Landon was spot on about youth development; sitting elementary kids on the bench to win a plastic trophy that no one will remember is a waste of talent and time for those who could develop but end up dropping out discouraged. This goes for Middle School and JV teams in HS. Coaches should be given freedom to coach and develop all their squad, not be forced to cater to boosters and overzealous parents
100% agree with his point on youth development and your points as well. The other thing he was spot on about that USMNT fans don't like to admit, is the point on how many of our players will make the France, Spain, or England squad. Pretty much no one, except maybe Jedi and Pulisic. Our talent pool is not very deep, and even the ones we have playing in Europe (Weston, Reyna) are struggling for minutes and aren't consistently performing. Our squad isn't there yet.
just in time to the lead up of the NC Courage going to San Diego. we struggle on the road, but hope we can shrug that off and test them still. i've been eagerly awaiting the October 5th game when they will travel here and i get to see Donovan in Cary again. its been around a decade since he came here to play against the railhawks and i still have the jersey he signed for me on display in my house.
I love this podcast! Landon drops merciless truth bombs regarding youth soccer as the disaster it is. Coaches pay money take a course get a license and whether they’re mom or dad, they’re coaching now. First thing they start practice with…they have the kids run laps WITHOUT the ball. You need to play with the ball nonstop and be able to teach technique.
As a german and munich resident, i never understood the USMNT hiring Klinsmann. The federation probably just saw the big name and his charming personality and thought, he can turn things around. Klinsmann did not once show that he is a great and capable coach. He is defineteley a good motivator for a short run, a enthusastic personality. But he can`t coach on top level. Jogi Löw was the mastermind behind the 2006 WC run. With Mauricio Pochettino you for the first time have very capable, proven coach. I wish you all the best and most important, a great WC in 2026 on your own soil.
Lalas would scoff at this, but Bielsa's curriculum for developing young players is absolutely world class. Maybe Bielsa is not a trophy winner, but his player development is second to none. If the US adopted the Bielsa way, they would sky rocket in youth quality.
I've watched Leeds United and I'm not impressed by style of coaching that involves lots of sweat and running and fighting which to me is ok if the players he had were not technical. I don't know if that is what I would like to see in developing youth players.
You can not develop a youth program on the pitch. South American, European, African kids play for years in school hallways, in cages living in the projects, on the streets of buenas Aires before ever setting foot on a true soccer field. Once they are strong and talented enough to be choose to play on a pitch, they are very skilled and understanding in the principles of the game. Americans will NEVER catch up to this standard as long as the youngest are not infected with passion to play the game wherever and whenever, with foam balls, tennis balls, and still in some case with rages made into a ball. That's what it takes to mold the best players in the world and than some. Americans are actually surprisingly strong competitors in this sport, compared where they started out.
i agree with you here. there has to be a cultural shift where soccer is the go to game that kids in the neighborhood play. right now that is usually american football.
I am a season ticket holder for SDFC. Personally I think Landon would be a great fit for the Head Coach job. Especially since they have a development first approach and he just identified that as the most important factor for USMNT. I don’t know if there are hard feelings about how SDFC supplanted the Loyal but I think it would be great if we could unify the Loyal world with SDFC and also have what seems like a good coach with deep local roots and seemingly a good fit for the project. Agree?
During the Euro 2024, I thought Landon Donovan did well as an analyst. He improved as the tournament progressed. He grew leaps and bounds from Qatar 2022 .
I am very impressed with Landon's leadership qualities, eloquence, intelligence and passion for the game. He should be in very short list for assisting coach in the national team. Look at Argentina. They brought in Pablo Aimar who was a genius as a player and has the respect, admiration and closeness to the players. Landon brings in the talent and the American soccer culture from within. Stop importing the soccer experience into the US.
I agree with Landon on youth development. Looking back on the past 13 years with our son, the pathway to become a more elite soccer player is full of trailblazing, learning curves, many bad decisions, very few good decisions, and a lot of money that many kids can't afford. Politics ruled by larger soccer clubs/academies cheat many kids out of a potential professional or collegiate career. Parents should be able to choose a coach based on their merits but oftentimes know nothing about them until the season starts. There is a perception that people think high school soccer is the highest level a player can achieve and it is not (I used to think this). Even ODP (Olympic Development Program) is flawed with a lack of resources to make it successful. It's all very frustrating, complicated, and at times feels criminal. We have been fortunate to meet a couple of very good coaches that care about our son's development. And they talk about how bad the US youth system is.
Support Pocchetino I don t see Pochetino changing everything entirely Failing in Copa America doesn t mean that all these players r bad. They tied vs England in World Cup We expect something new from Pocchetino but i see him keep using 5 or 6 guys from those who used to be Starters under Berhalter
Landon is totally right but that 18:22 is also happening with other sports like basketball. All of the AAU and pay to play... and its the 'clubs'. They just care about 'compete' for the program notoriety. Spartans and all of those huge programs. I worry a bit.
Many of our players are in European leagues so having a European coach is not as large a jump as some might think. I coached my son U12 to U17 and our youth system is broken. I was about development and learning, parents were about winning. (In recreational ball up to U15.) I had to beg parents to just let their kids have fun. I told the kids, "I coach before the game, at half time, and after the game. During the game I make subs and the game is only for you. Not me, not your parents, just you.
I have a genuine question! In Uruguay little kid play with the winning mentality at 4,5,6 years old and we all know that what Uruguayan player are. Where did we get this idea that our little kid don’t have to play to win but just to develop???? How are we going to win if we don’t have that mentality ?????
i think there is a difference in a little kid have a winning mentality and pushing themselves to do so compared to a coach trying to force that upon kids that might not feel that way themselves
@@rynejones8513 but that is exactly what happening in Uruguay, they push them to win and is crazy to me that with only 3 million people they can develop the kind or players they have! Maybe we need to copy them, I don’t know!
@DarvinLemus In the US with basketball was similar. Kids that age that grow up around the sport want to play, prove and win. But it's #1 about loving and enjoying the game. I dislike what's happened to basketball in the US with all the AAU stuff and prep school stuff. It's just a huge business now at a much younger age.
Nice…” hey Landon, can you tell us about a time when a foreign manager came in to handle the US national team and it didn’t go so well? Got anything to say on that?”
What is the US football federation doing giving the u20 women team to that coach. She knows nothing about football, she does not know how to field players, she puts players in wrong positions.
Believe it or not basketball is becoming that too. Pay to play club/AAU and if you can't afford it and from the city, no worries you'll get a free spot.
Mosse, what is American soccer culture? I just call it American razzmatazz. You know, teenage baton twirling girls, brass bands and jets flying overhead…
Landon was spot on about youth development; sitting elementary kids on the bench to win a plastic trophy that no one will remember is a waste of talent and time for those who could develop but end up dropping out discouraged. This goes for Middle School and JV teams in HS. Coaches should be given freedom to coach and develop all their squad, not be forced to cater to boosters and overzealous parents
If Messi was growing up in US he would have sat on the bench because of his size
I will add that Soccer here in the US is pay to play. Club soccer/travel ball is too expensive for most of American families.
100% agree with his point on youth development and your points as well.
The other thing he was spot on about that USMNT fans don't like to admit, is the point on how many of our players will make the France, Spain, or England squad. Pretty much no one, except maybe Jedi and Pulisic. Our talent pool is not very deep, and even the ones we have playing in Europe (Weston, Reyna) are struggling for minutes and aren't consistently performing. Our squad isn't there yet.
Exactly, plus they don't have the same fire as past, less 'skillful "generations squads @dky2006
Landon Always Is THE BEST star to bring in
just in time to the lead up of the NC Courage going to San Diego. we struggle on the road, but hope we can shrug that off and test them still. i've been eagerly awaiting the October 5th game when they will travel here and i get to see Donovan in Cary again. its been around a decade since he came here to play against the railhawks and i still have the jersey he signed for me on display in my house.
I love this podcast! Landon drops merciless truth bombs regarding youth soccer as the disaster it is. Coaches pay money take a course get a license and whether they’re mom or dad, they’re coaching now. First thing they start practice with…they have the kids run laps WITHOUT the ball. You need to play with the ball nonstop and be able to teach technique.
Very interesting interview with Donovan. Very astute, very measured, I am impressed.
Great podcast! Thank you guys!!!
As a german and munich resident, i never understood the USMNT hiring Klinsmann. The federation probably just saw the big name and his charming personality and thought, he can turn things around. Klinsmann did not once show that he is a great and capable coach. He is defineteley a good motivator for a short run, a enthusastic personality. But he can`t coach on top level. Jogi Löw was the mastermind behind the 2006 WC run.
With Mauricio Pochettino you for the first time have very capable, proven coach. I wish you all the best and most important, a great WC in 2026 on your own soil.
Love seeing Landon on the pod. Hopefully, the Poch deal gets worked out soon. Sounds like there's an issue with his Chelsea contract yet? 🇺🇸 🇺🇸
Lalas would scoff at this, but Bielsa's curriculum for developing young players is absolutely world class. Maybe Bielsa is not a trophy winner, but his player development is second to none.
If the US adopted the Bielsa way, they would sky rocket in youth quality.
I've watched Leeds United and I'm not impressed by style of coaching that involves lots of sweat and running and fighting which to me is ok if the players he had were not technical. I don't know if that is what I would like to see in developing youth players.
You can not develop a youth program on the pitch.
South American, European, African kids play for years in school hallways, in cages living in the projects, on the streets of buenas Aires before ever setting foot on a true soccer field.
Once they are strong and talented enough to be choose to play on a pitch, they are very skilled and understanding in the principles of the game.
Americans will NEVER catch up to this standard as long as the youngest are not infected with passion to play the game wherever and whenever, with foam balls, tennis balls, and still in some case with rages made into a ball.
That's what it takes to mold the best players in the world and than some.
Americans are actually surprisingly strong competitors in this sport, compared where they started out.
i agree with you here. there has to be a cultural shift where soccer is the go to game that kids in the neighborhood play. right now that is usually american football.
Exactly this. Most pros (literally) don't go anywhere without a ball at their feet.
I am a season ticket holder for SDFC. Personally I think Landon would be a great fit for the Head Coach job. Especially since they have a development first approach and he just identified that as the most important factor for USMNT. I don’t know if there are hard feelings about how SDFC supplanted the Loyal but I think it would be great if we could unify the Loyal world with SDFC and also have what seems like a good coach with deep local roots and seemingly a good fit for the project. Agree?
He was mediocre as coach ,with the loyal,, they should bring in an experienced coach, they can hire Donovan as a consultant,
During the Euro 2024, I thought Landon Donovan did well as an analyst. He improved as the tournament progressed. He grew leaps and bounds from Qatar 2022 .
I am very impressed with Landon's leadership qualities, eloquence, intelligence and passion for the game. He should be in very short list for assisting coach in the national team. Look at Argentina. They brought in Pablo Aimar who was a genius as a player and has the respect, admiration and closeness to the players. Landon brings in the talent and the American soccer culture from within. Stop importing the soccer experience into the US.
Landon is just the best!
I agree with Landon on youth development. Looking back on the past 13 years with our son, the pathway to become a more elite soccer player is full of trailblazing, learning curves, many bad decisions, very few good decisions, and a lot of money that many kids can't afford. Politics ruled by larger soccer clubs/academies cheat many kids out of a potential professional or collegiate career. Parents should be able to choose a coach based on their merits but oftentimes know nothing about them until the season starts. There is a perception that people think high school soccer is the highest level a player can achieve and it is not (I used to think this). Even ODP (Olympic Development Program) is flawed with a lack of resources to make it successful. It's all very frustrating, complicated, and at times feels criminal. We have been fortunate to meet a couple of very good coaches that care about our son's development. And they talk about how bad the US youth system is.
Landon Donovan‼️❤❤❤❤⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️
Im not from there but as an outsider looking in, Poch should include Donovan in his staff.
Support Pocchetino
I don t see Pochetino changing everything entirely
Failing in Copa America doesn t mean that all these players r bad. They tied vs England in World Cup
We expect something new from Pocchetino but i see him keep using 5 or 6 guys from those who used to be Starters under Berhalter
donovan is true american. he already looks like a bald eagle at his age. true patriot
Landon is totally right but that 18:22 is also happening with other sports like basketball. All of the AAU and pay to play... and its the 'clubs'. They just care about 'compete' for the program notoriety. Spartans and all of those huge programs. I worry a bit.
Many of our players are in European leagues so having a European coach is not as large a jump as some might think.
I coached my son U12 to U17 and our youth system is broken. I was about development and learning, parents were about winning. (In recreational ball up to U15.) I had to beg parents to just let their kids have fun. I told the kids, "I coach before the game, at half time, and after the game. During the game I make subs and the game is only for you. Not me, not your parents, just you.
I have a genuine question! In Uruguay little kid play with the winning mentality at 4,5,6 years old and we all know that what Uruguayan player are. Where did we get this idea that our little kid don’t have to play to win but just to develop???? How are we going to win if we don’t have that mentality ?????
i think there is a difference in a little kid have a winning mentality and pushing themselves to do so compared to a coach trying to force that upon kids that might not feel that way themselves
@@rynejones8513 but that is exactly what happening in Uruguay, they push them to win and is crazy to me that with only 3 million people they can develop the kind or players they have! Maybe we need to copy them, I don’t know!
@DarvinLemus In the US with basketball was similar. Kids that age that grow up around the sport want to play, prove and win. But it's #1 about loving and enjoying the game. I dislike what's happened to basketball in the US with all the AAU stuff and prep school stuff. It's just a huge business now at a much younger age.
@@DarvinLemus no we don't need to copy them
@@rynejones8513 ok
Coaches at youth levels including even high school, tend to have their own agendas and don’t see the bigger picture.
"Our biggest problem is with youth development." *ding* *ding* *ding*.
The U.S. is the only country where "soccer" is a rich person's sport. To play the game, you need to have money.
Lndycakes hasn't learned anything after slmping for Bianca his best soccer years.
Nice…” hey Landon, can you tell us about a time when a foreign manager came in to handle the US national team and it didn’t go so well? Got anything to say on that?”
Gonna size the day again are we Alexi? haha…Mosse, Brazilian traitor, or confused?
Landon just go to turkey already or shave it off
You obviously like clean shaven American men then? Whatever turns you on man haha
What is the US football federation doing giving the u20 women team to that coach. She knows nothing about football, she does not know how to field players, she puts players in wrong positions.
Way easier to coach women? Ok Donovan, you lost me there. Good day.
US Youth soccer is a country club sport . That is the problem ! It's a safe space for suburban kids. Smdh!
Believe it or not basketball is becoming that too. Pay to play club/AAU and if you can't afford it and from the city, no worries you'll get a free spot.
When did Landon get so woke smh
What’s it all coming to then bud? Haha.
Wtf are you talking about?...
@@_Jake.From.Statefarm_ what do you think?
Lalas
The
🤡
And he's a trumptard
Landon Donovan was so great USA Player for me Dear Alexi.🤗🥰😍❤🤍💙🇺🇲💪🏻👍🎊🎉🔥🙏✝️
Mosse, what is American soccer culture? I just call it American razzmatazz. You know, teenage baton twirling girls, brass bands and jets flying overhead…