re: US Soccer's lack of stars

I have seen several arguments all of which I think have played a big role in limiting the development of talent - inability to identify talent early on, competition with other sports for top athletes, lack of top level coaching, poor training techniques.

While all of these have been issues lets look back to where we were and how fast we got here. Since hosting the World Cup we have seen the development of a domestic league that is really starting to develop some great talent, our youth system has improved and a select few young players are starting to trickle into top tier youth systems. Even small things like much more informed and intelligent debate on forums such as this have shown the growth in us soccer. 20 years ago our national team was 6 players deep with marginal players filling out the roster. Now we are 30 deep with great talent. Saying we don't have any world class players may be a bit off. I think Bradley, deuce, Donovan and Howard would definitely be in any teams pool. I don't know of any country who wouldn't want jozy now with 10 solid years ahead of him. And the rest of the pool is better than we've ever seen. Moves like bringing deuce to Mls and 8 million a year makes soccer a more attractive option for top athletes. If we grow Half as fast over next 20 year as we have
The last 20 there may be no equals given our depth and resources.

One thing I've wondered is how social media and general availability of pro soccer on tv have impacted the growth in the us. When I was a kid we were lucky to see one ft Lauderdale vs cosmos game per year on wild world of sports. Now we have games available 24/7 as well as YouTube etc. I would have loved to have that access to games and I think it would have allowed me to have a better understanding of the game. Kids in the traditional powerhouses have always had access to top games both live and on tv. I think it helps to see the way pros play everyday then try to emulate it.

Just a few random thoughts

First of all, even though soccer is popular at the elementary school level, it's nowhere near one of our countries most popular sports. Most of our best athletes either play football or basketball, and depending on what part of the country you live in, baseball or hockey.
Added to that, of the few Americans that get opportunities to play in the top leagues abroad, only a few of them have been able to compete at that level.
People from other countries already look down on us because we call it soccer, instead of football. So, what I've said above just adds to that stigma.

The problem definitely isn't that our athletes aren't good enough. That narrative needs to die.

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This figure is WAY out of whack. At least for France, and probably England and Germany, as well. I´d venture to say it´s off for Argentina as well, and as for Brazil, I´ve really got no clue, but would think it´s probably a tad bit optimistic.

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so its a lot less than that? What % would you say it is or has been over the last century?

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People from other countries already look down on us because we call it soccer, instead of football.

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Yeah, that's what is really holding us back.

The USA isn't the only country to call it soccer, either. And I don't think many people were looking down upon South Africa when the World Cup Final was played in Soccer City in 2010.

ETA: Though of course there are some English people give the US shite for calling it soccer but what you said isn't really relevant to the thread.

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so its a lot less than that? What % would you say it is or has been over the last century?

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Probably 70% for the European countries cited, and that figure is surely too high for France.

Argentina and especially Brazil, are likely higher, but I won´t venture a guess as to an approximate figure.

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Saying England isn't on par with the top 3 or 4 national teams is like saying Virginia Tech isn't on par with Alabama in football.

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comparing England to VT

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So what do you want them to do? Stop trying? Put out an announcement before every major tournament that they are no threat to win it?

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Of course not. It's always entertaining to hear the surprise from their fans and media when they lose to the first real contender they play.

After thinking about it a little bit, I think I probably went too far. While my opinion about England's status as a legitimate contender is sincere, I probably went too far with some of the other things I said, based on personal dislike of certain players as well as things I've heard from their media, players, and a few of their fans over the years. I know most England fans don't really expect them to win every time.

Sorry to bump a thread that was likely about to be buried, but I felt like I had to say that.

I don't think 70 percent is high for France. Sounds about right, actually.