OT: Will the USA win the World Cup in our lifetime...

Bwifan · Tuesday at 8:00 AM

Sporting wise I have seen just about everything I wanted to see in my life...
Eagles won multiple Super Bowls
Flyers won Stanley Cup
Sixers won the NBA Championship
Phillies won the World Series
Penn State won multiple National Championships
USA won the gold in men's hockey.

1 thing left... The USA winning the World Cup in soccer. Not sure I will see it in my lifetime but hoping like crazy. Yes the USA has gotten better, but I am not sure I will see the win in my lifetime. I hope to be wrong but it's a huge hill to climb still. Sure there are reasons with coaches and committee's running USA soccer that we haven't taken that big step up even with our own league here now providing a feeder system. What are everyone else's thoughts? Will the USA win the World Cup in the next 20-25 years?

Bison13 · Tuesday at 8:14 AM

Bwifan said:
Sporting wise I have seen just about everything I wanted to see in my life...
Eagles won multiple Super Bowls
Flyers won Stanley Cup
Sixers won the NBA Championship
Phillies won the World Series
Penn State won multiple National Championships
USA won the gold in men's hockey.

1 thing left... The USA winning the World Cup in soccer. Not sure I will see it in my lifetime but hoping like crazy. Yes the USA has gotten better, but I am not sure I will see the win in my lifetime. I hope to be wrong but it's a huge hill to climb still. Sure there are reasons with coaches and committee's running USA soccer that we haven't taken that big step up even with our own league here now providing a feeder system. What are everyone else's thoughts? Will the USA win the World Cup in the next 20-25 years?

20-25, maybe. With the amount of Hispanic people living in the country now, I could see it. Those kids are brought up on the game, the only item keeping them from it would be the cost of the ODP type stuff.

LaJollaCreek · Tuesday at 8:22 AM

No. The US took a cheap sport open to everyone and made it a 10k+ a year sport for parents eliminating so much of the talent pool.

BCS PSU · Tuesday at 9:04 AM

LaJollaCreek said:
No. The US took a cheap sport open to everyone and made it a 10k+ a year sport for parents eliminating so much of the talent pool.

If you're a phenomenal talent, you'll be found and funded, especially in a sport like soccer, regardless of whether you come from a wealthy background or not. The fact is, just like with baseball and hockey and lacrosse, there just aren't many poor kids in this country who really want to play the sport. Clint Dempsey, who is one of the best US soccer players, especially in recent times, didn't exactly come from a priveliged background.

Kinglando is never wrong · Tuesday at 9:06 AM

LaJollaCreek said:
No. The US took a cheap sport open to everyone and made it a 10k+ a year sport for parents eliminating so much of the talent pool.

Killed baseball that way as well.

LaJollaCreek · Tuesday at 9:12 AM

BCS PSU said:
If you're a phenomenal talent, you'll be found and funded, especially in a sport like soccer, regardless of whether you come from a wealthy background or not. The fact is, just like with baseball and hockey and lacrosse, there just aren't many poor kids in this country who really want to play the sport. Clint Dempsey, who is one of the best US soccer players, especially in recent times, didn't exactly come from a priveliged background.

Other countries have free developmental programs. FREE for very young children. From there they start plucking kids who are gifted athletically or with the ball into legit academies for proper training by paid coaches. The US has rec ball which you pay for and if you're halfway decent and have money you may go to a travel team where your family either pays out the arse or if you're lucky you are sponsored. If you show out there, you can get plucked into an academy after paying for a few years first...you see the difference? Every coach who comes from Europe basically states the same thing as it's very obvious a flaw in our system, but Clint Dempsey did it....so it's just fine. Sorry man, to act as if the US system is just fine is being very naive.

BCS PSU · Tuesday at 9:25 AM

LaJollaCreek said:
Other countries have free developmental programs. FREE for very young children. From there they start plucking kids who are gifted athletically or with the ball into legit academies for proper training by paid coaches. The US has rec ball which you pay for and if you're halfway decent and have money you may go to a travel team where your family either pays out the arse or if you're lucky you are sponsored. Every coach who comes from Europe basically states the same thing as it's very obvious a flaw in our system, but Clint Dempsey did it....so it's just fine. Sorry man, to act as if the US system is just fine is being very naive.

You know, even with the preponderance of expensive travel programs in the US, the US still shouldn't be dominated by countries in soccer that have a tenth of the population of the US and nowhere near the resources that we have; the US should have no problem producing teams of great players, what with the number of kids who grow playing that sport and the facilities and resources that we have. That same type of expensive travel program certainly hasn't hurt the US in hockey, although I know that socer and hockey have many differences.

I still stand by my belief that if you are talented, you'll be found and someone will foot the bill for you to play on expensive travel programs even if you come from a poor background. Also, there are many non-travel neighborhood soccer programs in the US that don't cost a lot. In the end, you can't force kids to do things that they don't weant to do. I actually commend the kids who are dedicated enough to want to compete on these travel programs, and the US junior teams often perform well in international tournaments.

Finally, as I've said before, maybe if our best players wouldn't run across the Atlantic to be bit players on a Premier League team or toil for some anonymous Scottish or Dutch team or English Championship team, and instead would play in the MLS, there would be more cohesion with the National team.

MtNittany · Tuesday at 9:30 AM

I always thought soccer was for the kids that couldn't hit curve balls.

BCS PSU · Tuesday at 9:41 AM

MtNittany said:
I always thought soccer was for the kids that couldn't hit curve balls.

When soccer is taught and played properly, it's a great sport on every level that requires both strength, stamina and skill. I despise when I see youngsters who just are beginning to play the sport basically all chase after the ball in a disorganized mess rather than being taught the nuances of the game and how to play each position.

psuro · Tuesday at 9:44 AM

MtNittany said:
I always thought soccer was for the kids that couldn't hit curve balls.

No,that's golf. Because ball don't move.

LaJollaCreek · Tuesday at 9:47 AM

BCS PSU said:
You know, even with the preponderance of expensive travel programs in the US, the US still shouldn't be dominated by countries in soccer that have a tenth of the population of the US and nowhere near the resources that we have; the US should have no problem producing teams of great players, what with the number of kids who grow playing that sport and the facilities and resources that we have. That same type of expensive travel program certainly hasn't hurt the US in hockey, although I know that socer and hockey have many differences.

I still stand by my belief that if you are talented, you'll be found and someone will foot the bill for you to play on expensive travel programs even if you come from a poor background. Also, there are many non-travel neighborhood soccer programs in the US that don't cost a lot. In the end, you can't force kids to do things that they don't weant to do. I actually commend the kids who are dedicated enough to want to compete on these travel programs, and the US junior teams often perform well in international tournaments.

Finally, as I've said before, maybe if our best players wouldn't run across the Atlantic to be bit players on a Premier League team or toil for some anonymous Scottish or Dutch team or English Championship team, and instead would play in the MLS, there would be more cohesion with the National team.

If our best players are in the MLS, we'll never get any better in the end in my opinion. Iron sharpens iron in every sport and that still holds true for soccer. Never mind the fact the pay disparity in the big 4 in Europe versus MLS is night and day different. You want people to take less money to play in a lesser league and have convinced yourself that is best for their development? You then talk about cost....even youth camps and rec ball cost money.....versus FREE. Some people don't have the $100 for even a cheaper league in a sport that is as cheap as any to play.

I don't think you understand how big and good the academies are in Europe and around the globe. Kobbie Mainoo was scouted at 6 and in an academy at the age of 9. He debuted in the highest league on the planet at 17 for one of the biggest clubs on the planet, but the US has nothing close to the infrastructure they have over there. Arsenal had a similar debut this year as well as Liverpool. Messi left Argentina at 13 for Barcelona. The best absolutely do get discovered, but again our talent pool isn't as wide as it could be. You are convinced that the US programs are just fine and that the best players we have should play down in competition.....I just don't agree with any of that. I was pissed Josh Sargent bailed on the Norwich this year as playing there is much better than the MLS.

All The Problems With Youth Soccer in America

How a beautiful game is so broken in the U.S.

goodgamekid.substack.com

The pay-to-play system in youth soccer is garnering the most attention, though it’s really a symptom of a larger issue. In Europe, kids have access to high quality soccer for free or at a very low cost. Much of the funding for elite level players comes from professional clubs which are very well endowed. On a recent episode of the Smartless podcast, David Beckham shared how shocked he was to discover that MLS had no youth academies when he joined the L.A. Galaxy in 2007. These academies, which exist in Europe and where the most talented prospects are offered cost-free training and education are powerful pipelines. Conversely, there are endless highly-selective academies so costly throughout the word that make U.S. club fees seem like a bargain. Beckham played an integral role in developing MLS’s academies, most of which are now free. But that’s where no-cost elite level youth soccer ends in America. There are a smattering of non-profits or even clubs who offer low-cost options but for 95% of youth soccer families, the cost is astronomical.

MtNittany · Tuesday at 10:00 AM

BCS PSU said:
When soccer is taught and played properly, it's a great sport on every level that requires both strength, stamina and skill. I despise when I see youngsters who just are beginning to play the sport basically all chase after the ball in a disorganized mess rather than being taught the nuances of the game and how to play each position.

The youth soccer - kids of friends, etc. - I've seen looked like a bunch of LL right fielders (the ones picking dandelions) running around in circles in between juice boxes.

BCS PSU · Tuesday at 10:05 AM

MtNittany said:
The youth soccer - kids of friends, etc. - I've seen looked like a bunch of LL right fielders (the ones picking dandelions) running around in circles in between juice boxes.

And that's a problem with the devlopment of youth players in that sport. Youth soccer should be treated and coached seriously like youth hockey, lacrosse and football. I am most familiar with youth hockey, and there's a reason why the US now is the 1A or 1B country in that sport.

MtNittany · Tuesday at 10:16 AM

BCS PSU said:
And that's a problem with the devlopment of youth players in that sport. Youth soccer should be treated and coached seriously like youth hockey, lacrosse and football. I am most familiar with youth hockey, and there's a reason why the US now is the 1A or 1B country in that sport.

Bulk junior golf is the same way. I get the "exposure" to the sport at early ages, but let's not kid ourselves that any real instruction is taking place at age 5.

PSU Mike · Tuesday at 10:19 AM

I could be 7 years old (not 61) and my answer would be the same: no.

BobPSU92 · Tuesday at 10:19 AM

Americans laugh at futbol.

Tgar · Tuesday at 10:27 AM

Let’s go with NFW to the OP question.

PSU Mike · Tuesday at 10:27 AM

BCS PSU said:
When soccer is taught and played properly, it's a great sport on every level that requires both strength, stamina and skill. I despise when I see youngsters who just are beginning to play the sport basically all chase after the ball in a disorganized mess rather than being taught the nuances of the game and how to play each position.

I confess to knowing nothing about soccer, but I find it hard to believe the strategy and structure can’t be taught far easier than the underlying skills, to the point that if they’re taught in the teens it’s irrrelevant.

PSU-Dude · Tuesday at 10:38 AM

BCS PSU said:
If you're a phenomenal talent, you'll be found and funded, especially in a sport like soccer, regardless of whether you come from a wealthy background or not. The fact is, just like with baseball and hockey and lacrosse, there just aren't many poor kids in this country who really want to play the sport. Clint Dempsey, who is one of the best US soccer players, especially in recent times, didn't exactly come from a priveliged background.

The bolded part is fact? Really?

Where are you getting that?

Chumboshifko1 · Tuesday at 10:40 AM

If they can get our BoT involved, I'm sure they can rig it.

Connorpozlee · Tuesday at 10:46 AM

BCS PSU said:
If you're a phenomenal talent, you'll be found and funded, especially in a sport like soccer, regardless of whether you come from a wealthy background or not. The fact is, just like with baseball and hockey and lacrosse, there just aren't many poor kids in this country who really want to play the sport. Clint Dempsey, who is one of the best US soccer players, especially in recent times, didn't exactly come from a priveliged background.

This is one of the silliest statements I’ve read. Your “fact” that poor kids don’t want to play soccer is not even close to reality from my experience. Their ability to get into the developmental systems is a problem, but not their desire to play the game.

Erial_Lion · Tuesday at 10:46 AM

I hate the “yes” or “no” since there is a range of possibilities…If I assume my lifetime is just over 28 more years, there would be 8 more World Cups. I’d put it at 20% to 25% that we win one of those.

BCS PSU · Tuesday at 11:04 AM

Connorpozlee said:
This is one of the silliest statements I’ve read. Your “fact” that poor kids don’t want to play soccer is not even close to reality from my experience. Their ability to get into the developmental systems is a problem, but not their desire to play the game.

I don't have the time to do this, but I'd like to know the demographic background of every member of the USMNT that will play in the World Cup in about another month. I guarantee you that not every member grew up on the Main Line of Philly or in Upper St. Clair or Beverly Hills.

Lil Nicky Scarfo · Tuesday at 11:04 AM

I’m 58 - don’t think so in my lifetime.

Many of the systemic problems with US Soccer have been addressed already. If I was King of Soccer, I’d set up free developmental programs and the kids would concentrate on futsal and other small-sided play - not even playing full field for many years. Ball control is the fundamental skill where we lag so far behind the best countries and, without that, we are capped as a nation. The guys we have who are utterly comfortable with receiving passes and having the ball at their feet (e.g. Clint, Pulisic) are a rarity. It still boggles my mind how mid Jozy Altidore’s ball control was, for example. With his physical skills he would have been so much better growing up where ball control is focused on. Hell, one of the greatest midfielders ever - a true maestro - Luka Modric, learned his incomparable close-control skills in the bomb-riddled courtyard of a small hotel where his family lived.
I’ve said my piece

Grant Green · Tuesday at 11:07 AM

MtNittany said:
The youth soccer - kids of friends, etc. - I've seen looked like a bunch of LL right fielders (the ones picking dandelions) running around in circles in between juice boxes.

Probably because you watched a rec league game. Sounds like your friends' kids aren't very serious athletes.

Connorpozlee · Tuesday at 11:16 AM

BCS PSU said:
I don't have the time to do this, but I'd like to know the demographic background of every member of the USMNT that will play in the World Cup in about another month. I guarantee you that not every member grew up on the Main Line of Philly or in Upper St. Clair or Beverly Hills.

I have worked the past 20 years in low socioeconomic elementary schools with very large EL student populations. The predominant favorite sport of these kids is soccer. It is very, very, very rare that they are involved in any sort of organized soccer, even rec league
I am sure that there are members of the US national team that come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. I can also tell you without a doubt that many potential players are being missed out on because if a lack of involvement in organized soccer.
To your idea that they don’t want to play, you’re basing that on nothing from what I can tell. The kids I’ve worked with do play. They play every day when the weather allows. Not on well trimmed, lined fields with coaches and refs and matching uniforms, but they’re out there playing. They’re just not making it into any system that can enhance their skills.

LaJollaCreek · Tuesday at 11:27 AM

Grant Green said:
Probably because you watched a rec league game. Sounds like your friends' kids aren't very serious athletes.

It's like watching pee wee football or basketball. The 1-2 kids far ahead of everyone else just run away from the pack. In basketball they get pulled away to the better AAU teams if they shine above the rest. This idea that youth level hockey, baseball, football, or any sport just spits out kids playing at a high level and in position all over the place is dumb bias. We all have seen those nightmares too at the youngest of ages.

BCS PSU · Tuesday at 11:36 AM

LaJollaCreek said:
It's like watching pee wee football or basketball. The 1-2 kids far ahead of everyone else just run away from the pack. In basketball they get pulled away to the better AAU teams if they shine above the rest. This idea that youth level hockey, baseball, football, or any sport just spits out kids playing at a high level and in position all over the place is dumb bias. We all have seen those nightmares too at the youngest of ages.

Based on my experience with youth hockey, I disagree with you. I don't know about other sports, but youth hockey coaches in travel leagues actually have to attend classes and be licensed by the leagues in which they coach, such as PAHL in Western PA. I've watched a lot of youth hockey since 2012 when my nephew first started playing, and I can tell you that once kids reach 8 or 9, they are being coached to play hockey seriously, which doesn't mean that they are going to become even college players. However, what it does mean is that these youth teams play the game with structure and the most of the kids know how to play their respective positions without being a free for all.

LaJollaCreek · Tuesday at 11:54 AM

BCS PSU said:
Based on my experience with youth hockey, I disagree with you. I don't know about other sports, but youth hockey coaches in travel leagues actually have to attend classes and be licensed by the leagues in which they coach, such as PAHL in Western PA. I've watched a lot of youth hockey since 2012 when my nephew first started playing, and I can tell you that once kids reach 8 or 9, they are being coached to play hockey seriously, which doesn't mean that they are going to become even college players. However, what it does mean is that these youth teams play the game with structure and the most of the kids know how to play their respective positions without being a free for all.

Of course soccer has licensing for coaching and the more advanced the team/age the higher the license is to coach. How many soccer teams have you coached? How many leagues have you run? How many years have you had even watching the sport? You compare hockey to soccer when more than 1/2 of the world isn't playing hockey. Watch out for that powerhouse team from Ecuador. Hell over 14 million play soccer versus 550k or so for hockey which is isolated to a part of this country and usually only in the winter. Never mind the cost of equipment and hockey....your comparisons aren't exactly apples to apples. Hockey unlike soccer will struggle in low income areas, soccer can thrive there if the money is directed there and the resources to get the kids on the pitch. Yet it really doesn't thrive there as compared to the suburbs. Why, because as the article above and every HC ever has said the US has a pay for play problem that the rest of the world doesn't have.

Your take on players in the US playing overseas holding them back is just pure crazy talk. Should the best at hockey in Europe never play in the NHL? They should stay home, play against weaker competition for less money....and that will make them stronger? Not for nothing, you don't seem to have a clue about the sport you're spouting out opinions on.

LionJim · Tuesday at 12:12 PM

Lil Nicky Scarfo said:
I’m 58 - don’t think so in my lifetime.

Many of the systemic problems with US Soccer have been addressed already. If I was King of Soccer, I’d set up free developmental programs and the kids would concentrate on futsal and other small-sided play - not even playing full field for many years. Ball control is the fundamental skill where we lag so far behind the best countries and, without that, we are capped as a nation. The guys we have who are utterly comfortable with receiving passes and having the ball at their feet (e.g. Clint, Pulisic) are a rarity. It still boggles my mind how mid Jozy Altidore’s ball control was, for example. With his physical skills he would have been so much better growing up where ball control is focused on. Hell, one of the greatest midfielders ever - a true maestro - Luka Modric, learned his incomparable close-control skills in the bomb-riddled courtyard of a small hotel where his family lived.
I’ve said my piece

Love me some Modric props.

LaJollaCreek · Tuesday at 12:28 PM

Lil Nicky Scarfo said:
I’m 58 - don’t think so in my lifetime.

Many of the systemic problems with US Soccer have been addressed already. If I was King of Soccer, I’d set up free developmental programs and the kids would concentrate on futsal and other small-sided play - not even playing full field for many years. Ball control is the fundamental skill where we lag so far behind the best countries and, without that, we are capped as a nation. The guys we have who are utterly comfortable with receiving passes and having the ball at their feet (e.g. Clint, Pulisic) are a rarity. It still boggles my mind how mid Jozy Altidore’s ball control was, for example. With his physical skills he would have been so much better growing up where ball control is focused on. Hell, one of the greatest midfielders ever - a true maestro - Luka Modric, learned his incomparable close-control skills in the bomb-riddled courtyard of a small hotel where his family lived.
I’ve said my piece

Everything you stated is spot on. They have finally in the last decade or two moved to smaller pitches and I don't think they play 11 a side until they are close to teens in some areas. It's so spread out and the country as a whole doesn't really move at the same pace or even the same direction with the development. From those free developmental programs the better teams are plucking the kids who are further along and getting them even better developmental training at a very young age. In the US they check your bank account and say next....basically those on the cusp not being picked up now have to pay 10k+ a year to hope to catch up later on.

Bison13 · Tuesday at 12:31 PM

LaJollaCreek said:
If our best players are in the MLS, we'll never get any better in the end in my opinion. Iron sharpens iron in every sport and that still holds true for soccer. Never mind the fact the pay disparity in the big 4 in Europe versus MLS is night and day different. You want people to take less money to play in a lesser league and have convinced yourself that is best for their development? You then talk about cost....even youth camps and rec ball cost money.....versus FREE. Some people don't have the $100 for even a cheaper league in a sport that is as cheap as any to play.

I don't think you understand how big and good the academies are in Europe and around the globe. Kobbie Mainoo was scouted at 6 and in an academy at the age of 9. He debuted in the highest league on the planet at 17 for one of the biggest clubs on the planet, but the US has nothing close to the infrastructure they have over there. Arsenal had a similar debut this year as well as Liverpool. Messi left Argentina at 13 for Barcelona. The best absolutely do get discovered, but again our talent pool isn't as wide as it could be. You are convinced that the US programs are just fine and that the best players we have should play down in competition.....I just don't agree with any of that. I was pissed Josh Sargent bailed on the Norwich this year as playing there is much better than the MLS.

All The Problems With Youth Soccer in America

How a beautiful game is so broken in the U.S.

goodgamekid.substack.com

The pay-to-play system in youth soccer is garnering the most attention, though it’s really a symptom of a larger issue. In Europe, kids have access to high quality soccer for free or at a very low cost. Much of the funding for elite level players comes from professional clubs which are very well endowed. On a recent episode of the Smartless podcast, David Beckham shared how shocked he was to discover that MLS had no youth academies when he joined the L.A. Galaxy in 2007. These academies, which exist in Europe and where the most talented prospects are offered cost-free training and education are powerful pipelines. Conversely, there are endless highly-selective academies so costly throughout the word that make U.S. club fees seem like a bargain. Beckham played an integral role in developing MLS’s academies, most of which are now free. But that’s where no-cost elite level youth soccer ends in America. There are a smattering of non-profits or even clubs who offer low-cost options but for 95% of youth soccer families, the cost is astronomical.

very well endowed? WHat does that have to do with being good at soccer?

LaJollaCreek · Tuesday at 12:39 PM

Bison13 said:
very well endowed? WHat does that have to do with being good at soccer?

In Europe, kids have access to high quality soccer for free or at a very low cost. Much of the funding for elite level players comes from professional clubs which are very well endowed.

Not sure if that was TIC or not.....if not see below...if it was...just ignore the rest and well played.

You see in urban areas, the bigger EURO clubs give kids access to the sport for free or a very low cost. They actually use it as a scouting program to be honest. That opens the door for kids who couldn't afford to play in the US access to better coaching and training for less cost across the pond.

kgilbert78 · Tuesday at 1:40 PM

Their best chance was the first one in 1930, where they finished third. And don't let the semifinal score fool you as one player was playing on a broken leg (this was before red cards), as Argentina was rather violent.

kgilbert78 · Tuesday at 1:53 PM

One of the Columbus Crew starters, Taha Habroune, comes from an inner city high school in Columbus....

BCS PSU · Tuesday at 1:55 PM

kgilbert78 said:
One of the Columbus Crew starters, Taha Habroune, comes from an inner city high school in Columbus....

Thanks for that information. That confirms what I have posted: if you have the desire and talent, you'll be noticed and somebody with connections will get you placed, regardless of income level.

Grant Green · Tuesday at 2:31 PM

BCS PSU said:
Thanks for that information. That confirms what I have posted: if you have the desire and talent, you'll be noticed and somebody with connections will get you placed, regardless of income level.

Simply not true. There really aren't scouts out searching for soccer talent. Players pretty much have to be in some sort of organized system to get noticed. That could be competitive clubs, ECNL, ODP, academy programs... Pretty much all pay to play. The academy programs I believe are typically free (paid by the pro teams), but they are getting their kids mostly from the local pay to play club teams.

In Portland for example, there are leagues for Mexican youth teams that play in local city parks (as opposed to the nice turf fields that the pay to play kids get). There is good talent on these teams but there isn't anyone scouting them. Probably more true for the rural areas outside of the city, where a lot of Mexican families live (like Hillsboro). While there may be a success story here and there, the vast majority of the US players are coming from pay to play teams.

BCS PSU · Tuesday at 2:54 PM

Grant Green said:
Simply not true. There really aren't scouts out searching for soccer talent. Players pretty much have to be in some sort of organized system to get noticed. That could be competitive clubs, ECNL, ODP, academy programs... Pretty much all pay to play. The academy programs I believe are typically free (paid by the pro teams), but they are getting their kids mostly from the local pay to play club teams.

In Portland for example, there are leagues for Mexican youth teams that play in local city parks (as opposed to the nice turf fields that the pay to play kids get). There is good talent on these teams but there isn't anyone scouting them. Probably more true for the rural areas outside of the city, where a lot of Mexican families live (like Hillsboro). While there may be a success story here and there, the vast majority of the US players are coming from pay to play teams.

My guess is that if a 10 year old kid who has Messi, Ronaldo or Yamal like talent is playing in some neighborhood Portland Youth Soccer League, someone from an elite travel program like a MLS Academy is going to scoop that kid up in a New York minute and foot the bill.

Grant Green · Tuesday at 3:18 PM

BCS PSU said:
My guess is that if a 10 year old kid who has Messi, Ronaldo or Yamal like talent is playing in some neighborhood Portland Youth Soccer League, someone from an elite travel program like a MLS Academy is going to scoop that kid up in a New York minute and foot the bill.

Your guess is wrong for the vast majority. I've watched the process play out for years since I have kids that played and many friends with kids that have played. The Timbers and Thorns organizations are getting their players almost exclusively from the competitive leagues. In fact, there are a number of kids that are from out of state.

Feel free to type the following into your favorite AI: what percentage of US players at the national level come from pay to play programs? (Their won't be exact percentages, but you will get the idea).

NittanyBuff · Tuesday at 4:02 PM

Bwifan said:
Sporting wise I have seen just about everything I wanted to see in my life...
Eagles won multiple Super Bowls
Flyers won Stanley Cup
Sixers won the NBA Championship
Phillies won the World Series
Penn State won multiple National Championships
USA won the gold in men's hockey.

1 thing left... The USA winning the World Cup in soccer. Not sure I will see it in my lifetime but hoping like crazy. Yes the USA has gotten better, but I am not sure I will see the win in my lifetime. I hope to be wrong but it's a huge hill to climb still. Sure there are reasons with coaches and committee's running USA soccer that we haven't taken that big step up even with our own league here now providing a feeder system. What are everyone else's thoughts? Will the USA win the World Cup in the next 20-25 years?

US winning a world cup would be way way down on my list of things I need to see, lol

OT: Will the USA win the World Cup in our lifetime...

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