MLS: The growing number of high-quality players
MLS has always been looked down upon in the global sporting world. But the standard of play and quality of players are improving, especially in recent years.
Let’s be honest, Major League Soccer isn’t the top league in the world. It is played at a lower level than the top European leagues and is slightly more competitive than a few of them, but it lacks the global pull of even the South American and Mexican leagues.
MLS is still an underrated league, partly because the American soccer culture is largely misunderstood, but it does not have many fans outside of North America.
Nevertheless, it has improved and grown more competitive in recent seasons. The addition of international players has made the league more exciting, even if, in some instances, the players are on the back-end of their careers.
More than 10 years ago, the trailblazer for this sweeping European influx, David Beckham, was 32 years old when he joined the LA Galaxy. He spent five seasons in the league after dominating English, Spanish and European football with Manchester United and Real Madrid for the better part of 15 years.
Since then, a whole raft of European stars have come Stateside. At present, some of the best players in the league — Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, and Bastian Schweinsteiger — are of this ilk. Zlatan joined MLS last year at 36 while Rooney and Schweinsteiger both joined at 32 years of age. Kaká and Nani also came to MLS at 32 years old after a lot of success in Europe.
It has been refreshing to see these players come to MLS and take the league to the next level in regards to pedigree and quality. But what does it about the league? You might be thinking it’s a league for retiring players, as has been cast over MLS time and time again. You might question the overall quality of the league when ageing European stars can dominate many years after their prime.
More from MLS Multiplex
- Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
- Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
- USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
- De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
- Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States
However, more recently still, there has been another shift in focus from many MLS teams: the influx of youth, specifically from South America. Cristian Pavón — the LA Galaxy’s latest signing — is 23 years old and decided to join MLS instead of going to Europe. Josef Martinez, who hails from Venezuela, played his first season at Atlanta United just as he turned 24. The same could be said for his teammates Miguel Almiron and Ezequiel Barco. Then there is Diego Rossi at LAFC, Lucas Rodriguez and Luciano Acosta at D.C. United, and many others.
These are some of the best players in the league, and many of them will progress to Europe in the future, clear proof of their unquestionable quality. They are also playing alongside a burgeoning homegrown group. Alphonso Davies and Tyler Adams recently moved for record money, while 19-year-old Paxton Pomykal has anchored one of the brightest midfields in the league. Suddenly, there is young, burgeoning quality rippled throughout the league.
Next. USMNT: 3 immediate takeaways from September roster. dark
Is MLS ever going to reach the European standard that every global league strives for? No, probably not. Or at least not for a very long time. But the standard of the league and the competitiveness of the players is improving with every passing year, and that can only be a good thing.