I am a former pro soccer player. I recently published a book called “Raising a Pro Athlete “ it covers a lot of the topics you discussed on your show. I think it’s great that you’re talking about these topics. Jacques Ladouceur
You spoke about the size of the fields the kids play on. That definitely needs to change. I think the kids should be playing more futsal from ages 5-12 years old than outdoor because of the amount of touches they get on the ball. They are also so much more involved in a game that small. It also help with quick decisions on the field.
I’ve been a Soccer volunteer Coach for 5+ Yrs and my kids have been consistently playing soccer in both parent-driven and club leagues… I feel that US Soccer should do much more in order to empower parent/volunteer recreational leagues across the Country to become a TRUE option as a path towards competitive Soccer…
The “best athletes” argument is the biggest cop out for US soccer. As pointed out by other comments, the nature of the sport is such that people of average size can become world class. US soccer has had millions of kids exposed to the game for nigh half a century, and we have not produced a player even close to a Luka Modric for instance…a diminutive player from a country with less than 4 million people (Croatia). We have plenty of athletes, it’s our development system that stinks.
There isn’t a standard size field the leagues follow. When you go to a youth soccer game you never know what the field size is going to be until you get there. Some fields are wider, some are too narrow, goal sizes are different and penalty boxes can also be different. I’m
Surprised to heat that he did not mention Spain, Portugal and Brazil as youth soccer development powerhouses… UK has “spoiled” their youth Soccer a bit IMO
Soccer is skill based, body type and physique is irrelevant, all it needs is stamina and you get that by training, the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi would never be considered as a potential athlete for any of the american sports. Soccer does not compete for athletes with any of the American Sports.
I like to run the following hypothetical. Zlatan, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and Pirlo all move to the US as infants. Maybe Zlatan and Ronaldo get snapped up by other sports, but not Messi or Pirlo. They would play soccer…and there is no way they’d realize their full potential here!
Sad to hear Skip give relevance to the "Best Athletes" argument, which is a noob perspective--stronkveak below also makes this case. American Parents, please realize that getting a D1 scholarship is a terrible return on your investment in your child so stop thinking this is the goal. Advocate they play university club soccer so your kid gets the sport experience without having to spend 6 hours per day training in a NCAA fall-only sport structure (requiring a non-STEM education).
Almost no NFL, MLB or NBA would be able to be a pro soccer player. There are different body types. Players like Messi, Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta, Rooney, Scholes, Pulisic and Donovan would not be able to play at a high level in the big American sports or even at the college level in the big 3.
I'm from the UK and I really love listening to your conversation Skip Gilbert is a 'real gent' as we say here in the East End of London.
I am a former pro soccer player. I recently published a book called “Raising a Pro Athlete “ it covers a lot of the topics you discussed on your show. I think it’s great that you’re talking about these topics.
Jacques Ladouceur
You spoke about the size of the fields the kids play on. That definitely needs to change. I think the kids should be playing more futsal from ages 5-12 years old than outdoor because of the amount of touches they get on the ball. They are also so much more involved in a game that small. It also help with quick decisions on the field.
I’ve been a Soccer volunteer Coach for 5+ Yrs and my kids have been consistently playing soccer in both parent-driven and club leagues… I feel that US Soccer should do much more in order to empower parent/volunteer recreational leagues across the Country to become a TRUE option as a path towards competitive Soccer…
The issue is pay…nobody wants to pay coaches at youth levels
The “best athletes” argument is the biggest cop out for US soccer. As pointed out by other comments, the nature of the sport is such that people of average size can become world class. US soccer has had millions of kids exposed to the game for nigh half a century, and we have not produced a player even close to a Luka Modric for instance…a diminutive player from a country with less than 4 million people (Croatia).
We have plenty of athletes, it’s our development system that stinks.
There isn’t a standard size field the leagues follow. When you go to a youth soccer game you never know what the field size is going to be until you get there. Some fields are wider, some are too narrow, goal sizes are different and penalty boxes can also be different. I’m
Great interview btw
Surprised to heat that he did not mention Spain, Portugal and Brazil as youth soccer development powerhouses… UK has “spoiled” their youth Soccer a bit IMO
Soccer is skill based, body type and physique is irrelevant, all it needs is stamina and you get that by training, the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi would never be considered as a potential athlete for any of the american sports. Soccer does not compete for athletes with any of the American Sports.
And We need to boost up those skills
I like to run the following hypothetical. Zlatan, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, and Pirlo all move to the US as infants. Maybe Zlatan and Ronaldo get snapped up by other sports, but not Messi or Pirlo. They would play soccer…and there is no way they’d realize their full potential here!
Sad to hear Skip give relevance to the "Best Athletes" argument, which is a noob perspective--stronkveak below also makes this case. American Parents, please realize that getting a D1 scholarship is a terrible return on your investment in your child so stop thinking this is the goal. Advocate they play university club soccer so your kid gets the sport experience without having to spend 6 hours per day training in a NCAA fall-only sport structure (requiring a non-STEM education).
Almost no NFL, MLB or NBA would be able to be a pro soccer player. There are different body types. Players like Messi, Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta, Rooney, Scholes, Pulisic and Donovan would not be able to play at a high level in the big American sports or even at the college level in the big 3.