Friedel Slams U.S Youth Set-Ups

[Manolo]

http://www.soccer365.com/us_news/story_29908201049.php

"The system is broken in the U.S.," Friedel told the Daily Mail. "Columbus Crew are the only club who don’t charge their under 18 and under 16 players. - some kids are paying as much as $5,000 a year just to play for a decent club team."


I didn't know about this. This really sheds a light on so many themes consistently raised in these boards. How can world-class players develop in a system accessible only to suburban kids?

[JohnR]

How can world-class players develop in a system accessible only to suburban kids?

Friedel's half right, the other half is that 1000s of Hispanic kids are playing for top clubs nationwide, and they sure as hell ain't paying anything like $5k per year. So one way or another (often with scholarships), the reality for the good players isn't quite as Friedel's quote would appear.

Remember, Friedel is pitching his own youth soccer academy, too.

[Manolo]

Friedel's half right, the other half is that 1000s of Hispanic kids are playing for top clubs nationwide, and they sure as hell ain't paying anything like $5k per year. So one way or another (often with scholarships), the reality for the good players isn't quite as Friedel's quote would appear.

I'm not sure what community you're in, but where I grew up it didn't work that way.

The north side of town, where I lived even though I'm Hispanic, was very suburban, middle to upper-middle class. We had kiddie leagues, select teams starting at the U-12 level, and the area high schools were competitive in the state.

The south side of town, was largely Mexican and Haitian migrants, and poor whites. There was no youth system in the area, and as a consequence my high school would destroy their high school in matches.

Interestingly, however, there was an adult league that had teams from both north and south areas of town. The teams from the south, composed largely of Mexican immigrant workers, were usually on par or better than the teams from the north, with mostly American former college players. I used to referee some of these games, and they were very good (a few former pros from Latin America as well as MISL played in this league).

But what became obvious to me over the years was that the sons of the Mexican migrants were not getting the same opportunities to develop, because they lived in areas where they were outside of the mainstream U.S. development system.

This type of social separation happens in many cities I've seen during my work-required travel to many U.S. cities. I can only imagine the trend is similar.

[Marko72]

I'm not sure what community you're in, but where I grew up it didn't work that way.

The north side of town, where I lived even though I'm Hispanic, was very suburban, middle to upper-middle class. We had kiddie leagues, select teams starting at the U-12 level, and the area high schools were competitive in the state.

The south side of town, was largely Mexican and Haitian migrants, and poor whites. There was no youth system in the area, and as a consequence my high school would destroy their high school in matches.

Interestingly, however, there was an adult league that had teams from both north and south areas of town. The teams from the south, composed largely of Mexican immigrant workers, were usually on par or better than the teams from the north, with mostly American former college players. I used to referee some of these games, and they were very good (a few former pros from Latin America as well as MISL played in this league).

But what became obvious to me over the years was that the sons of the Mexican migrants were not getting the same opportunities to develop, because they lived in areas where they were outside of the mainstream U.S. development system.

This type of social separation happens in many cities I've seen during my work-required travel to many U.S. cities. I can only imagine the trend is similar.

There have been lots and lots of posts to this effect, and I agree with your general observations. One thing is certain (good, bad, or indifferent), while there are and for a long time have been some Hispanic surnames in the US Soccer system, the soccer that the nats of all levels play is most certainly not Latin in flavor. In this country there's a definite cultural disconnect between the football of those two societies.

[JohnR]

where I grew up it didn't work that way

And maybe it's still that way. But in much of the country, things have changed dramatically over the past decade. SoCal is 50%+ Hispanic at the top level and Chicago (my area) is maybe 25%, and close to 50% with the Development Academy teams. The numbers would have been maybe 15% and near zero, respectively, in 1998.

I know kids who not only get free club dues, but have their flights, meals, and hotel rooms paid for. Even gas money for their parents to drive them to practice. These would be always brown kids, never heard of a white kid -- even a relatively poor Eastern European immigrant -- who got financial support. Nor for that matter a black kid, but of course there are far fewer black kids who are really into soccer in those two areas.

[JohnR]

In this country there's a definite cultural disconnect between the football of those two societies.

Yep, that's still true, despite what I wrote above. The players might be Hispanic but the coaches are not.

[arsynic]

Newsflash! US player development is inadequate for producing competitive players consistency! Thank you, Dr. Friedel! We are waiting for your ready solution to your astute diagnosis!

[FirstStar]

Thank you, Dr. Friedel! We are waiting for your ready solution to your astute diagnosis!

I think he'd recommend the Brad Friedel Academy.

[mike4066]

I could have sworn it has been listed that ChivasUSA, Red NY and DC United don't charge anything for their academies.

[Pablo Chicago]

The article reads like a blatent self-serving promotion of his own academy. Friedel's comments serve no one but himself and saying that youth development is broken in the US, completely ignores the transformation US youth development has undergone recently and does nothing to promote the interest of European clubs in American players.

No mention whatsoever of how the USSF studied youth programs around the world and established a national Development Academy over a year ago. The DA is up to about 75 teams and not surprisingly Friedel's PSA is not included.

While there are club fees, there are no league fees in the Development Academy. If you're good, but can't afford it, there are few clubs in the Development Academy program that won't find a way to work around it.

[passtheblizz]

I have seen youth teams recently here in the US that could compete with any team from around the world... I could not say the same thing ten years ago.

Much of the system isn't perfect, but there are a lot more players getting the right kind of training these days. There will be some top quality players coming out of the US in the future. I also think most people would be surprised by the ethnic makeup of our current youth national teams. They aren't just a bunch of white suburban kids.

[england66]

As far as club team "scholarships" go I can't imagine, in an 18-20 man roster, more than 2 (max) are available. The ability to pay does play a part in wether or not you can make a team. In the Dallas area the entire club team set up is for the benefit of the coaches, some of whom make upwards of $50k a year "coaching" youth soccer. The emphasis in this area is on winning games for 11 year olds......not on developing players.

[Master O]

Much of the system isn't perfect, but there are a lot more players getting the right kind of training these days. There will be some top quality players coming out of the US in the future. I also think most people would be surprised by the ethnic makeup of our current youth national teams. They aren't just a bunch of white suburban kids.

So, out of curiousity, what's the ethnic makeup of these teams now?

[Beau Dure]

What if I were to tell you there are thousands of existing youth soccer teams for players under 18 that charge no fees? Uniforms, practice, travel -- all covered. And these teams draw much bigger crowds than their heralded counterparts, giving players experience in playing before crowds and sometimes dealing with the media.

[england66]

What if I were to tell you there are thousands of existing youth soccer teams for players under 18 that charge no fees? Uniforms, practice, travel -- all covered. And these teams draw much bigger crowds than their heralded counterparts, giving players experience in playing before crowds and sometimes dealing with the media.


We are not talking about Arsenal's Carling Cup side.....

[TimB4Last]

What if I were to tell you there are thousands of existing youth soccer teams for players under 18 that charge no fees? Uniforms, practice, travel -- all covered. And these teams draw much bigger crowds than their heralded counterparts, giving players experience in playing before crowds and sometimes dealing with the media.

I'd wonder if you were talking about the unheralded - and, on BS, unmentionable - high school soccer teams we have all around the country. If my guess is correct, than we would both be in violation of BS's rigid ToS, which strictly prohibit any positive mention of school soocer (at any level).

It's too late to save me, but at least save yourself. Please tell our fellow posters that you are not talking about high ... school ... soccer.

[Beau Dure]

I'd wonder if you were talking about the unheralded - and, on BS, unmentionable - high school soccer teams we have all around the country. If my guess is correct, than we would both be in violation of BS's rigid ToS, which strictly prohibit any positive mention of school soocer (at any level).

It's too late to save me, but at least save yourself. Please tell our fellow posters that you are not talking about high ... school ... soccer.

Uh oh ... is this a yellow card or red card?

[england66]

high school soccer is a bad joke and the refereeing is worse.

[deuteronomy]

high school soccer is a bad joke and the refereeing is worse.
:eek::D

[myshap]

The article reads like a blatent self-serving promotion of his own academy. Friedel's comments serve no one but himself and saying that youth development is broken in the US, completely ignores the transformation US youth development has undergone recently and does nothing to promote the interest of European clubs in American players.

No mention whatsoever of how the USSF studied youth programs around the world and established a national Development Academy over a year ago. The DA is up to about 75 teams and not surprisingly Friedel's PSA is not included.

While there are club fees, there are no league fees in the Development Academy. If you're good, but can't afford it, there are few clubs in the Development Academy program that won't find a way to work around it.

PSA is apart of the DA, in a way.

They are a partner with Crew Academy and Crew Juniors, about half the players on the Crew U16 team are PSA.