SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums Boys Varsity Soccer Why doesn't the U.S. produce star players?

Why doesn't the U.S. produce star players?

I think we are definitely close. More kids are heading from High School to international clubs and training with them, and I think you're starting to see the talent build up. My guess is we'll have our "next Landon Donovan" within the next 3 years.

By majority, a high ratio of the world's top players grow up in impoverished communities. Those players play futbol to leave that lifestyle. They know soccer is their only chance of escape. Desperation. And the better young players receive benefits and compensations at young ages in clubs around the world.

.... In America, lol, our kids have to pay money to play high level soccer in clubs like CESA and SCUFC and MP and others.

We have the system a bit backwards.

To put it mildly.

Ill tell you why. Because, just like you, people are looking for the next Landon Donovan. How about produce something like Dempsey. Much more chance of doing well. Also, we have soccer stars, seen Morgan, Wambach, Solo lately. And not to forget, the best American player, man or women, is Carli Lloyd.

Surely, you jest. Carli Lloyd? Nice player. But the best of either gender in the USA? Wow!
The reality is, just like in baseball and basketball, the "rest of the world" is catching up in women's soccer. For the better part of two decades, we reaped the benefits of Title IX and its impact on women's intercollegiate sports (our developmental system), AND the fact that many nations simply didn't/wouldn't support women's athletics.
That's not the case anymore.
Many of the world's teams are building an athletic base AND a technical base that outstrips all the flag-waving and guitar-strumming Coach Sundhage can muster.
In short, male or female, our soccer "athletes" aren't THAT athletic and, in an increasingly competitive environment, their technical shortcomings are more glaringly obvious.

Landon Donavan fell off like a loose halloween mask!

Basically, soccer isn't this country's sport. Our country's "top athletes" are playing football, basketball, baseball.

Except that you can't say that about women.
Maybe basketball. Maybe volleyball. Maybe gymnastics. But only to a limited extent.

Our system is way too political. It seems to value size and brutality over skill, speed and technical ability.
When we do have star players, our culture tends to keep these players from reaching their full potential. They do not promote them unless they are from the "right club, team, family, school, etc." Many try to just take the love of the game out of them. Have you ever seen the horrible way young talented players are treated by their teammates? by the parents on their team? by their schools? by the schools they decide not to play for? by their coaches? by the clubs they play for? If you haven't been a star player then you really can't relate to what they go through. Jealousy is prevalent. Its almost like as soon as they are identified as stars, everyone goes out of their way to make sure the kid understands they are "not special."
As far as politics goes, I have said this before, is there another country where the father is the national team coach and his son plays for the national team?

Soccer shins: Did you watch the Real Madrid vs LA Galaxy game last weekend?