Thesis:Creation of New SCCL Explains Flaw in US Development
Jun 11, 2019 20:53:21 GMT -5
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Post by Southside Soccer on Jun 11, 2019 20:53:21 GMT -5
I see that US Soccer has created yet another high level of elite soccer "parsing". My basic question is why and to what long term US National development end game? Reading the other post on SCCL creation caused me to post this "thesis".
I believe that the continuing creation of multiple "elite" youth programs is counter productive to the eventual overall player development of US Soccer.
I have not been involved in youth soccer for some 15 years or more. When I was involved we had only Rec, Select and "elite" ODP. Then US Soccer rolled out Super Y and then Regional Premier League (RPL). I was vocally critical of these developments then, even though my child played in both of these "elite" leagues. My concern was that such focus on more expensive elite programs would only harm the development of our total National soccer population over time. Main concern was the eventual parsing of a small percentage of total youth players being "fed" into an ever growing number of separate elite programs, where America's best resources of money, top coaches and trainers, etc would only be directed to a very small percentage of American youth players, starting with a very young player age, all to the detriment of developing our total soccer youth population.
So, after all these many years we now have DA, NPL, ECNL, SCCL, and Academy/Select. Alas, I am disgusted to say that my earlier concerns have come true. While admittedly anecdotal I would posture that during the last 15 to 20 years, while US Soccer has continued to grow the number of elite programs, the quality of the USMNT has declined. Now we regularly struggle, and often lose, to teams like Jamaica and T&T. We didnt even qualify for WC last time from a relatively weak confederation and all of us, when watching our current usmnt play, cant bet the house that the USMNT will actually qualify this next WC.
I believe that the US Soccer Elite program model is the reason for our downfall. We now have too many elite programs. These programs usually start at u12 and these same youngsters will continue to be selected year after year. Participating in these programs takes much money. These programs also assign their best coaches and trainers. So, the remaining 95% of 12 year olds are left behind for years to come, with some exceptions, even though many of those left behind had the potential to later develop into very strong players had they had the opportunity to work with the same top coaches/trainers when younger.
My own child didnt become a stand out youth player at the highest level until reaching age 15. Only then were top coaches and clubs recruiting my kid heavily while they had overlooked my kid for many years prior, even at our home club. As info, my kid eventually received a full ride college scholarship. My kid needed time to develop and grow. In todays world of multiple elite programs looking to identify kids at age 12 with parents wealthy enough to pay the fees, my kid would never have stood a chance.
My suggestion...
1. Eliminate all elite programs other than Select until age u14. This would return resources (money and top coaches) to work with all the youth soccer population. Our younger players will play others in the State thus helping to raise the river level for all rather than a few boats.
2. At U15 create only one or two Regional Elite programs for those youth who stand out and perhaps one National team
3. At U16 consider additional national Club Soccer programs.
Realize this is a drastic suggestion and not necessarily the best but obviously what us soccer is currently doing hasnt been working. I am tired of USA losing to Jamaica and T&T. Yes, in USA, soccer does not get our best athletes, but with our population, money, and resources, there is no reason we still can not regularly field a strong national mens team to be competitive on the world stage, never mind in our own confederation.
Your thoughts...
I believe that the continuing creation of multiple "elite" youth programs is counter productive to the eventual overall player development of US Soccer.
I have not been involved in youth soccer for some 15 years or more. When I was involved we had only Rec, Select and "elite" ODP. Then US Soccer rolled out Super Y and then Regional Premier League (RPL). I was vocally critical of these developments then, even though my child played in both of these "elite" leagues. My concern was that such focus on more expensive elite programs would only harm the development of our total National soccer population over time. Main concern was the eventual parsing of a small percentage of total youth players being "fed" into an ever growing number of separate elite programs, where America's best resources of money, top coaches and trainers, etc would only be directed to a very small percentage of American youth players, starting with a very young player age, all to the detriment of developing our total soccer youth population.
So, after all these many years we now have DA, NPL, ECNL, SCCL, and Academy/Select. Alas, I am disgusted to say that my earlier concerns have come true. While admittedly anecdotal I would posture that during the last 15 to 20 years, while US Soccer has continued to grow the number of elite programs, the quality of the USMNT has declined. Now we regularly struggle, and often lose, to teams like Jamaica and T&T. We didnt even qualify for WC last time from a relatively weak confederation and all of us, when watching our current usmnt play, cant bet the house that the USMNT will actually qualify this next WC.
I believe that the US Soccer Elite program model is the reason for our downfall. We now have too many elite programs. These programs usually start at u12 and these same youngsters will continue to be selected year after year. Participating in these programs takes much money. These programs also assign their best coaches and trainers. So, the remaining 95% of 12 year olds are left behind for years to come, with some exceptions, even though many of those left behind had the potential to later develop into very strong players had they had the opportunity to work with the same top coaches/trainers when younger.
My own child didnt become a stand out youth player at the highest level until reaching age 15. Only then were top coaches and clubs recruiting my kid heavily while they had overlooked my kid for many years prior, even at our home club. As info, my kid eventually received a full ride college scholarship. My kid needed time to develop and grow. In todays world of multiple elite programs looking to identify kids at age 12 with parents wealthy enough to pay the fees, my kid would never have stood a chance.
My suggestion...
1. Eliminate all elite programs other than Select until age u14. This would return resources (money and top coaches) to work with all the youth soccer population. Our younger players will play others in the State thus helping to raise the river level for all rather than a few boats.
2. At U15 create only one or two Regional Elite programs for those youth who stand out and perhaps one National team
3. At U16 consider additional national Club Soccer programs.
Realize this is a drastic suggestion and not necessarily the best but obviously what us soccer is currently doing hasnt been working. I am tired of USA losing to Jamaica and T&T. Yes, in USA, soccer does not get our best athletes, but with our population, money, and resources, there is no reason we still can not regularly field a strong national mens team to be competitive on the world stage, never mind in our own confederation.
Your thoughts...
