kinstlinger
01 Mar 2005, 04:12 PM
One of the areas that the US obviously will need to create the next generation of soccer players, is making sure that soccer as a career/athletic path can compete with basketball, baseball and football.
I was curious what kinds of advantages that playing soccer in the US might have currently...
Soccer requires similar, but not exact skill sets than the others.
- Not all players need breakaway speed, but they need endurance.
- Being 6'2 can help in certain positions, but not all.
- Having a muscular frame isn't really an advantage, unless you're in goal.
I've been in the DCU locker room, and you'd be hard pressed to find muscle on Earnie Stewart and Ben Olsen. Even the immortal Stoichkov had a physique like someone's athletic but not weekend-warrior Uncle.
Soccer's big disadvantages here are lack of TV/promotion/hype, and money.
I don't see those changing soon, but one big advantage is that good players who join MLS, or European smaller sides will be able to compete.
Only 2 players can start in Duke's backcourt, or play RB for Penn State, but a kid which decent midfield potential will certainly be seen.
I was curious what kinds of advantages that playing soccer in the US might have currently...
Soccer requires similar, but not exact skill sets than the others.
- Not all players need breakaway speed, but they need endurance.
- Being 6'2 can help in certain positions, but not all.
- Having a muscular frame isn't really an advantage, unless you're in goal.
I've been in the DCU locker room, and you'd be hard pressed to find muscle on Earnie Stewart and Ben Olsen. Even the immortal Stoichkov had a physique like someone's athletic but not weekend-warrior Uncle.
Soccer's big disadvantages here are lack of TV/promotion/hype, and money.
I don't see those changing soon, but one big advantage is that good players who join MLS, or European smaller sides will be able to compete.
Only 2 players can start in Duke's backcourt, or play RB for Penn State, but a kid which decent midfield potential will certainly be seen.