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U.S. Soccer’s Elitism Problem

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    U.S. Soccer’s Elitism Problem

    This should make for an interesting debate.
    http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2016/11/...itism-problem/

    If U.S. Soccer wants to build a sustainable and competitive feeder system for the national teams, it’s time to break away from the pay-to-play clubs and find other ways to identify talent than financial wherewithal. While the AAU certainly has its own set of problems, the organization has been reaching into disadvantaged communities to find the best basketball players for decades, rather than waiting for the players to come to them.

    Success at the international level will come when U.S. Soccer includes everyone in its talent-evaluation process, from the most elite suburban club players to the children of immigrants playing pick-up games on weekends. It’s time the pool of potential national-level talent involve everyone in the nation, rather than those with the resources to pay their way into the game.

    #2
    Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
    This should make for an interesting debate.
    I don't doubt that you are right but some clubs spend time in these neighborhoods looking for the players you describe. Most large clubs and some small ones have scholarships too. More needs to be done but US soccer also needs to know DA will not and has not saved them. Stop looking there because it's lazy be inclusive. Get a national program that works not a overly expensive USSF coaching track with coaches who cannot develop players

    Comment


      #3
      And this lofty proclamation would be operationalized exactly how?

      Comment


        #4
        not by people that use words like "operational", that's for sure.

        Comment


          #5
          I've been resisting saying this for a long time, but after almost 10 years of "involvement" in local rec, travel, and club soccer (and I know ten years is but a blip on the screen) I've come to realize that the only players who matter are the ones who, to quote Richard Gere in Officer and a Gentleman, "have no place else to go"--meaning the game is the ONLY thing for them, meaning there is nothing that competes for their time, interest, or attention, meaning soccer isn't a way to "get" something other than MORE soccer--not daddy's praise, not college, not fame, not even a paycheck--it is the GAME that matters to them. It burns in them internally. Pay-to-play stands the "success pyramid" on its head because with money comes distractions, the main (and fatal) one being the realization that "the game" isn't everything--and once a player realizes that the game ISN'T everything, he is done. DONE. "Soccer isn't everything" is truly a bell that can't be "unrung".
          So, in the US, when we "front load" soccer with privileged kids, we necessarily clog the system with players who are going to lack the needed desperation. All us urban, suburban or ex-urban doctors, lawyers, teachers and everyone else with a steady paycheck have by our success eliminated our offspring from advancing the national cause. (There may be plenty of rich kids in the NT "pool", but I know for damn sure none of them will ADVANCE our national standing. Soccer just doesn't work that way. No "zero sum" game works that way.)
          It is painful and dispiriting to realize that until the ranks are full of kids who KNOW NOTHING BUT SOCCER, live nothing but soccer, and when they flame-out of soccer will not even be qualified to COACH soccer, much less succeed in some other professional field, until then we will be nothing but the third rate pretenders we now are.
          Until the faces of our NT players reflect the faces of the least privileged, least affluent--and, yes, least successful members of our society we will be hamstrung by a handicap of our own making: The knowledge that "soccer isn't everything.

          Comment


            #6
            great explanation. agree 100%. thanks

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
              I've been resisting saying this for a long time, but after almost 10 years of "involvement" in local rec, travel, and club soccer (and I know ten years is but a blip on the screen) I've come to realize that the only players who matter are the ones who, to quote Richard Gere in Officer and a Gentleman, "have no place else to go"--meaning the game is the ONLY thing for them, meaning there is nothing that competes for their time, interest, or attention, meaning soccer isn't a way to "get" something other than MORE soccer--not daddy's praise, not college, not fame, not even a paycheck--it is the GAME that matters to them. It burns in them internally. Pay-to-play stands the "success pyramid" on its head because with money comes distractions, the main (and fatal) one being the realization that "the game" isn't everything--and once a player realizes that the game ISN'T everything, he is done. DONE. "Soccer isn't everything" is truly a bell that can't be "unrung".
              So, in the US, when we "front load" soccer with privileged kids, we necessarily clog the system with players who are going to lack the needed desperation. All us urban, suburban or ex-urban doctors, lawyers, teachers and everyone else with a steady paycheck have by our success eliminated our offspring from advancing the national cause. (There may be plenty of rich kids in the NT "pool", but I know for damn sure none of them will ADVANCE our national standing. Soccer just doesn't work that way. No "zero sum" game works that way.)
              It is painful and dispiriting to realize that until the ranks are full of kids who KNOW NOTHING BUT SOCCER, live nothing but soccer, and when they flame-out of soccer will not even be qualified to COACH soccer, much less succeed in some other professional field, until then we will be nothing but the third rate pretenders we now are.
              Until the faces of our NT players reflect the faces of the least privileged, least affluent--and, yes, least successful members of our society we will be hamstrung by a handicap of our own making: The knowledge that "soccer isn't everything.
              now, operationalize your program for success

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                I've been resisting saying this for a long time, but after almost 10 years of "involvement" in local rec, travel, and club soccer (and I know ten years is but a blip on the screen) I've come to realize that the only players who matter are the ones who, to quote Richard Gere in Officer and a Gentleman, "have no place else to go"--meaning the game is the ONLY thing for them, meaning there is nothing that competes for their time, interest, or attention, meaning soccer isn't a way to "get" something other than MORE soccer--not daddy's praise, not college, not fame, not even a paycheck--it is the GAME that matters to them. It burns in them internally. Pay-to-play stands the "success pyramid" on its head because with money comes distractions, the main (and fatal) one being the realization that "the game" isn't everything--and once a player realizes that the game ISN'T everything, he is done. DONE. "Soccer isn't everything" is truly a bell that can't be "unrung".
                So, in the US, when we "front load" soccer with privileged kids, we necessarily clog the system with players who are going to lack the needed desperation. All us urban, suburban or ex-urban doctors, lawyers, teachers and everyone else with a steady paycheck have by our success eliminated our offspring from advancing the national cause. (There may be plenty of rich kids in the NT "pool", but I know for damn sure none of them will ADVANCE our national standing. Soccer just doesn't work that way. No "zero sum" game works that way.)
                It is painful and dispiriting to realize that until the ranks are full of kids who KNOW NOTHING BUT SOCCER, live nothing but soccer, and when they flame-out of soccer will not even be qualified to COACH soccer, much less succeed in some other professional field, until then we will be nothing but the third rate pretenders we now are.
                Until the faces of our NT players reflect the faces of the least privileged, least affluent--and, yes, least successful members of our society we will be hamstrung by a handicap of our own making: The knowledge that "soccer isn't everything.

                This won't happen anytime too soon. The only way to make it so that soccer is the most important sport and that kids grow up with a ball at their feet is to get rid of the other sports. Those sports have too much of a strong foothold both at the youth level and the older level, the latter paying a minimum of 500K per year for the lowest professional. Soccer is far behind and won't be replacing those sports anytime too soon. At that time, kids will be on the street playing every day...instead of playing basketball, football, or baseball, or even hockey.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Here's to the unsuccessful! May your lack of success bring hope to our national team.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                    I've been resisting saying this for a long time, but after almost 10 years of "involvement" in local rec, travel, and club soccer (and I know ten years is but a blip on the screen) I've come to realize that the only players who matter are the ones who, to quote Richard Gere in Officer and a Gentleman, "have no place else to go"--meaning the game is the ONLY thing for them, meaning there is nothing that competes for their time, interest, or attention, meaning soccer isn't a way to "get" something other than MORE soccer--not daddy's praise, not college, not fame, not even a paycheck--it is the GAME that matters to them. It burns in them internally. Pay-to-play stands the "success pyramid" on its head because with money comes distractions, the main (and fatal) one being the realization that "the game" isn't everything--and once a player realizes that the game ISN'T everything, he is done. DONE. "Soccer isn't everything" is truly a bell that can't be "unrung".
                    So, in the US, when we "front load" soccer with privileged kids, we necessarily clog the system with players who are going to lack the needed desperation. All us urban, suburban or ex-urban doctors, lawyers, teachers and everyone else with a steady paycheck have by our success eliminated our offspring from advancing the national cause. (There may be plenty of rich kids in the NT "pool", but I know for damn sure none of them will ADVANCE our national standing. Soccer just doesn't work that way. No "zero sum" game works that way.)
                    It is painful and dispiriting to realize that until the ranks are full of kids who KNOW NOTHING BUT SOCCER, live nothing but soccer, and when they flame-out of soccer will not even be qualified to COACH soccer, much less succeed in some other professional field, until then we will be nothing but the third rate pretenders we now are.
                    Until the faces of our NT players reflect the faces of the least privileged, least affluent--and, yes, least successful members of our society we will be hamstrung by a handicap of our own making: The knowledge that "soccer isn't everything.
                    That is true, but it won't change any time soon. The poster above is correct that other sports have a stronger popular appeal and naturally attract kids to play. When your parents, siblings, cousins, friends, neighbors play other sports or watch other sports you are more likely to be drawn to them as well. Kids need to aspire to be like their idols and there are few soccer idols in this country.

                    Beyond that, there is the reality that in this country education matters. No not everyone needs or should go to college. But the reality is with a college education the likelihood of lifelong success and stability is much, much greater. Even in lower income families where the parents do not have college degrees almost all will aspire for their children to go further than they did. Top that with the astronomical costs of college and it will be very difficult to convince players to skip college (or leave college) to pursue a questionable professional path with lousy pay for several years (vs say a 19 year old NCAA basketball star who has a multimillion dollar contract dangled in front of him to leave after freshman year). A smart club would guarantee college funds for players they really want to develop further. Rather than have DA/development come to a screeching halt at 18 or languish in the college ranks, college coaching needs to be improved to help other players who need further fine tuning a chance to do so, much like with basketball and football. A better developed "minor league" system like baseball or hockey has to develop its youth talent.

                    All of these things take time (especially for a cultural shift for soccer to oust one of the top sports in popularity) and vision (to improve the systems we have, coaching etc). It isn't going to magically change overnight.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                      A smart club would guarantee college funds for players they really want to develop further.
                      great idea. but how does a club generate this income to pay it back since they unable to sell players as happens in other countries?

                      Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                      Rather than have DA/development come to a screeching halt at 18 or languish in the college ranks, college coaching needs to be improved to help other players who need further fine tuning a chance to do so, much like with basketball and football. A better developed "minor league" system like baseball or hockey has to develop its youth talent.
                      dap is not this great development system. ironic really. rename the club model of 3 hour and a half practices a week, "development" and "academy" and expect a better result? other than a couple outlier clubs like the texans...but they were among the best before the rebranding, so not much has changed.

                      college is slightly better, but the cake is baked well before a player steps foot on campus. the skills that are missing at this age are a result of insufficient play and skills that must be obtained at the young ages. it is very difficult, some would argue impossible, to learn vision, creativity and calm on the ball without tons of free play as a child. it can't be "coached". nor will it be created in high pressure dap games or practices. once acquired it can be refined in a club environment, but the hundreds, if not thousands of hours outside gotta happen first.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                        Here's to the unsuccessful! May your lack of success bring hope to our national team.
                        "I love the uneducated!"

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                          great idea. but how does a club generate this income to pay it back since they unable to sell players as happens in other countries?



                          dap is not this great development system. ironic really. rename the club model of 3 hour and a half practices a week, "development" and "academy" and expect a better result? other than a couple outlier clubs like the texans...but they were among the best before the rebranding, so not much has changed.

                          college is slightly better, but the cake is baked well before a player steps foot on campus. the skills that are missing at this age are a result of insufficient play and skills that must be obtained at the young ages. it is very difficult, some would argue impossible, to learn vision, creativity and calm on the ball without tons of free play as a child. it can't be "coached". nor will it be created in high pressure dap games or practices. once acquired it can be refined in a club environment, but the hundreds, if not thousands of hours outside gotta happen first.
                          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?

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                            I've been resisting saying this for a long time, but after almost 10 years of "involvement" in local rec, travel, and club soccer (and I know ten years is but a blip on the screen) I've come to realize that the only players who matter are the ones who, to quote Richard Gere in Officer and a Gentleman, "have no place else to go"--meaning the game is the ONLY thing for them, meaning there is nothing that competes for their time, interest, or attention, meaning soccer isn't a way to "get" something other than MORE soccer--not daddy's praise, not college, not fame, not even a paycheck--it is the GAME that matters to them. It burns in them internally. Pay-to-play stands the "success pyramid" on its head because with money comes distractions, the main (and fatal) one being the realization that "the game" isn't everything--and once a player realizes that the game ISN'T everything, he is done. DONE. "Soccer isn't everything" is truly a bell that can't be "unrung".
                            So, in the US, when we "front load" soccer with privileged kids, we necessarily clog the system with players who are going to lack the needed desperation. All us urban, suburban or ex-urban doctors, lawyers, teachers and everyone else with a steady paycheck have by our success eliminated our offspring from advancing the national cause. (There may be plenty of rich kids in the NT "pool", but I know for damn sure none of them will ADVANCE our national standing. Soccer just doesn't work that way. No "zero sum" game works that way.)
                            It is painful and dispiriting to realize that until the ranks are full of kids who KNOW NOTHING BUT SOCCER, live nothing but soccer, and when they flame-out of soccer will not even be qualified to COACH soccer, much less succeed in some other professional field, until then we will be nothing but the third rate pretenders we now are.
                            Until the faces of our NT players reflect the faces of the least privileged, least affluent--and, yes, least successful members of our society we will be hamstrung by a handicap of our own making: The knowledge that "soccer isn't everything.
                            Agree with above 100% twenty years ago but the "love of the game" pickup days are over forever, at least in the econmically advanced countries, same issue in Europe by the way. If you are familiar with basketball and AAU then surely you know that the future stars no longer earn the stripes on the blacktops. They are plucked at very early age play some 100 games a year and the cream of the crop then go to the elite basketball grooming prep schools.

                            The Iceland model is our best hope. You don't need to pluck from 2 million, 98% of those two million were already out of the loop by age 10 because of dufus soccer dads who knew nothing about the game that they never really played well. The u12 DAP model is a huge step in that direction. 3,000 committed soccer players at age 11 per year, the rest are rec players. Focus needs to be widening the funnel (to say 30,000 per year younger ages) by upgrading the professional training from 5 to 10 years. Dads stick with rec, current DAP to college generation hopefully gives back. Give it time.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              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?

                              Comment

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