Alioune DVToure wrote:ross.mcfc wrote:
Tell me all about these wonderful academies in England. They must produce the worlds best footballers since everyone in England loves football.
Last time I checked the last time the two countries met I recall the American players more than held their own then topped the group with England in it.
Always amuses me how insecure europeans are about Americans getting good at football.
Let's be honest, the Americans were under intense pressure in that game and would've been thankful it was only 1-0 had Rob Green never howled. You really hate England, don't you?
England hasn't produced many world-class players in the last 20 years, but there have been hundreds of good Premier League players. In that same period of time, the US has brought through about 30 players who can/could/would've cut it at PL level.
look ... obviously US soccer is no where near as developed as England. Congrats, we've had a serious pro league since 94-95.
But if your metric for a successful program is that England put us under intense pressure and "should have" won, then I don't think you're having the right conversation.
The USA is no powerhouse, we have a horrible youth system, mediocre league at best and as you say only around 30 players that could/would/do make a difference in the prem. Still, we can hang with the big boys.
I wouldn't get all high and mighty about England's "PL quality players" ... after all, I'd take quite a few off the US squad depth chart before calling up Danny Welbeck, and your last competitive result was 1 - 1 Montengro.
Now, I can imagine City coming in and developing something really special that will be good for City ... and it will be good for US talent development in general. Exciting times.