Feb 06 2025 79 mins 2
In this episode we go into the unspoken realities of the ‘pay to play’ system in American soccer.
We explore its consequences at the youth and professional levels, while also debunking the common perception that it is the root problem in American soccer.
The discussion also extends to the pressures faced by coaches, both from parents and club management, to play certain players.
The episode sheds light on the U.S. soccer landscape, touching upon the role of MLS franchises, the impact of closed systems, and the challenges of operating youth clubs.
We also discuss the broader implications of these issues on the sport's development and competitive integrity in the U.S.
Gary stresses the importance of maintaining a merit-based environment and highlights the lack of incentives for genuine competition and player development under the existing system.
00:00 Intro
04:05 Setting the Expectations for Playing Time
04:35 Subtopic: Policy between Coach and Parents
06:52 Subtopic: Policy between Club and Coach
11:48 Parental Pressure to Play
13:23 The Incentive for Coaches is to Play Politics
19:13 When Should a Player Leave a Team/Club?
23:47 Subtopic: What Can a Player Do to Increase Their Playing Time?
26:48 Subtopic: What If a Player Can’t Catch up To Their Competition
29:26 Playing Time’s Impact on Mentality
32:17 On MLS Playing Homegrowns, or Not
38:24 Subtopic: The Real Objective/Incentives of MLS and its Franchises
44:08 What Would Happen in an Open System?
50:05 Subtopic: Investment Inflows in an Open System
55:15 Subtopic: Current Cost of Pay to Play is Necessary
59:15 Subtopic: Soccer Has Always Been Popular in the States
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The post Ep 359: Unpacking Pay-to-Play And Playing Time – Myths, Realities You Are Not Told, and More appeared first on 3four3.
