Dax McCarty on Leadership, Soccer IQ & Developing as a Midfielder | The Soccer Ladder

Former MLS and U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Dax McCarty joins The Soccer Ladder for a special conversation filmed during MLS All-Star Week.After nearly two decades playing at the professional level, Dax shares the lessons he believes matter most for young players trying to grow in the game.We talk about leadership and why accountability may be one of the most important qualities a young captain can develop — including learning to look inward before pointing fingers at teammates.Dax also breaks down how young midfielders can improve their soccer IQ and decision-making. His advice? Watch yourself back. Study your training sessions and games, identify where you can improve, and watch great players at the highest level. Dax shares how he studied Paul Scholes growing up and incorporated pieces of his game into his own development.We also discuss what Dax wishes he had done differently as a young midfielder, why sometimes making the right decision means being a little more selfish in the right moments, and how he learned to use failures as motivation throughout his career.A conversation packed with practical insight for young players, midfielders, captains, coaches, and soccer parents navigating the development journey.Filmed during MLS All-Star Week.Subscribe to The Soccer Ladder with Li & Me for more conversations with professional players, coaches, broadcasters, and experts sharing what they’ve learned with the next generation.@MLS @AppleTV @daxmccarty#TheSoccerLadder #DaxMcCarty #YouthSoccer #PlayerDevelopment #MLSAllStar-