Jurgen Klopp Pinpoints the Game-Changing Weakness Holding Back U.S. Soccer
Jürgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager who now serves as Red Bull's global soccer chief, views the financial barriers to entry in American soccer as a significant obstacle to player development.
The 58-year-old ex-coach supervises various clubs within the Red Bull organization, including Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls. The former Premier League and Champions League-winning tactician was visiting New York for business meetings before watching a Red Bulls fixture against cross-town rivals New York City FC.
Klopp discussed American soccer's current state, emphasizing how the economic aspects of the sport, particularly the 'pay-to-play' system, continue to be a major concern for overall advancement.
"We face several challenges in the USA," Klopp shared with The Athletic. "As the newcomer here, I'm not someone who declares 'I'll fix everything' – that's not who I am. I simply watch and identify potential issues.
"Youth soccer can be costly. This approach makes absolutely no sense for discovering top talent. We're all aware that the world's finest players don't emerge from the wealthiest neighborhoods. I believe the most recent elite player who came from wealth before beginning his career was Kaká, if my memory serves me correctly. This motivational element is crucial."
Klopp: MLS Standards Are Rising
"Throughout my career, I've never watched as much MLS as I have over the past month. The standard is continuously improving and advancing, even though we're still in the developmental stage. We're bringing the sport to an enormous nation. Star players make a significant difference. It's challenging to pack stadiums based solely on playing style. However, I appreciate the energy we create in our venue," Klopp continued.
Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard have previously expressed to The Athletic their concerns about how financial barriers affect sporting accessibility. Dempsey emphasized the need to "create better opportunities for underprivileged individuals to pursue their aspirations," while Howard pointed out how excluding people based on economic status will continue to limit the nation's talent production capabilities.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino expressed surprise upon learning that children need free access to play in the country during his remarks at the 2024 Milken Institute Global Conference. Additional critics of the 'pay-to-play' system have included former U.S. women's national team standout Alex Morgan and ex-U.S. men's national team player Cobi Jones.
Research conducted by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association in 2018 revealed that 70% of participants in the system originated from families earning above $50,000 annually, with 33% coming from households making over $100,000 per year.
"This mirrors tennis from five decades ago," Klopp explained. "It was primarily an affluent person's sport. Purchasing equipment wasn't feasible for many. Then in Germany, Boris Becker changed everything. Suddenly, facilities emerged and courts were built. In my hometown, my father established the tennis club, and similar initiatives began, allowing everyone to participate.
"We're in a similar position here; countless children play soccer. However, ensuring proper coaching and development at various levels should be accessible without cost. This represents a long-term challenge for me personally, and these are the goals we're working toward."
The United States will jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with neighboring nations Canada and Mexico.