State of the Union on U.S. youth soccer

Youth soccer team celebrates Originally uploaded by eteamz photos.

Jaime Trecker has written a very interesting article on FoxSoccer.com that examines the current condition of U.S. youth soccer…and where it’s going in the future.

Trecker describes two very divergent philosophies in youth soccer today—the AYSO model which emphasizes group participation over ultra-competitiveness and the ‘select team’ track based on the Olympic Development Program which stresses player development over personal self-esteem.

It’s a fascinating article about what the primary focus of U.S. youth soccer should be. Do those two visions necessarily have to be in contradiction? Can you provide solid player development at the youth level without creating ‘club teams’ that require a significant financial commitment on the part of parents? And what effect does this have on the development of American professional soccer leagues in the future?

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(Photo Courtesy of Aris Messinis/Getty Images)