In this insightful episode, Gary Kleiban and Benny Rogers tackle the intricacies of pro player development in the United States. Starting with a listener question on coaching U9 girls using the 3four3 methodology, they emphasize treating young players with the same foundational principles as older groups focusing on possession, structure, and adaptation across formats like 7v7 or 9v9. The conversation shifts to the pro pipeline: what it takes to become a professional, from early athleticism and technique honed outside team environments to mentality and discipline in adolescence.

Gary shares real-world examples from their academy days, highlighting how players like Efrain Alvarez stood out due to innate skills developed through pickup play and family influence. They debunk myths about “letting kids play” without structure and stress the need for competition, humility, and paranoia about being displaced to achieve career longevity drawing parallels to legends like Messi and testimonials from pros like Oscar Ruggeri.

The episode critiques the recreational nature of much of American soccer, even in top leagues like MLS Next and ECNL, and explores external factors like training compensation, MLS ownership, and pathways via USL or overseas moves. With success stories of coaches winning state championships using 3four3 frameworks and a teaser on a “Drake Equation” for pro odds, this is essential listening for coaches at 343coaching.com and parents at 343masterclass.com aiming to build dominant, pro-ready players.

00:00 Intro

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The post Ep 392: Unlocking Pro Player Development – Pathways, Odds, and Longevity in American Soccer appeared first on 3four3.