of play on MLS/America in general dissuades MLS teams from playing 17 year olds. Specifically, is the game rougher or are the players a bit beefier? I'm not sure but I think it might be the case. And if so, technical talent doesn't matter as much if you're 40lbs underweight and can be muscled off the ball without a foul being called.

But so is the play in England (particularly below the EPL).

Most 17 year olds get muscled off the ball. They still need to play.

this advantage?

The FUFA rule applies between labor markets.

From third world countries. It is likely a good rule. Teams were going into poor communities in Africa and taking advantage of players and families.

It would be nice if the rule applied all over, but that might make the cure worse than the disease.

Ultimately, we need to end pay to play.

Europe.

To develop our 14 and 15 year olds. We need to do a better job of it domestically.

poach talent from other European countries while the U.S. cannot poach talent from, say, Mexico or Central America. Likewise, European national teams shouldn’t have the advantage of having their talent develop in the big professional leagues while other countries don’t have that advantage.

Which would allow for that arrangement.

And I would support.

Also, it won't matter if our best athletes aren't finding there way to a pitch.

only thing keeping our young players from developing. MLS and the youth soccer program are problematic as well. As for our best athletes finding the pitch, that will change as soccer (and MLS) grow in popularity and there is more money out there for players.

EDIT: Also, it’s up to U.S. Soccer (and other non-European countries) to force FIFA to level the playing field.