Open Mic: Changing American Soccer Culture or Lack Thereof

    The past three American national soccer team results against top quality opposition seem to indicate clearly that any illusions of progress seen in the 2002 World Cup were no more than that... illusions.  American players struggle to break into the first teams of even mediocre European teams as we have seen in the case of Eddie Johnson, Benny Feilhaber, Landon Donovan and countless others. 

    Yet, to say America is not an athletic powerhouse would be to ignore the stars of other sports where the United States dominates.  The grassroots culture that leads athletes into soccer in foreign countries is simply lacking.  Instead basketball, football, and to a lesser extent, baseball, are the sports which attract youth for the prospect of the 3 Gs: girls, glory, and gold.  

    The ability of many American athletes to crossover is limited.  In American football, most players would simply not have the physical capabilities to run for 90 minutes.  In baseball, fat players can achieve relative success as we have seen with Cecil Fielder and CC Sabathia.   In basketball, the size of many players would render it difficult to transfer their skill set to soccer.  However, there is unquestionably a group of players in every sport whose physical makeup would lead them to be highly effective in soccer had they been raised on the sport.

    In basketball, the quick and skillful point guards would be big, quick players in soccer.  These would include players such as Chris Paul, TJ Ford, and Steve Blake. 

    The NFL has many quick and relatively small players, who are strong, but could potentially transfer their skills to soccer.  The quick feet of safeties, wide receivers, and running backs would be impressive even in soccer.  Not to mention their excellent quick hands which indicate they would have a future as goalies.  Players such as LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Randy Moss, Brian Westbrook, and Chad Johnson have the speed but also technical capacity which indicates they could have played in the quick and skillful sport of soccer. 

    In baseball, little shortstops with speed would seem to have the talent to maybe implement that in soccer.  It is no coincidence that many of the elite Latin baseball players were quality soccer players in their time. 

    The development of soccer in this country has not been enough to allow these types of guys to choose this sport.  Even players who loved soccer such as Steve Nash (Canadian I know, but bear with me) and Nomar Garciaparra recognized that they couldn't get the pay they would receive in other sports and made the switch in their teenage years.  This lack of a inner city soccer culture, which is responsible for so many of the great players of Brazil, prevents the United States from giving these athletes that option.  With the MLS maintaining such a low profile, it would seem there will be no change in the near future to this system. 

    The simple truth is that the riches are available in Europe.  Soccer offers more high-paying jobs than any other professional sport due to the plethora of national leagues and worldwide interest in the sport.  This isn't conveyed to us Americans.  The potential for glory in the World Cup Final is essentially the greatest honor an athlete can achieve.  Billions are watching, the rest of the world has been dispatched, and your team stands alone for glory.  If Americans open their minds and think not only about their image in this country, but the world, there will be a great opportunity to spawn a superb national team.

    The athletes are there and if they played soccer, the size and speed of the American team would redefine world soccer.  Athletics in the United States are truly on an another level from most other countries.  The sustained interest in sports and the prevalence of varsity sports means we have an absolutely massive player pool.  From this the skillful gems can be found.  Let us also not forget that 13% of this country is Hispanic and often times from soccer cultures.  They must be brought into the developmental fold.

    Will the US win a World Cup in 50 years?  The increased profile of soccer in the United States and the increased scouting of American youth by European clubs can only help.  However, only when we have that infrastructure within our own borders will we definitely have arrived at the point.  Until then, it will remain the sad task of American soccer fans to watch as the Kobe Bryants and Randy Mosses of the world opt for more profitable and popular sports.