Yes. A long time before we even get a sniff at it too. What you saw in this World Cup isn't just a one off for them. Its the result of long term plan, being aided by Klinsman and lots of other people who know football. They're investing in youth development, and doing it properly. Think about their potential pool, and actually the pool of nationalities they can pull from too. They'll be in a final within the next 2 or 3 at the most World Cups and you should start to see more and more top quality American players too. I can even see "Soccer" taking off finally, and properly, in the USA too. Not to overtake their established sports of course, but enough to make a massive difference.
I think there is no doubt the US will win the world cup. Out of all the countries that played in Brazil the US had the largest youth program with 25 million kids playing. Thats a lot considering that it is our 5th biggest sport. It is just a matter of time really. I doubt it will be for 2 or 3 world cups but we will certainly win it eventually.
What's Pele's latest schedule for an African team winning it? He said pre-2000 back in 1977. Is he now saying pre-3000?
Amazes me that, with 1.5 billion Chinese and another 1.5 billion Indians, neither can seem to find a dozen to boot a ball anything like.
Agreed. Always been impressed with the Youth soccer here. Both boys and girls. All will pay off in the end (providing Klingsman and the powers that be ensure that the progress kids is not a function of income level, which it tends to be now). Big factor will be the demographics from both a playing and watching point of view. Population is increasing but not because of birth rates but because of immigration and that immigration is in the main from footballing nations-Mexico and the rest of South America. Its only natural that their children will want to play soccer. See it in my own area where we have lots of immigrant agricultural workers, their kids play some great football.
How come with all that coaching of youth, going back a good while now I guess, you never have a world class striker? Someone wanted by Real Madrid Or Man Utd. If you don't have that player you'll never win the tournament. We're fairly crap but I bet you'd love to have someone as good as Sturridge.
Perhaps its a function of the body type that person tends to have. There a ton of positions that type of person can fill in our other sports. People like Donovan are just to small to play our other sports. Hell my height became a real problem when I was 18 playing baseball and I am 6ft. I went to try outs with major league scouts and was told I was far to small to play my position. There is no doubt that if our kids were not playing baseball, basketball and football we would have that striker.
I'm wondering who JA the world class USA striker is that you mentioned. I've ruled out Jozy Altidore obviously.
From what I understand soccer is big at youth level because it is non-contact, but around teenage years the best athletes are drawn into baseball, basketball and American Football. Unfortunately, that's also where the money is and it's hard to resist the $ signs. The best of what's left will be attracted to Europe where there is also big money, and the club over Country and prima dona attitudes.
