Nike Premier Cup

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many of the PDA players are going pro at 16-17-18-19?

The players at the European academies can sign anytime and start training full-time with professional players as soon as they sign. They don't have to worry about all the college recruiting BS.

That isn't necessarily true. Not every kid in an academy "makes it." Plenty are dropped from one or more academies. There are European and Latin American players who come to the U.S. to play and get an education. On the women's side you may have heard of Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly. Both played collegiate soccer in America.

In England, WSL players aren't making a lot of money. The lower level players even less or are part time players. It behooves them to get an education. A good number come to play in America for colleges. They have to be recruited. They can't just show up and say "Here I am. When do we start?"

lol England didn't establish a fully professional women's league until 2018. This is when Europe started to professionalize women’s soccer. Look at what they have done in 5-6 years! Bronze and Daly did not have a professional options in the UK at 18.

WSL average salary is 48,000 pound or $61,800. Average salary for a woman in the UK 18-20 is 20,000 pounds, 22-29 is 29,000 pounds. NWSL is $65,000 but does not include health insurance, housing or transportation. The 12 team WSL revenues for 2024 $86.2 million compared to $112 million for the 14 team NWSL. A good chunk of that is fees paid for the new teams. Though the WSL is much more profitable because they use the same facilities as the parent club.

Also there is the women’s champions league. The players get bonus based on their performance. Take Arsenal for example. Next year if they win all their group stage games and the final the team receives €1,195,000. The women Euros 2025 pay out is at the same level as for UEFA EURO 2020, i.e. a total of €331 million. That is 3 x the women’s World Cup pay out just for Europe! Money is driving the women’s European game.

European women playing in college in the US are not their professional academy players. Most are the ones who have been told they do not have what it takes to be a professional player. That starts to happen at 14-15 years old. They are still on average much much better vs the US players. NCAA men’s and women’s soccer is a huge step down from Europe in terms or speed of play, soccer IQ, coaching, development, technical skills and competitiveness.

European coaches select players with high technical skills and soccer IQ as opposed to the US selecting on size and athleticism. The US coaches are trying to win at u9-u15 while the European coaches are looking to develop a professional player by 18-20 years. By u15 the US system is done with a player and the focus is getting in to college. In Europe the selection and development is just starting.

Some facts…

But a lot of opinion.

Comparing professionals to college players is sort of silly.

European players that come to the US to play college are the same skill level as US players playing college…surprise!

Professionals, US or European (or Asian, or Africa, or Latin…) are largely faster, better technically, and have a higher soccer IQ than college players (not to mention the styles between pros and college largely different)…surprise again!!

Lots of illogic as well…European coaches “select” premade talent…while US coaches just focus on winning (with zero talent?!)…so no coaches are ever developing talent?! Wow!

At 15 development just begins in Europe, but in the US…where apparently no development happened because the focus was on winning only…the coaches? And/or players? Are only focused on college, because apparently colleges don't want players that were of high technical or high soccer iq…college coach’s also only want to win?

The Europhilia (or maybe Urophilia?) of some
American soccer parents is insane.

The US women’s youth national teams do exceptionally well in international competition…i guess that’s the “don’t develop, but win” coaching for you. Probably also explains why the European “select developed talent” then wait until they’re 15 to re?develop them for the pros? (What’s after youth career in Europe for the 99% who don’t go pro?) approach of European coaches is also highly competitive internationally….

Majority of the England and European Men's National teams have over 90% of players who started at U8 and U9 in professional academies.
Who's waiting till kids turn 15 to start development?

If you're starting at 15 for Pro ambitions your race is over before it started.

What do you know about being a pro athlete? Also what do you know about pro academies?

Not the PP, but they are right if they are talking about soccer. U15 is too late to start pro ambitions because the true top talent is already playing in the best academies. Other sports such as American football or basketball, can still achieve pro status starting at U15. The professional pathway is different for those sports.

Development starts before u9.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many of the PDA players are going pro at 16-17-18-19?

The players at the European academies can sign anytime and start training full-time with professional players as soon as they sign. They don't have to worry about all the college recruiting BS.

That isn't necessarily true. Not every kid in an academy "makes it." Plenty are dropped from one or more academies. There are European and Latin American players who come to the U.S. to play and get an education. On the women's side you may have heard of Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly. Both played collegiate soccer in America.

In England, WSL players aren't making a lot of money. The lower level players even less or are part time players. It behooves them to get an education. A good number come to play in America for colleges. They have to be recruited. They can't just show up and say "Here I am. When do we start?"

lol England didn't establish a fully professional women's league until 2018. This is when Europe started to professionalize women’s soccer. Look at what they have done in 5-6 years! Bronze and Daly did not have a professional options in the UK at 18.

WSL average salary is 48,000 pound or $61,800. Average salary for a woman in the UK 18-20 is 20,000 pounds, 22-29 is 29,000 pounds. NWSL is $65,000 but does not include health insurance, housing or transportation. The 12 team WSL revenues for 2024 $86.2 million compared to $112 million for the 14 team NWSL. A good chunk of that is fees paid for the new teams. Though the WSL is much more profitable because they use the same facilities as the parent club.

Also there is the women’s champions league. The players get bonus based on their performance. Take Arsenal for example. Next year if they win all their group stage games and the final the team receives €1,195,000. The women Euros 2025 pay out is at the same level as for UEFA EURO 2020, i.e. a total of €331 million. That is 3 x the women’s World Cup pay out just for Europe! Money is driving the women’s European game.

European women playing in college in the US are not their professional academy players. Most are the ones who have been told they do not have what it takes to be a professional player. That starts to happen at 14-15 years old. They are still on average much much better vs the US players. NCAA men’s and women’s soccer is a huge step down from Europe in terms or speed of play, soccer IQ, coaching, development, technical skills and competitiveness.

European coaches select players with high technical skills and soccer IQ as opposed to the US selecting on size and athleticism. The US coaches are trying to win at u9-u15 while the European coaches are looking to develop a professional player by 18-20 years. By u15 the US system is done with a player and the focus is getting in to college. In Europe the selection and development is just starting.

Some facts…

But a lot of opinion.

Comparing professionals to college players is sort of silly.

European players that come to the US to play college are the same skill level as US players playing college…surprise!

Professionals, US or European (or Asian, or Africa, or Latin…) are largely faster, better technically, and have a higher soccer IQ than college players (not to mention the styles between pros and college largely different)…surprise again!!

Lots of illogic as well…European coaches “select” premade talent…while US coaches just focus on winning (with zero talent?!)…so no coaches are ever developing talent?! Wow!

At 15 development just begins in Europe, but in the US…where apparently no development happened because the focus was on winning only…the coaches? And/or players? Are only focused on college, because apparently colleges don't want players that were of high technical or high soccer iq…college coach’s also only want to win?

The Europhilia (or maybe Urophilia?) of some
American soccer parents is insane.

The US women’s youth national teams do exceptionally well in international competition…i guess that’s the “don’t develop, but win” coaching for you. Probably also explains why the European “select developed talent” then wait until they’re 15 to re?develop them for the pros? (What’s after youth career in Europe for the 99% who don’t go pro?) approach of European coaches is also highly competitive internationally….

Majority of the England and European Men's National teams have over 90% of players who started at U8 and U9 in professional academies.
Who's waiting till kids turn 15 to start development?

If you're starting at 15 for Pro ambitions your race is over before it started.

What do you know about being a pro athlete? Also what do you know about pro academies?

Not the PP, but they are right if they are talking about soccer. U15 is too late to start pro ambitions because the true top talent is already playing in the best academies. Other sports such as American football or basketball, can still achieve pro status starting at U15. The professional pathway is different for those sports.

PP is likely asking these questions because they are tired of the blowhard dcum talking about academies in Europe like they’re a perfect soccer utopia. Tell me you know nothing about player development without telling me you know nothing about player development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many of the PDA players are going pro at 16-17-18-19?

The players at the European academies can sign anytime and start training full-time with professional players as soon as they sign. They don't have to worry about all the college recruiting BS.

That isn't necessarily true. Not every kid in an academy "makes it." Plenty are dropped from one or more academies. There are European and Latin American players who come to the U.S. to play and get an education. On the women's side you may have heard of Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly. Both played collegiate soccer in America.

In England, WSL players aren't making a lot of money. The lower level players even less or are part time players. It behooves them to get an education. A good number come to play in America for colleges. They have to be recruited. They can't just show up and say "Here I am. When do we start?"

lol England didn't establish a fully professional women's league until 2018. This is when Europe started to professionalize women’s soccer. Look at what they have done in 5-6 years! Bronze and Daly did not have a professional options in the UK at 18.

WSL average salary is 48,000 pound or $61,800. Average salary for a woman in the UK 18-20 is 20,000 pounds, 22-29 is 29,000 pounds. NWSL is $65,000 but does not include health insurance, housing or transportation. The 12 team WSL revenues for 2024 $86.2 million compared to $112 million for the 14 team NWSL. A good chunk of that is fees paid for the new teams. Though the WSL is much more profitable because they use the same facilities as the parent club.

Also there is the women’s champions league. The players get bonus based on their performance. Take Arsenal for example. Next year if they win all their group stage games and the final the team receives €1,195,000. The women Euros 2025 pay out is at the same level as for UEFA EURO 2020, i.e. a total of €331 million. That is 3 x the women’s World Cup pay out just for Europe! Money is driving the women’s European game.

European women playing in college in the US are not their professional academy players. Most are the ones who have been told they do not have what it takes to be a professional player. That starts to happen at 14-15 years old. They are still on average much much better vs the US players. NCAA men’s and women’s soccer is a huge step down from Europe in terms or speed of play, soccer IQ, coaching, development, technical skills and competitiveness.

European coaches select players with high technical skills and soccer IQ as opposed to the US selecting on size and athleticism. The US coaches are trying to win at u9-u15 while the European coaches are looking to develop a professional player by 18-20 years. By u15 the US system is done with a player and the focus is getting in to college. In Europe the selection and development is just starting.

Some facts…

But a lot of opinion.

Comparing professionals to college players is sort of silly.

European players that come to the US to play college are the same skill level as US players playing college…surprise!

Professionals, US or European (or Asian, or Africa, or Latin…) are largely faster, better technically, and have a higher soccer IQ than college players (not to mention the styles between pros and college largely different)…surprise again!!

Lots of illogic as well…European coaches “select” premade talent…while US coaches just focus on winning (with zero talent?!)…so no coaches are ever developing talent?! Wow!

At 15 development just begins in Europe, but in the US…where apparently no development happened because the focus was on winning only…the coaches? And/or players? Are only focused on college, because apparently colleges don't want players that were of high technical or high soccer iq…college coach’s also only want to win?

The Europhilia (or maybe Urophilia?) of some
American soccer parents is insane.

The US women’s youth national teams do exceptionally well in international competition…i guess that’s the “don’t develop, but win” coaching for you. Probably also explains why the European “select developed talent” then wait until they’re 15 to re?develop them for the pros? (What’s after youth career in Europe for the 99% who don’t go pro?) approach of European coaches is also highly competitive internationally….

Majority of the England and European Men's National teams have over 90% of players who started at U8 and U9 in professional academies.
Who's waiting till kids turn 15 to start development?

If you're starting at 15 for Pro ambitions your race is over before it started.

England is part of Europe. It's not "the Continent " but it is part of Europe.

11% (I believe, it may actually be lower) of kidsk who are begin in at an academy in the UK play professionally at any level. Not just the top level but any level. Loads of them are dropped from an academy after a few months because they don't have what it takes.

If you think 15 is the age kids (and more probably their parents) begin preparing to play at the highest level you are mistaken. There are kids, and their families, planning for this by 12. This isn't just for soccer but basketball, football, baseball and probably softball now that their is a professional league. Apologies to our hockey fans, probably that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many of the PDA players are going pro at 16-17-18-19?

The players at the European academies can sign anytime and start training full-time with professional players as soon as they sign. They don't have to worry about all the college recruiting BS.

That isn't necessarily true. Not every kid in an academy "makes it." Plenty are dropped from one or more academies. There are European and Latin American players who come to the U.S. to play and get an education. On the women's side you may have heard of Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly. Both played collegiate soccer in America.

In England, WSL players aren't making a lot of money. The lower level players even less or are part time players. It behooves them to get an education. A good number come to play in America for colleges. They have to be recruited. They can't just show up and say "Here I am. When do we start?"

lol England didn't establish a fully professional women's league until 2018. This is when Europe started to professionalize women’s soccer. Look at what they have done in 5-6 years! Bronze and Daly did not have a professional options in the UK at 18.

WSL average salary is 48,000 pound or $61,800. Average salary for a woman in the UK 18-20 is 20,000 pounds, 22-29 is 29,000 pounds. NWSL is $65,000 but does not include health insurance, housing or transportation. The 12 team WSL revenues for 2024 $86.2 million compared to $112 million for the 14 team NWSL. A good chunk of that is fees paid for the new teams. Though the WSL is much more profitable because they use the same facilities as the parent club.

Also there is the women’s champions league. The players get bonus based on their performance. Take Arsenal for example. Next year if they win all their group stage games and the final the team receives €1,195,000. The women Euros 2025 pay out is at the same level as for UEFA EURO 2020, i.e. a total of €331 million. That is 3 x the women’s World Cup pay out just for Europe! Money is driving the women’s European game.

European women playing in college in the US are not their professional academy players. Most are the ones who have been told they do not have what it takes to be a professional player. That starts to happen at 14-15 years old. They are still on average much much better vs the US players. NCAA men’s and women’s soccer is a huge step down from Europe in terms or speed of play, soccer IQ, coaching, development, technical skills and competitiveness.

European coaches select players with high technical skills and soccer IQ as opposed to the US selecting on size and athleticism. The US coaches are trying to win at u9-u15 while the European coaches are looking to develop a professional player by 18-20 years. By u15 the US system is done with a player and the focus is getting in to college. In Europe the selection and development is just starting.

Some facts…

But a lot of opinion.

Comparing professionals to college players is sort of silly.

European players that come to the US to play college are the same skill level as US players playing college…surprise!

Professionals, US or European (or Asian, or Africa, or Latin…) are largely faster, better technically, and have a higher soccer IQ than college players (not to mention the styles between pros and college largely different)…surprise again!!

Lots of illogic as well…European coaches “select” premade talent…while US coaches just focus on winning (with zero talent?!)…so no coaches are ever developing talent?! Wow!

At 15 development just begins in Europe, but in the US…where apparently no development happened because the focus was on winning only…the coaches? And/or players? Are only focused on college, because apparently colleges don't want players that were of high technical or high soccer iq…college coach’s also only want to win?

The Europhilia (or maybe Urophilia?) of some
American soccer parents is insane.

The US women’s youth national teams do exceptionally well in international competition…i guess that’s the “don’t develop, but win” coaching for you. Probably also explains why the European “select developed talent” then wait until they’re 15 to re?develop them for the pros? (What’s after youth career in Europe for the 99% who don’t go pro?) approach of European coaches is also highly competitive internationally….

Majority of the England and European Men's National teams have over 90% of players who started at U8 and U9 in professional academies.
Who's waiting till kids turn 15 to start development?

If you're starting at 15 for Pro ambitions your race is over before it started.

England is part of Europe. It's not "the Continent " but it is part of Europe.

11% (I believe, it may actually be lower) of kidsk who are begin in at an academy in the UK play professionally at any level. Not just the top level but any level. Loads of them are dropped from an academy after a few months because they don't have what it takes.

If you think 15 is the age kids (and more probably their parents) begin preparing to play at the highest level you are mistaken. There are kids, and their families, planning for this by 12. This isn't just for soccer but basketball, football, baseball and probably softball now that their is a professional league. Apologies to our hockey fans, probably that too.

Academies dad doesn’t want to hear this!

[Anonymous]

if the US's development is so good, why does our men's NT suck so bad? Why didn't the men compete in the Olympics? why is the best player on the men's side for the US not even in the Top 100 players internationally?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if the US's development is so good, why does our men's NT suck so bad? Why didn't the men compete in the Olympics? why is the best player on the men's side for the US not even in the Top 100 players internationally?

I don't think you really want an answer. However, this opinion piece does address your question. I think it is quite good and does make sense. It also somewhat addresses the "pay to play" model that some here love to bring up as well as "American coaches at youth level just want big and fast players." As for that complaint, I'd say it often comes from parents whose kids just aren't very good. Even if you aren't big or super fast, if you are a very good player, there will always be a place on a team for you.

My daughter played with a girl who wasn't big, or any kind of track star
She was above average probably but not lightning fast. The girl was however, smart, technically good and tough as nails. She never had a problem being in the team, was often asked to guest for other teams and is now playing up 2 years at a good club. Again, she isn't big nor exceptionally fast. She is a hard worker, has a good football brain, and tough.

https://urbanpitch.com/american-soccer-lagging-behind/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many of the PDA players are going pro at 16-17-18-19?

The players at the European academies can sign anytime and start training full-time with professional players as soon as they sign. They don't have to worry about all the college recruiting BS.

That isn't necessarily true. Not every kid in an academy "makes it." Plenty are dropped from one or more academies. There are European and Latin American players who come to the U.S. to play and get an education. On the women's side you may have heard of Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly. Both played collegiate soccer in America.

In England, WSL players aren't making a lot of money. The lower level players even less or are part time players. It behooves them to get an education. A good number come to play in America for colleges. They have to be recruited. They can't just show up and say "Here I am. When do we start?"

lol England didn't establish a fully professional women's league until 2018. This is when Europe started to professionalize women’s soccer. Look at what they have done in 5-6 years! Bronze and Daly did not have a professional options in the UK at 18.

WSL average salary is 48,000 pound or $61,800. Average salary for a woman in the UK 18-20 is 20,000 pounds, 22-29 is 29,000 pounds. NWSL is $65,000 but does not include health insurance, housing or transportation. The 12 team WSL revenues for 2024 $86.2 million compared to $112 million for the 14 team NWSL. A good chunk of that is fees paid for the new teams. Though the WSL is much more profitable because they use the same facilities as the parent club.

Also there is the women’s champions league. The players get bonus based on their performance. Take Arsenal for example. Next year if they win all their group stage games and the final the team receives €1,195,000. The women Euros 2025 pay out is at the same level as for UEFA EURO 2020, i.e. a total of €331 million. That is 3 x the women’s World Cup pay out just for Europe! Money is driving the women’s European game.

European women playing in college in the US are not their professional academy players. Most are the ones who have been told they do not have what it takes to be a professional player. That starts to happen at 14-15 years old. They are still on average much much better vs the US players. NCAA men’s and women’s soccer is a huge step down from Europe in terms or speed of play, soccer IQ, coaching, development, technical skills and competitiveness.

European coaches select players with high technical skills and soccer IQ as opposed to the US selecting on size and athleticism. The US coaches are trying to win at u9-u15 while the European coaches are looking to develop a professional player by 18-20 years. By u15 the US system is done with a player and the focus is getting in to college. In Europe the selection and development is just starting.

Some facts…

But a lot of opinion.

Comparing professionals to college players is sort of silly.

European players that come to the US to play college are the same skill level as US players playing college…surprise!

Professionals, US or European (or Asian, or Africa, or Latin…) are largely faster, better technically, and have a higher soccer IQ than college players (not to mention the styles between pros and college largely different)…surprise again!!

Lots of illogic as well…European coaches “select” premade talent…while US coaches just focus on winning (with zero talent?!)…so no coaches are ever developing talent?! Wow!

At 15 development just begins in Europe, but in the US…where apparently no development happened because the focus was on winning only…the coaches? And/or players? Are only focused on college, because apparently colleges don't want players that were of high technical or high soccer iq…college coach’s also only want to win?

The Europhilia (or maybe Urophilia?) of some
American soccer parents is insane.

The US women’s youth national teams do exceptionally well in international competition…i guess that’s the “don’t develop, but win” coaching for you. Probably also explains why the European “select developed talent” then wait until they’re 15 to re?develop them for the pros? (What’s after youth career in Europe for the 99% who don’t go pro?) approach of European coaches is also highly competitive internationally….

Majority of the England and European Men's National teams have over 90% of players who started at U8 and U9 in professional academies.
Who's waiting till kids turn 15 to start development?

If you're starting at 15 for Pro ambitions your race is over before it started.

England is part of Europe. It's not "the Continent " but it is part of Europe.

11% (I believe, it may actually be lower) of kidsk who are begin in at an academy in the UK play professionally at any level. Not just the top level but any level. Loads of them are dropped from an academy after a few months because they don't have what it takes.

If you think 15 is the age kids (and more probably their parents) begin preparing to play at the highest level you are mistaken. There are kids, and their families, planning for this by 12. This isn't just for soccer but basketball, football, baseball and probably softball now that their is a professional league. Apologies to our hockey fans, probably that too.

Academies dad doesn’t want to hear this!

No one wants to hear gibberish.
The response you're praising completely missed the comment the PP made

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many of the PDA players are going pro at 16-17-18-19?

The players at the European academies can sign anytime and start training full-time with professional players as soon as they sign. They don't have to worry about all the college recruiting BS.

That isn't necessarily true. Not every kid in an academy "makes it." Plenty are dropped from one or more academies. There are European and Latin American players who come to the U.S. to play and get an education. On the women's side you may have heard of Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly. Both played collegiate soccer in America.

In England, WSL players aren't making a lot of money. The lower level players even less or are part time players. It behooves them to get an education. A good number come to play in America for colleges. They have to be recruited. They can't just show up and say "Here I am. When do we start?"

lol England didn't establish a fully professional women's league until 2018. This is when Europe started to professionalize women’s soccer. Look at what they have done in 5-6 years! Bronze and Daly did not have a professional options in the UK at 18.

WSL average salary is 48,000 pound or $61,800. Average salary for a woman in the UK 18-20 is 20,000 pounds, 22-29 is 29,000 pounds. NWSL is $65,000 but does not include health insurance, housing or transportation. The 12 team WSL revenues for 2024 $86.2 million compared to $112 million for the 14 team NWSL. A good chunk of that is fees paid for the new teams. Though the WSL is much more profitable because they use the same facilities as the parent club.

Also there is the women’s champions league. The players get bonus based on their performance. Take Arsenal for example. Next year if they win all their group stage games and the final the team receives €1,195,000. The women Euros 2025 pay out is at the same level as for UEFA EURO 2020, i.e. a total of €331 million. That is 3 x the women’s World Cup pay out just for Europe! Money is driving the women’s European game.

European women playing in college in the US are not their professional academy players. Most are the ones who have been told they do not have what it takes to be a professional player. That starts to happen at 14-15 years old. They are still on average much much better vs the US players. NCAA men’s and women’s soccer is a huge step down from Europe in terms or speed of play, soccer IQ, coaching, development, technical skills and competitiveness.

European coaches select players with high technical skills and soccer IQ as opposed to the US selecting on size and athleticism. The US coaches are trying to win at u9-u15 while the European coaches are looking to develop a professional player by 18-20 years. By u15 the US system is done with a player and the focus is getting in to college. In Europe the selection and development is just starting.

Some facts…

But a lot of opinion.

Comparing professionals to college players is sort of silly.

European players that come to the US to play college are the same skill level as US players playing college…surprise!

Professionals, US or European (or Asian, or Africa, or Latin…) are largely faster, better technically, and have a higher soccer IQ than college players (not to mention the styles between pros and college largely different)…surprise again!!

Lots of illogic as well…European coaches “select” premade talent…while US coaches just focus on winning (with zero talent?!)…so no coaches are ever developing talent?! Wow!

At 15 development just begins in Europe, but in the US…where apparently no development happened because the focus was on winning only…the coaches? And/or players? Are only focused on college, because apparently colleges don't want players that were of high technical or high soccer iq…college coach’s also only want to win?

The Europhilia (or maybe Urophilia?) of some
American soccer parents is insane.

The US women’s youth national teams do exceptionally well in international competition…i guess that’s the “don’t develop, but win” coaching for you. Probably also explains why the European “select developed talent” then wait until they’re 15 to re?develop them for the pros? (What’s after youth career in Europe for the 99% who don’t go pro?) approach of European coaches is also highly competitive internationally….

Majority of the England and European Men's National teams have over 90% of players who started at U8 and U9 in professional academies.
Who's waiting till kids turn 15 to start development?

If you're starting at 15 for Pro ambitions your race is over before it started.

England is part of Europe. It's not "the Continent " but it is part of Europe.

11% (I believe, it may actually be lower) of kidsk who are begin in at an academy in the UK play professionally at any level. Not just the top level but any level. Loads of them are dropped from an academy after a few months because they don't have what it takes.

If you think 15 is the age kids (and more probably their parents) begin preparing to play at the highest level you are mistaken. There are kids, and their families, planning for this by 12. This isn't just for soccer but basketball, football, baseball and probably softball now that their is a professional league. Apologies to our hockey fans, probably that too.

The PP you're responding to clearly stated 15 is too late to start development for a professional career.
But it seems you're too focused on making a point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the US's development is so good, why does our men's NT suck so bad? Why didn't the men compete in the Olympics? why is the best player on the men's side for the US not even in the Top 100 players internationally?

I don't think you really want an answer. However, this opinion piece does address your question. I think it is quite good and does make sense. It also somewhat addresses the "pay to play" model that some here love to bring up as well as "American coaches at youth level just want big and fast players." As for that complaint, I'd say it often comes from parents whose kids just aren't very good. Even if you aren't big or super fast, if you are a very good player, there will always be a place on a team for you.

My daughter played with a girl who wasn't big, or any kind of track star
She was above average probably but not lightning fast. The girl was however, smart, technically good and tough as nails. She never had a problem being in the team, was often asked to guest for other teams and is now playing up 2 years at a good club. Again, she isn't big nor exceptionally fast. She is a hard worker, has a good football brain, and tough.

https://urbanpitch.com/american-soccer-lagging-behind/

Anyone saying the youth sports selection process doesn't favor bigger faster early developers is displaying gross ignorance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the US's development is so good, why does our men's NT suck so bad? Why didn't the men compete in the Olympics? why is the best player on the men's side for the US not even in the Top 100 players internationally?

I don't think you really want an answer. However, this opinion piece does address your question. I think it is quite good and does make sense. It also somewhat addresses the "pay to play" model that some here love to bring up as well as "American coaches at youth level just want big and fast players." As for that complaint, I'd say it often comes from parents whose kids just aren't very good. Even if you aren't big or super fast, if you are a very good player, there will always be a place on a team for you.

My daughter played with a girl who wasn't big, or any kind of track star
She was above average probably but not lightning fast. The girl was however, smart, technically good and tough as nails. She never had a problem being in the team, was often asked to guest for other teams and is now playing up 2 years at a good club. Again, she isn't big nor exceptionally fast. She is a hard worker, has a good football brain, and tough.

https://urbanpitch.com/american-soccer-lagging-behind/

Anyone saying the youth sports selection process doesn't favor bigger faster early developers is displaying gross ignorance

Nobody has said that. What was said was if you are not the biggest but very good there will be a place for you. And I still contend a lot of the moaning parents saying their child isn't picked for whatever team because they aren't the biggest or fastest don't have a kid who is putting in hours every week on their own outside of practice to become better, faster and and stronger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the US's development is so good, why does our men's NT suck so bad? Why didn't the men compete in the Olympics? why is the best player on the men's side for the US not even in the Top 100 players internationally?

I don't think you really want an answer. However, this opinion piece does address your question. I think it is quite good and does make sense. It also somewhat addresses the "pay to play" model that some here love to bring up as well as "American coaches at youth level just want big and fast players." As for that complaint, I'd say it often comes from parents whose kids just aren't very good. Even if you aren't big or super fast, if you are a very good player, there will always be a place on a team for you.

My daughter played with a girl who wasn't big, or any kind of track star
She was above average probably but not lightning fast. The girl was however, smart, technically good and tough as nails. She never had a problem being in the team, was often asked to guest for other teams and is now playing up 2 years at a good club. Again, she isn't big nor exceptionally fast. She is a hard worker, has a good football brain, and tough.

https://urbanpitch.com/american-soccer-lagging-behind/

Anyone saying the youth sports selection process doesn't favor bigger faster early developers is displaying gross ignorance

Nobody has said that. What was said was if you are not the biggest but very good there will be a place for you. And I still contend a lot of the moaning parents saying their child isn't picked for whatever team because they aren't the biggest or fastest don't have a kid who is putting in hours every week on their own outside of practice to become better, faster and and stronger.

Are you living in a cave or tiny bubble where you actually believe only parents know of biased selection for early physical bloomers?
All the research, studies and eyeballs belong just to moaning parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many of the PDA players are going pro at 16-17-18-19?

The players at the European academies can sign anytime and start training full-time with professional players as soon as they sign. They don't have to worry about all the college recruiting BS.

That isn't necessarily true. Not every kid in an academy "makes it." Plenty are dropped from one or more academies. There are European and Latin American players who come to the U.S. to play and get an education. On the women's side you may have heard of Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly. Both played collegiate soccer in America.

In England, WSL players aren't making a lot of money. The lower level players even less or are part time players. It behooves them to get an education. A good number come to play in America for colleges. They have to be recruited. They can't just show up and say "Here I am. When do we start?"

lol England didn't establish a fully professional women's league until 2018. This is when Europe started to professionalize women’s soccer. Look at what they have done in 5-6 years! Bronze and Daly did not have a professional options in the UK at 18.

WSL average salary is 48,000 pound or $61,800. Average salary for a woman in the UK 18-20 is 20,000 pounds, 22-29 is 29,000 pounds. NWSL is $65,000 but does not include health insurance, housing or transportation. The 12 team WSL revenues for 2024 $86.2 million compared to $112 million for the 14 team NWSL. A good chunk of that is fees paid for the new teams. Though the WSL is much more profitable because they use the same facilities as the parent club.

Also there is the women’s champions league. The players get bonus based on their performance. Take Arsenal for example. Next year if they win all their group stage games and the final the team receives €1,195,000. The women Euros 2025 pay out is at the same level as for UEFA EURO 2020, i.e. a total of €331 million. That is 3 x the women’s World Cup pay out just for Europe! Money is driving the women’s European game.

European women playing in college in the US are not their professional academy players. Most are the ones who have been told they do not have what it takes to be a professional player. That starts to happen at 14-15 years old. They are still on average much much better vs the US players. NCAA men’s and women’s soccer is a huge step down from Europe in terms or speed of play, soccer IQ, coaching, development, technical skills and competitiveness.

European coaches select players with high technical skills and soccer IQ as opposed to the US selecting on size and athleticism. The US coaches are trying to win at u9-u15 while the European coaches are looking to develop a professional player by 18-20 years. By u15 the US system is done with a player and the focus is getting in to college. In Europe the selection and development is just starting.

Some facts…

But a lot of opinion.

Comparing professionals to college players is sort of silly.

European players that come to the US to play college are the same skill level as US players playing college…surprise!

Professionals, US or European (or Asian, or Africa, or Latin…) are largely faster, better technically, and have a higher soccer IQ than college players (not to mention the styles between pros and college largely different)…surprise again!!

Lots of illogic as well…European coaches “select” premade talent…while US coaches just focus on winning (with zero talent?!)…so no coaches are ever developing talent?! Wow!

At 15 development just begins in Europe, but in the US…where apparently no development happened because the focus was on winning only…the coaches? And/or players? Are only focused on college, because apparently colleges don't want players that were of high technical or high soccer iq…college coach’s also only want to win?

The Europhilia (or maybe Urophilia?) of some
American soccer parents is insane.

The US women’s youth national teams do exceptionally well in international competition…i guess that’s the “don’t develop, but win” coaching for you. Probably also explains why the European “select developed talent” then wait until they’re 15 to re?develop them for the pros? (What’s after youth career in Europe for the 99% who don’t go pro?) approach of European coaches is also highly competitive internationally….

Majority of the England and European Men's National teams have over 90% of players who started at U8 and U9 in professional academies.
Who's waiting till kids turn 15 to start development?

If you're starting at 15 for Pro ambitions your race is over before it started.

What do you know about being a pro athlete? Also what do you know about pro academies?

How dumb is it to challenge someone's knowledge or experience or personal affiliation on an anonymous forum 🤣