US Mens National Team fails to qualify for World Cup 2018

[MurderMittenLiberal]

For the first time since 1986, the USA Mens National Team will miss the tourney. The Pay to play system clearly isn't helping the sport of soccer.

"Top Drawer Soccer and many parents and coaches surveyed agree that the biggest problem for talented young American players is the pay-to-play model. Players who are under 15 and want to compete at a high level need to impress in a tryout and then their parents need to shell out between $1,000 to $1,500 per year. Every coach has a story about a talented kid who disappeared suddenly, probably due to financial issues or a lack of parental support."

-Elliot Turner
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/mar/16/why-cant-america-develop-a-soccer-star


I don't see how this system can be overhauled to the point where the USA can compete with other nations such as Spain, Portugal, Germany, Brasil etc.. At least anytime soon. These countries have had futbol as a part of their culture for so long. Children in Spain for instance start developing their skills at such a young age. Soccer is such a huge part of the national identity, maybe even more so than baseball is to the USA. The USA hasn't had a breakout clear star since Landon Donovan and I'm not so optimistic about the near future.