For those who have not read this article yet, it takes us into De Toekomst, Ajax’s famed youth academy.
A few pointers: Sokolove’s observations are those of a ingenue, not someone well versed in the art and business of football. For serious followers of the game, the debate between how Europe and US go about developing talent has been done and dusted countless times.
Or as some say, the US do not know how to develop talent – the player usually relies on their own devices. College is considered the biggest stumbling block in one’s development, one that emphasizes a wishy washy “well rounded” character but little else of practical use. Playing soccer is considered a resume builder for application into the Ivy Leagues.
The tradition of rote is not just unique to the European model of football, relying on endless repetitive practice and few games. It occurs in every facet of education where “theory” and “technique” are stressed.
In the US however, the football player has a full schedule of games even before he masters the skill of dribbling. It is the same in medical training, doctors over here as compared to elsewhere take up the scalpel even before taking the eye off the book.
European football is a pyramid, whereas here it is a level playing field. The biggest driver of change will be an MLS loosening its single entity structure. Continued success on the international stage and immigration demographics are going to build that pressure. But we may have to endure a few more Giuseppe Rossi style heartbreaks before we get there.