Tuesday, January 13, 2015

US Best Players Coming to MLS

If all the rumors are true, then the best players in the US Mens National team are coming home. Except for goalkeepers, US soccer stars have a hard time staying in the top leagues in Europe. One only has to look at Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey to see that our best just doesn't seem to cut it over the pond. However, that doesn't mean that all our best players should come home.

MLS is a mediocre league at best. I don't think anyone would argue with that. Even with the infusion of English stars past their prime and America's best players, it will still be a mediocre league. Will I renew my subscription to MLS Live? Yes, absolutely, it is money well spent. It also allows me to make judgements on MLS' play vs other leagues in the world.

The bigger problem is with the US Mens National team. If our best players only play in a mediocre league than, in my opinion, we will only be good enough to get out of the group stage at the World Cup. We will NOT get past the round of 16. Other teams will have multiple players that play in the world's best leagues and there is no way MLS can compete with that.

I want to see the US get to the finals (not necessarily win it all) in my lifetime. However, if our boys can't make it in the best leagues in the world, then we will not get there. If they choose to follow the example of Landon, Clint, and now what looks like Jozy Altidore and Mix Diskerud, we will have them at home. That might be good for MLS, but it will be bad for the US Mens National team.

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