Alexi Lalas is coming to the defense of high costs in youth sports in the United States.
Many have pointed to how expensive it is to play youth soccer in America in the wake of the United States' 4-1 loss to Belgium on Monday night. Former U.S. men's soccer star Landon Donovan has admitted that his family would not have been able to afford to pay for youth soccer in America if he had grown up today.
“Only 2 percent of kids who were playing organized soccer in America came from households that made less than $50,000,” Donovan said in an interview with Junior Rodigan. “Think about how many kids you are missing out on in this country because they can’t afford to play the game.”
Many have suggested that the youth sports system, especially in soccer, needs to change for the U.S. to have real, elite success.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Lalas, though, has come to the defense of high costs in youth sports, making it clear that this is America.
If someone is willing to pay for it, then it's not going away, he argues.
Lalas argues in defense of high youth sports costs
Lalas is arguing for the many in youth sports making a lot of money off of young kids.
"You want to tell men/women in America who make their living in youth soccer that they need to make less?! It's a business. I want them to make as much money for their service as the market will pay them. If they can make a 'ton of money' then they should...and I'll celebrate it," he said.
He added: "I think what is best for the country is that we continue being the land of opportunity, freedom, and prosperity…not winning soccer games."
Unfortunately, no matter how much arguing there is, the current youth sports system is likely not to change.
