The Problem and Answer is Money - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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Reader comment on:
NCAA Soccer a Dead End for MLS Talent

Submitted by Bruce Gowan, Nov 22, 2006 17:51

Paul's comments are not news to the US soccer fan. I think his focus on the college game is wrong. The college game is doing what it is suppose to do and that is to provide sports for students. In soccer the college game fails to produce professional players. The problem and the answer is money. If MLS had the financial strength of the foreign leagues there could be lower division and youth division teams that paid enough to attract high potential players. Also if MLS pay for the average player was higher then better athletes would aspire to play soccer rather than the money sports of football and basketball. Of course if soccer was abe to draw more revenue for both college games and MLS games there would be more money to attract players for all levels.

Fan and media support in the form of revenue is what makes football and basketball attractive for the college to pro transition for players. It's all about the money not the love of the sport. Full stadiums and big TV contracts would go a long way to solving the US soccer development problem.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
Yeah we're caught in a conundrum. We want our kids to developed their skills, but we also want them to... [MORE]	lee	Aug 26, 2008 15:23
Paul Gardner speaks the truth. I wish it weren't true but it is. One earlier poster suggested the problem is... [MORE]	Jim Compton	Feb 12, 2007 09:28
I do not agree with this article. I believe there is very good soocer being played in the USA. Yes,... [MORE]	Murph	Nov 28, 2006 19:51
It's fine for colleges and universities to offer athletic programs for its students, but when these college programs take on... [MORE]	Ron Rockman	Nov 28, 2006 19:03
I was a HS coach for 30 years in 3 different sports. If all I did was try to get... [MORE]	Michael	Jul 25, 2007 17:10
Paul Gardner is terrific at finding faults with American soccer but rarely offers solutions or ideas to overcome them. He... [MORE]	Michael	Nov 23, 2006 13:10
Paul's comments are not news to the US soccer fan. I think his focus on the college game is wrong....	Bruce Gowan	Nov 22, 2006 17:51
Criticizing college soccer for its physical style and emphasis on hustle is ridiculous. That is the way Americans play sports... [MORE]	Tony Caplan	Nov 22, 2006 17:38
This is a major and very real let down to anyone who has been dreaming of playing professional soccer. It's... [MORE]	Cassie	Nov 22, 2006 16:32
Great article! [MORE]	Objectivo	Nov 22, 2006 15:59
My son chose to attend college after returning from a year at a pro club in europe while still in... [MORE]	RG	Nov 21, 2006 23:52
Wow, finally someone who agrees that men's college soccer is a waste. I won't repeat what the author of the... [MORE]	Ivan D. Ivanov	Nov 21, 2006 13:37
Nothing was mentioned about the low pay that mls provides. I believe that also prevents many younger players to commit... [MORE]	a fan	Nov 21, 2006 20:47

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