The State of soccer in America

Soccer has always been a second-tier sport in the U.S. Kids don’t dream of playing in the MLS or for big clubs in Europe, they dream of throwing passes on Sundays, or making it to the NBA. Even though there are upwards of 20 million youth soccer players in the U.S why can't we produce as many professional players as smaller nations like England.

The U.S has a different youth system than most European countries and that may be what stops them from producing pros. Across about 10,000 clubs there are 2.5 million registered youth club soccer players. Club soccer has a different meaning here than it does to the rest of the world. Depending on the level of club soccer prices can range by thousands of dollars per child annually. For a low-level travel club, meaning you play other teams in your state, maybe a couple of tournaments in nearby states but mainly against local clubs it can cost between $1,200-$3,500. For more mid-tier clubs and leagues you’ll play more of your region traveling to farther states for higher competition but nothing too far, but this can cost between $3,500-$6,000 annually. For the highest level which is MLS Next for boys and ECNL for girls it can cost anywhere between $8,000-$15,000 a year. Playing for these elite clubs means you travel around the country for tournaments as long as you qualify for them to play other elite squads and get attention from college and professional coaches. These prices will vary depending on state and which club you play for, but they will all fall under that range. Some teams do provide financial assistance but that usually comes from other players' families on the team donating to the fund run by the team. 

Europe operates youth soccer as an investment different to America who treats it as a business. 

In Europe they treat youth players as an investment. The higher level you play at the less you will pay. Clubs train players in their youth academies and sign them so when they grow as a player they can participate on the pro level of that club or be transferred to another club. Every country in Europe operates slightly differently, meaning some teams have their players pay for transportation while others provide it, or some pay tournament fees all together and others have the players' families chip in. However, after all the costs are totaled up families pay significantly less for club soccer in Europe compared to in America. 

Pay to win in America. Since American youth soccer is more of a business, roster spots may go to the highest bidder instead of the more skilled athlete. Teams would rather have an underqualified player pay more money for a roster spot than sign a qualified player that would pay less money. If you have played any club sport in America, you can pick out which of your teammates paid for their spot than earned it in the try out.

Playing for scholarships vs. playing for a contract. For most players in America the goal isn’t to go pro, but it is to play division one or just play collegiate soccer. Instead of developing youth players at the same club until they can go pro, players will play club soccer and hope to earn a scholarship to play in college and have their education paid. Some players out of college will still play pro whether it’s staying in the U.S with MLS or going overseas to play for a foreign club. But most collegiate soccer players don’t receive that offer and their careers end once they graduate.

Is soccer in America struggling because youth soccer is run like a business or is it because athletes are playing for scholarships and not pro contracts?