re: Can someone explain to me why our youth system is bad?

Beating a dead horse here, but geography is an issue for youth development outside of large cities. My kid has been nominated by coaches in his club to progress to a USSF regional PDP. I'm looking at a two hour plus drive just for the tryout, and then he'll have the chance to progress to the next level on regional.

Assuming he makes the next level, I'm looking at extended travel for the PDP. Based on where we live, the next level will be four to six hours from home. That doesn't fit the narrative for a normal family trying to keep kids focused on the things that really matter.

I do know of one kid my son's age who is a very talented player. His family relocated to Dallas so he could play on a developmental team there. He might progress into a great player as he matures, but relocating a family for youth sports is asinine, in my opinion.

It's possible that the metropolitan areas can develop kids in youth soccer, but the regional PDP outside of the metroplitan areas doesn't make sense. A lot of kids will fall through the cracks, and when they finish HS soccer, their only option is to play for small colleges.

The European and S. American club model is the answer. But then again, I'm not willing to ship my 12 year old off to a club team for development in a sport, because I'd rather raise my own kids under my own roof. Youth sports is important to us, but our lives don't revolve around their success in sports.

So I guess it comes full circle... Soccer in the US doesn't measure up to soccer in other countries, in any form or fashion.