Ep 370: Navigating the Pathway to Pro Soccer in America

In this episode, we dive into the pathway to professional soccer in the United States.

This is crucial information for parents and coaches of youth players, even if they don’t believe their player will go pro. The pathway to pro shapes the entire soccer system, affecting everything from youth league battles to higher education decisions and professional opportunities. We explore the historical context of the pro path, the role of MLS Academies, and the critical changes over the last decade.

The conversation highlights the rise of USL as a great alternative to MLS, the nuances of player development, and the importance of parental involvement.

The episode also touches on the future of American soccer with proposed changes to align with the international calendar and the potential for promotion and relegation within USL. Whether you’re a parent, coach, aspiring player, or someone wanting to properly contribute to the discussion this episode offers valuable insights to help navigate the often complex and political landscape of American soccer.

00:00 Intro
04:28 The Pathway to Pro: Then and Now
06:09 Sub: Youth Club to D1 College
07:19 Sub: D1 College NCAA Tournament to MLS
07:51 Sub: Advent of The US Soccer Development Academy
10:03 Sub: Homegrown MLS Players Getting Screwed
15:06 Why Did the US Dev Academy Close, and MLS Take Over?
16:57 Sub: US Soccer’s Charter
20:10 Advice for Youth Parents
21:51 Sub: Can Parents Discern Whether a Coach is Good?
23:48 Sub: How Do you Know if Your Kid is Actually Good?
28:43 Sub: When Should A Kid Move to These “Top Leagues”?
32:42 What Does it Take (on the field) to Become a Pro?
34:13 Sub: Breakdown of Technical, Tactical, Physical, Psychological
38:13 Sub: Can You Discern What Kids Have Pro Potential?
40:42 The Role of Parents in Developing Pro Players
47:09 Sub: Are Parents Giving Their Kids Good Advice?
48:50 Sub: Introducing the Masterclass
52:12 USL as a Pathway to Pro Soccer
57:22 Sub: Pro Clubs Should Not Be Forced to Have Youth Teams
59:04 Bottom Line on Developing a Player from Birth
59:57 Sub: Benny, A Parent with an Advantage
01:01:20 Sub: The Early and Best Virtuous Cycle for Players
01:03:17 What Happens to Pros Whose Careers Don’t Pan Out?
01:04:13 Virtual Reality – the Future of Pro Sports
01:06:40 The Evolution of MLS and US Soccer

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Premium Education for either Coaches or Parents

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The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.

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For Parents

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Gain access at 343masterclass.com.

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Parent Education Program