What truly is "Elite" player development?
Are you getting value for your dollars? What would that even look like?
The number of youth competitive soccer clubs and/or leagues claiming to be “Elite” or “Premier” in the good ole USA is astounding! Based on what they want you to shell out for “top level player development” it certainly makes me think they truly believe they offer an “Elite” or “Premier” experience….or maybe they just want your money. Hmmm.
How would we gain realistic insight into defining elite player development in the United States? I suggest the best way to do that is to see who is actually doing that.
On October 17, 2025 the US Men’s Under 17 National Team roster was announced by head coach Gonzalo Segares:
GOALKEEPERS (3)
- Jack Kortkamp – Sporting Kansas City
- William Lodmell – Sporting Lisbon
- Aidan Stokes – New York Red Bulls
DEFENDERS (6)
- Christopher Cupps – Chicago Fire FC
- Jordan Griffin – Philadelphia Union^
- Pedro Guimaraes – Orange County SC
- Ramiz Hamouda – Birmingham Legion
- Enrique Martinez – LA Galaxy^
- Gio Villa – Real Salt Lake
MIDFIELDERS (6)
- Maximo Carrizo – New York City FC
- Luca Moisa – Real Salt Lake
- Cooper Sanchez – Atlanta United
- Cavan Sullivan – Philadelphia Union
- Jude Terry – LAFC
- Mateo Tsakiris – LA Galaxy^
FORWARDS (6)
- Chase Adams – Columbus Crew^
- Mathis Albert – Borussia Dortmund
- Nimfasha Berchimas – Charlotte FC
- Julian Hall – New York Red Bulls
- Jamir Johnson – Philadelphia Union^
- Kellan LeBlanc – Philadelphia Union^
OK, who can tell me how many of these 16 year olds are from an amateur youth club? Yes, the correct answer is ZERO.
All of these players are attached to a professional soccer club. While most of them are MLS prodigies, there is a smattering of USL players and of course foreign based professionals. These are the ELITE 16 year old male soccer players in the United States of America.
In 2020, conveniently simultaneous to COVID, US Soccer closed it’s “Elite” league, the Development Academy. Crazy enough MLS was right there to replace it with their own league. It almost seemed like they planned this together! (sarcasm alert). The rumor had been running soccer circles for the better part of a decade. It was simply a matter of time.
The 2025 State of Play report released by the Aspen Institute found that while soccer participation is declining, costs are increasing. The drop out rate for youth soccer players entering middle school continues to trend north of 50%.
SIDE NOTE – All MLS Academies are fully funded. Cost to the player equals ZERO.
For those keeping score:
- Youth competitive soccer clubs claiming to offer “Elite” and/or “Premier” player development at exorbitant rates have ZERO players on USMNT Under 17 team
- Fully funded MLS Academies offer development opportunities at no cost to selected players and the vast majority of of USMNT Under 17 team are from MLS Academies
So, who is Elite, and who just wants your money?
Before you start pounding on the keyboard to send me hate mail I believe there is a healthy place for amateur youth soccer clubs in the ecosystem. They CAN produce high levels of training and sometimes will produce a player who can move on to higher levels. More importantly they CAN provide a wonderfully positive youth development experience.
With that said, anyone who has raised children KNOWS the difference between “CAN” and “WILL.” So long as well meaning soccer parents blindly throw their money at these clubs and leagues there is little incentive for “WILL.”
It is time for soccer parents to take responsibility for their soccer education so that they can ensure they are doing what is best for their children.
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