USAF, why is it with all the development in

[Assasin]

USA soccer.

The Golden generation is still that team from youth with Donovan, Beasley etc.

Why is it nothing has transferred to creating a good US youth team and most of the youngsters who get run on the national team are at best projects or disappointment?

What was so special about that generation?

[USAF]

If you check, you’ll see that the group of players you refer to as “the golden generation” had their best performance at the 1999 U17 World Cup, where they placed 4th, so I don’t think that qualifies as a golden generation since they didn’t follow through at the U20, U23 and USMNT…….What helped that group, you mentioned, was that the top players and core of that U17 squad Bobby Convey, Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu, DaMarcus Beasley & Kyle Beckerman, etc. spent months living, training & playing together, at the IMG Academy, before they played in any international competition. The proliferation of private academies have put an end to that type of control & preparation by US Soccer.

The BIG problem that both Reyna, when he was US Soccer youth TD, and Klinsmann has pointed out is that the U.S. does not have a national style of play & system…….A problem I have is with the coaches appointed to national youth head coaching positions. I think they were either unqualified & inexperienced or they recycle coaches that have nothing new to offer.

Last year US Soccer hired the Belgian consulting firm, Double PASS, to examine, evaluate & recommend changes to the national youth development program. Double PASS clients include the Bundesliga, the English Premier League, the J-League and the federations of Germany, Belgium and Hungary…….US Soccer also hired AZ Alkmaar Sporting Director Aloys Wijnker to aid in the development of the youth program. Before being named Sporting Director in 2005, Wijnker was AZ’s U-15 and U-17 youth coach and last season, Wijnker and AZ Alkmaar received an award, being named the Academy of the Year in the Eredivisie.

We’ll see what happens.

[Assasin]

I called it Golden generation because it was the best crop of US players I have seen. They went through the ranks some became mainstay of the US national teams including senior team.

I can only hope US can put it together and not like England as an example, who should be doing much more as a nation at all level.

[Mosiah]

Wasn't Freddy Adu part of that golden generation?

[Mosiah]

AZ Alkmaar? What have they done to deserve such respect?

[Assasin]

nope. He was after. He couldn't make the team. He was too Young.

Mawning Gamma.

[Karl]

Could they be similar to Southampton of yesteryear?
What has been the results of the graduates of the youth system?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton_F.C._Academy