The US Soccer Federation has hired James Bunce from the Premier League as the Director of High Performance to get a handle on the great enigma of soccer in the US: youth development. The very phrase conjures images of the American Messi toiling in obscurity on a dusty pitch while his talent withers on the vine as he is passed over for other players. Bunce had previously worked as the Premier League Head of Sports Science and will bring a scientific and data driven perspective to youth development in the US.
He will have his work cut out for him.