The pay to play is obviously an overarching problem, but I really think that it has a root cause that's deeper than just pay to play, which I was alluding to in my previous posts.
Right now the elite player development system in the US is the US Soccer Development Academy. It's a network of approximately 200-250 clubs (150 for boys, about half as many planned for girls). About 10 years ago, this 'Academy' was spearheaded by USSoccer and the MLS to start a youth player development program. The teams all have squads for the common youth levels (I don't remember exactly what the levels are, but think U-11, U-12, U-15, U-17, etc.).
The great thing about the changes to US Youth Soccer under the USSDA is that it's changed the elite youth development leagues from leagues that focus on traveling to play multiple games every weekend to teams that focus on training and tactics and play 2-3 games per month.
These teams have dedicated coaches, staff, required trainings for coaches, etc. When people say "the MLS doesn't develop players", well its this Academy system that is developing them, it's where Josh Sargent, Christian Pulisic, Deandre Yedlin, Weston McKennie, etc came through.
The issue is that it's expensive. Full coaching staffs, long travel when there are games, equipment, field rentals, and the like all add up. In most countries, clubs will have academies that can absorb these costs because the domestic league is supported and teams see a return on their investment in youth development. People show up for games, people turn on the TV, and investing in these youth programs is profitable for the league. If you look at the way that people are discussing the league here, it's obvious that is not the case in the US. Andrea Pirlo can go from starting in a Champions League final against Real Madrid and two months later be playing in the MLS and people will still say 'retirement league'. They also don't ever recognize we have players that are starting for Belgium in major tournaments, playing for Spain, the guy that knocked Paraguay out of the world cup last night is an MLSer, there's a player starting for England's U-21 team, there have been 5 or 6 other starters in COMNEBOL and UEFA qualifiers as well.
There is a truly legitimate system in place. It's only been around for 10 years, so we are just hitting our stride with it right now, but until people decide to invest in the domestic sport, nothing's going to change. Yes, Twellman is right -- there are systematic changes that need to be made, but we are trying to put 20,000+ of the best young soccer players in the nation into a true development program. It's just that currently there's no way to fund it until our domestic league becomes more successful and has those funds to prop up more than just the US development academies.
That's why I'm on here ranting about people trashing our domestic league and that's why I push people to watch the MLS, because the pundits can rant and rave about changes that need to be made, but until there are funds to make those changes expect the status quo.
I'll leave with this -- yes, there are some bad teams in the MLS. But try turning on a game, even if it's just to watch the better teams. Atlanta plays a style of soccer that is extremely enjoyable to watch, yes you'll have to watch Jeff Larentowicz trap a ball 5 yards out of bounds every now and then, but this team is putting 70K+ screaming fans into a stadium with an electric atmosphere and it makes for an entertaining 2 hours. Turn on the Red Bulls, they play a high pressure system that I'd love to see the US adopt more of that creates lots of opportunities and scoring chances. They also have a great academy that is producing future US Soccer stars like Tyler Adams and Matt Miazga. Turn on NYCFC. You've probably never seen an American team try to build out of the back. They have young stars on the team like Jack Harrison (currently playing for England who is also a product of the Manchester United system and also and NCAA and Gatorade high school player of the year), Yangel Herrera who is owned by Man City and will be playing at a top-25 club in 3 or 4 years, Ronald Matarita who saved the Panama goal that never was off the line and will likely be in Spain in a few years, Alexander Ring who's like the Boulware equivalent of a center midfielder, etc, etc. I could go on and on about the improving quality of the league.
It's a fun league to follow with great parity, improving play, and soccer is best when experienced locally. Grab a ticket, they're like 10 bucks and bring the family. I guarantee you won't have a bad time, plus you can consider it an investment in our 2034 world cup win.
Edit: That became a wall of text. TL/DR: Pay for play sucks, but there's no other way to fund our academies. More financial success of the domestic league will make it possible for American clubs to invest more in youth. Go out and try a local game. It's fun.
