As our quest for the development of more “special” players continues, our willingness to change is also challenged. Without significant changes, I am convinced we will be in the very same position 25 years from now. Many very good players, a good National team that is well organized and very hard working but not a serious threat to the Italy’s, Argentina’s, Brazil’s and Spain’s of the world. Again for me, that is just not acceptable, we must strive to be more.

Another significant change I would implement is an overhaul of the current National youth team system is our country. We have far too many youth National teams, period. I have never liked the idea of telling 30-40 players at the age of thirteen years old that they are on “our National team”. I feel entitlement is a very big problem with our younger elite players and when we tell them they are on our National team at such a young age, it sends a completely wrong message for me. The only youth National teams we need are at the ages of World Championship competitions…thus U-17 and the U-20 for the men’s side and the U-17 and U-20 on the Women’s side. All the other “National teams” need to be changed completely to player pools.

Player pools are a great way to bring elite players together for intense training and game situations to see where players are currently at in their development. I would have one player pool for all players eligible for the U-17 National team. No more of this every year age specific camps, let the best players, regardless of age, compete in player camps. Create an environment at these player camps where all the players know that they can be dropped at any time as well as ensuring that all players know and feel that they can be added at anytime. I am sick and tired of seeing players that make the program when they are 13 stay in the national player pools and teams even when their current play does not warrant it. These player pools must be dynamic and ever changing.

I would insist that we have 3-4 full time US Soccer coaches working with the player pools and that those coaches are selected to ensure regional coverage. We must have East, South, Midwest and West coaches involved, no more of this dominance by certain regions of the country. I would have numerous guest coaches (college, MLS, club) involved in these player camps from all across the country as well as internationally from top Academy Development professional clubs. Get these players exposed to different styles, different thoughts, new methods…the game is played and coached differently within our country and around the world, let’s make sure our elite players are exposed to all that we can give them during these important years of their development.

I would have player camps four to six times during the year, regionally set up to help initial player costs. When certain players perform well and stand out, they are invited to go to other regions and compete against a different set of players and in front of a different set of coaches. I would constantly be shuffling players during the year to be seen by as many coaches and in different training and game environments as possible. After a series of regional player camps, I would get the feedback of all the coaches that were involved, the full time guys as well as all our guest coaches, and have the top 20 selected players come together for a trip overseas or to Latin America for friendly games. That is there reward for a year of work. And then most importantly, I would start it all over again.