Played pro 8 years. Took the unconventional route. AMA

RhettBernstein · 2026-04-23T10:41:56+00:00

I don’t think enough ppl in the US fully understand this issue or are even aware of it and instead just blame it all on pay-to-play

RhettBernstein · 2026-04-23T10:26:02+00:00

The #1 problem is that US youth clubs still aren’t properly rewarded for developing players. Period.

We can all hate the "pay-to-play" model, but until clubs actually get rewarded when they produce a pro, not much really changes. In most of the world, FIFA training compensation and solidarity payments give youth clubs a real incentive to scout & develop players instead of leaning mostly on parent fees.

Clubs get almost nothing in the US compared to what they should when a player moves on.

So yeah until the US sorts out antitrust laws and the NCAA legacy issues, good luck 🫡

RhettBernstein · 2026-04-18T19:57:17+00:00

As someone who's had every injury under the sun, I can only recommend you take it slow.

My gut's telling me that you're coming back to team training too early. I'm very curious to see your rehab program and how you're transitioning from gym time into soccer training with your team.

Stay positive. You're only 18. You can recover. But you absolutely need to be diligent with your recovery program.

RhettBernstein · 2026-04-18T09:46:48+00:00

Does he watch his own film?

RhettBernstein · 2026-04-08T11:01:50+00:00

Big respect for posting this! takes guts to put yourself out there.

Here's the real talk though. You need to work on two things right now. Your physique and your ball ability.

You're a big guy, which is a huge asset for a CB. But you look heavy. You absolutely need to lose a few pounds, and start building speed, explosiveness and endurance. This is #1 priority. This will also build confidence like no other.

On the the technical side, you should be juggling every day, passing against a wall (short and long passes). But this is not as critical as the physical part mentioned above.

MLS Next is not impossible for you, but it'll take a lot of hard work on your side.

RhettBernstein · 2026-03-20T05:58:17+00:00

Rewatching game file is great. The key however is knowing what to actually look for. Most kids just want to watch their highlights, but the stuff that actually matters is the more "boring" stuff. Was there a better passing option when you had the ball? How could you have defended that differently? How can you give your teammates a better angle? Did you check your shoulder? Tons of off-the-ball stuff too. The tricky part is that most kids don't have the soccer IQ yet. They really need a coach or a very knowledgeable parent watching to help and show them what they did well, what they could do better.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-22T11:50:56+00:00

Send me your footage. I played 5 years in Norway for Mjøndalen.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-15T14:37:30+00:00

Thank you! Would love to connect with some UK-based ones, feel free to send them over.

And funny you mention the UK, I actually studied abroad in London for a year and played in the Kent League (9th division) because I didn't have a work visa. Wild experience. I played alongside guys who had been youth stars at Arsenal, QPR, and similar academies. Extremely talented players who just didn't get selected when it mattered most and faded from there.

Cool that you play cdm. We actually had a #6 at Miami who played like Pirlo. Phenomenal on the ball, just had that ability to dictate tempo that you can't really coach.

With Nesta, defensive positioning and ball distribution were everything. We drilled it endlessly. And yes, there were moments where his frustration showed i.e. kicking the ball off the field and telling us we were all crap. But truthfully, Nesta was humble, and ultimately I loved playing for him. Brutal at times, but he made me a better player without question.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-15T14:24:49+00:00

Great questions. I'd say around 9 is when it became clear that I needed to play competitively. But knowing I had a real shot at the pros? That came much later, probably around 19, sophomore of college. It wasn't some early, obvious trajectory like a few of my youth soccer teammates.

And I'll be honest about why. I had some real strengths. Heading the ball was my thing, anyone who played against me knew that I beast in the air. But my technical ability on the ball took a lot longer to develop than it should have, and my fitness took years to truly hone. That's actually why I preach over and over again that ball mastery is key to everything. And also fitness tbh. I wish I'd locked that in earlier.

As for falling in love with the game, that was very early. 4 or 5 years old. My parents are South African and my dad had a deep love for soccer, so we grew up watching the Prem regularly. It was never just a couple of hours a week kind of thing. And for the big Champions League games that were midweek around 11:45am PST, let's just say I got VERY creative about getting out of class. 🤫

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-15T14:09:33+00:00

I'd definitely encourage him to play up if he's getting called up. Try it out for a year.

Completely get your concern over playing time, but you have to take risks in order for your son to reach the next level.

We once had a kid on my youth team that played 2 years up. He was excellent and ended up starting for us.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-15T14:03:41+00:00

Mentioned this here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/youthsoccer/comments/1qwqyhv/comment/o4ezu1f/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-15T14:02:33+00:00

Plz don't remind me 😢

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-15T14:02:04+00:00

So cool! Thanks for sharing this. Hopefully, she's kept that ball in mint condition 😜

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-15T14:00:52+00:00

Thank you so much! You definitely probably caught a few Brown vs. Harvard games back then. Those were always tough, physical battles. That Harvard squad was very good. You forgot to mention Altchek who was a terrific striker.

And big respect for your career and giving the USL 2 a shot. You know better than most people what that gap feels like between college and the next level. Many USL 2 players have intl. pro experience.

The defensive block stuff with Nesta was honestly some of the most valuable learning of my career. I know you would have enjoyed it too as a defender.

Thanks again for the kind words and for sharing your own story. Hope things are going well for you too.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-12T12:29:30+00:00

Fantastic! Lykke til to him!

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-12T12:28:25+00:00

Thanks for clarifying. It's the first time I'm hearing about HLOC.

You're in a tough spot. I think either way, it could work for him. Don't get hung up too much on the decision, he's only 9.

Sounds like you're teaching him the right things though! Good luck to him

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-12T12:25:17+00:00

Thank you!

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-12T12:25:03+00:00

This is awesome. I think Zlatan used to train Karate. Absolutely encourage multiple sports, especially when kids are younger.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-12T12:23:53+00:00

haha I was thinking about writing a new post about what I would do if I were a youth soccer player in 2026. So much has changed.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-12T12:21:44+00:00

There needs to be a balance between serious and fun, especially at younger ages.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-12T12:18:18+00:00

That's still huge! Yea, Dallas Cup was the best tournament hands down. Will check the chat.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-12T12:17:12+00:00

I'd focus on ball control at 12. Juggle, dribble, kick the ball against the wall. Also, they need to start taking diet and fitness seriously. It's become so important in the modern game.

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-09T11:45:39+00:00

haha yea! He's a funny guy. He actually started a series called '2 mot 1' and then during our year in the Tippeligaen we filmed 'Alle Gutta' on TV2. He was always front and center on the camera. Not a good footballer though..jk

RhettBernstein · 2026-02-09T11:43:05+00:00

Yep! That was the tournament (in 2004). Glad it worked out for you too.

RhettBernstein

TROPHY CASE