Major League Soccer has implemented different strategies over the years to raise level of play and competition. Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) has had the most immediate impact. Its returns are quick and obvious. What is not quick is the investment in academies.
If TAM is a hot new stock, academies are the league’s 401(k). Incenting this investment is arguably the most important thing in shaping the future of the U.S. men’s national team (as I wrote about here).
Much like prioritizing the near term over the long with personal finances, not every club has invested or prioritized academies.