# #16 - The Big Lie: Why America's Best Athletes Don't Play Soccer (And Why It Doesn't Matter)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/youth-soccer-podcast-7563434/16-the-big-lie-why-america-s-best-athletes-don-t-play-soccer-and-why-it-doesn-t-matter
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/youth-soccer-podcast-7563434/16-the-big-lie-why-america-s-best-athletes-don-t-play-soccer-and-why-it-doesn-t-matter.md
Podcast: [Youth Soccer Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/youth-soccer-podcast-7563434)
Published: 2026-02-06T06:23:21+00:00
Episode link: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a5126a947561332e74ed8d07b3f80cdd92b7667319d84a02172218529319687a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjYjExYjQ4NS1mYWE4LTQxZjUtYjhjOC1iZmNlMDI3YzUxNmIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmE2ODBjMC0wODM1LTRmYTQtOTQ0OS0xN2MzNTY1MzA5ZDQiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTAxMTM4ZmJjMTI5MDBhYTUzMWUxOWIiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk4NTQ4YTdhMWNhNjRmMWVhMWEyMDBmL3BhdWwtc3BhY2V5cy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi0yLTZfXzItNDktMjcubXAzIn0=.mp3
Audio file: https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a5126a947561332e74ed8d07b3f80cdd92b7667319d84a02172218529319687a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJjYjExYjQ4NS1mYWE4LTQxZjUtYjhjOC1iZmNlMDI3YzUxNmIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiIxYmE2ODBjMC0wODM1LTRmYTQtOTQ0OS0xN2MzNTY1MzA5ZDQiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTAxMTM4ZmJjMTI5MDBhYTUzMWUxOWIiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjk4NTQ4YTdhMWNhNjRmMWVhMWEyMDBmL3BhdWwtc3BhY2V5cy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi0yLTZfXzItNDktMjcubXAzIn0=.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/youth-soccer-podcast-7563434/episodes/16-the-big-lie-why-america-s-best-athletes-don-t-play-soccer-and-why-it-doesn-t-matter
Duration seconds: 572

## Resource

In this episode, Paul challenges the common belief that America would excel in soccer if only its best athletes participated. He argues that this notion is a lazy excuse and delves into the complexities of soccer as a sport that requires more than just athleticism. The discussion highlights the importance of coaching, the need for a meritocratic system, and the role of game IQ in developing world-class players. Paul also compares the US women's soccer team's past dominance with the current global landscape. Free Parent Starter Pack: https://pauljspacey.com/podcast (get the info coaches won't openly tell you) - Get In Touch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pauljgspacey Twitter: https://x.com/PaulSpacey YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@paulspacey Email: https://pauljspacey.com/contact-3/ - Chapters 00:00 Debunking the Athleticism Myth in Soccer 01:00 US Women's Soccer vs. Global Competitors 02:09 American Sports Player Data 04:07 MLS Players & 3Four3 Coaching 05:04 U.S. Soccer History & Christian Pulisic 06:55 NFL Players Switching to Soccer 08:21 Closed Leagues & Pro/Rel

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## Transcript

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