Understood. And interesting points, all.

First and foremost ...

Don't believe I said there is anything wrong with 4-3-3. I like the 4-3-3 (or virtually any reasonable formation) as a single platform FOR TEACHING. However, I also believe that mandating a single national system across thousands of clubs in a country the size (and population) of ours is not necessarily the way to go. If sport teaches us ANYTHING, it's that there are many strategic ways to skin the metaphorical cat, assuming you have enough physical/technical know-how (skill). Our players lack that physical/technical know-how. Maybe, it's because we lack a monolithic, unified national vision. Or maybe, just maybe, it's because we have failed to maximize our greatest strength -- diversity.

That said ...

My overall sense of the Dutch (in essence, Ajax) philosophy is extremely positive. And of course, I'm not interested in reinventing the wheel. I would point out that our (uniquely American) wheel tends to be geometrically larger, more populated and more diverse than the Netherlands' small, though extremely passionate, wheel. Our very size presents roadblocks to a single national philosophy, ALTHOUGH I CAN UNDERSTAND IT AT A NATIONAL TEAM LEVEL ... OR EVEN ON A CLUB-BY-CLUB BASIS.

I also like the idea of simplifying the game for younger players. It only makes sense. But I would point out that there's nothing inherently more "simple" about 4-3-3 than there is about 4-5-1, or 3-5-2, or a diamond midfield, or any REASONABLE system. 4-3-3 glows when played by kids who are the survivors of a multi-dimensional training system that hinges on oh-so-much more than "formation." (Like what they experience at Ajax.)

Who can argue with the results? You cite Spain and The Netherlands -- each a threat to win any and all competitions it takes on. And yet, I think many would argue that those nations' greatest periods of international success are every bit as contingent on a "golden generation" of uniquely talented players as opposed to the system that develops them. We are blessed to witness Spain's golden generation now. You can make the case that the Netherlands' golden generation flowered in the '70s-80s. Some would argue that Mexico is on the verge of a "golden generation."

Guess my point is, before we choose a model, let's be certain it's the right model for us.