US Mens National soccer team

[Anonymous]

Sports General forum is full of kids sports talk. that's why this thread is here.

USA lost to Mexico today in the final of Gold Cup. This includes North and Central American teams and is played every two years. This tournament was a preview of World Cup which will be held in North America summer 2026.

Why does it seem like the US Mens soccer team is not as strong as the other countries'? They are #16 or 17 in Fifa rankings next to Mexico so the two teams are comparable but the other one seemed much stronger.

What's happening in boys and men's soccer programs in the great US of A? What could make them stronger for next year's world cup? They are probably a young team but it seems like they are a new and young bunch each year. Maybe the players don't stick around and choose to play for a club in Europe instead?

[Anonymous]

We have the athletes. The problems are culture, management, and opportunities. A world class national team needs to play against world class players in their day to day world - and that's not here. Everyone pretty much needs to go to Europe by 16 to play at the highest levels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sports General forum is full of kids sports talk. that's why this thread is here.

USA lost to Mexico today in the final of Gold Cup. This includes North and Central American teams and is played every two years. This tournament was a preview of World Cup which will be held in North America summer 2026.

Why does it seem like the US Mens soccer team is not as strong as the other countries'? They are #16 or 17 in Fifa rankings next to Mexico so the two teams are comparable but the other one seemed much stronger.

What's happening in boys and men's soccer programs in the great US of A? What could make them stronger for next year's world cup? They are probably a young team but it seems like they are a new and young bunch each year. Maybe the players don't stick around and choose to play for a club in Europe instead?

The speed of play is slow. You could see it during this game. The US players would hold the ball too long, have bad first touch and pass too late. This is why the Mexican players were able to intercept passes. Watch real madrid vs psg on Wednesday or watch the psg vs bayern game played on Saturday and compare it to the US vs Mexico game. Watch how fast the ball moves and how the ball is controlled with one touch under pressure.

Speed of play is a combination of technical skill, mental processing and developing this skill. The difference between the US and the rest of the world in soccer is development from 14/15-18. The pay to play system and playing in college keeps a lot of players playing in the US system who would otherwise not be playing in a professional system.

In other countries they are down to the top 1-2% by 16 and only technical players play after 17. Playing with other technical players develops a higher speed of play because all the players on the field are able to play with one or two touches. No one waiting on balls. Also in a professional system the defense is played at a much higher level consistently(practice and games). This is the big difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sports General forum is full of kids sports talk. that's why this thread is here.

USA lost to Mexico today in the final of Gold Cup. This includes North and Central American teams and is played every two years. This tournament was a preview of World Cup which will be held in North America summer 2026.

Why does it seem like the US Mens soccer team is not as strong as the other countries'? They are #16 or 17 in Fifa rankings next to Mexico so the two teams are comparable but the other one seemed much stronger.

What's happening in boys and men's soccer programs in the great US of A? What could make them stronger for next year's world cup? They are probably a young team but it seems like they are a new and young bunch each year. Maybe the players don't stick around and choose to play for a club in Europe instead?

The speed of play is slow. You could see it during this game. The US players would hold the ball too long, have bad first touch and pass too late. This is why the Mexican players were able to intercept passes. Watch real madrid vs psg on Wednesday or watch the psg vs bayern game played on Saturday and compare it to the US vs Mexico game. Watch how fast the ball moves and how the ball is controlled with one touch under pressure.

Speed of play is a combination of technical skill, mental processing and developing this skill. The difference between the US and the rest of the world in soccer is development from 14/15-18. The pay to play system and playing in college keeps a lot of players playing in the US system who would otherwise not be playing in a professional system.

In other countries they are down to the top 1-2% by 16 and only technical players play after 17. Playing with other technical players develops a higher speed of play because all the players on the field are able to play with one or two touches. No one waiting on balls. Also in a professional system the defense is played at a much higher level consistently(practice and games). This is the big difference.

Agreed. Sad to say, some guests who were watching today were joking that US team looked like a local high school team. Maybe a step above but it looked like they were passing and doing drills as they do in an after school practice. No fancy footwork either. Luna had energy. If Pulisic (who wasn't on roster) getting better as a player will play for US next year.

[Anonymous]

This was the US’s “B” team.

[Anonymous]

The problem is deeper and systemic: the pay-to-play model we have in the US means we're missing out on tons of raw talent who never get the chance to develop into great players

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is deeper and systemic: the pay-to-play model we have in the US means we're missing out on tons of raw talent who never get the chance to develop into great players

Agree we have a huge population but realistically you have to be relatively wealthy to have your kids play soccer. We do better in basketball, where there are more opportunities for any kid to develop their talent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is deeper and systemic: the pay-to-play model we have in the US means we're missing out on tons of raw talent who never get the chance to develop into great players

Agree we have a huge population but realistically you have to be relatively wealthy to have your kids play soccer. We do better in basketball, where there are more opportunities for any kid to develop their talent.

Which is exactly what the PP is saying the problem is...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is deeper and systemic: the pay-to-play model we have in the US means we're missing out on tons of raw talent who never get the chance to develop into great players

Agree we have a huge population but realistically you have to be relatively wealthy to have your kids play soccer. We do better in basketball, where there are more opportunities for any kid to develop their talent.

Basketball is a much smaller court and requires fewer people per team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is deeper and systemic: the pay-to-play model we have in the US means we're missing out on tons of raw talent who never get the chance to develop into great players

Agree. At our suburban HS, the intake form for tryouts asks for the team the kids play on. With 100+ kids trying out, coaches seem to focus their attention on the kids from the best travel teams. Per my kids (who did not try out so no skin in this), there are a fair number of mostly Latino and African immigrant kids who are amazing but either don’t play in an organized way or only play rec and don’t get serious consideration. Travel soccer is expensive. Really stupid system as soccer is really a sport meant for anyone.

[Anonymous]

Take it to the soccer forum

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is deeper and systemic: the pay-to-play model we have in the US means we're missing out on tons of raw talent who never get the chance to develop into great players

Agree we have a huge population but realistically you have to be relatively wealthy to have your kids play soccer. We do better in basketball, where there are more opportunities for any kid to develop their talent.

Basketball is a much smaller court and requires fewer people per team.

I take it you aren't at the AAU tournament in Disney. Or Hershey. Or VA Beach. OR etc etc. The rat race in basketball is just as bad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sports General forum is full of kids sports talk. that's why this thread is here.

USA lost to Mexico today in the final of Gold Cup. This includes North and Central American teams and is played every two years. This tournament was a preview of World Cup which will be held in North America summer 2026.

Why does it seem like the US Mens soccer team is not as strong as the other countries'? They are #16 or 17 in Fifa rankings next to Mexico so the two teams are comparable but the other one seemed much stronger.

What's happening in boys and men's soccer programs in the great US of A? What could make them stronger for next year's world cup? They are probably a young team but it seems like they are a new and young bunch each year. Maybe the players don't stick around and choose to play for a club in Europe instead?

There is a whole soccer forum for people to complain about why isn’t the USMNT better

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is deeper and systemic: the pay-to-play model we have in the US means we're missing out on tons of raw talent who never get the chance to develop into great players

Agree we have a huge population but realistically you have to be relatively wealthy to have your kids play soccer. We do better in basketball, where there are more opportunities for any kid to develop their talent.

Basketball is a much smaller court and requires fewer people per team.

I take it you aren't at the AAU tournament in Disney. Or Hershey. Or VA Beach. OR etc etc. The rat race in basketball is just as bad

I didn't anything about the rat race. The sport is more accessible. Even in the city, you can squeeze in a indoor basketball court. Try that with baseball or soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The problem is deeper and systemic: the pay-to-play model we have in the US means we're missing out on tons of raw talent who never get the chance to develop into great players

Agree we have a huge population but realistically you have to be relatively wealthy to have your kids play soccer. We do better in basketball, where there are more opportunities for any kid to develop their talent.

Basketball is a much smaller court and requires fewer people per team.

I take it you aren't at the AAU tournament in Disney. Or Hershey. Or VA Beach. OR etc etc. The rat race in basketball is just as bad

I didn't anything about the rat race. The sport is more accessible. Even in the city, you can squeeze in an indoor basketball court. Try that with baseball or soccer.

NP here, the high level basketball pipeline has changed over the last 20 years. Similar to soccer, it has also become a sport for families with $$.