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Are Americans just naturally late bloomers?
Posted on 3/4/13 at 2:15 pm
Posted on 3/4/13 at 2:15 pm
Name the best American soccer player today? Clint Dempsey? Landon Donovan? Altidore is scoring a shedload of goals right now and Tim Howard is still the beast he's always been. Now think about whose widely regarded as the best player on the planet? Messi, Ronadlo, Xavi, Rooney? Think of their ages, all those previously mentioned kids reached 5 star status by the age of 22 or younger. Americans? our stars mostly hit their prime around 25 and older. Look at our past and you'll see Alexi Lalas hit Italy at 24, Claudio Reyna hit his stride around 26 at Rangers and City. Brian McBride was a key part of the US attack into his 30s and probably would have helped our lackluster offense at the 2010 world cup (face it, he could probably do better than 0 goals in 4 matches). Hell, the one position American's have respected history in is goalkeeper. A position that is globally accepted as a late blooming job.
So... our we a nation of Ryan Giggs'
It would appear that way. The American training system through out almost all sports focuses on the high school-college-pro paradigm and it's been like that for generations. It's not mental anymore it's possibly physical now, us red, white and blues peak around 24-25ish. Obviously there are exceptions, but think about them, we almost consider them freaks. Kids like Missy Franklin, Johnny Football, Gabby Douglas... the list of outstanding teens and 20 year olds is actually quite low when you think about it. Infact some sports discourage crazy talent from jumping up too fast. Football requires 3 years of college while basketball demands at least 1 year.
So what now? Do we need to change? Do we need to conform to the world and start developing from age 5 like Brazilians and Italians do? Some would argue we already do with little league and pop warner football but it's really nothing like the structure and academies that the soccer powers implement.
Should America embrace our late blooming status? Should be consider guys like Stuart Holden, Shea, Torres and Williams as only just approaching their prime? Should we just not panic when our 20 years olds aren't leading the their league in goals scored or starting for United or Barcelona?
So... our we a nation of Ryan Giggs'
It would appear that way. The American training system through out almost all sports focuses on the high school-college-pro paradigm and it's been like that for generations. It's not mental anymore it's possibly physical now, us red, white and blues peak around 24-25ish. Obviously there are exceptions, but think about them, we almost consider them freaks. Kids like Missy Franklin, Johnny Football, Gabby Douglas... the list of outstanding teens and 20 year olds is actually quite low when you think about it. Infact some sports discourage crazy talent from jumping up too fast. Football requires 3 years of college while basketball demands at least 1 year.
So what now? Do we need to change? Do we need to conform to the world and start developing from age 5 like Brazilians and Italians do? Some would argue we already do with little league and pop warner football but it's really nothing like the structure and academies that the soccer powers implement.
Should America embrace our late blooming status? Should be consider guys like Stuart Holden, Shea, Torres and Williams as only just approaching their prime? Should we just not panic when our 20 years olds aren't leading the their league in goals scored or starting for United or Barcelona?
Posted on 3/4/13 at 2:17 pm to Lordofwrath88
We don't have the same youth setups as Europe. It takes our players longer to develop.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 2:27 pm to hendersonshands
quote:
We don't have the same youth setups as Europe. It takes our players longer to develop.
and that's that.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 3:01 pm to Harry Caray
Donovan won the Golden Ball at the 1999 U-17 World Championship and Best Young Player at the 2002 World Cup, so he was definitely not a late bloomer. The other players are a mix, so we're about the same as most European teams. Mexico is the opposite - many of their players are over-the-hill at 23.
This post was edited on 3/4/13 at 3:04 pm
Posted on 3/4/13 at 3:02 pm to Lordofwrath88
quote:
So... our we a nation of Ryan Giggs'
Posted on 3/4/13 at 3:08 pm to Lordofwrath88
quote:
So... our we a nation of Ryan Giggs'
quote:
late bloomers
Posted on 3/4/13 at 4:21 pm to Lordofwrath88
Whether you value the trait or not, we put an emphasis on raw athleticism and physical fitness in almost all American professional sports. The average human isn't fully physically mature until 21 or so. That's typically when a kid is ready for professional play after the high school and college athletics experience.
In the European football paradigm, players should be turning pro by the end of their secondary educations, around 17-19. If a player hasn't made it as a professional by 21-23, his typically seen as lost cause.
We tend to get more athletic and durable players, who develop the technical abilities later than that of European football academy prospects.
In the European football paradigm, players should be turning pro by the end of their secondary educations, around 17-19. If a player hasn't made it as a professional by 21-23, his typically seen as lost cause.
We tend to get more athletic and durable players, who develop the technical abilities later than that of European football academy prospects.
This post was edited on 3/4/13 at 4:39 pm
Posted on 3/4/13 at 4:24 pm to Lordofwrath88
quote:
So... our we a nation of Ryan Giggs'
Can't think of a single American that has scored in every EPL season... so no.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 4:26 pm to StraightCashHomey21
Ryan Giggs is a terrible example, longevity <> "later bloomer"
Hendo Nailed it.
Our elite players are there athletically, but their understanding and technical skills are underdeveloped due to our youth training format. It can take them a while to catch up.
Hendo Nailed it.
Our elite players are there athletically, but their understanding and technical skills are underdeveloped due to our youth training format. It can take them a while to catch up.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 4:29 pm to gideon
quote:
Ryan Giggs is a terrible example
thats why i was laughing giggs had his career high of goals scored in 93-94 season
Posted on 3/4/13 at 4:29 pm to StraightCashHomey21
got that. poor use of the reply button. it was directed at OP.
Posted on 3/4/13 at 4:43 pm to Lordofwrath88
quote:
Now think about whose widely regarded as the best player on the planet?
quote:
Xavi,
Posted on 3/5/13 at 12:50 am to RandySavage
You're dumb as frick Randy, deal with it.
Posted on 3/5/13 at 9:46 am to RandySavage
AMERIKKKA ARE LATE LOOSERS
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