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Does the MLS Favor its ‘Superstars’?

By David A. Hughes II

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; MLS All Star midfielder Kaka of Orlando City SC addresses the media after the 2015 MLS All Star Game against Tottenham Hotspur at Dick
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; MLS All Star midfielder Kaka of Orlando City SC addresses the media after the 2015 MLS All Star Game against Tottenham Hotspur at Dick /
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Since 1995, the MLS has been trying to put their name on the map of world soccer, but are they doing it the right way?  Is the annual MLS All Star Game helping or hurting the image of domestic American soccer?

From the outside looking in, it seems that the MLS and its fans would rather choose the big name over the unknown, gritty midfielder.

Is that a problem? Not necessarily, but it seems, if you were to look at it from a foreign perspective, that the MLS is a little transparent.

Lets backtrack a little bit …

The MLS is a young league looking for attention on the world stage of soccer.  What is the best way to go about growing?  What is the best way to get viewers to turn on the tv and watch your league?

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Hired help.  Spend BIG money to get those players everyone wants to see.  The MLS All Star Game has never featured this many ‘superstars’ before, which can be linked to growth in the league, but it also brings into question, whether or not some of these guys deserve to play in San Jose in a couple weeks.

Here’s a couple examples, Andrea Pirlo & Kaka.

Pirlo, the Italian Maestro, the man born with the ball at his feet, the 2006 World Cup winner, whatever you want to call him, he is a good player.

Should he be in the All Star Game? I’m not sure.

At this point in the season, Pirlo has 1 goal and 7 assists in 18 games played.  On the other hand, Sacha Kljestan has 2 goals and leads the MLS with 10 assists in 19 games played.

Lets look at the Kaka situation.  Kaka has started and played a part in only 9 games for Orlando this season, contributing 3 goals and 5 assists.  The last time Kaka played was on July 4th, where he was subbed at half.

Based on these statistics, you have to ask yourself, are some these players being called upon based off their reputation and does someone else deserve their spot?

Here are some other players who have been either playing out of their mind

Jul 13, 2016; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (31) makes a save over Orlando City FC defender David Mateos (44) in the second half at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 13, 2016; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles (31) makes a save over Orlando City FC defender David Mateos (44) in the second half at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /

impressive over the course of the first half of the season or have flown under the radar in the stats department:

  • Luis Robles
  • Ignacio Piatti
  • Marcelo Sarvas
  • Ronald Mataritta
  • Mauro Diaz
  • Jake Gleeson
  • RJ Allen
  • Sacha Kljestan
  • Matt Hedges
  • Cyle Larin
  • Mike Grella

Personally, I love the MLS and can never get enough.  I’ll watch any game, any time of the year, no matter who is playing or what the scenario.  Maybe my reasoning is because I’m American or maybe I am attracted to the league because it is just different than the others.  The main point that I’m trying to make here is, how do we get better as a soccer country?  How do we get more respect from other countries and other mainstream players?

I believe, or would like to see an All Star Game including both the Western and Eastern conferences pitted against each other, similar to the way the MLB does things, but we might have to wait until expansion increases.  Expansion or not, the East vs. the West would give players that aren’t necessarily on every scoring or assist sheet, but those who put the work in every game and propel their team to victory through tackles or headers won, an opportunity.  It would give players who’s reputation doesn’t precede them a chance to show the rest of the MLS and foreigners watching that, “Hey, I’m American.  I have what it takes.”

The point is, the way the MLS does things compared to other soccer leagues is different and I don’t think Don Garber has a problem with that.  In fact, I think he loves being different and showing the world that the MLS is a friendly, community involved environment and dedicates a week night or a couple days to celebrate ‘our’ best against ‘yours’.

Is there anything wrong with that? No.

But could things be re-evaluated a bit more to include some of those players who might have been overlooked due to the fan voting? Yes.

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