MLS making gains to bridge 'cultural void': Pirlo (Reuters)

By Henry Engler NEW YORK (Reuters) - Pro soccer in the United States has come far, but more needs to be done at the youth level to develop a "culture" that brings the sport on a par with Europe, said Andrea Pirlo, the former stand out Italy mid fielder. Much of that has to do with how young players start out and are brought up through the ranks professionally when compared to Europe, according to Pirlo, who is in his second season with New York City FC of Major League Soccer (MLS). A large part of this has to do with how soccer is sponsored in Europe by professional clubs at an early age, said Pirlo, noting that in the U.S. sports such as basketball and baseball compete with soccer for the attention of younger players.