QuintessentialBM
GoldenAgeGamer82 - PSN ID
I'll probably get flamed for this....
What it will take for the US to become a world power in world football (aka soccer)....
1)As already mentioned, a complete culture change. The game has to be embraced widespread. South Americans and Europeans, live, breath and die for this shyt ; children and adults alike. There has been some growth here in the States, but not enough to say football has arrived. Jurgen Klinsman has done a decent job implementing this culture (though a lot of the old guard has fought him.), but more changes are needed. Personally, I will say that when a majority of the MLS teams can host sell out crowds(and not sell empty seats to corporate sponsors or ticket re-set agencies)is when football has arrived. When the culture change comes, football knowledge will be more commonplace. There will be a benefit that I'll mention later.
2)A redistribution of the nation's athletic talent. People are gonna argue tooth and nail over this, but this is a painful reality that must happen. When I talk about athletic talent, I'm not only speaking about athleticism; the most important aspect of an athlete is his sport IQ and their ability to apply their knowledge of the game to be, at minimum, effective as a professional, and at maximum, a transcendent player that can be the face of your club and/or country. It's the difference between Lionel Messi/C. Ronaldo and a American college soccer player; the Barcelonas/Real Madrids & Toronto FC (minus Giovinco), Brazil, Argentina, Germany & Spain over teams like the USMNT. Ultimately, it's the individual's choice as to what sport they want to play, but there's an over-saturation of NFL and NBA players that would have been better soccer players if they would have applied the same work ethic and ambition to get drafted in the NFL or NBA, they would have been world class footballers, as well. The general US soccer player lacks the athleticism to physically compete, the technical skill to execute important skills needed in order to be a complete player, or the IQ to know how and when to apply everything. Even with a lot of "our" greatest players, they had at least one of these flaws. This is one of the places where a knowledge of the game and the culture would be beneficial. Reality: You need great athletes with high sports IQ to produce world class players and teams.
3)Quality coaching at EVERY level. This has been the crux of why the USMNT is where it is in world football among men's teams. The USWNT is the best women's team in the world. Period.
4)Reduction of foreign nationals.... As much as I love the foreign nationals that have played for the US shirt, it's not helping the development of US soccer, which has been happening for the entire existence of the USSF. Most of these players, especially the current ones, are mercenaries for hire that couldn't land a spot on their first choice. The ones that are good enough, play for other countries. We need to get to a point where our best talent is developed right here at home, which leads to....
5)The quality and success of MLS..... Good domestic league with great homegrown talent = Better national team. There is maybe 1 or 2 MLS teams that can produce decent players.... by MLS standards. When MLS can legitimately produce world class professionals that are coveted by the European league.... and still be able to keep them is when soccer in NA (outside of Mexico) will get its due.
Sorry for the rant. I'm passionate about football.
What it will take for the US to become a world power in world football (aka soccer)....
1)As already mentioned, a complete culture change. The game has to be embraced widespread. South Americans and Europeans, live, breath and die for this shyt ; children and adults alike. There has been some growth here in the States, but not enough to say football has arrived. Jurgen Klinsman has done a decent job implementing this culture (though a lot of the old guard has fought him.), but more changes are needed. Personally, I will say that when a majority of the MLS teams can host sell out crowds(and not sell empty seats to corporate sponsors or ticket re-set agencies)is when football has arrived. When the culture change comes, football knowledge will be more commonplace. There will be a benefit that I'll mention later.
2)A redistribution of the nation's athletic talent. People are gonna argue tooth and nail over this, but this is a painful reality that must happen. When I talk about athletic talent, I'm not only speaking about athleticism; the most important aspect of an athlete is his sport IQ and their ability to apply their knowledge of the game to be, at minimum, effective as a professional, and at maximum, a transcendent player that can be the face of your club and/or country. It's the difference between Lionel Messi/C. Ronaldo and a American college soccer player; the Barcelonas/Real Madrids & Toronto FC (minus Giovinco), Brazil, Argentina, Germany & Spain over teams like the USMNT. Ultimately, it's the individual's choice as to what sport they want to play, but there's an over-saturation of NFL and NBA players that would have been better soccer players if they would have applied the same work ethic and ambition to get drafted in the NFL or NBA, they would have been world class footballers, as well. The general US soccer player lacks the athleticism to physically compete, the technical skill to execute important skills needed in order to be a complete player, or the IQ to know how and when to apply everything. Even with a lot of "our" greatest players, they had at least one of these flaws. This is one of the places where a knowledge of the game and the culture would be beneficial. Reality: You need great athletes with high sports IQ to produce world class players and teams.
3)Quality coaching at EVERY level. This has been the crux of why the USMNT is where it is in world football among men's teams. The USWNT is the best women's team in the world. Period.
4)Reduction of foreign nationals.... As much as I love the foreign nationals that have played for the US shirt, it's not helping the development of US soccer, which has been happening for the entire existence of the USSF. Most of these players, especially the current ones, are mercenaries for hire that couldn't land a spot on their first choice. The ones that are good enough, play for other countries. We need to get to a point where our best talent is developed right here at home, which leads to....
5)The quality and success of MLS..... Good domestic league with great homegrown talent = Better national team. There is maybe 1 or 2 MLS teams that can produce decent players.... by MLS standards. When MLS can legitimately produce world class professionals that are coveted by the European league.... and still be able to keep them is when soccer in NA (outside of Mexico) will get its due.
Sorry for the rant. I'm passionate about football.
