SC Soccer Forums SCSoccer.com Forums College, Pro & International Soccer U.S. U17 MNT???

What the heck is up with coach John Hackworth and the U17 men's national team and their 0-2 start at the U17 World Cup in South Korea?

Losing to Tajikistan (4-3) and Tunisia (3-1) is very disappointing. I can only imagine what their budget is to support their national soccer programs compared to the USA. Tunisia only has 10 million people with a per capita $8255 and Tajikistan is a mountainous landlocked country with only 7 million people. Their per cap is $1388!

Here we are in the USA with an emphasis on soccer training and "development", but where are the results. Should we not expect to defeat teams like this routinely and convincingly. We have 300 million people and a per cap $43,444 and nice fields to train on and paid full-time staff. Where are the results?

When I see results like that from our National Teams and consider the items that you had mentioned. I always (without watching the game) come up with my same probable scenario.

-International game-cup strategized with a mgr with little or no real experience on that stage.

-Tactical speed of play from US side a sec slower than the opponent. Assuming the players are able to play the game technically and to a degree tactically. But US players tend to play slower for some reason.

-lack of confidence and passion by the players involved. And what I mean by that is their level of confidence and passion is just lower than the other teams.

Other than the USA, most countries have their top tier athletics playing soccer. Plus, our USSA is using a failed model for developing talent and this is one of the major reasons that Klinsmann took a pass on taking over the USMNT.

Amazingly, the U17s advanced to the 2nd round. I watched their match with Belgium today and they certainly earned the win in the second half 2-0.

U17s Win, Advance!!!