What are the key differences between youth soccer (football) culture in the USA and England?
“The main one which encompasses everything is that the game is just not embedded in the culture here as it is in England. It seems an obvious thing to say but it makes a huge difference. I don’t just mean in terms of ability of the players – it’s a myth that every kid in England is good at the game – I mean, as an example, even the low level kids in England could name the starting lineup of the England team. I doubt that even 10% of players over here could name the starting lineup of their ‘favourite’ MLS team never mind the national team. The game means so much to everyone in England and in the majority of other places in the world too. “There are two levels in youth football in England – Elite & Grassroots. The ‘Elite’ youth game in England and elsewhere in the world is attached to professional clubs who provide the development program in order to develop players for their ‘first team’. There are no fees involved as it is the best interests of the club to develop quality players. It
