Analyzing America's Soccer Competition Issues

The real reason America can't compete at the World Cup has nothing to do with how much

we love the game and everything to do with our system being completely broken.

The U.S. has 2.5 million registered youth male soccer players.

That's more than all the countries highlighted here combined, but in all of these countries,

parents pay just about $150 a year.

Here's how it works in Europe.

If a kid shows talent, a scout finds him.

These scouts are paid full time to watch thousands of games per year.

They bring the kid into the club's academy, which pays for everything.

This works especially well for the lower class.

For example, Wayne Rooney grew up in Liverpool, but scouts found him at 8 years old and he

became England's captain.

It couldn't be more different in America.

Sure, rec soccer costs a few hundred bucks, but travel soccer jumps to roughly $6,000.

Now, if a kid is good enough to play elite club soccer, families have to shell out $8,000

to $15,000 a year on all the different line items you see on screen.

Some families are poor.

reportedly spend upwards of $25,000 a year.

Now, beyond the cash, this is a huge time investment

for parents who already have full-time jobs.

Here's the solution.

After Germany finished last at the 2,000 euros,

they decided it was time to get serious.

They built 390 regional training bases across the country

to make sure one was within 25 kilometers

of every kid in the country.

They hired 1,200 full-time coaches,

invested 48 million euro per year,

and mandated that every pro club

build a certified youth academy or lose its license.

The cost of families was zero, and 14 years later,

21 of the 23 players who won the World Cup

came directly out of that system.

Now, immediately, the pushback is always,

MLS academies are free,

and they are for the 17,000 kids in the program.

The U.S. has 2.5 million registered male players, though,

so just 0.6 of the playing population is on the euro model.

Also, those academies only exist in MLS.

cities.

If you're a talented kid in rural Kansas or small-town Mississippi, the free pathway

doesn't exist.

You're either paying or you're not playing.

Lucky for America, though, the blueprint exists.

Germany proved it, and until America adopts it, the results of the World Cup will be the

same.

I'm Franmichael Smith, and that's my take.