Boys 05

[Unregistered]

Nope. Americans cling to this belief because it's comforting. It FEELS right to people who know zero about soccer, but know a thing or two about sports that Americans invented.

You can continue to believe it if you choose, but it's a belief that is not shared by people who know what they're talking about.

Of course, Americans invented volleyball, but the rest of the world plays it better than we do...

[Unregistered]

Bingo

Lol, so you're saying our 'best athletes' are better than anything other countries can produce because why? 'Murica?

If the best soccer players were supposed to look like NBA forwards, then that's what we'd see in the top leagues. Alas, we don't because the best soccer players aren't 6'5" with a 40" vertical. Hand eye coordination? Since when does that matter in soccer?

[Unregistered]

Certainly being tall doesn't matter.

Maradona - 5’5”

Xavi, Iniesta, Sanchez, Messi, Costa, Ribery, Sterling, Scholes, Silva, Lahm, Alba, Navas, Coutinho, Pele, Rafinha - 5’7”

Alves, Aquero, Lallana - 5’8”

Neymar, Mane, Zabaleta, Thiago, Nasri – 5’9”

[Unregistered]

Lol, so you're saying our 'best athletes' are better than anything other countries can produce because why? 'Murica?

If the best soccer players were supposed to look like NBA forwards, then that's what we'd see in the top leagues. Alas, we don't because the best soccer players aren't 6'5" with a 40" vertical. Hand eye coordination? Since when does that matter in soccer?

Height still makes a huge difference in youth soccer. Their bigger, stronger, and faster in most cases. But at the same time their usually less technical which leads to being more physical.

[Unregistered]

Christian Pulisic

5'8" 139 lbs

[Unregistered]

Height still makes a huge difference in youth soccer. Their bigger, stronger, and faster in most cases. But at the same time their usually less technical which leads to being more physical.

Are you saying that bigger, stronger and faster kids can't be as technical as smaller and slower kids? Athleticism/size and technical ability aren't mutually exclusive.

[Unregistered]

Hence great players like Ronaldo.. 6'1. Strong, tall, fast and technical. What do all these top players have in common since size is not a factor?

[Unregistered]

Speed, vision, intelligence and technical ability. Size does not matter.

[Unregistered]

Lol, so you're saying our 'best athletes' are better than anything other countries can produce because why? 'Murica?

If the best soccer players were supposed to look like NBA forwards, then that's what we'd see in the top leagues. Alas, we don't because the best soccer players aren't 6'5" with a 40" vertical. Hand eye coordination? Since when does that matter in soccer?

Coordination period a hole. Look at the skill position football players and point guards- those are the ones who are all right around 6' plus or minus and have the elite speed quickness and athleticism not the power forwards and lineman. You will never admit it or come to grips with reality so I am done

[Unregistered]

Speed, vision, intelligence and technical ability. Size does not matter.

Equivalent Speed, vision, ability with an extra 3-4 inches and 60-90 pounds and you have a player that the conventional soccer star cannot handle. Imagine 10 Ronaldo's on a field. That's what would happen if the REAL bigger, faster, stronger American athlete played. It's beginning to happen, and you are uncomfortable. Que you squirming in your seat

[Unregistered]

Coordination period a hole. Look at the skill position football players and point guards- those are the ones who are all right around 6' plus or minus and have the elite speed quickness and athleticism not the power forwards and lineman. You will never admit it or come to grips with reality so I am done

To may tow...To mah tow. The reality is that you are both right. Special is special. It doesn't come often, and when it does, it has many different looks. Best wishes to your son's this weekend.

[Unregistered]

Coordination period a hole. Look at the skill position football players and point guards- those are the ones who are all right around 6' plus or minus and have the elite speed quickness and athleticism not the power forwards and lineman. You will never admit it or come to grips with reality so I am done

Jesus, let's hope you're done. Is it not possible the current national team soccer players are just as athletic as most college point guards and defensive backs? What metric are you using to say the guys on the national team are less athletic than one of these mythical world class soccer stars who'd rather play safety for Nebraska?

There are reasons teams from tiny islands are able to compete with and beat our teams and it has nothing to do with their athleticism since we're already more athletic than they are. Typical meathead responses like yours are all about simply getting better athletes to play soccer...and if that doesn't work then get even better athletes to play...and if that doesn't work then...

[Unregistered]

Equivalent Speed, vision, ability with an extra 3-4 inches and 60-90 pounds and you have a player that the conventional soccer star cannot handle. Imagine 10 Ronaldo's on a field. That's what would happen if the REAL bigger, faster, stronger American athlete played. It's beginning to happen, and you are uncomfortable. Que you squirming in your seat

Why stop at 3-4 inches and 60-90lbs? Let's get guys who are 12-15 inches taller and 150-200lbs heavier!!! Nobody will stop us then!!!

[Unregistered]

Equivalent Speed, vision, ability with an extra 3-4 inches and 60-90 pounds and you have a player that the conventional soccer star cannot handle. Imagine 10 Ronaldo's on a field. That's what would happen if the REAL bigger, faster, stronger American athlete played beginning to happen, and you are uncomfortable. Que you squirming in your seat

No one is this dumb. I think we're being trolled.

Had me going, to. Lol.

[Unregistered]

Boys 05

Are you saying that bigger, stronger and faster kids can't be as technical as smaller and slower kids? Athleticism/size and technical ability aren't mutually exclusive.

He is right. It's generalizing youth soccer, but the bigger, faster, stronger kids dominate. Most also lack technical ability. It's not saying that they can't be both, but it's unique to see a big, strong, fast kid also have technical skills. They usually make up for their lack of skills with their athleticism. And vice versa. FC Portland has a kid who has both size and technical skills, but that's one in a big pool. Can't think of any other team in this league who has a special player who is strong in both skill sets. They are not mutually exclusive though. The older they get, the more level it becomes. That's why the stronger, bigger and faster kids will fall off. The technical ones will advance. Watch.