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Another World Cup, another big disappointment. There is a huge problem with American soccer we need to talk about: youth soccer is failing kids due to the “pay to play” model which is pricing out working class families & incentives winning over development. In other countries kids play for... show more

Kylen Mills

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15,116 views • 16 days ago •via X (Twitter)

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Soccer is booming in the United States and World Cup viewership shows there is MASSIVE interest, but it will never be the priority and always play 5th fiddle to the Big 4 sports in America unless Americans fundamentally change their approach to youth sports. American Soccer is behind the rest of the world for 3 reasons: 1. Cultural Sporting DNA In the USA, Soccer competes in a crowded field of Football, Basketball, Baseball and Hockey instead of dominating like abroad. Europe and the rest of the world built soccer through community clubs, local pride and it being their default sport. They are born with a soccer ball on their feet. 2. Pay-to-Play Barrier In the USA most youth are priced out of playing because the cost to be on the team is too expensive. Currently there is a 14% decline in youth soccer participation between ages 6 to 12. Europe and the rest of world’s accessible club model keeps more kids in the game longer. 3. Less participation in the sport An all time high 16.8 million youth played outdoor soccer in the USA in 2025, but per capita the USA is far behind other European countries like Belgium which has a 3x higher rate of participation for its population size. For American soccer to catch up, it has to change its sporting culture focus to development instead of making money and lower the cost barrier for participation through state and government funded clubs over the next 20 years. Development needs to be the priority, not maximizing how much money can be made off the athlete and their parents. Instead of focusing on the old statement of “if our best athletes played”, focus on making the best athletes want to keep playing and the ones who do play the beautiful game better at it. Then and only then can we find our Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, Messi, Ronaldo or Jude Bellingham. We have to build the structure for them to develop in. #FIFAWorldCup #FIFAWorldCup2026 #Football #Soccer #RG3 #OuttaPocket #USA

Soccer is booming in the United States and World Cup viewership shows there is MASSIVE interest, but it will never be the priority and always play 5th fiddle to the Big 4 sports in America unless Americans fundamentally change their approach to youth sports. American Soccer is behind the rest of the world for 3 reasons: 1. Cultural Sporting DNA In the USA, Soccer competes in a crowded field of Football, Basketball, Baseball and Hockey instead of dominating like abroad. Europe and the rest of the world built soccer through community clubs, local pride and it being their default sport. They are born with a soccer ball on their feet. 2. Pay-to-Play Barrier In the USA most youth are priced out of playing because the cost to be on the team is too expensive. Currently there is a 14% decline in youth soccer participation between ages 6 to 12. Europe and the rest of world’s accessible club model keeps more kids in the game longer. 3. Less participation in the sport An all time high 16.8 million youth played outdoor soccer in the USA in 2025, but per capita the USA is far behind other European countries like Belgium which has a 3x higher rate of participation for its population size. For American soccer to catch up, it has to change its sporting culture focus to development instead of making money and lower the cost barrier for participation through state and government funded clubs over the next 20 years. Development needs to be the priority, not maximizing how much money can be made off the athlete and their parents. Instead of focusing on the old statement of “if our best athletes played”, focus on making the best athletes want to keep playing and the ones who do play the beautiful game better at it. Then and only then can we find our Erling Haaland, Lamine Yamal, Messi, Ronaldo or Jude Bellingham. We have to build the structure for them to develop in. #FIFAWorldCup #FIFAWorldCup2026 #Football #Soccer #RG3 #OuttaPocket #USA

Robert Griffin III

275,350 views • 11 days ago

Landon Donovan says America is missing soccer talent because kids can’t afford to play. “Only 2% of kids playing organized soccer in America came from households that made less than $50,000.” “If you don’t make $50,000, your kid cannot play organized soccer.” “Think about how many kids you’re missing out on in this country because they can’t afford to play the game.” “There is zero chance I could have played club soccer.” “My mom made $34,000 a year, single mom raising three kids.” “She couldn’t pay $4,000 for me to play club. Are you kidding? She couldn’t pay $400.” “That’s not a good system to create good players.”

Landon Donovan says America is missing soccer talent because kids can’t afford to play. “Only 2% of kids playing organized soccer in America came from households that made less than $50,000.” “If you don’t make $50,000, your kid cannot play organized soccer.” “Think about how many kids you’re missing out on in this country because they can’t afford to play the game.” “There is zero chance I could have played club soccer.” “My mom made $34,000 a year, single mom raising three kids.” “She couldn’t pay $4,000 for me to play club. Are you kidding? She couldn’t pay $400.” “That’s not a good system to create good players.”

Etan

4,507,825 views • 17 days ago

🚨 Landon Donovan didn’t hold back on the state of U.S. soccer: “2002 World Cup is the furthest the men have ever been… we have only won one knockout game in our history. That’s pretty alarming. We’re not developing players like the rest of the world.” “The bigger problem is our youth soccer in this country is a disaster… It’s all about winning. The kids get left behind because the clubs want to make money, the coaches want to make money… and the kids don’t develop.” On the post-16/17 pathway: “If you’re 16, 17 and you haven’t made it, you kind of fall into this abyss.” His bottom line: “I want to give the game back to kids.” SRUSA - College Soccer Recruiting Agency 🇺🇸

🚨 Landon Donovan didn’t hold back on the state of U.S. soccer: “2002 World Cup is the furthest the men have ever been… we have only won one knockout game in our history. That’s pretty alarming. We’re not developing players like the rest of the world.” “The bigger problem is our youth soccer in this country is a disaster… It’s all about winning. The kids get left behind because the clubs want to make money, the coaches want to make money… and the kids don’t develop.” On the post-16/17 pathway: “If you’re 16, 17 and you haven’t made it, you kind of fall into this abyss.” His bottom line: “I want to give the game back to kids.” SRUSA - College Soccer Recruiting Agency 🇺🇸

Don Williams

628,120 views • 1 month ago

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is here which means soccer broadcasters have to be locked in all 104 games. One of the best times to sharpen my play-by-play skills is traveling to my soccer destination. I have a great teammate in the all-new 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid, together we are going to the Final!! And with Kia serving as FIFA's Official Mobility Partner, it's the perfect ride for the journey. GOOOOOAAALLLL! Kia America

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is here which means soccer broadcasters have to be locked in all 104 games. One of the best times to sharpen my play-by-play skills is traveling to my soccer destination. I have a great teammate in the all-new 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid, together we are going to the Final!! And with Kia serving as FIFA's Official Mobility Partner, it's the perfect ride for the journey. GOOOOOAAALLLL! Kia America

Maximiliano Bretos

8,220,245 views • 1 month ago

“I think it's not only going to be the biggest World Cup, not only going to be the biggest sporting event, I think it's going to be the biggest cultural event we've ever seen.” U.S. soccer legend Alexi Lalas announces a major new community initiative from FOX Sports and Fox Corporation: a $500,000 commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The partnership is aimed at growing access to soccer, training coaches and advancing workforce readiness for club teens. "You know the World Cup is a legacy. Sports are a legacy. We want to make sure that there are the resources to give people the opportunity to play and kids the opportunity to play."

“I think it's not only going to be the biggest World Cup, not only going to be the biggest sporting event, I think it's going to be the biggest cultural event we've ever seen.” U.S. soccer legend Alexi Lalas announces a major new community initiative from FOX Sports and Fox Corporation: a $500,000 commitment to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The partnership is aimed at growing access to soccer, training coaches and advancing workforce readiness for club teens. "You know the World Cup is a legacy. Sports are a legacy. We want to make sure that there are the resources to give people the opportunity to play and kids the opportunity to play."

FOX & Friends

31,955 views • 2 months ago

NEW PODCAST with USMNT soccer player Mark McKenzie and Matt Forte is out now! Watch the entire pod below. Topics: 02:29 - Excitement surrounding the World Cup 06:20 - The passion of soccer fans 11:06 - His journey to soccer as a kid 19:51 - Relying on God at an early age 25:21 - Mark shares his testimony 34:18 - Being intentional about his faith in the locker room 39:59 - Who is Jesus to Mark McKenzie 42:00 - The atmosphere in Los Angeles for the World Cup opening match

NEW PODCAST with USMNT soccer player Mark McKenzie and Matt Forte is out now! Watch the entire pod below. Topics: 02:29 - Excitement surrounding the World Cup 06:20 - The passion of soccer fans 11:06 - His journey to soccer as a kid 19:51 - Relying on God at an early age 25:21 - Mark shares his testimony 34:18 - Being intentional about his faith in the locker room 39:59 - Who is Jesus to Mark McKenzie 42:00 - The atmosphere in Los Angeles for the World Cup opening match

Sports Spectrum

26,545 views • 1 month ago

NEW: Trump suggests the NFL should come up with a new name because there is "no question" that soccer is actually football. "Soccer in the United States, we seem to never call it that because we have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that's called football." "But when you think about it ... I mean, this is football, there's no question about it. We have to come up with another name for the NFL. It really doesn't make sense when you think about it."

NEW: Trump suggests the NFL should come up with a new name because there is "no question" that soccer is actually football. "Soccer in the United States, we seem to never call it that because we have a little bit of a conflict with another thing that's called football." "But when you think about it ... I mean, this is football, there's no question about it. We have to come up with another name for the NFL. It really doesn't make sense when you think about it."

Collin Rugg

873,932 views • 7 months ago

Rob Gronkowski drops his theory on why Team USA always struggles in the World Cup. His take: the talent was never the problem. It’s where the talent goes. “I think football, our football in America, kind of ruined our soccer game… because all our best athletes play the game of American football.” “If those athletes started at a young age, like our wide receivers and DBs, they’re the best athletes in the world… everyone knows in America, you’re going to play football, you’re not going to play soccer.” “If we didn’t have American football, I believe that Team USA would be a top-three team in the world.” “That’s why I believe our women’s team is so good, because they get their best athletes to play right from the beginning… but we take away our [best male] soccer athletes, and we make them become American football players.” According to Gronk, the talent was always here. It just plays on Sundays.

Rob Gronkowski drops his theory on why Team USA always struggles in the World Cup. His take: the talent was never the problem. It’s where the talent goes. “I think football, our football in America, kind of ruined our soccer game… because all our best athletes play the game of American football.” “If those athletes started at a young age, like our wide receivers and DBs, they’re the best athletes in the world… everyone knows in America, you’re going to play football, you’re not going to play soccer.” “If we didn’t have American football, I believe that Team USA would be a top-three team in the world.” “That’s why I believe our women’s team is so good, because they get their best athletes to play right from the beginning… but we take away our [best male] soccer athletes, and we make them become American football players.” According to Gronk, the talent was always here. It just plays on Sundays.

The Vigilant Fox 🦊

1,067,973 views • 25 days ago

#PitchYaGame it's 2001, you're a young boy who lives in quito, ecuador. the country's soccer team is about to qualify for the World Cup, and there is a buzz in the air...⚽️ this is our game despelote! a slice-of-life adventure about soccer & community, fully voiced in spanish!

#PitchYaGame it's 2001, you're a young boy who lives in quito, ecuador. the country's soccer team is about to qualify for the World Cup, and there is a buzz in the air...⚽️ this is our game despelote! a slice-of-life adventure about soccer & community, fully voiced in spanish!

despelote ⚽ OUT NOW

567,572 views • 2 years ago

Pay-to-play in the US is at the level it is precisely because there is no pro/rel at the professional level. Without an open pro pyramid, the pay-to-play business model is practically forced upon all [youth] clubs, as there's no alternative revenue mode or potential ROI without a first team competing in the pyramid. Pay-to-play, and youth soccer in general, is relentlessly used as a scapegoat in American soccer in order to distract from the fact that the closed ecosystem is precisely the cause for those issues downstream. Of note, Infantino mentions that the Italian club in his example was in the 6th division. In other words, the club had a first team! When you have a first team, there's an impetus to reduce - if not eliminate - pay-to-play. Youth clubs in the States have no incentive to have a 1st team of their own. Because, again, if the pyramid is closed, there's no economic opportunity there. Worse still, in the off chance you build something of note, MLS will just come in and steal it from you.

Pay-to-play in the US is at the level it is precisely because there is no pro/rel at the professional level. Without an open pro pyramid, the pay-to-play business model is practically forced upon all [youth] clubs, as there's no alternative revenue mode or potential ROI without a first team competing in the pyramid. Pay-to-play, and youth soccer in general, is relentlessly used as a scapegoat in American soccer in order to distract from the fact that the closed ecosystem is precisely the cause for those issues downstream. Of note, Infantino mentions that the Italian club in his example was in the 6th division. In other words, the club had a first team! When you have a first team, there's an impetus to reduce - if not eliminate - pay-to-play. Youth clubs in the States have no incentive to have a 1st team of their own. Because, again, if the pyramid is closed, there's no economic opportunity there. Worse still, in the off chance you build something of note, MLS will just come in and steal it from you.

3four3

30,425 views • 2 years ago

Deluzio: I introduced this Let Kids Play Act with Senator Murphy and some others to get private equity and vulture investors out of youth sports. Let’s start with the problem: they have turned youth sports into a luxury item. They’ve jacked up the cost for families. This is now like a $40 billion industry making money off parents who want their kids to play. So we go right at some of these practices in the bill. We’re trying to kick out these vulture investors. This isn’t just like some other part of the economy—we’re talking about youth sports, where there is a good and an interest that is bigger than just making money. Kids having a shot to play matters for society. It matters for the country. And I see these vulture investors, and I think they should have nothing to do with and be nowhere near making money off the backs of kids.

Deluzio: I introduced this Let Kids Play Act with Senator Murphy and some others to get private equity and vulture investors out of youth sports. Let’s start with the problem: they have turned youth sports into a luxury item. They’ve jacked up the cost for families. This is now like a $40 billion industry making money off parents who want their kids to play. So we go right at some of these practices in the bill. We’re trying to kick out these vulture investors. This isn’t just like some other part of the economy—we’re talking about youth sports, where there is a good and an interest that is bigger than just making money. Kids having a shot to play matters for society. It matters for the country. And I see these vulture investors, and I think they should have nothing to do with and be nowhere near making money off the backs of kids.

Acyn

49,164 views • 18 days ago

Less than a week after the World Cup semifinals took place at the Atlanta Stadium, kids in metro Atlanta got a brand new mini-soccer pitch. The pitch is one of the 900 built by the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and the organization plans to build a thousand by the end of the year.

The Washington Post

80,564 views • 1 day ago

I Fixed Soccer! I just watched the entire World Cup, and I’m going to say what everyone’s thinking: soccer is SO close to being a great sport. It’s right there. So I fixed it. SEVEN changes — and soccer goes from a two-hour nap to the best game on the planet. You’re welcome. Let’s go! #WorldCup2026 #Soccer #Football #WorldCup #Sports DISCLAIMER: We do our best to research every story we share — but facts, sources, and memories aren’t always perfect. These videos are meant to entertain, educate, and start conversations, not to serve as definitive historical accounts. Always double-check the facts for yourself, form your own opinions, and most of all, enjoy the story. This video contains brief clips used for commentary, criticism, and educational storytelling purposes. All footage is used in a transformative context. Oh… if you disagree or think I’ve gotten it all wrong, Fansplain Me in the comments!

I Fixed Soccer! I just watched the entire World Cup, and I’m going to say what everyone’s thinking: soccer is SO close to being a great sport. It’s right there. So I fixed it. SEVEN changes — and soccer goes from a two-hour nap to the best game on the planet. You’re welcome. Let’s go! #WorldCup2026 #Soccer #Football #WorldCup #Sports DISCLAIMER: We do our best to research every story we share — but facts, sources, and memories aren’t always perfect. These videos are meant to entertain, educate, and start conversations, not to serve as definitive historical accounts. Always double-check the facts for yourself, form your own opinions, and most of all, enjoy the story. This video contains brief clips used for commentary, criticism, and educational storytelling purposes. All footage is used in a transformative context. Oh… if you disagree or think I’ve gotten it all wrong, Fansplain Me in the comments!

fansplainme

145,238 views • 15 days ago

This is outside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where tonight the USA men’s soccer team plays Paraguay to open their FIFA World Cup play. But as you can see, you would never know there is a soccer game going on, let alone the USA playing in it and hosting it. No American flags lining the streets, a few posters here and there, but no National Pride, no Soccer fever, no nothing. 😳 Other countries go ALL OUT, but not California. 💯 Some people said they had no idea the World Cup and the USA were even playing there until they were told. 🤯 Even if you aren’t a soccer fan, where’s the pride for your country? What do you think Mexico, Argentina, Brazil or Scotland and the Netherlands would look like if they were hosting? What an embarrassment don’t you think?

This is outside SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where tonight the USA men’s soccer team plays Paraguay to open their FIFA World Cup play. But as you can see, you would never know there is a soccer game going on, let alone the USA playing in it and hosting it. No American flags lining the streets, a few posters here and there, but no National Pride, no Soccer fever, no nothing. 😳 Other countries go ALL OUT, but not California. 💯 Some people said they had no idea the World Cup and the USA were even playing there until they were told. 🤯 Even if you aren’t a soccer fan, where’s the pride for your country? What do you think Mexico, Argentina, Brazil or Scotland and the Netherlands would look like if they were hosting? What an embarrassment don’t you think?

👉M-Û-R-Č-H👈

940,850 views • 1 month ago

If America’s best athletes played soccer, could they win the World Cup? Jason Kelce subscribes to this a little bit but acknowledges that soccer is more of a skill game. "I actually don't think it's beneficial to play American football - that beneficial - before you're in high school. I think it's actually better, from an athleticism standpoint, to play soccer, to play hockey, to play sports where you're running. Maybe flag football. But developing spacial awareness, running, cutting..."

If America’s best athletes played soccer, could they win the World Cup? Jason Kelce subscribes to this a little bit but acknowledges that soccer is more of a skill game. "I actually don't think it's beneficial to play American football - that beneficial - before you're in high school. I think it's actually better, from an athleticism standpoint, to play soccer, to play hockey, to play sports where you're running. Maybe flag football. But developing spacial awareness, running, cutting..."

Unfiltered Soccer

365,338 views • 24 days ago

There’s a reason soccer is not just the biggest, but the most popular sport in the world. In every neighborhood across the globe, anywhere there’s a round object and a little bit of space, kids come together to play football, creating a universal language that people across the world are using to help bridge our differences. Tune in to the premiere episode tonight as we dive into the immense history and social impact of one of the greatest sports in the world! #TheWorldAccordingToFootball is now streaming with the #ParamountPlus with SHOWTIME plan.

There’s a reason soccer is not just the biggest, but the most popular sport in the world. In every neighborhood across the globe, anywhere there’s a round object and a little bit of space, kids come together to play football, creating a universal language that people across the world are using to help bridge our differences. Tune in to the premiere episode tonight as we dive into the immense history and social impact of one of the greatest sports in the world! #TheWorldAccordingToFootball is now streaming with the #ParamountPlus with SHOWTIME plan.

Trevor Noah

219,805 views • 2 years ago

Clawball is a free-to-play VR multiplayer game where you play soccer and mess around as a cat! It's the perfect place to have fun and hang out with friends in VR, whether you're in it to win matches or just goof around with hilarious physics for some funny moments. PLAY NOW FOR FREE!

Clawball is a free-to-play VR multiplayer game where you play soccer and mess around as a cat! It's the perfect place to have fun and hang out with friends in VR, whether you're in it to win matches or just goof around with hilarious physics for some funny moments. PLAY NOW FOR FREE!

Meta Quest

14,964 views • 11 months ago

Landon shares his gripes on pay-to-play in America. “Somebody has to pay for soccer. The problem is, all these youth clubs now are grinding every penny out of every family. I have kids. I can afford to pay for it. My kid has four training jerseys. Why the hell does he need four? They have to use the hotels that our club tells them they have to use because the club’s getting a kickback from it. They have to use the insurance company. They’re traveling to Vegas from San Diego at eight years-old to play a game. This is ridiculous.”

Landon shares his gripes on pay-to-play in America. “Somebody has to pay for soccer. The problem is, all these youth clubs now are grinding every penny out of every family. I have kids. I can afford to pay for it. My kid has four training jerseys. Why the hell does he need four? They have to use the hotels that our club tells them they have to use because the club’s getting a kickback from it. They have to use the insurance company. They’re traveling to Vegas from San Diego at eight years-old to play a game. This is ridiculous.”

Unfiltered Soccer

490,592 views • 4 days ago

This is for the FIFA World Cup teams just to show how you may get treated in the USA! The Iraqi soccer team was on their way to play Mexico in Mexico posing for a photo at the airport with a banner when this racist white man destroyed it & said You’re in America”!

This is for the FIFA World Cup teams just to show how you may get treated in the USA! The Iraqi soccer team was on their way to play Mexico in Mexico posing for a photo at the airport with a banner when this racist white man destroyed it & said You’re in America”!

Suzie rizzio

17,222 views • 3 months ago