Great idea. I would totally agree that if you want to produce the best, you must focus on running through those vital years most people go through college. Having gone through an ACC Division I school on a soccer scholarship, I can attest to the fact that its next to impossible to be at your best while trying to balance two full time, very draining jobs (school and sport).

If there were more opportunity to turn professional in the soccer world for women, I would have certainly chosen to sign on with a pro team at 17 years of age rather than attending school. School is always something you can go back to and to be honest, I think with more worldly experience under your belt, will find more interesting and valuable.

Men's soccer is a perfect example of the running situation in the US vs Kenya, etc. In US soccer, as in running, young players typically progress through local club teams (perhaps Olympic Development teams if they're good enough). At 17 or 18, they are off to college programs where they are trying to balance two full time jobs and can't focus on their playing career - nor are they competing against the best thereby requiring them to step up.

In contrast, in the top soccer nations in the world, young players are usually spotted and recruited from school teams or local teams by the age of 12-15 where they are then asked to sign a contract to start training with professional club's youth teams. In this environment they are exposed to professional coaching, training, playing and general atmosphere. In this environment, they are competing against the top youth players throughout the world and if they are to be successful in attaining a professional career, they must step up to world class level. While the US might be able to supply the world's professional leagues with a few players, the majority of MLS players who come from college would probably have difficulty making a second or even third division club in the UK (Premiership, 1st Division, Second Division, 3rd, not pro).

To sum up - if you want to have the world's best - the focus must be on attaining that goal. School is great, but if you''ve got athletic talent in something other than football or basketball, school might not be the best place to develop and fulfill your ultimate potential.