistered]

DA isn't working. It's a pay to play system so only America's financially gifted families can afford DA. That's what happens when the guy that runs your Federation has a banking background.

[Unregistered]

Correct on all points. Broken current model failing in couple of key places.

This u17 team should be scrutinized much more than the current USMNT to see if we actually on the right path. The hay has been in the barn for the USMNT for years...except for a couple bright spots still developing.

This u17 team gives us an idea if the DA system at youth level is paying dividends, or just more of the same

Seems like we know the answer to that question.

[Unregistered]

DA isn't working. It's a pay to play system so only America's financially gifted families can afford DA. That's what happens when the guy that runs your Federation has a banking background.

I get the arguments against pay for play, but what's the alternative? There's not enough money to fund an everyone gets to play program. And, also...fvck socialism. So, don't expect me to fund some body else because their parents and parent's parents made poor decisions.

[Unregistered]

The MLS DA system is free. It's not pay to play.

For those programs that are pay to play I don't see a way to fix it. I don't see the sale of players or having the rights to players with money in return being enough to cover the costs in this country.

The system needs to be fix, but it isn't totally broken. The player pool was good enough to advance to the WC, it was two coaches that weren't at the level to get us there.

[Unregistered]

The MLS DA system is free. It's not pay to play.

For those programs that are pay to play I don't see a way to fix it. I don't see the sale of players or having the rights to players with money in return being enough to cover the costs in this country.

The system needs to be fix, but it isn't totally broken. The player pool was good enough to advance to the WC, it was two coaches that weren't at the level to get us there.

Wonderful if you live close enough to the few MLS clubs in the US and can get to practices and games regularly. The rest - the majority of DA and certainly all else- are pay to play. Pay to play won't ever go away but more opportunities need to be out there for promising players. Better scouting outside of DA as well.

Also, dramatically improve the coaching, improve college soccer and develop a real soccer culture. Easy peasy.

[Unregistered]

Promotion relegation would be ideal. Competition is always a good thing. Needs to be less foreign players playing in the college system and second level leagues.

College soccer season is how long? 3 -4 months? How are potential elite players going to reach peak play with that level of training and play? In prime years no less.

System needs to change somewhere.

[Unregistered]

Promotion relegation would be ideal. Competition is always a good thing. Needs to be less foreign players playing in the college system and second level leagues.

College soccer season is how long? 3 -4 months? How are potential elite players going to reach peak play with that level of training and play? In prime years no less.

System needs to change somewhere.

D1 isn't a complete year long commitment but more intensive than just a few months. The winter/spring schedule is just lighter. There's still practices, workouts, film etc. It's an intensive part time job but it isn't always on the field.

College soccer is definitely an issue for a player who could go pro or be on one of the national teams. At that level you probably are getting a free ride to a great, expensive school. I don't have a player at that level but can imagine the tough choices to be made given how much college costs and the uncertainties of trying to play professionally. Kids leave college for football and basketball often the time but it's typically for BIG pro contracts. If it doesn't work out they can make enough money to go back to school. College football and basketball is also highly competitive, well coached by pros who often times can and do coach professionally at some point. That isnt' the case with college soccer. University sports isn't a thing anywhere else in the world, nor does getting a higher level education cost the price of a small home. Pay is better abroad so players have a different set of choices to make.

[Unregistered]

Promotion relegation would be ideal. Competition is always a good thing. Needs to be less foreign players playing in the college system and second level leagues.

College soccer season is how long? 3 -4 months? How are potential elite players going to reach peak play with that level of training and play? In prime years no less.

System needs to change somewhere.

Promotion relegation won't happen. I agree about putting a cap on foreign players playing in the college system and pro leagues.

College soccer season will never change. Most schools cannot pay for a year round program. They will cut men's soccer before making a longer season.

System does need to change.

Greater oversight at a local level is needed. Take away travel and costs go way down.

[Unregistered]

Promotion relegation won't happen. I agree about putting a cap on foreign players playing in the college system and pro leagues.

College soccer season will never change. Most schools cannot pay for a year round program. They will cut men's soccer before making a longer season.

System does need to change.

Greater oversight at a local level is needed. Take away travel and costs go way down.

Why should schools have to limit foreign players? They should be free to select whomever they want. The fact that international players are selected over US ones shows how far we have to go. If a US player can't make a roster because of foreign players then they aren't international or pro material anyway. Not all international players are better than US ones, but most are. If they are better and improve their teams and college soccer that is a good thing, not a bad one. And when they stop being selected over US players then we know we've accomplished something.

There's no way the NCAA or colleges would ever allow all year soccer. Not only can schools not afford it (soccer is a nonrevenue sport) but if they allow it for one sport they have to allow it for all. Besides, without better coaching and competition playing all year soccer won't help the few players in the system that are pro or NT potential. They should be playing professionally like their counterparts abroad, not in college. But that level of player is likely giving up a free education to pursue a very risky, low paying pro career (in the MLS rookie pay is a joke). If a club really believes in a player they could guarantee the scholarship amount or a pro-rated amount based on years of play. One-and-dones in college basketball or football leave for tremendous salaries. US soccer isn't there yet, not even close

[Unregistered]

The MLS DA system is free. It's not pay to play.

For those programs that are pay to play I don't see a way to fix it. I don't see the sale of players or having the rights to players with money in return being enough to cover the costs in this country.

The system needs to be fix, but it isn't totally broken. The player pool was good enough to advance to the WC, it was two coaches that weren't at the level to get us there.

If every DA in the country was no cost to the player, it still wouldn't fix the pay to play problem. A great player who can't afford DA now would be given a scholarship at any DA in the country anyways. The problem with pay to play is that 6-8 year olds who could develop into players who could make a free DA program can't afford to get the training they need. Free DA won't fix pay to play, because it occurs too late in the process.

[Unregistered]

If every DA in the country was no cost to the player, it still wouldn't fix the pay to play problem. A great player who can't afford DA now would be given a scholarship at any DA in the country anyways. The problem with pay to play is that 6-8 year olds who could develop into players who could make a free DA program can't afford to get the training they need. Free DA won't fix pay to play, because it occurs too late in the process.

That is true - to reach a free to play DA program (and there's not that many in the US) you need to have been playing at a high level to get there. There are many low cost programs out there all over the country. Our town ulittle program is $150 for the entire year. Problem is at the youngest ages kids are being taught by well meaning but usually poorly trained volunteer (parent) coaches. Then they move into a travel program with also poor volunteer coaching (maybe a dad who played in HS, at best college) or low licensed professionals. Even if a talented player can get into a free DA program at U12 there's been years of higher level development lost. Yes scholarships are sometimes out there for talent, but not always. Finding that talent is also an issue - DA clubs tend to recruit only from other premier clubs. They're not hitting the low level programs or watching HS games. If you don't have a pedigree they often times won't even give you a tryout. Then there's the broader issue of just generally poor decision making - -picking the big fast kid etc.

[Unregistered]

Why can't thé U17 team beat Colombia, I can't believe with all the talk-show about this team and how great they lose 3-1 and finish 3rd. they should have won this group. So please don't buy into this as the next best generation and they will save U.S. Soccer. After the few who go to MLS (game goes downhill) to the one that ends up in Germany(lets hope he plays) to the rest that go to college. Can't see much growth.

can bash 17 year-olds all day when they lose, but can't give them any credit when they advance to the quarters 5-0, very mature rondell

[Unregistered]

Yes, a great game today. Tim Weah great game. I player the USA can count on to life the game. Once again another great young talent not developed by the academy program.