This is all very accurate, but it would be very difficult for american parents, given their values etc to send their kids over to europe at such a young age and not get any of the normal education that they would recieve here in the US. Although it would be good for US soccer players, i think its a bit of a stretch for parents

It's great to have a dream, but for every Rooney, Ronaldo, or Tevez there are a tremendous number of players who play out their careers in the lower leagues. They are scattered all throughout Europe. Only the players at the very top level make a true career out of the game. Realize that for the vast majority of these kids, soccer is the only way out, as compared to here in the U.S. were the sport has firmly entrenched itself into the middle class.

This is true. But there are always good players, if not some of the best players coming out of these systems.

New Question though:


Would it benifit a player more to go to college, or play in the MLS? (given the salary, experience etc...)