Changes in the landscape of U.S. youth soccer development

Changes in the landscape of U.S. soccer are never obvious on the surface. But, there are signs among the many throwaway off-season pressers and the hard work of steadfast journalists; changes are in motion that will have major impact in the coming years. The disjointed ratio of arm-chair soccer critics versus expert soccer problem solver grows after every World Cup. How does the U.S. close the gap? How can U.S. produce elite level players? There are so many things you can rationalize but there is one thing that is hard for any U.S. fan to concede, their youth is not inherently or genetically superior to U.S. youth. Where the U.S. falls off the pace is the critical soccer development period between the ages of 12-17.

The clues started to reveal itself with Craig Stouffer piece on the NCAA rule change opens doors for MLS academy prospects. We’ll see the full impact of this change in the coming months as the MLS reserve league re-launches in the spring 2011. If MLS plays reserve games take place without charging admission, elite college soccer players can have access to MLS quality training and games without losing their college eligibility and scholarship. The MLS homegrown rule limited each MLS team of 2 signings per year of youth players from their academy system. Although it’s been a mandate of the MLS for the last 4 years to establish there own academy program, some MLS franchise had no interest in investing in a youth program. Only in the last two years, the MLS gave thought in rewarding teams who follow the mandate by giving them home grown roster slots not impacting roster limits and cap. With a throwaway bullet point embedded from this year's state of the league address by MLS commissioner Don Garber, the training wheels are off as the home grown academy limit was lifted. An avalanche of Academy player signings occurred in comparison to past years by various MLS clubs.

No other reporter has covered the changes in American Youth Soccer landscape like L.E. Eisenmenger of the National Soccer Examiner. Her interview published this week with player agent Mike Wheeler gave us a glimpse of the possible future. The main point is the Non-MLS youth clubs will need financial incentives to change their current business model. A system similar to almost all other nations already in place protecting smaller clubs being raided by bigger clubs and benefiting financially from developing quality youth players. There are still questions unanswered. U.S. child labor laws and the uniqueness of the MLS FIFA relationship have yet been re-defined. Nevertheless, several clubs have already invested financially to position themselves for these changes.

There are overt evidences of this forward thinking already in place from a couple of Texas Youth Clubs. Dallas Texans Football Academy Ghana, a partnership between the Dallas Texans SC and Map Sports Management.

“The Dallas Texans Football Academy will promote education and provide our Ghanaian players the opportunity to play with the Texans teams of their choice in all divisions to showcase their talent for the chance to play at the professional level as well as in college. This will also give our teams the opportunity to play with the talented Ghanaian players in various competitions. This partnership is a win/win for all players”, said Hassan Nazari.

"..focuses on developing players to secure college scholarships while giving the players the opportunity to render themselves professionally" said Akordy Abongya, President of Map Sports Management.

This kind of partnership is already in place with Rush Soccer. Rush soccer currently has satellite clubs in Gambia, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Texas Rush is hosting a Gambian U17 national player Kekuta Manneh (17 goals). Kekuta has been splitting time between the U18 and U16 squad in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy league and has provided immediate impact for the Texas Rush academy program. Three other Gambian youths are playing for the Colorado Rush Academy U18 squad.

It really looks like it’s going to be sooner rather than later. Whatever changes that is forthcoming, the insiders are confident enough to bet on a future for the rest of us has yet been revealed. American youth soccer is on the cuspis of a new frontier.