Can MLS keep their USMNT stars? And will the MLS become Jurgen Klinsmann’s new developmental pool?
Following an impressive and attention-grabbing performance in Brazil this past month, one question haunts the minds of media, fans, and coaches; can the MLS keep their USMNT stars, or will the alluring option of European football entice young, up-and-coming American stars?
MLS Based Players or Headed for Europe?
We’ve seen it with US stars before: Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, and Tim Howard, amongst others. Following the US’ World Cup campaign in Brazil, we have seen many players be heavily solicited by top European clubs. With 10 of the 23 USMNT players this year coming from domestic MLS Soccer, the likelihood of players moving on to bigger and better is strong.
For 21-year-old Seattle Sounder DeAndre Yedlin, rumors floating of a possible transfer to AS Roma have taken storm through the media. Another player drawing heavy foreign interest since Brazil is 27-year-old Sporting KC center back Matt Besler. Both players saw their stock raise higher than any other of the 23 US players after their impressive performances in Brazil.
Sporting KC CEO Robb Heineman commented saying there has been “enormous interest” in the defender.
Meanwhile, Seattle Sounders GM Adrian Hanauer explained that he has also been fielding “lots of phone calls” regarding the homegrown lightning-quick Yedlin.
We should also expect to hear similar stories surrounding Graham Zusi and Omar Gonzales, who both had great displays this past month.
If players are talented enough to give Europe a go, they will. The opportunity to play European football is far too appealing for most to pass up. Traveling overseas and playing with/against clubs in northwest Europe, I can tell you first hand; the development and teaching of players in Europe is far more advanced than that in the United States. Countries like Holland, Germany, Italy, Spain, find such great success on the national/global levels because of their youth training/development. Even with Major League Soccer continually improving and expanding year after year, it’s nearly impossible to compete with the level of play, salaries, and world attention of European football. [Note– Average EPL salary: over $1.6 million, La Liga: $1.7 – 1.8 million, Serie A: $2 million, Bundesliga: $2.3-4 million] Despite the possible loss of young, eye-catching talent, domestic MLS-based players moving onto European soccer could virtually benefit US Soccer on the global scale.
The next question that rises from this discussion is whether or not the MLS will turn into a new developmental pool for US Soccer and coach Jürgen Klinsmann. With the ratio of domestic/foreign club players at a strikingly even proportion, many begin to wonder. Going back through the two and a half years that Jürgen Klinsmann has had this US team, and in studying rosters, it is obvious that the German coach has come to heavily rely on MLS-based players. Since his naming as US head coach, Klinsmann has continually tried to push for MLS to lengthen their season to 10-11 months versus the current 7-8, in an attempt to resemble top European leagues. Despite Klinsmann’s desire for MLS to greatly improve its quality of play, he certainly has faith in the league and it’s ability to produce top-quality American talent.
In some regards, Jürgen Klinsmann is right; a longer season and further development throughout the MLS clubs/academies would greatly benefit not only the league, but the national side as well. Regardless of whether or not rising talent takes their ability overseas, we could certainly see a 23-man roster for Russia in 2018 filled with up-and-coming Major League Soccer talent.
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