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

My opinion is it's NFL, NBA, MLB that takes all the top athletes in this country. That's where the big money is, and that's why our elite athletes will walk away from soccer in teenage years or younger and go for glory in a "major" sport. If soccer salaries ever close the gap with these other sports then maybe some young elite USA athletes will follow. (not saying facilities and programs don't have an impact as well, but if you start with the best athletes clearly you have a better chance of building something).