Following the United States Men’s National Team’s disappointing loss to Trinidad & Tobago, there has been a lot of talk about what’s wrong with US soccer and how to fix it.
The recent roster release for the friendly against Portugal may be a very good indicator of what kind of player the United States develops and what we need to do in order to go forward.
Of the 21 players picked, 12 play in either Europe or Central America. These 12 players are what the rest of the soccer world considers good enough to play in their leagues.
But let’s take a closer look at what positions they play.
Of the three goalkeepers picked, TWO play internationally.
Of the seven defenders, ALL seven play internationally.
Of the seven midfielders, three play internationally.
Of the four forwards, NONE play internationally. Here we must take note that Christian Pulisic is getting a very well-deserved rest.
It is clear we do well with keepers and defenders: big, athletic, physical players. But when he comes to creative skilled players, we are lagging behind.
And U.S. Soccer must reconcile how it can develop the type of creative players that are being generated in other countries. That means open play at younger ages that allows players to have fun and take chances without having coaches manage every aspect of the game.
U.S. Youth Soccer has begun doing that with smaller sided games through the academy level that more closely resemble just going out and playing rather than coaches worrying players about strategy and game management.
Coaches can help players learn the skills. But the players have to have the desire to perfect them. And U.S. youth soccer still needs to perfect the environment for that to happen. Some of the initiatives of the last few years are a good start.
