Comments on: Jonathan Spector vs Michael Bradley: Case Studies in Player Development

By: Mario in SJ

Mario in SJ — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:04:31 +0000

Great article. A tremendous argument when the names are laid side by side, you cannot help but agree. I hope our young players are reading this and taking it as good advice.

Personally I cant wait to see what impact the new USSOCCER Academies will have on MLS and the USMNT.

By: bzygo

bzygo — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 20:00:19 +0000

Last year FourFourTwo had a great series on the problems with player development in England. The big sides are moving away from player development and cherry picking talented youth out of South America, Spain, and the Netherlands. The Dutch league was once one of the true great leagues, but so many of their youth have been lured away by the big contracts offered by England. IMHO, the Dutch provide some of the best training around so I love seeing someone like Michael Bradley play there, and I hope the U.S. approaches youth development more like the Dutch then the English. Thankfully, the young kids play on smaller pitches, with smaller sides. Now if we can just get away from the constant drilling and wind sprints.

By: Soccer Guru

Soccer Guru — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:23:34 +0000

I think what he was referring to is the fact that Deering started in the Bundelsiga for many years while Cooper had one good year in MLS. Truthfully a lot of forwards have big first years in MLS and then the league catches up with them.

By: Alex

Alex — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:38:56 +0000

Cooper hasn’t proved a lot? WTF are you talking about? Scored 11 goals in 2006 for FC Dallas, and 4 more in 07 before he had his leg broken by Tyrone Marshall and he missed most of the year. Scored in his first USMNT call up. His progress just eased Carlos Ruiz out of Dallas too.

http://www.dallassoccernews.com/article.php?article_id=431

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:19:31 +0000

Chad Deering! Talk about a blast from the past. He developed entirely in Germany IIRC. Good comparison between him and Cooper. Both were great HS players from the Dallas area, and Deering went to Wolfsburg I believe and did very well and ended up on a world cup squad while Cooper hasn’t proven a whole lot despite his size and skill. Lee Nguyen is another Dallas area product that was just transfered from PSV to someplace in Scandinavia. We hope he picks up the play as well.

By: Soccer Guru

Soccer Guru — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:34:39 +0000

Gibbs was on the World Cup team until he got hurt.

Seriously, this maybe the best article yet on this site. What a well written and well argued case.

By: Dominghosa

Dominghosa — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:01:28 +0000

Yanks in EPL, are you serious? You never heard of Cory Gibbs? And you’re name is “Yanks in EPL”? You might have to change your name, son. Do you even follow the US Men’s National Team?
To your credit, Gibbs is no longer in the EPL. But he was the last two seasons. So really, it’s not to your credit. And there’s no excuse to not at least have heard of Cory Gibbs.

By: bandeeto

bandeeto — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:32:52 +0000

… Which is why their National team play was compared, to illustrate the contrast in development on a fairly even footing. Specter has not come close to the impressive types of performances that Bradley has on an international stage, reguardless of how the leagues in which they play stack up against each other. It is not even a question of who the more polished player is. I hope the sentiments in this article get to the ears of our best and brightest still playing in the US. STAY OUT OF ENGLAND!!! Untill, that is, they have established themselves as players, and are close to reaching their highest potential. the EPL is not a devlopment league.

By: Yanks in EPL

Yanks in EPL — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:20:24 +0000

Has it ever occurred to you that the Dutch and German leagues are WEAKER than the English leagues? I’ve never heard of Chad Deering or Cory Gibbs anyhow.

By: eplnfl

eplnfl — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:27:02 +0000

My feelings are the same Kartik. Spector has been a source of pride for me being the local boy made good by signing with Man. U. When Man U. came to Chicago for a pre-season friendly it was wonderful to see him in the red jersey.

I have been a fan of the EPL in part becuase of the large # of American’s in the league, but it has been a source of dismay to me of the lack of progress that American players make once in England.

I have the same feeling as you do that other European league are better for American players to develop in. Sad but true!