I've had the chance to play soccer as a youth in more than two foreign countries and had always been a top player among top level players, but theres sure is a big difference in the level of intensity and talents between the USA and other countries. Soccer is not a very popular sport in the US due to the big three and many other sports. I wouldn't say soccer has the best athletes in the US, looking at the exposure and love football gets. The US is definitely driving towards having soccer players as the best athletes, but its going to take some time before soccer can get the same exposure and love football and other sports get. That should play a big part in making soccer have the best athletes.