Youth Academies

Youth Academies aren't big in Europe, their huge. They accept kids into their academy starting at the age of 9. They recruit about 20 -30 players in each age group and train them to become professionals. Their main goal isn't to win state cup or nationals but to develop the individual and not the team. They don't teach down to the weakest link in their academy but instead teach beyond the age of the kids. They play about 30 games a year, all friendlies against other academies and they don't care what the results are. Some of the top academies in England cost about $3 million a year to keep running but all they need to produce is one quality player a year and their investment is safe. Academy soccer is by far the best way to develop a player and give him a chance to play professionally for years to come. Academies need to become standard for all clubs to create better soccer players throughout the world. When we start seeing real academies pop up in countries like the United States , we know that soccer has reached the next level.

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The LA Galaxy are Ruining Soccer in the U.S.

When the Galaxy acquired David Beckham in 2007, I have to admit I thought it was a huge step in creating better soccer in the States. Then I thought about the money, his age, and his overall goals. Lets start with the money. The LA Galaxy are spending over $5 million a year for him to wave to the crowd, fill some seats, and sell some jerseys. Beckham will turn 33 in May 2008 and he doesn't have much left in the gas tank as seen lately. He still is a talented player no doubt but what he is making and how old he is just doesn't make sense. Last but not least, what are his goals/reasons for coming to the United States. After watching the interviews that he has been doing the past coupe of months, its easy to tell that he is more concerned about building up the Beckham Brand than help MLS.

The LA Galaxy aren't concerned about U.S. soccer in the future or even in the present. For the MLS clubs to suceed, they need to have U.S. soccer succeed. All they are thinking about is sell tickets and jerseys, as long as they are making money now that don't think about the future. If we look at the past to see the future, we can look at the New York Cosmos and Pele. Sure they attracted 60,000 people to watch the likes of Pele, and Frenz Beckenbauer play the game past their prime but in 1984 the league folded. Yes, this helped bring soccer to peoples mind and many believed was a big reason for us to receive the World Cup in 1994, but did it help U.S. soccer players. The relationship between the LA Galaxy and the New York Cosmos are one in the same. They decided they wanted to enrich their own lives instead of enriching U.S. Soccer.

When MLS teams start putting their money into are youth players through academies and not ex star players, the U.S. national team and U.S. soccer will become a power house like Brazil has proven to be. The U.S. can be a power house and will be someday, when clubs stop trying to earn the quick buck and start trying to revolutionize the way the States play soccer.

By supporting the LA Galaxy and other MLS teams, We are responsible for the failure of U.S. soccer

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Freddy Adu Screwed Himself

Any true soccer fan has to agree that Freddy Adu hasn't lived up to his hype. Whether he was hyped to much or just made bad decisions in his career. The reality of the situation is that both of those problems lead many soccer fans to be disappointed. Adu was proclaimed the future or star for the U.S. national team. He was told how amazing and talented he was and that he was the answer for the U.S. team to be able to compete against the likes of England, Germany, Italy, and Brazil. In the beginning he proved them right, he showed the world that he was an amazing player. He was the tournament MVP for the ODP team while playing the likes of Juventus and Lazio's youth squads. He was getting the exposure that was needed for him to become the face of the U.S. national team.

The most defining experience in his life happened when Inter Milan offered him a six-figure sum to join there club, receiving the money when he was 18. His mother turned down the offer supposedly on the advice of her son's agent. Whether it was greed that they wanted money now or the fact that the family didn't want to relocate, it ruined his career. Four years later he made his debut for D.C. United at the age of 14. He didn't have the strength for the game as he was man handed and abused in his first few years. He scored 11 goals in 99 games played for D.C. united. Finally he was traded to Real Salt Lake, and he produced nothing there as some expected. Enough was enough, and he decide to move to European soccer, but a little to late.

When Freddy Adu rejected Inter Milan's offer he was preparing himself for failure. Instead of have the time to develop as a soccer player while playing with Inter Milan's academy, he chose to reap the rewards of his talent as soon as he could. Adu finally made the move to Europe but to a club not half the caliber as Inter Milan. Although he thought there would be more pressure playing in Europe he found out it was quite the opposite. They develop there players fully instead of just throwing him into games to pick up experience. No matter who the player is, they will become a better player playing in Europe because of the lack of patience the American clubs have shown.

Freddy Adu can still become a great player but never as good as he could have been.

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How U.S. Soccer will eclipse European soccer?

There is no doubt that U.S. soccer has come along way in the last decade but we are still light-years away from competing with the best whether club or country. In the 1994 World Cup the U.S. squad finished 3rd in their group behind the likes of Romania and Switzerland, not quality opponents. Then the appearance of the MLS in 1996 brought hope and aspiration to U.S. soccer. But four years later the U.S. squad finished last in their group recording 3 straight losses including one to the Iranian National team. The outlook for United States soccer looked quite hopeless. Then the 2002 World Cup came around and there was feeling in the air that we could do well in this tournament, mostly in part due to the success of the 2000 sydney olympics. The U.S. advanced out of their group beating Portugal and tying South Korean. Then Something happened that no one could have forecasted before the tournament, they advanced to the quarterfinals against germany. They lost 1-0 to germany but watching the game it was easy to tell that it should have been the other way around. When the final whistle blew Oliver Kahn feel to his knees happy to survive the onslaught that occurred on his goal. The excitement increased over the next few years, the United States soccer community was just waiting for the 2006 World Cup. But then it came and soon went away with the lackluster performance in group stage finishing last. The hope of the nation fell once again. United States soccer failed again but this time it did more damage than the last time. This time soccer disappointed a nation looking to due something great.

So we ask the question: What is needed for the U.S. to achieve consistent results?
This is the most simple answer to this question. Youth Academies. When the owners of our MLS teams start spending money on youth players and not old timers brought in to sell jerseys, we will be able to compete. When we see the La Galaxy signing 20-30 players under the age of 13 to train in an academy that they set up to produce the stars of the future, we will be able to compete. When they start running the MLS as an opportunity to revolutionize soccer rather than a business, we will be able to compete. When we look at the EPL, how many of their stars or even players came out of college to play for Manchester United or Arsenal. Zero. They come from there academies that are specifically design to develop players day in and day out. When we get these academies, WE WILL COMPETE.

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10 Ways to become a better soccer player

1. Interval Training
-Interval training can increase your oxygen intake and increase your endurance during competitions

2. 30 mins of juggling a day
-Juggling everyday will make you have a better feel for the ball and a better touch during your games. Minimal or no mis- touches during your games

3. Pick up games
-The best way to improve your game is to play. Whether small sided games or full fields, playing will make you a better player. The more you play the better you will get.

4. Practice Everyday
-The old saying “Practice makes perfect”. Well almost, you will never be perfect but you can be better than your opponent. No matter what sport a professional athlete plays, without question throughout their life they practiced their sport Everyday.

5. Watch Professional Games
-By watching the professionals play you can emulate their play and learn from their movements on the field. Also a great way to increase your knowledge on the field.

6. Weight training
-Lifting weights with your legs will increase your speed and power, While lifting weights with your upper body you will have the strength to hold your position and push your opponents off the ball with ease.

7. Plyometrics
-Plyometrics increases your foot speed so your first step will always be quicker than your opponents. In return you will beat them to the ball every-time.

8. Play other sports
-Playing hockey, basketball, tennis, football and other sports will keep your fitness up and improve your overall ability as an athlete as well as your footwork. You may not like the sport your playing but it will benefit you when your playing the game you love.

9. Play Futsal or indoor
-These fast paced games improve your touch, fitness, skill and most important your reading of the game.

10. Nutrition
-Probably the most underrated performance factor for all athletes. Without the right nutritional diet for soccer an athlete can not perform to his best. Many athletes including professionals have a diet that hurts their performance when on the field.
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