http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/grant_wahl/08/08/klinsmann.mexico/index.html?sct=sc_t11_a2
We need to find a way to give the 14- and 15-year-olds a path throughout the next years where they almost are daily in a competitive, positive playing environment, which is not there yet. Then you can see the talents coming through. The biggest challenge is once they are 18, 19 and getting into the MLS Draft or maybe going overseas, what can we give them on tools to break through?
...
But one thing is certain: The American kids need hundreds and even thousands more hours to play. That is a really crucial thing. If it's through their club team, if it's through themselves, whatever it is. The difference between the top 10 in the world and where we are right now is the technical capabilities and the higher pace. In a high-pace, high-speed environment, to keep calm on the ball, to sharpen your minds so you know what to do with the ball before you get the ball. That's the difference right now. You might have technically gifted players here, but once you set the pace two levels higher, they lose that technical ability because they're getting out of breath or their mental thought process isn't fast enough.


