re: US Soccer's lack of stars

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Dude you are insane if you think we have don't have "athletes" playing soccer that are far more athletic than guys like Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, Schweinsteger, Ribery, Gotze, Ozil, Pirlo, Lampard, Mata, Cole, Terry, Hazard, Oscar, Higuain, Suarez, Tevez, pretty much anyone on the Mexican Nat'l team... I mean the list could go on and on and on. Lack of decent athletes playing soccer is probably last on the list of problems

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This. All of it. I wish more people understood this. Lack of athletes is not a concern at all, ask fans from other countries when they come play here, they'll be the first to admit the size disparity most teams have vs us. We pass the eye test getting off the bus, no doubt.

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The reason our athletes don't have the same "ball skill" is because people (even soccer players) don't play soccer in the streets everyday like other countries do.

It's a skill that requires hours and hours of practice to hone and perfect. Also, until recently high level soccer was almost non existant on television so kids had no one to watch and emulate.

It has nothing to do with not being athletic enough.

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Soccer is a passion, and way of life, and a way to a better life for a lot of people overseas. It's just a hobby/sport to some people here, thats just how it is.
Even Jurgen Klinsmann has said the same. American players typically lack the flair and creativity of other nations because they're not playing 24/7 from the time they can walk, and playing in the streets, playing "streetball", inventive type soccer.