competition. It works in ECNL, MLS academies, high school, and college. If you watch how those leagues play, they are completely different than how most EPL or World Cup soccer is played.
American soccer is kick & run to a striker who hit puberty early who then takes on big athletic center backs who also hit puberty early. It works well in the short-term.
American soccer athleticism is top-notch. American soccer IQ is bottom-level.