The United States’ early departure from the 2026 World Cup has raised questions about what it takes to produce a global men’s soccer superpower in the country. One of the crucial differences between the US and other successful soccer nations is the pay-for-play system that permeates youth sports in America.

Pay-for-Play System

In the US, many youth organizations stay in business by developing players for a fee, then keeping them in the program for as long as their family is willing to pay. This system can be expensive, with some families shelling out up to five figures a year for team dues, equipment, and travel expenses.

The US Soccer Federation’s CEO, JT Baston, believes that the US should not copy and paste what works in another country, but rather design the right youth pathways in partnership with pro clubs. The current system is often criticized for being elitist, with many talented players being priced out of the game.

MLS and Youth Development

Major League Soccer (MLS) has taken steps to retool the pipeline and replicate the world’s club system. The MLS Next program covers around 53,000 players, with a grant program in place to support grassroots clubs that develop players who go on to play in the top league.

However, the US still lags behind other countries in terms of its youth development system. Many countries operate in an ‘open ecosystem’ where thousands of pro and semi-pro clubs compete and develop players. The US system, on the other hand, is often fragmented and focused on the pay-for-play model.

Former US Youth Soccer CEO Skip Gilbert believes that the US needs to combine its many organizations under one umbrella to create a strong database that can identify top talent. However, others argue that this could consolidate power and data among existing entities.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.