Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this were a city like paris, the hotbed of talent would be the eastern half of DC. High population density and kids aspiring towards the dream of becoming a superstar and escaping their circumstances. The best players would come from there hands down. But our system is screwed up and it doesn't work like that.

Except for the fact the kids in Paris like soccer and kids in SE, DC do not. They like basketball and football.

Also, the likelihood of the kids making it out through sports is slim to none in Paris. Here l, we have a college network that assist in this manner.

And let’s be real, a college educated adult makes more that these MLS players.

Take a hard look at the other side of the coin. For every kid that makes it to the pros. 5 million didn’t.

Anonymous wrote:When you look at the percentage of the current MNT that got there by escaping to Europe before DA could run their career it's not so surprising that there aren't many DMV players making it. When you add in that DCU ran the least successful of the MLS DA programs it's even less surprising. For years the region's top talent went to DCU in their early teens to stall their development. Add to that the entire DA system was set up to prevent competition from smaller clubs it's not surprising that mediocrity was the outcome. MLS next promises to be more of the same. Until we get a new federation with a mission to develop soccer instead of fatten wallets we will be stuck with the same and the main path for future national team players will be to hold a European passport.

Anonymous wrote:If this were a city like paris, the hotbed of talent would be the eastern half of DC. High population density and kids aspiring towards the dream of becoming a superstar and escaping their circumstances. The best players would come from there hands down. But our system is screwed up and it doesn't work like that.

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do some of the best players in the world come from the inner city poverty stricken areas of Europe? But the USAs best players come from suburban upper middle class or wealthier communities. Is it exposure and opportunity ? I would like to hear from Ranting Soccer Dad ( because I honestly respect his views and unbiased opinions more than most) But want to hear everyones view.

1. Cost is still a barrier, as is time. Tough to tell a parent working long hours just to get by that he/she is supposed to drive someone all over the place.

2. Related to that -- too much "travel" in "travel soccer." No one ever got better sitting in a car or a plane.

3. Too much scouting taking place at tournaments that are havens for wealthier families.

4. Chaotic scouting system. Germany has national training center programs that blanket the country.

5. Other sports are more ingrained in this country. Poverty-stricken areas in this country have basketball courts, not soccer facilities. There are some movements to change that, either with small soccer pitches or just some goals so a basketball court can be used for futsal.

3a - Too much parental influence into scouting. Until they reach college age, kids are referred to national teams by coaches who are greatly influenced by parents. Yes this includes our international players too. How else would Norway or Spain find out about our kids? Those scouts aren't coming to showcases in NC or AZ. If the parents try hard enough, they kids will get referred to NTC. From there, better college offers. Less wealthy kids are bumped out of scholarships.

Anonymous wrote:

RantingSoccerDad wrote:I hadn't really thought about this until it came up in the PAC thread of all places, but is the DMV failing to produce good players?

The only player I could find who has been near the men's national team recently is Bill Hamid. The WNT is a bit better -- Andi Sullivan, Midge Purce, Emily Fox and Ali Krieger.

SoCal is always going to be the biggest source of players. But the DMV is trailing Colorado and Atlanta, among other places.

Are we doing something wrong? Or is this what we would expect?

You need to do a bit more research.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do some of the best players in the world come from the inner city poverty stricken areas of Europe? But the USAs best players come from suburban upper middle class or wealthier communities. Is it exposure and opportunity ? I would like to hear from Ranting Soccer Dad ( because I honestly respect his views and unbiased opinions more than most) But want to hear everyones view.

1. Cost is still a barrier, as is time. Tough to tell a parent working long hours just to get by that he/she is supposed to drive someone all over the place.

2. Related to that -- too much "travel" in "travel soccer." No one ever got better sitting in a car or a plane.

3. Too much scouting taking place at tournaments that are havens for wealthier families.

4. Chaotic scouting system. Germany has national training center programs that blanket the country.

5. Other sports are more ingrained in this country. Poverty-stricken areas in this country have basketball courts, not soccer facilities. There are some movements to change that, either with small soccer pitches or just some goals so a basketball court can be used for futsal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a job, Beau - a real one.

Who’s beau?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a job, Beau - a real one.

Who’s beau?

Anonymous wrote:Get a job, Beau - a real one.

RantingSoccerDad wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do some of the best players in the world come from the inner city poverty stricken areas of Europe? But the USAs best players come from suburban upper middle class or wealthier communities. Is it exposure and opportunity ? I would like to hear from Ranting Soccer Dad ( because I honestly respect his views and unbiased opinions more than most) But want to hear everyones view.

1. Cost is still a barrier, as is time. Tough to tell a parent working long hours just to get by that he/she is supposed to drive someone all over the place.

2. Related to that -- too much "travel" in "travel soccer." No one ever got better sitting in a car or a plane.

3. Too much scouting taking place at tournaments that are havens for wealthier families.

4. Chaotic scouting system. Germany has national training center programs that blanket the country.

5. Other sports are more ingrained in this country. Poverty-stricken areas in this country have basketball courts, not soccer facilities. There are some movements to change that, either with small soccer pitches or just some goals so a basketball court can be used for futsal.

Anonymous wrote:Oguchi onweyu is from the area.

Anonymous wrote:Poverty stricken areas are literally talent hotbeds for soccer.