70-100 players per age group sounds about right for the depth we have in this country. A larger, long-term player pool would allow the team to form organically, ensuring the best talent naturally rises to the top just like cream. One can argue that the current approach of working with only a limited amount of kids narrows the field too soon and risks missing late bloomers and top end potential.
The reality is, that yes the U.S. has the talent to form 4 competitive YNTs per age group, no question about that. The challenge? Maybe it's the Logistics and possibly funding these large projects. But there's a simple solution why not host one possibly two national ID camps per year, bringing in the top 80-100 players for extended evaluation. I bet parents would cover flights and hotels. Why would this work? Because the experience alone to train and compete with the best in the country for a chance to represent the U.S. is invaluable to many. Many families would gladly invest in this opportunity for their kids. They already invest in showcases. tournaments, ODP etc...you can pick and chose what you invest your money in.
Smaller regional camps can still happen, but the big national camps should be the backbone of the system. Over three years, leading up to the U17 World Cup, this model would create a fluid, dynamic, and merit based roster selection process. You track player development holistically through puberty, growth spurts, and athletic maturity rather than risking to make premature selections based on early physical dominance.
By the time these players reach U17, the team wouldn’t just be a collection of the best at 14 but it would be the most complete, battle tested, and well developed squad possible. This system would maximize the US talent pipeline and finally close the gap on top global programs. It's not about just finding the best players now but about developing the best national team for the future.
Last edited:
