The story of Major League Soccer is the story of the growth of association football in the United States in the years after the United States Soccer Federation was awarded the right to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup. In the years since the league’s inception the sport has grown to a level never before imagined, besting average live attendance numbers for both the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League and approaching the realization of a twenty-four-team league by the year 2020.

Once that dream has been achieved American soccer must make yet another giant leap. This Last Word on Sports series seeks to spell out how Major League Soccer must adapt after expansion, and profiles many of our writers’ varying opinions on where the league will spend most of its resources to continue its growth in recognition, talent, and renown. Last Word on Sports will also take a brief look back at the two major periods in the league’s history; the juxtaposition between these periods marks an important milestone in American soccer and helps set the stage for what Major League soccer will seek to become in MLS 3.0.

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Many have discussed and reasoned the ways that the United States Development Academy system needs to adapt to develop top-flight talent for Major League Soccer. In order for any substantial improvement to occur, the USDA system needs a complete overhaul in the same ways the German federation did in the wake of their disastrous collapse circa 1995-2000. The German federation fixed the problem of academy expenses, started development academies at younger age groups, and began to hold coaches/clubs responsible by annual audits. Upon shifting their development structure, Germany was rewarded with a World Cup final appearance in 2002, two third place finishes in 2006 and 2010, and a World Cup trophy in 2014.

With 79 teams in the USDA system, many question the developmental aspect of the structure. As of the 2013-14 season, the league features three age groups, U-13/14, U-15/16 and U-17/18. The USDA system operates on a 10-month schedule, with the season generally beginning in September and ending in June or July. By the age of 13/14, the Developmental Academies are bringing in players who are in the midst, if not already developed. The need to start academy development earlier is apparent. Development in the academies needs to begin during the ages of 8-12 versus 13-17.

Following their embarrassing display at the 2000 European tournament, the German Soccer Association made drastic changes throughout their system and identified the main issue that was holding their nation back; youth development and homegrown players. The newly structured German system allows for players to continue playing in the system, developing the same way from the youth teams at the age of six until they play professionally. Early on, teams begin with skill development, focusing on technical training with continual improvement. Simply put – they weren’t worried about results or winning championships; a popular trend we see in the USDA Academy System today. In 2001, it became obligatory for all 36 professional German clubs to individually fund their own youth academies. In most of Europe, this same requirement is in place. Each academy is funded by the federation and then audited, or assessed. Until that same structure is introduced in the US and Major League Soccer, no real development can occur. Major League Soccer and the United States Soccer Federation need this same overhaul to occur in order to see any substantial improvement of homegrown player development.

Currently with the system in place, the cost/fees for the USDA Academies vary from club to club. If a team is a true academy squad, whether a subsidiary of an MLS franchise or not, it should be free; travel, food, kits, boots, everything. The same should be said for an elite or premier team. If a player has to pay, it should just be considered club. There are many problems with the pay-to-play system. More times than not, the “pay-to-play” factor result in an elitist-only environment, and not selected solely by talent. In many cases, the talent pool consists of only the rich, not the top or best players. In foreign countries in South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, a player’s income and economical background doesn’t matter. At most USDA-endorsed clubs here in the US, if you can’t afford to play academy, you aren’t getting exposed. That lack of exposure also results in limited player pools for MLS franchises to pick up. The answer to this problem: follow in the German overhaul and make academy soccer all-inclusive for players.

Another issue with the USDA system is that the academies aren’t held to any real standard. What happens when a team doesn’t win and continues with lack of production? Are coaches fired? Are clubs closed down/relegated? No. With all of these factors combined, the development and growth of MLS Soccer and US Soccer at a whole is at a stagnant standstill. I know I come across as very anti-USDA, but that is hardly the case. Having played for one of the most elite clubs in the entire Mid-West, with/against the USDA program, I am familiar with it in its entirety.

The development and growth of Major League Soccer and its homegrown players has exceedingly great potential, but in order for strides to be made, the US need to follow a similar plan as Germany did. Between 2002 and 2010, Germany has spent $116 million on player development. Implementing these changes in the US and USDA Academies would not only increase the number of academy-bred players in the MLS, but it will increase the level of play, interest in the league, and overall talent of US Soccer. We’ve embraced a German head coach and players, now it’s time we embrace the innovative development structure.

For a history of Major League Soccer, take a look at our MLS 1.0 and MLS 2.0 segments of our MLS 3.0 series.

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