I think your last sentence is something that can never be proven or disproven, so it's an impossible conversation to have. Where player development in the US "should" be today is a bottomless rabbit hole. And I'd argue that developing players for the USMNT isn't MLS' job.
I don't know? Maybe because the current regime is headed by a German whose understanding is European club soccer? And who was done playing before MLS was even a league? Even then, the depth of the team is provided by MLS. MLS will always be the determining factor if the U.S. is ever to be a soccer power. We can only find so many German kids with American fathers. You would have to be a complete fool to expect MLS to be filled with Donovan level players after 18 years. That is totally unrealistic based on the finances and struggles of MLS over the years. The NASL existed for 16 years and never provided any real sustainable talent to the USMNT. MLS in its 18 years, has done a tremendous job in producing talent with their budgets, which are only a fraction compared to even mid-level Euro clubs. Only recently have we seen more spent on development with academies and the agreement with USL-Pro is a massive step forward. The next 10 years should be very exciting. Oh, Dave Kasper wouldn't have a job. But because DCU wouldn't exist. They would be relegated to the league the Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami Fusion have been playing in the past 13 years.
I would agree. But developing very good players is very much in their interest. So the USMNT thing should be a natural by product of good player development. From USSF's point of view, development of the game and player development at all levels is in their best interest (well aside from the money they make of youth soccer). And now we are full circle again.
Not going to say you are right or wrong, but i can recall almost this same conversation in 2000 after the USA U-17's put up some great performances in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Back then we saw Donovan and Beasley and said in 10 years we'd have amazing players....well its 14 years later and that group of kids still ranks as prob the best developed players we had. Back then the USSF had its own residential academy, it had great success. MLS doesn't have that, they have a gloried youth travel team (some is still pay to play). If MLS gets around to paying for free residential academies...maybe things will change.
I am defining world class as in stars on the biggest and best clubs in the world. Names every soccer fan around the world knows. And every other country is smaller, less rich and has less of a sporting tradition than the USA..so i don't think their lack of star power is relevant.
When it comes to soccer sporting tradition in the US, the 1994 WC, followed by MLS starting up in 1996, is basically the beginning of anytradition. We're got basically 20 years of sustained, organized, professional soccer in the US. With that in mind, it's pretty amazing how far we've come.
And they're still playing. They're just now at the end of their prime years. We have people taking over for them. We have guys that are already pushing them and would probably be supplanting them if this weren't a World Cup year. The academy system is literally 5 years old. It has already produced players. So 1% players. K, well we're a whole hell of a lot closer to this than we ever were and it is players bred in the MLS that are the ones making this strides. In the discussion soccer, no that's not the US at all.
It's too early to start complaining about MLS academies not yet having produced a major star. The league's first-ever homegrown player was Tristan Bowen -- who is currently 23 years old. Not a single one of the league's homegrown players has hit the peak years of his career.
The debate seems to have shifted to the impact of MLS on producing players for the US Nats. My opinion is it has been huge in creating depth within the pool. I don't think it has done much in generating elite players though. Compare our current best XI to 94's best eleven. I don't think there is much of a difference.
I don't agree with him overall but Tom Dooley would be an auto starter at CB. Ramos and E Stewart would be a great asset out wide because of their speed and skill, and we are lacking there right now. Otherwise....eh. Many are nostalgic about that team as it was in the early days of the games rebirth here. They also forget we played 10 men behind the ball the vast majority of the time. Ask that team to play like we do now and they get beaten a lot more, and badly in some cases. There are certainly players who could easily have been in this squad, but their places wouldn't be assured and they would add to our depth. Guys like Waldo and Harkes come to mind. Balboa is probably on par with Besler and better than Gonzo. The difference is there, but not huge, and playing style has a lot to do with it.
Just my opinion but... Wynalda Stewart Ramos Dooley Balboa Harkes All would have a shot at the first XI.
Of course, Thomas Dooley and Earnie Stewart were the John Anthony Brooks and Fabian Johnson of their day....
Apparently, the NASL is one of the top leagues in the region and deserves an automatic CCL berth. At least according to a delusional meth addic- er... Bill Peterson anyway. http://www.bigapplesoccer.com/leagues/nasl2.php?article_id=36646
He makes a point I have made several times. The insanity really didn't start until the Cosmos overplayed their hand with MLS. Peterson seemed very reasonable after he got hired and it was like a switch turned one day.....like someone had a nice talk with him.....and the over the top hot air babbling and hypocrisy has just taken off. Stuff like this can grab some headlines, and even fringe support for a while, until people just start tuning it out. There is the reality of it, and then there is everything else. The folks who talk around it, try to sound reasonable as they ignore facts, make up worries and fears, come up with "solutions" that aren't realistic or serious to anyone but themselves are always going to do that until things are done the way they want....the only way that makes sense and is legitimate...in their minds. It's gotta be hard living in a world that small.
World Cup or no World cup, there is no way in hell Beasley should be our starting LB. I still see no replacement for Donovan, Zusi can't do everything Donovan used to. Maybe Johannsson, I cross my fingers.
There is no replacement for LD. Looking for one will only lead to disappointment. Just gotta keep developing more quality here, and counting on some guys overseas.
Is that the same Deacon who tried his hardest to convince everyone ESPN wasn't a real network, or was than a different Deacon? Wonder when he had his epiphany? And ESPN 3 no less!
He has now declared the NASL is the most visible soccer league in the nation. Because of one streamed game a week. On ESPN3.