The forefront of American soccer debates were brought to fruition in last night’s Soccer Night in America Special live broadcast from the 2012 NSCAA Convention. “Soccer in the U.S. - The Next Steps”, presented by FOX Soccer, displayed notable figures at all levels of soccer participating in a panel discussion on the future of American soccer. Hot topics included the FIFA vs. MLS calendar, the future of women’s soccer after last summer’s World Cup publicity and the role of college soccer as player development for the MLS. The panel featured MLS Commissioner Don Garber, former Secretary General of U.S. Soccer Hank Steinbrecher, WPS CEO Jen O’Sullivan and former U.S. Women’s National Team player Brandi Chastain, in addition to U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Jürgen Klinsmann via satellite and other prominent players and coaches.

Garber and Steinbrecher began by discussing the issues U.S. soccer faces in comparison to its European counterpart. Steinbrecher noted that although participation and fan support have increased in the past decade, he still has one serious issue with U.S. soccer: Where are the strikers? The European leagues are littered with prominent names and figures to rally behind, who consistently score big goals, and the U.S. has yet to produce a significant amount of players who are capable of this feat.

Currently, the MLS plays on a summer schedule that allows for some teams to share stadiums with other sports. The schedule also avoids conflict with the NFL. According to Garber, switching the MLS to the European calendar is not the biggest issue in the MLS right now.

“We have a lot of things we need to do to get better and improve,” Garber said. “I’m not sure the first thing we need to do is change the calendar. As the sport develops and as we continue to get more passionate fans, I think we will be able to push the envelope even further.”

Jim Liston, AYSO, Sam Snow, U.S. Youth Soccer, and George Kuntz, AYSO,  joined FOX broadcasters to discuss Youth Soccer in the U.S. One debate was the American emphasis on winning and its deterrence on player development. Liston described how he puts a large emphasis on inspiring kids to love the game in a combination of enjoyment and development.Snow focused on uniting the development of youth players across the U.S., saying, “The big challenge many times is the penetration to the grass roots,” he said. “We get past the paid coach to the mom and dad coach, and that’s a bit of a revolving door. It’s difficult to have consistency of the message.”

John Perry, Sporting KC Academy, Charlie Inverso, Myernik Soccer Foundation, and Greg Vanney, Chivas USA Academy, discussed the business side of club soccer as a panel, along with Colin Chesters of Surf Soccer Club SD. Chesters commented how he wished there were more resources to have clubs fully funded. Vanney expanded by describing how club soccer has turned into a business as coaches expect salaries. These salaries come from the fees parents pay due to the lack of full funding, becoming a burden on parents.

Another topic featured Paul Stewart, Dallas Texans Soccer Club, Chris Lawson, Rockhurst Jesuit High School and Jim Casssell, Manchester City, debating whether high school soccer is a necessary experience or something that takes away from the academy development. Lawson argued for high school soccer, saying, “high school soccer promotes the development of the whole person and I think that’s what every parent looks after - what’s best for their child.”

Participating from the audience, Theresa Echtermeyer, Colorado United SC, described how high school soccer offers the opportunity for players to develop as leaders as well, which is a value in promoting a soccer culture in America.

Sigi Schmid, Seattle Sounders, and Sasho Cirovski, Maryland, took the stage to discuss the college game and going pro early. Cirovski is a big supporter of college soccer, saying that it gives every young player a destination as a soccer player.

“Let’s face it,” he said. “College soccer has always been the destination point in this country. It’s a part of the American way of life. It’s always been a vital part and always will be a vital part. College soccer isn’t going anywhere.”

Soccer Night in America was highlighted by Jurgen Klinsmann’s appearance via satellite for a discussion on the U.S. Men’s National Team and the U.S. development of elite players. He described how youth players should have less structure and be encouraged to kick the ball around for fun more often.
“Soccer is a self-taught sport,” he said. “It’s an inner spirit sport. Once they’re on the field, they’re the decision makers.”

Brandi Chastain, Jill Ellis, Development Director of U.S. Women’s National Team, and Jen O’Sullivan, Women’s Professional Soccer CEO, joined for a discussion on women’s soccer. O’Sullivan emphasized increased brand awareness of the WPS and women’s soccer in general, especially attempting to harness the increased interest in women’s soccer post World Cup 2011.

Chastain focused on finding answers to soccer’s backseat position relative to bigger sports in the U.S. “Buy a ticket,” she said. “Be involved. Propose a solution instead of saying why it didn’t work.”

As the show neared its end, Dominic Kinnear, Houston Dynamo, Peter Vermes, Sporting KC, and Jesse Marsch, Montreal Impact, debated the past successes and failures of the MLS and what the next couple seasons will bring. Vermes described the business aspect, commenting that America falls behind Europe professionally because the MLS needs more money. If there were more money, teams could buy more players and give bonuses as incentives.

The Soccer Night in America special closed with NSCAA CEO Joe Cummings’ comments on the 2012 NSCAA Convention. Like all the panelists before, Cummings’ is looking forward to the growth of soccer from player to coach and within the industry itself. 

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