Need a path to big money as a teenager

by TSchlidt , St. Louis, Tuesday, July 07, 2026, 09:20 (15 days ago) @ Mike (bart)

I don't buy the argument that Lebron James would be an amazing soccer player. But I do believe that the 1000s of kids who dream, work and train to be Lebron James could develop into a handful of great soccer players if they had been directed that way.

I also think this will not change until there is money to motivate families to push their kids that way.

The world's story of soccer being the path out of the slums, that is basketball and football in the US.

Could college soccer be restructured to leverage existing fanbases and infrastructure? Maybe - but where would the money come from? No one is going to pay for soccer that isn't the "best in the world" in the US.

I think the only way is to get MLS to a top 4 leagues in the world with the associated revenue. Highlight the stories of local kids getting paid to play MLS, or transfer fees to bigger clubs. USA will only embrace soccer when it is successful in fame and money.