Didn’t read the whole thread, but there is alot of misinformation on soccer development in the US that needs to be cleared up. College is no longer the primary path for either Olympic or professional development of American soccer players. Nearly all of the top tier US players develop in MLS academies like FC Dallas, or in overseas club academies like Borussia Dortmund. For example, the US currently has the most talent it ever has had playing in top flight European clubs. The US also has by far the most players it has ever had at the top European clubs. Barcelona, Juventus, Chelsea, Valencia, Roma, RB Leipzig, Dortmund, Manchester City all now have an American playing for them. Additionally there are players on top flight teams like Fulham, Wolfsburg, Bremen, Schalke, Boavista, Eindhoven, and Galatasaray. I can think of only one of those players that went to college (Zack Steffen, former Maryland Terp, now at Man City).
As to why the US missed the Olympics, it’s because none of the players from Europe were released to play in the Olympic Qualifying tournament, because it doesn’t occur during FIFA-sanctioned international match dates. Which is a shame, because nearly all of the US talent for those top clubs would qualify as U23’s.