When it comes to club football in the states, the fixtures – particularly at the youth level

When it comes to club football in the states, the fixtures – particularly at the youth level – tend to be pretty isolated, with matches almost always between two sides based within the USA… Back in August, however, the Seattle Sounders U17’s qualified for the Liga BBVA MX International Youth Squad Tournament, providing them a unique opportunity to square off against some of the best academy sides in Europe… Before we go over the results, do you think the United State’s Academy System will ever be able to catch up with Europe’s? If so, what policies would help? On paper, surely enough talent exists within the country to compete, right..? 🤔🇺🇸

Despite what the clip above may imply, the Sounders Academy actually kept up with Atletico – who would eventually go on to win it all – pretty well, with the match finishing in a respectable 2-0 defeat… Of the 6 games played by the club, they finished the tournament 2-2-2, having scored 8 goals whilst conceding 7. Above them were, of course, Atletico Madrid (4-1-1, 12 goals scored, 4 conceded), and Feyenoord – widely regarded as the best academy in the Netherlands (recently overtaking Ajax in the minds of many) – who went 3-2-1… Finishing last, was Inter Miami, who won once and lost 5, finishing with a -9 goal differential.

Still, tournaments such as this are ultimately good for State’s youth system, as – at the very least – it can serve as a baseline comparison between the talent pool present Europe and that of the United States. Do you think MLS academies could ever close the gap between them and the ROTW? 😳🌎

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