selective focus photography of gold-colored trophy on grass field during daytime

Guest Author – Jan Eric Nordmo

In a recent coaching course that I was assigned as the Coaching Educator, the question was raised by a student coach about the disparity between the success of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team soccer programs compared to other nations. This prompted me, as a coach educator, to share insights from my own experiences to help impart valuable lessons about the multifaceted nature of soccer development. This is not necessarily a full answer, but perhaps it provides a perspective not deeply explored.

The Value of Informal Learning

A pivotal element behind the success of European soccer nations is the rich informal learning opportunities embedded within their elite academy systems. Unlike the typical American approach, which often confines players to rigid, age-specific groups, European academies and those from other continents begin with a more informal setup that evolves into sophisticated models. These models promote integration, where young talents train alongside older, more experienced players from an early stage.

This vertical integration allows youth players to immerse themselves in a continuous stream of informal learning. They face challenges against physically and technically superior players, which accelerates their development in critical areas such as decision-making, tactical awareness, and mental resilience.

Reflecting on my own upbringing in the US during the late 1960s and 1970s, I was fortunate to experience a similar type of informal learning. Playing soccer on a little dirt patch next to a big grass field, I engaged with children who were first-generation Americans or recent immigrants. The environment was a melting pot of languages and cultures, where soccer served as our universal language. This form of play, devoid of formal structure, required quick adaptation and learning. If you didn’t catch on fast, you might find yourself relegated to goalkeeper for the day. My father, a Norwegian immigrant who played against young Nazi soldiers during WWII, instilled in me the value of learning from those older and more experienced, regardless of the setting. This informal, intergenerational approach is a hallmark of soccer-centric cultures where the sport is deeply ingrained in society.

Years later, when I took an U16 American team to a tournament in Holland, the difference in player development was evident. My players, while technically proficient, were matched against European teams that exhibited a more holistic understanding of the game—a direct result of their immersion in environments that fostered informal learning through vertical integration.

In drawing from these experiences, I aim to highlight the contrast between the structured, age-segregated training prevalent in the US and the more fluid, integrated approach seen in Europe and other regions. This integration offers players in those academies a blend of high-level coaching with the invaluable nuances of informal play. It appears to be a balance that serves soccer nations outside the United States exceptionally well. By maintaining strictly horizontal age groupings, we may be inadvertently handcuffing our players in the United States, limiting their exposure to the rich, informal learning opportunities that could significantly enhance their development.

Divergent Development Pathways

The pathway to professional soccer in the U.S. for men has traditionally been a journey of isolated development stages, with players often confined within their age groups until reaching the collegiate or professional levels. This segmented approach, lacking in opportunities for younger players to learn directly from those more experienced, may have inadvertently stunted the growth and global competitiveness of American male soccer talent. The true essence of vertical integration, where learning and development are accelerated through exposure to higher levels of play, is rarely encountered until one reaches the professional ranks. By then, the window for leveraging the full potential of informal learning experiences may have significantly narrowed, leaving a question of what might have been.

In stark contrast, the U.S. Women’s National Team’s ascent to international prominence was catalyzed by a grassroots movement, significantly bolstered by the enactment of Title IX legislation. This pivotal law not only leveled the playing field by ensuring equal opportunities and resources for women in sports but also laid the groundwork for a robust coaching infrastructure, previously the domain of men’s soccer. As a result, the USWNT quickly established itself as a formidable force on the world stage, benefiting from an early and sustained competitive advantage.

A New Chapter in Development

Getting back to the original postulation for this article, “disparity between the success of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team soccer programs compared to other nations”. This divergence in developmental experiences between the men’s and women’s programs underscores a critical juncture in American soccer. As we reflect on the successes and shortcomings of each pathway, it becomes evident that the future of U.S. Soccer perhaps lies in embracing a more integrated approach to player development? Certainly, there are other factors to consider. However, by fostering environments where young talents are exposed to higher levels of competition and mentorship from an early age, the U.S. can cultivate a new generation of players equipped to excel both domestically and internationally. The legacy of Title IX, with its profound impact on women’s soccer, serves as a beacon, illuminating the potential for transformative change across the entire landscape of American soccer.

The Global Catch-Up

However, that advantage could diminish as other soccer nations apply the same vertical integration models that have benefited their men’s programs to now elevate their women’s player development pipelines. Countries with long-established traditions of integrating youth talents across age groups are well-positioned to provide their emerging female players with the same enriching informal learning environments.

As these global academies embrace informal learning for both genders, the USWNT may face stiffer competition from nations finally investing in women’s soccer with the same comprehensive approaches that have long produced elite male players.

female soccer players at the field near people on bleachers

Maintaining the Competitive Edge

To maintain its status, the U.S. may be well benefited by recognize the importance of informal learning and create more opportunities for vertical integration across its youth development pathways – for both men’s and women’s soccer. Blending structured training with consistent exposure to diverse skill levels could be key to unlocking the full potential of American talent on the international stage.

By understanding and embracing the cultural nuances that have shaped the success of other soccer nations, the U.S. can adapt and evolve its developmental approaches. This will ensure American players continue to receive a comprehensive, well-rounded soccer education that blends formal training with informal learning experiences.

As a coach educator, sharing perspectives grounded in personal experiences like these allows me to impart valuable lessons about the multifaceted nature of soccer development to the next generation of coaches, ultimately benefiting the growth of the game in America.

Please check out our entire Modern Soccer Parent section of the website here.

About the Author:

Jan Eric Nordmo is a seasoned soccer coach, educator, and entrepreneur with over five decades of experience. He has held leadership roles as a Coaching Educator for U.S. Soccer, mentoring coaches across levels. Nordmo’s background includes coaching collegiate, youth club teams to championships, and guiding players professionally. He has worked with prestigious organizations like Liverpool FC International Academy as Director of Coach Education and Club Ambassador. Nordmo founded ventures like Soccer Scouts USA for player assessments and Off the Wall Soccer indoor soccer facilities. His passion extends through community service roles in Rotary and Scouting. With expertise spanning coaching, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, Nordmo brings a unique perspective to the soccer world. He continues to support youth soccer through the Iber Cup a premier international youth soccer event where he serves as a principal ambassador.

IberCup-Field-Ambassador-Jan-Eric-Nordmo-1 Download

Please Subscribe Below!

Your Subscriptions matter – if you like the content you see – please subscribe so you don’t miss anything. This blog is a labor of love, so if you like the content – please share the link and stop by the page regularly. Feel free to shop using our amazon links or other adds. Please add Modern Soccer Parent to your phone so you are one click away from amazon, instructions are here. If you are new to youth soccer, every team can use flipgive for fundraising, so check out our article here. If you create a team, please use our code https://flipgive.app.link/r?code=889719!