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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]So American universities are recruiting soccer players from Europe to play on their college teams?

And people wonder why the USA woefully underperforms in soccer — both in its subpar MLS league and on the international stage.

300M+ people in the USA and yet “our” universities are importing soccer players from other countries.

Sad. [/quote]

I think you're mixing cause and effect.  This is a symptom, not a cause, of underperformance.[/quote]

I think you're downplaying a serious problem with one of the primary "feeder" systems into the USMNT. As in every other sport, NCAA collegiate athletics is an important step in the development of professional-quality sportsmen. Sure, there is a path to professional soccer that does not run through college (as is the case for baseball and other sports) but NCAA athletics is still a major pathway.

Stuffing "American" universities full of European soccer players for short-term gains eliminates those advanced development opportunities for American 18 year-olds and reduces the chances of the USA strengthening its own talent. It's not a "symptom" of anything but shortsightedness and selfishness on behalf of these "American" universities. [/quote]

Look college soccer both men’s and women’s is not a developmental path way. It is an end goal for travel soccer. The amount of playing time, level of competition, practice time, coaching, skill level, etc in college soccer is way below what you would find in a professional club’s second team or academy. The lack of technical skill is particularly glaring.

The coaching is 15-30 years behind what is going on at the top of the soccer world because there is no pressure to change. As a college coach you can go 10 years with no NCAA appearances and a break even or losing record. No one cares about college soccer- the colleges and universities presidents, major alumni, student body, general public, etc. Go to some games you will see it.

If college soccer was similar to the professional ranks, 90-95% of the players would be cut with the goal of offering a contract to 25% of those who are left. [/quote]

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