Not to turn this is into a pay or play argument, but dems fighting words. The USWNT has been slipping for a while and the rest of the world (well, Europe and a few others) have caught up because they focused on building out an academy system. The US days of dominance are now over, and while the US may very well be a power even with pay to play, it will continue to slip as long as we don't recreate an academy system.
On the boys side, football and basketball are not equivalent. Basketball has a gate keeper where height is required while soccer does not (see Messi). Football is a low skilled sport for most positions (QB, receiver and certain other positions exempted) and conditioning is way more important than technical skills as is being top heavy. While it is true that there is some talent left on the table due to basketball and football, given the US sports population dwarfs even a Croatia or Uruguay, that's just an excuse. The real reasons are multifaceted including: a) our academy system is subpar and recruitment is late in the game in comparison to Europe, b) for the best training we have to send players to Europe but for immigration reasons that's difficult to do, c) our well has somewhat been poisoned by two other countries that also have some difficulty, namely England and Mexico, d) pay to play makes it a rich man's sport where talent ID worldwide has been traditionally among working class people, e) the reason for d. is because the academic track is less risky and more lucrative over the long run, when discounted for probability, than a long shot at Europe or an MLS career that pays $80K+ per year, e) our tradition of soccer is a relatively short one and we are only beginning to see some relative fruits now with the Zers and lower millenials...it won't reach full saturation until those kids have kids, f) certain American cultural traits including an aversion to games which don't reward merit and instead punish mistakes, g) America's size which makes it difficult for top talent to play top talent and weather patterns which disrupt the ability to hold continuous training and h) that our governance boards are involved into multifaceted turf wars instead of coming up with an organized pyramid to properly identify and sort talent.
The rest of the world is catching up because of how the USWNT scouts. Same kids consistently called in, not a lot of variation, lifers on the Women’s National team…example…Rapino had no business being on the WC Roster and I would argue Morgan…a forward who did not score a goal. Look at UNC and Florida State…UNC’s dominance is over…they have historically gotten the best athletes and have out Athleted the competition, same as the Women’s National Team has done…not always the best players or pieces to build a team. The best athletes. It’s our arrogance that has caused the decline, not the available talent.
I do agree the investment in Women’s sports across the globe, makes a difference, but the USWNT is an arrogance issue more than anything else IMHO.
Could you imagine a 6’9 Goalkeeper, with Body Control, Speed, and a…Actually there have been a few American Football players that played Soccer…the speed and athleticism.
The model is not changing…too much money involved, how do you tweak it to get better results.
I agree about the pay…soccer is not lucrative in the us unless you come from overseas.
I doubt the US Men’s will win a WC in my lifetime…hope, I am wrong, but the women will win a few more.
Why are the women succeeding with the same model and the men are not? I think it is cultural, and better opportunities for the better men’s athletes.
None of the Women’s Sporting Leagues make money…WNBA, NWSL, etc. why is that?
I enjoy Women’s Soccer, WNBA…insufferable to watch IMHO…not a good product.