Defamation of Youth Soccer.

As a player and coach, I have played against some clever coaches and individuals who know and deeply care about the game, but most importantly, people who care about their players and teammates on and off the field. I also work as a private trainer, coach, counselor, and advisor helping beginner level to extremely talented players from developmental academies and schools to reach certain goals – and some of those players eventually ended up playing at higher levels. I've helped these young leaders understand themselves better through their unique gifts and talents to become better versions of themselves. However, this feature is not about my experiences or credentials as a coach but rather about the youth soccer programs in America, the conflict with actual developmental programs and what it means for the future of U.S. youth soccer.

The U.S. is a swelter of many nations that breeds the best overall athletes in the world with no questions asked. To this date and counting, the U.S. has won a total of 2,804 medals in the major Olympic tournaments and surpasses top class competition by a distant margin effortlessly. The four major sports in the U.S.; NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL are the best in their respective leagues globally. Men's Soccer (football) is the most played and watched sport in the world but neither the USMNT (United States Men National Team) or the MLS (Major League Soccer) is even close to becoming one of the best in the world, despite having the highest number of participants of the sport than any other of the 211 countries. The men's national team is currently ranked 27th according to FIFA rankings and the MLS is ranked 18th in the world according to local sources based upon revenue, not results. After being ranked No. 2 on average from 2003 to 2008 in the FIFA Women's World Rankings, USWNT ( United States Women National Team) was ranked No. 1 continuously from March 2008 to November 2014, falling back behind to Germany, the only other team to occupy the No. 1 position in the rankings' history. A huge gap between both teams. Recently, the USMNT failed to qualify for the 2108 World cup but that's a whole different article to talk about. That's more of a hierarchy problem with the USSF (United States Soccer Federation) in my opinion.

The MLS main goal is to be profitable in their dealings and bindings which obviously contradicts with their mission statement; "To make soccer in all its forms a pre-eminent sport in the U.S. and to continue the development of soccer at the recreational and competitive levels". Former U.S. soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann was highly criticized for his coaching tactics. Klinsmann said "The foundation in the United States is still fragile and disconnected compared to other countries. The youth leagues do their own thing. The professional system is not really connected to the amateur system and this is not connected to the college system". In other words like Swiss cheese, there are holes in this system with quality leaking through profusely. In the U.S. people prefer quantity to quality.

There's no drive, no true motivation towards a noble cause. The driven idea in this system is more about having than being. Coaches and trainers are not helping these young and aspiring future leaders to push themselves and encourage them to be better, not just on the field as they develop their skill but off the field as well to transfer their education into society when they leave the field of play. Are the coaches even properly trained and educated to efficiently teach, train, motivate, direct and guide other young souls to their destined paths? Yes its very evident that the sport is growing exponentially but the dismay and dread actually kicks in when the children gets lost in this 'pay-to-play' model in the youth sector.

The top nations in soccer went through a series of reconstruction of their youth system and produced good to outstanding results in a 10-12 year span. Take Germany and Belgium for example that started their youth transformation in 2002. Germany was defeated in the 2002 world cup finals by Brazil and that alone was the motivational drive to reconstruct their youth foundation and extend their new roots (also women soccer), which helped them grasp their fourth world cup title in 2014, demolishing the very team that shamed them in 2002, Brazil. The U.S. system is based on having fun that points back to the question again; where's the drive? What is the motivational kick behind this idea? The U.S. has no patience in the these areas of concept and they want quick results like putting a band aid over a gushing wound and hoping the bleeding stop and the pain goes away by providing the patient with Motrin. Youth players need to be put in the best possible environment to succeed and proceed. No short cuts allowed. Success requires long term approach and commitment with the need to properly educate parents and coaches.

This 'pay-to-play' model is based on having fun. The model is when parents pay for the child/children to participate because they want their kids to be happy, thereby completely missing the whole reason behind the cause. They feel and think that their children will be happy if they play and win. How can they learn with such superficial ideas with a false foundation to build on? Most of the parents are even happier than the kids if they win, without even considering the kid's feelings and thoughts. What's the drive in that? What ever happen to developing intellect, wit, personalities and livelihoods. How about promoting faster decision making and better awareness. How about teaching them on dealing with loses, negativity and life situations? Of course to most local youth coaches, this means nothing and those that see it are afraid to speak up for fear of being looked upon 'differently'.

It's time to start bridging gaps by creating community building programs that connect links between parents, teachers coaches and the youth. This is where Future Leaders of America kicks in, learning different skills on and off the field to become positive leaders. Most local soccer clubs and academies don't promote the best of the best. To them your jobs and hard earned money is just another number to bring more revenue for self promotion. It should be about the community but family based. This why we need your help and support to get committed and dedicated parents and coaches to end this ruse and acquire new tools to build a new foundation based of FIFA LAWS and not generic rules. THE FUTURE (THE CHILDREN) COUNTS ON YOU! NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO MAKE A MOVE!