What does it say about the U.S. and the world that the U.S. women’s soccer team is so dominant, while the men’s team is so not?

Could it be a reflection of how women’s sports are supported worldwide vs. in the US? In the US, most kids play sports—girls and boys. And the US is an athletic powerhouse in general, judging by the Olympics.

Perhaps women’s sports are simply supported far more in the U.S. than the rest of the world. I think that’s probably true, in some sense. For example, I wonder how many world class female athletes come out of countries like Iran, where women have “different” opportunities and civil rights.

Additionally interesting is how some countries can be consistent soccer powerhouses. Look at the smaller European countries that sometimes consistently field incredible teams. Consider Belgium, which has a similar population to the LA metro area. I’m guessing their success is somehow a product of culture and generational knowledge.

So if the US men’s team is so weak, and the women’s team is so dominant, what’s the cause? I’m guessing it’s more to do with how women’s sports are supported in other countries—less a product of some discrepancy between men’s and women’s soccer programs in the U.S.

Another factor may be that in the U.S., a smaller proportion of young male athletes choose soccer, while a higher proportion of women choose it. Maybe the U.S. men’s soccer pool of players is comparable to a place like Belgium, since soccer is such a minority sport compared to football, baseball, etc.

Interested to hear your thoughts.