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If the US wants to get better, then it needs to start with changing its

mindset about the role of HS and collegiate soccer for the top players. In other countries, the top prospects join a clubs academy as early as age 8 or 9. Those players are able to sign a pro contract and compete on the senior squad as early as age 16. In terms of skill level, HS and collegiate soccer is basically a club sport or in some case an intramural sport. If a player opts to go that route, then odds are slim that he will be able to play pro soccer at a high level. FWIW the English Football League System has 22 or 24 tiers.

If MLS wants to be viewed as a better league, then it may have to rethink the NCAA's role to feed the league. A better MLS will only help to improve the skills of the players on the USMNT unless US Soccer wants to send all those players over to Europe to hone their skills.

(In response to this post by Hokie1992)

Posted: 06/17/2018 at 3:31PM

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Current Thread:

2026 World Cup in North America -- Hokie1992 06/17/2018 07:52AM

If the US wants to get better, then it needs to start with changing its -- VTHokie2000 06/17/2018 3:31PM

Do all 3 hosts automatically qualify? ** -- DaveVT 06/17/2018 12:47PM

Yes, but it also means 2 less spots are available to the remaining teams -- VTHokie2000 06/17/2018 3:17PM

While it is likely, it hasn’t yet been decided whether all 3 host teams -- Gadfly 06/17/2018 4:26PM

Given that both Japan and South Korea received auto bids -- VTHokie2000 06/18/2018 3:30PM

TBD ** -- Gadfly 06/17/2018 1:03PM

One misconception you have ... -- Nova Hokie 95 06/17/2018 10:43AM

My son says should be like Spain ** -- TomTurkey 06/17/2018 1:23PM

More of a country club rather than a street sport here... -- `lag 06/17/2018 12:34PM

Next US soccer leadership needs to change this, i. e., search for talent in -- Gadfly 06/17/2018 12:57PM

Makes sense especially for US.... -- `lag 06/17/2018 1:44PM

Ultimately the problem in the US is that our top athletes don't become -- Hokie1992 06/17/2018 7:58PM

Do they have AAU type "traveling squads" in soccer? ** -- EDGEMAN 06/17/2018 11:39AM

They go to soccer academies as early teens I believe. Players with -- RoswellGAHokie 06/17/2018 11:56AM

Yes. Top soccer players don’t even play for their HS teams. The Academies -- hokie-c 06/17/2018 12:11PM

My son studied the pros (not MSL) and had U8 coaching in HS ** -- TomTurkey 06/17/2018 1:39PM

Knockout stage will have 32 teams as opposed to 16. -- VTDante 06/17/2018 08:54AM

I don't think I like the Group Stage being decided only on 2 games -- VTHokie2000 06/17/2018 3:36PM

And Adams, Robinson, Moore, Parks, Steffen. -- Gadfly 06/17/2018 12:32PM

But we get a bye as a host -- EDGEMAN 06/17/2018 08:28AM