Young Americans Going Abroad...
The list of Yanks playing soccer abroad is growing at popular website, Yanks Abroad. As the next European season quickly approaches, young Americans are getting more and more chances to showcase their abilities overseas. This used to be unheard of, however it seems like it is becoming the norm. More and more we are seeing European clubs scouting the American youth national teams for hidden gems.
United States Under-20 defender Neven Subotic was planning on attending the University of South Florida as a freshman this fall. USF by the way quietly assembled a strong recuiting class with a few former U-17 FIFA WC team members. However, the 6' - 3" defender decided a spell in Europe would help his game develop the most. Subotic had been aproached by MLS, but if Europe is going to pay more, what is MLS offering other than home soil? Subotic spent a good amount of his childhood in Germany so he's not going to stay in the US to stay compfortable.
Former University of Richmond Spider Colin Vint flew under the MLS radar after graduating college. Since the league wasn't courting him, he decided to give Ireland a try. Although Ireland is close to England, the Irish league don't compare to the English. Vint will get some good playing time, however it is questionable if the level of competition in Ireland is going to rival MLS. Vint may have been happy to ride the pine and work for a starting role stateside, but there isn't enough pine in MLS to acomidate all college grads. As we've seen, MLS rosters are so tight good players aren't always given the time they need to develop...read a few months back about Mike Ambersley.
University of Virginia recruit Jonathan Villanueva has begun a trial with Young Ajax. Villanueva is this year's Lee Nguyen. He's considered the top prospect going into college this fall and all that praise has the foreign clubs taking a look. This prospect is being stolen from MLS before they even had a chance to look at him.
The above three cases highlight the fact that MLS needs to get a better youth system in place if they want to have the best American players coming up into the league. Colleges are no longer able to draw the best while the money and prospect of a better soccer development program in Europe are dangled out there. If MLS wants these kids, they have to sign them to developmental contracts at 16 years old, before the European clubs can come calling.
United States Under-20 defender Neven Subotic was planning on attending the University of South Florida as a freshman this fall. USF by the way quietly assembled a strong recuiting class with a few former U-17 FIFA WC team members. However, the 6' - 3" defender decided a spell in Europe would help his game develop the most. Subotic had been aproached by MLS, but if Europe is going to pay more, what is MLS offering other than home soil? Subotic spent a good amount of his childhood in Germany so he's not going to stay in the US to stay compfortable.
Former University of Richmond Spider Colin Vint flew under the MLS radar after graduating college. Since the league wasn't courting him, he decided to give Ireland a try. Although Ireland is close to England, the Irish league don't compare to the English. Vint will get some good playing time, however it is questionable if the level of competition in Ireland is going to rival MLS. Vint may have been happy to ride the pine and work for a starting role stateside, but there isn't enough pine in MLS to acomidate all college grads. As we've seen, MLS rosters are so tight good players aren't always given the time they need to develop...read a few months back about Mike Ambersley.
University of Virginia recruit Jonathan Villanueva has begun a trial with Young Ajax. Villanueva is this year's Lee Nguyen. He's considered the top prospect going into college this fall and all that praise has the foreign clubs taking a look. This prospect is being stolen from MLS before they even had a chance to look at him.
The above three cases highlight the fact that MLS needs to get a better youth system in place if they want to have the best American players coming up into the league. Colleges are no longer able to draw the best while the money and prospect of a better soccer development program in Europe are dangled out there. If MLS wants these kids, they have to sign them to developmental contracts at 16 years old, before the European clubs can come calling.
posted by Bonji at
8:25 AM
2 Comments:
Pedrinho, I think you are taking my comments about Vint out of context. You seem to think I was slighting Vint, when I wasn't at all. I'm sure if he was able to get into the MLS Combine he would have been able to impress.
My point was more that these guys should be growing up in an American professional system where they don't have to go abroad to get good first team experience on a number of levels. I don't want to see any quality American players shut out of the American system because "their coach didn't clear him to be eligible." I am interested about your comment there. What does the college coach have to do for a player to be eligible for MLS?
By
Bonji, at 8:31 AM
Thanks for posting the video clip of Vint. He certainly plays creativly and can finish.
By
Bonji, at 8:41 AM
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