Yes, which is why I think that the biggest factor in the increasing amount of talent that we're seeing is that the soccer boom kids of the 70's - who also became the first generation of American pros - now have teenage children. Can anyone really argue that the biggest factors for Christian Pulisic were not Mark and Kelley Pulisic? The larger the number of soccer families the more prospects.
To read about them talking about Christian I think he was the biggest single factor. No doubt they helped in technique and enthusiasm but they literally had to make him not play at times because that's all he wanted to do. very hard to be as good as someone so single minded who puts in the work. Point granted that without correct technique he may have practiced all the wrong things and not been near the player he is.
I think rather than teaching him technique, by having a soccer-first household, it developed a culture around him that gave him passion for the game.
TFCA U-14s finish their first game with a 5-0 win against Vancouver. Their next game is tomorrow at 11am (PCT) against @SoundersFC U-14s.— Toronto FC Academy (@tfcacademy) May 2, 2017
U15 Cayman Cup: DC and Houston had a much better showing than a year ago when both got played off the field by Man City. Both teams played Man City again this year but lost again. Houston fell 3-2 and DC 1-0. IMG finished in 4th place.
Even though the article is about Canadian grassroots, I think you all will enjoy this article very much. Do we know what it takes? Another failed World Cup Qualifying Campaign!! https://t.co/BDBe4UtR5Q via @GSarakinis pic.twitter.com/eZbbzrFTO9— Georgios Sarakinis (@GSarakinis) May 15, 2017
I've been thinking about the Canadian quandary for a bit now. It's actually very unique. You produce a fair number of bright lights but lack depth. Particularly in defense and midfield. One thing that the US has always had, for all that we hate their methods, is a ridiculously large college system that keeps young men in the competitive cycle up until their early 20s. There's probably other reasons but I suspect that is the main one.
It just comes down to the size of the talent pool. First off...............folks forget that the population of Canada is only 36 million. That's not a small number, but its also not a nation like Japan (126 million). Its much smaller than Mexico or the US. Population-wise its smaller than California alone. Then consider the sporting landscape and soccer's place in it in Canada. How many total youth soccer players are there compared to the US, Mexico, or even Central American nations? Consider the lack of resources available to the CSA in comparison to the USSF and FMF. And then lastly consider the small number of professional opportunities for youngsters in Canada when compared to the other CONCACAF members. Frankly, I think we're often unfair to Canada by expecting them to rise up as a third "power" in the region. They're trying to build things, but its gonna be a slow process. And, of course, a major part of the problem is that the US, Mexico, Central America, etc. are actually developing at a more rapid pace than they are. Its not a stationary target. Canada is improving.................but so are Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras, etc. And yes..............TFC, Montreal, and Vancouver are good academies. But the US matches them with NYRB, FCD, and LAG. And then adds all of the other MLS and DA teams on top of that.
I think the real damage is the lack of a way to keep kids 18 through 23 training. They have 7 professional teams and two leagues in Ontario and Quebec. How many of those spots are for Canadians? So maybe 100 spots of which 50 or so are for young talent. They pretty much have to identify all their main talent at 18. Imagine how bad our talent pool would be if we had that cutoff date? In comparison, Costa Rica has 90 clubs and hundreds of spots for young talent.
He seems to think the problem is a lack of physical play and players do not play enough games. I doubt that is the issue in Canada and I know it is not the issue in the states. Growing up in suburban Long Island there was a lot of dangerous tackles, a lot of trash talk, a lot of fights, etc. And hs players would play a HS season with a lot of games in a short period of time and then play a ton of travel over the "offseason".
The whole point of the USSF Development Academy was that in America we wanted our elite kids playing fewer games. However, we wanted the games they did play to be at as high of a level as possible. In other words we sought to eliminate all of the endless and meaningless youth tournaments kids used to play.
#VWFC vs. @FCBarcelona?@WFCResidency U-14s will test themselves vs. @FCBmasia and other top academies in Sweden.https://t.co/i5T7Ua3w9l— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) May 22, 2017
Thank you @tfcacademy and @CanadaSoccerEN for hosting the @WhitecapsFC U15s in Toronto this week. A wonderful showcase for the #CSA '02 Boys pic.twitter.com/ZYRQpG2EKP— Whitecaps FC MLS Academy (@WFCAcademy) May 19, 2017
I'm not sure what competition this is but it looks like Galaxy '02's vs Man City '02's... on UDN as well. @ManCity Cup Update: Watch 2002 SuperGroup match @LAGalaxyAcademy take on @ManCity Academy 2 PM (PST) today on @UnivisionSports. pic.twitter.com/VjgYpu1VPe— SurfCupSports (@surfcupsports) May 26, 2017
The Manchester City Cup is a tournament in the San Diego area (Oceanside and Del Mar). The '02 teams are apparently in the U15 group. http://mancitycup.com/ http://events.gotsport.com/events/Default.aspx?eventid=58516 http://events.gotsport.com/events/schedule.aspx?EventID=58516&GroupID=616180&Gender=Boys&Age=15
Check out @LAGalaxyAcademy's Tweet: @LAGalaxyAcademy 14s miss a last minute penalty to tie, and drop a 2-3 result against @ManCity Academy. Tough result but valiant comeback.— LA Galaxy Academy (@LAGalaxyAcademy) May 26, 2017
Vancouver Whitecaps played Barcelona at the u14 level today... Final minute of play #FCB find a 6th to firmly assert their dominance in group A and the #LJAT event as a whole. FT score #VWFC 0-6 #FCB— Whitecaps FC MLS Academy (@WFCAcademy) May 27, 2017
Did that without Alvarez as well @LAGalaxyAcademy 18s tie RSL 2-2 in AZ. Goals scored by Charles Anguiano and Efrain Alvarez. 16s up next.— LA Galaxy Academy (@LAGalaxyAcademy) May 27, 2017
I find myself losing some interest in Alvarez. I still follow the LAG DA, and I certainly wish all the players well. However, I am more than anything a fan of developing USYNT players, and that's my biggest emotional connection. I still think Alvarez is a nice prospect, but unless Mexico no longer calls him up I don't foresee Alvarez (or Llanez, for that matter) returning to the U.S. fold. As soon as I saw Rossi declare for Italy I only watched him from afar, no different than admiring Mbappe, for example. I love watching him but I'm not all that invested in his progress.
READ - Impact U14 to take part in an international tournament in France >> https://t.co/IAeKiUWlQe#IMFC pic.twitter.com/2cdgUNzYCl— Académie du CF Montréal (@academiecfm) May 30, 2017
The 2017-2018 schedules were released. RSL is staying in the Southwest Division (they're moving the academy to Utah), but Grande Sports Academy will take over that Arizona spot in the DA. Albion out of San Diego is a full member in the Southwest Division. Jacksonville Armada have an academy now and are a full member. A 3rd Atlanta area club, United Futbol Academy, is a full member. They're an Atlanta United affiliate. I'm guessing the two Scott Gallagher clubs merged under the St. Louis FC banner. Virginia Development Academy is a full member in the Atlantic Division.