American youth soccer players, coaches, administrators and parents debate often and passionately about player and team development. And as we tackle each and every oneo of the typical development questions season in and season out (e.g. which camps to attend, which off-season work-out is best, which tournament is the most fun, which club team to play for, etc.), we ultimately zero in on one of the most fundamental questions of all: So what is THE common denominator for player and team development? Of course anyone who knows the game will be the first to chime in - IT'S THE ENVIRONMENT MAN!

As the perennial emerging world soccer power, US Soccer draws increasingly high marks as our coaches and players continue to create and/or benfit from the world-class soccer environment we've unlocked over the course of a few eventful decades - right here at home! The quality of play, team rosters and attendance are getting better by the season. Furthermore, the number of American players in demand in top leagues around the glove continues to climb.

But the critics continue to launch an arsenal of "keep it real" questions: Why do many top American Internationals continue to seek coveted spots on European club rosters? Will Major League Soccer ever achieve comparable status as the top European clubs? For the time being, the truth of the matter is that we're just not quite there yet (but yes, we are in fact getting there!) So for the likes of our current MNT strongholds - e.g. US Men's National Team players Demarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra, Michael Bradley, Steve Cherundolo, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber, Tim Howard, Kasey Keller, Brian McBride, Oguchi Onyewu, Heath Pearce, and Frank Simek - they are simply, if pragmatically, seeking out the soccer environments that will best serve their personal development needs (and presumably their dreams). They, too, have asked the tough questions, and part of the larger answer happens to be good news for American players - that's 12 extra spots on MLS rosters where other up-and-coming Americans will have opportunities to develop their game.

Prudent coaches often look for "lessons learned from the pros" as they seek to facilitate the best developmental environments for players. We sometimes hear negative comments to the effect of, "that club poached three of our top players" or "that player just isn't loyal, she chose our rival club after we developed her for ten years." In an attempt to address some of these concerns, coaches, players and parents alike, must determine weather the decisions we make are in fact serving player development (i.e. encouraging player access to multiple development options). Put another way: Is it possible there may be other less desirable external factors affecting the decisions we make when it comes to player development? Many successful coaches believe player mobility is simply the anticipated and potentially positive consequence of healthy competition among competing development alternatives. In any case, if the end result is a better developmental environment, and ultimately a happier player, then fantastic!

So is there a moral to the player development story? Indeed there is - seek, facilitate and demand the best environments for young players. There will always be multiple factors in the mix (e.g. money, travel, club/peer loyalty, commitment level, etc.). But remember, these variables can differ remarkably from player to player, so be sure and do the necessary leg work. Ask the tough questions. Expect professionalism and personal attention. Look for structure and organization. Require consistency and enthusiasm. Question personal biases or preferences that seek onlyl to keep roster intact, limit access to quality training sessions or otherwise stifle a healthy "cross-pollination" among players, teams and clubs. Because few things hinder player development more than outside forces or special interests dictating the who, where, or how much kids get to explore and develop their own personal potential and style as soccer players.

A final word about American player development is that our kids must learn for themselves to self-train and ot push themselves, their friends and their teammates - and on their own initiative. In other countries "impromptu street soccer" is the norm, yet the American sports stereotype aslways puts a coach in the middle of it all to administer and control the environment. Fortunately, the stereiotype is fading fast, as American soccer coaches are realizing that kids can and will achieve excellence on their own, among their peers, and on the playgrounds, backyards and alleys of America. Because fortunately, for most American youth soccer players, the ideal soccer environment is just a soccer ball away...