In American soccer, who succeeds isn’t always determined by what happens on the field. From the players we promote to the opportunities they receive, the system is shaped by interests that often have little to do with sporting merit.
We begin with the USWNT’s loss to Spain and what it reveals about the changing landscape of women’s soccer as the rest of the world catches up and America’s historical advantage continues to disappear.
We then turn to Jermaine Jones and his recent criticism of American soccer. Why are certain players elevated as the faces of the sport while others receive little recognition? We examine the influence of marketing, gatekeeping, nepotism, and the lack of sporting merit in determining which players get opportunities.
Next, we discuss Mauricio Pochettino’s approach to the USMNT, his willingness to challenge established players, and why his biggest contribution may be educating the American soccer public about competition, accountability, and the player pool.
We also break down U.S. Soccer’s promotion of MLS player development, the influence of the MLS monopoly over the domestic ecosystem, and what this means for the future of American soccer.
Finally, we address Olivier Giroud’s claim that the United States isn’t a football country and examine why MLS, despite the quality of its players, remains one of the least competitive leagues in the world.
The problem isn’t that America lacks players, talent, or a soccer culture. It’s that the system prevents that potential from being fully realized.
00:00 Intro
02:32 USWNT Loss to Spain and the World Catching Up
07:43 The Closed Ecosystem and Women’s Soccer Development
09:22 Jermaine Jones Calls Out American Soccer
13:23 The Racial Component
18:12 Marketing Strategy and the Business of Soccer
19:20 The Cream Does Not Rise To The Top In American Soccer
20:48 Earning Stardom in Europe vs. Being Made a Star in America
24:20 Nepotism
27:40 Why Do Some Players Get Elevated Over Others?
29:30 Why MLS Started Playing The Kids
30:51 Pochettino’s USMNT and Looking Beyond Results
34:51 Pochettino Educating the Establishment Fan Base
36:30 Nobody Is Safe: Pochettino’s Culture of Accountability
39:16 Will Pochettino Continue To Advocate For An Open Ecosystem?
42:49 U.S. Soccer X Post Saying MLS Developed 21 of 28 USMNT Players — Why?
46:50 The MLS Monopoly and Its Control Over the Federation
49:06 Giroud Comments On MLS And American Soccer
54:00 Audience Question: Where Would MLS Rank Against European Leagues?
55:18 MLS Is the Least Competitive League in the World
Premium Education for either Coaches or Parents
If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we've also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals. The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode. Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.For Coaches
Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com. If you're coaching 7v7, we've got you covered at 7v7coaching.com.For Parents
You don't have to be lost and confused. Learn to properly guide and develop your kid through the maze and pitfalls that is American soccer (from the folks who have actually done it). Gain access at 343masterclass.com.Never miss new episodes:
- Subscribe to 3four3 FM on iTunes
- Subscribe to 3four3 FM on Stitcher
- Subscribe to 3four3 FM on Spotify
Coaching Education Program
This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program. Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.Parent Education Program
Leave a Reply