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US Soccer's lack of stars
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:03 am
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:03 am
Does anyone else find it remarkable that with all the kids growing up playing soccer in the United States and the number of incredible athletes this country produces we have never had a single star in the soccer world?
I'm not even talking about someone like Messi or Ronaldo but even a mid level star. I mean there are probably 10 countries right now that have at least 10 players arguably better than the best the USA has ever produced.
How is it possible that not even one guy, out of the millions that grow up playing soccer, has really been able to break through?
I'm not even talking about someone like Messi or Ronaldo but even a mid level star. I mean there are probably 10 countries right now that have at least 10 players arguably better than the best the USA has ever produced.
How is it possible that not even one guy, out of the millions that grow up playing soccer, has really been able to break through?
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:13 am to RandySavage
The usa players have a stigma that limits the number of big time opportunities they receive from top notch clubs.
Show me proof of this:
Now it's true they are far off in the number of "stars" compared to spain, germany, brazil, etc.
Show me proof of this:
quote:
I mean there are probably 10 countries right now that have at least 10 players arguably better than the best the USA has ever produced.
Now it's true they are far off in the number of "stars" compared to spain, germany, brazil, etc.
This post was edited on 8/15/13 at 11:16 am
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:14 am to Shane4689
I don't know what the OP is blabbering about. Landon won the Soccer ESPY like 9 times in a row.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:16 am to Shane4689
quote:
The usa players have a stigma that limits the number of big time opportunities they receive from top notch clubs.
You really think top clubs aren't going to sign guys because of where they are from if they think they can help their team?
This post was edited on 8/15/13 at 11:19 am
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:21 am to Shane4689
quote:
Show me proof of this:
I mean there are probably 10 countries right now that have at least 10 players arguably better than the best the USA has ever produced.
I mean it's kind of a general statement but who on the US could start for Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy, England, the Netherlands, Belgium?
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:23 am to RandySavage
To become a world star, you have to play for the world's best teams...and Americans have not been ingrained in the system long enough for that to happen.
Americans are just starting to break into the world's best leagues as starters. It's going to take time before a star can be born.
Americans are just starting to break into the world's best leagues as starters. It's going to take time before a star can be born.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:24 am to RandySavage
quote:
I mean it's kind of a general statement but who on the US could start for Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Italy, England, the Netherlands, Belgium?
Some times I think I could start for England.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:26 am to WarSlamEagle
quote:
Americans are just starting to break into the world's best leagues as starters. It's going to take time before a star can be born.
I just can't buy/understand this. Tons of non-traditional football powers have produced stars.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:28 am to RandySavage
You put England on the list? lol
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:29 am to RandySavage
But were those stars some of the first players to come out of that country? The U.S. is relatively new at putting people into England, Italy, Germany, Spain, etc. Just the last couple of decades.
Give me some examples. Name a top 20 player from a non-traditional power who was one of the country's first players in the big leagues/teams.
We're still behind small European countries in terms of youth development, and our domestic league is finally at a high enough level where teams from the bigger leagues are scouting us regularly.
Give me some examples. Name a top 20 player from a non-traditional power who was one of the country's first players in the big leagues/teams.
We're still behind small European countries in terms of youth development, and our domestic league is finally at a high enough level where teams from the bigger leagues are scouting us regularly.
This post was edited on 8/15/13 at 11:31 am
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:29 am to RandySavage
And all of them played for juggernauts at some point I their careers. I suppose you mean why haven't we hit the lottery like Liberia and George Weah
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:30 am to sawillis
quote:
You put England on the list? lol
You think Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey are starting for England?
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:31 am to RandySavage
Yes Deuce and Timmy could start for England
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:33 am to WarSlamEagle
quote:
Give me some examples. Name a top 20 player from a non-traditional power who was one of the country's first players in the big leagues/teams
Would Dzeko count?
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:36 am to RandySavage
I wouldn't trade one for one any player with the US team.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:37 am to RandySavage
quote:
You think Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey are starting for England?
England isn't really the power they used to be. Sure they have a great domestic league but less than 40% of their talent is domestic.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:39 am to Joe Blow
Mmm...nah, because the former Yugoslavia has put out some serious talent in the past.
Also, calling Dzeko a world star might be a bit of a stretch.
Also, calling Dzeko a world star might be a bit of a stretch.
This post was edited on 8/15/13 at 11:41 am
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:48 am to WarSlamEagle
quote:
Name a top 20 player from a non-traditional power who was one of the country's first players in the big leagues/teams.
George Weah, I'd say Eto'o and Drogba count, certainly Drogba. Harry Keewell wasn't a top 20 player but probably better at his peak than Dempsey, although that was for a year or two only and Dempsey is more consistent. But the list isn't long.
I think anti-American bias has gone down quite a bit since the days of the shocking disrespect Donovan faced in Germany. The guy was the best player in the U-17 World Cup and the best young player in the real fricking WC and was treated as if he scored 5 goals in the Austrian Bundesliga the previous year.
I have no doubt he would have been a starter for a CL side if he had been born 4 years later.
Posted on 8/15/13 at 11:56 am to RandySavage
The answer lies in the fact that elite athleticism is relatively unimportant in soccer.
Deuce is not an elite athlete. His dedication, focus, and soccer mind set him apart.
Deuce is not an elite athlete. His dedication, focus, and soccer mind set him apart.
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