Sunday, June 27, 2010

College Soccer Helps Develop US team


It is en vogue in soccer circles to bash college soccer, but when you look at the US roster for this World Cup, it is obvious that college soccer is the route that has helped develop most of our team.


Ben Cohen of the Wall Street Journal writes about the debate of college soccer's role in developing players for our US national team.


To get to the World Cup, most American players are forced to endure an experience that soccer aficionados consider unnecessary, if not cruel: They go to college.

In England, where promising teenagers are scooped up by professional teams and paid professional salaries, the idea that it takes a beautiful mind to play the beautiful game comes across as a bit of a howler.

In England, superstar striker Wayne Rooney became a national celebrity in 2002 when he scored a goal in injury time in his debut for Everton of the English Premier League—at the precocious age of 16.

But guess what? After two games, the Americans—let's call it Team NCAA—are entering Wednesday's final group match in the same position as England's boys, despite the fact that 15 of its 23 members played the game in college. In simultaneous matches Wednesday, the U.S. and England each must defeat its respective opponent (Algeria and Slovenia) to ensure a spot in the knockout round.

Sasho Cirovski, the head coach of the University of Maryland's powerhouse soccer team, calls the current state of affairs "a small victory for college soccer," which he said is "still a vital part in the development process in this country."

1 comment:

  1. Well it is not as if the pro clubs seem to be concerned with developing talent at this age level. Not to mention the added benifit of a college education for those not lucky enough to go on to play for the National Team or at a professional club.

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