Very Interesting Analysis of Team Melli in the Economist magazine

[puddha]

Most of the americas have very poor infrastructure and continue to produce great players.

consider a country like columbia or ecuador who are MUCH more poor than iran, it really is all about passion and love for the game.

The reason soccer is not HUGE in the US is bc their is very little commercialization. Unlike basketball, baseball & American Football where they have time out, breaks, downs & innings for commercial break; that does not exist in US soccer. Also, Americans have ADHD, they love scores, they love stats. If they invest 2 hours to watch something, they want to see a score line (which is why i don't get baseball other than the break between innings).
I've seen some amazing college soccer in SoCal. Amazing player with amazing skills. Unfortunately, no further development past that. MLS is a joke

[IPG]

One thing the writer does not seem to understand is that African countries are poor while in countries like SA good players already make between 2 to 4 million a year !!

Its easier to gamble with African players then Asian. Even in Iran they make descent money. That makes bringing them to europe harder.