The Dumbest Thing in U.S. Soccer Nobody Talks About — And Why It’s Failing Your Kids

Eric Wynalda gets personal in this episode of Unleashed, taking aim at one of the biggest missed opportunities in American soccer: how we introduce the game to kids. From the ridiculous youth team names to the complete lack of connection to the professional game, Eric outlines why MLS—and every other U.S. soccer league—needs to rethink how they market to the next generation.

Why does every 6-year-old know who Barcelona is but can’t name their local club? Why aren’t youth teams named after real pro teams? And how can we fix it before the 2026 World Cup boom? Eric shares a plan he pitched to MLS 20 years ago—and it still holds up.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments. Should every 5-year-old soccer player know who the Charleston Battery are? 👇

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