MLS: Analysing Jim Curtin’s American players claim

Jim Curtin has claimed that he believes in the ‘American player’ in MLS. But is the Philadelphia Union head coach’s claim correct?

In English football, there is an ageing belief that the ‘English player’ is superior to foreign imports in the Premier League as they have developed in the style of play that has defined the league.

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The Premier League, and especially the lower leagues in England, is renowned for its physicality. In previous years, foreign players have struggled to deal with the high-tempo character of play, often barged off the ball by more powerful and aggressive British players.

However, as football has changed and evolved, becoming a more global sport in the process, the style of the Premier League has altered, too. The need for the hardened, battling English player has been replaced with a more technical and tactically astute European or South American player. And that has tested the English players to improve, to develop, to grow.

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In Major League Soccer, there is this same underlying belief that the ‘American player’ is needed for a successful team. There is a character, personality, and feel to the American player that is apparently necessary to build an elite side in MLS. This weekend, Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin again pedalled out this logic.

Speaking to The Cooligans podcast, Curtin argued that he and the Philadelphia Union believe in the importance of the ‘American player’.

“Overall, philosophically, we do believe in the Philadelphia player,” Curtin outlined. “I believe strongly in the American player in our league, in our country. Ultimately, as cheesy as it sounds, I want this country to have success at a World Cup and eventually move on and win it. That might not be in my lifetime, but at the same time I want to work towards that.”

While Curtin’s point in developing American players for the U.S. Men’s National Team is admirable and positive, does having an American spine lead to success in MLS? Is believing ‘strongly in the American player in our league’ a smart ploy?

I considered the top-five squads from MLS in 2019: the top-two teams in both conferences and Toronto FC, who finished fourth in the East behind Philadelphia but made it to MLS Cup. Of those five teams, I looked at whether they relied on American players and how crucial they were to the respective sides’ success.

Toronto FC led the group with the most American or Canadian players that played more than 1,000 minutes with 10. In fact, of the 16 players who played more than 1,000 minutes, only six were not from America or Canada.

Atlanta United had six players, including their top-three minute makers. Los Angeles FC had five, while the Seattle Sounders and New York City FC had four apiece.

There is, then, something to be said for Curtin’s claim. The American spirit, however ‘cheesy’ that may sound, is something that the most successful teams in 2019 shared.

However, you must also dig a little deeper than just minutes played. Of those five teams, only one had an American Designated Player, Toronto with Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore. Moreover, of the other four teams, the only American to combine for more than 10 goals and assists was Jordan Morris of Seattle, who was superb throughout the year, notching 13 goals and six assists. NYCFC had just one American player contribute one goal or assist. Atlanta, similarly, had just three American players contribute a goal or assist, and two of those are no longer with the team.

There is, then, something to be said for the domestic experience that American players provide. MLS is the most unique league in world football. There are idiosyncrasies that foreign players often struggle to adapt to. And having a core of American players can help to deal with these unique elements of the league can be invaluable.

However, there is a talent limit that should be recognised. American players, quite simply, are not as capable as their Mexican, South American or European counterparts.

So yes, Curtin is not entirely wrong to pursue American players. The spirit of the dressing room is important. But to solely pursue them would be futile. Those foreign stars are necessary, and they are ultimately the driving force of these elite teams.