Landon Donovan believes one of the biggest challenges facing American soccer has nothing to do with tactics or coaching.
Instead, the former United States international believes that too many talented young players never even get the chance to begin their journey because the sport has become too expensive.
Speaking on The Late Run, Donovan questioned whether the country's current youth football system is preventing future stars from emerging, particularly those from lower-income families.
The Cost Of Playing Soccer In America
Donovan pointed to a statistic that he believes highlights the issue.
According to the former USMNT forward, only two percent of children playing organised soccer in the United States come from households earning less than $50,000 per year.
"If you don't make $50,000, your kid cannot play organised soccer," Donovan said.
He argued that this dramatically reduces the country's potential talent pool, with many gifted young players unable to afford club football.
Donovan also reflected on his own upbringing, explaining that he would never have reached the professional game if someone had not covered the cost of his youth football.
Raised by a single mother earning around $34,000 a year, he admitted his family could not even afford a fraction of today's club fees.
Why Affordable Pathways Matter
Youth development remains one of the most important foundations of modern football success.
Many of the world's leading football nations rely on academy systems that make the game accessible to talented youngsters regardless of financial background.
While families often contribute towards grassroots football across Europe and South America, professional clubs frequently identify talented players early and provide structured development pathways with little or no cost to parents.
Donovan believes the American system risks excluding exactly the type of players capable of transforming the national team.
A Smaller Talent Pool Means Fewer Elite Players
The United States has made significant progress on the international stage in recent decades, but its disappointing World Cup exit has once again prompted discussion about player development.
For Donovan, the issue starts long before international tournaments.
If thousands of talented children cannot afford organised football, the national team ultimately has fewer players to choose from at the highest level.
Rather than asking why the United States struggles to compete consistently with football's biggest nations, Donovan believes the more important question is how many future internationals are being lost before they ever step onto a competitive pitch.
Can American Soccer Become More Accessible?
The debate surrounding football's pay-to-play model is not new, but Donovan's comments have reignited the conversation following the United States' World Cup campaign.
Finding sustainable ways to make youth football more affordable remains a complex challenge, with clubs needing funding to provide facilities, coaching and competition.
However, Donovan's message is clear.
If American soccer wants to maximise its potential, giving every talented child the opportunity to play could be just as important as producing the next generation of coaches or investing in new facilities.
For one of the greatest players in USMNT history, expanding access to the game may be the country's biggest development project of all.