Looking at the US performance in the World Cup this year does force the fan to look long term.  The American soccer stars of today looked a long way from being ready to compete.
 
In looking to the future, US Soccer the organization and American soccer the sport both face the same set of challenges.  The athletes are available, the money is around, the desire is there, so at first blush it is hard to understand why the States cannot become a soccer powerhouse immediately.  Paradoxically, the answer is a lack of competition.