The current domestic MLS season is approaching the home straight and it looks to be an exciting battle to be crowned champions. Columbus Crew and the New York Red Bulls are streets ahead of third placed Kansas City Wizards in the Eastern Conference whilst LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas are all well-placed at the top of the Western Conference. This exciting finale is down, in part, to a host of impressive new signings by some of the franchises and there are real signs of growth in the rising attendances, increased competition within the league and the developing ability of the young American players exhibited in South Africa.
It would be obvious to point to the arrivals of New York Red Bull’s Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez as signs of the MLS’ progress to Europeans but their impact off the pitch is as important as what they do on it. The signing of Henry is akin to that of David Beckham for LA Galaxy - Red Bulls have brought in a sportsman still at the top of his profession to boost interest in the team as well as strengthening it on the pitch. Henry’s link-up with MLS favourite and former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel has begun to show signs of progress with Henry netting his first few goals and Angel currently topping Red Bulls’ scoring charts with 13 goals. However Henry’s signing has coincided with Red Bull’s move into the Red Bull Arena and the logic of using his signing to boost attendances on the back of what is proving to be a successful season looks well founded.
The signing of Rafael Marquez also boosts the club’s image off the pitch but in a different way. Like Henry, the signing of a player still at the top of his career and still an international will boost interest in the franchise, but Marquez’s appeal is more far-reaching that that of Henry. Being a Mexican, his presence at the club will attract many Mexicans and Americans of Mexican descent to the games, opening a new market to the club in a very shrewd acquisition.
In addition to Marquez and Henry, the MLS has seen a number of high-profile new arrivals recently. Shakhtar Donetsk’s Nery Castillo and former Fulham FC striker Collins John have joined Chicago Fire, Branko Boskovic has joined DC United from Austria Vienna and Omar Bravo has joined Kansas City Wizards from Deportivo La Coruna whilst Geovanni has joined San Jose Earthquakes from Hull City and Blaise N’Kufo has joined Seattle Sounders from FC Twente. These signings will boost attendances at their respective franchises but it also illustrates the MLS’ ability to attract quality players to play in America and now, with the designated player rule having been extended to two players per team, the signs are that the MLS is rapidly developing.
The increased competition in the league witnessed this year is due partly to these new arrivals, but also due to the high standard of coaching within the league and the rapidly developing younsters who are beginning to make an impression at international level. Players such as Robbie Rogers, Robbie Findley, Edson Buddle, Jonathan Bornstein and Omar Gonzalez have all been given a chance at their respective clubs in previous seasons and now, having established themselves in the MLS, they are beginning to help form a strong national side. In addition to this, the return of old favourites such as Gregg Berhalter, Eddie Lewis and Kasey Keller has helped the younger generations in their rapid development as the old school stars provide plenty of experience for the youngsters.
Bob Bradley must also be praised for recognising these players’ potential, and his ability to instil a sense of discipline and implement his strong organisational skills paid dividends at the World Cup as the U.S. greatly impressed in their matches whilst on the other hand, a team full of supposed “stars” for England flopped badly under poor management. The English F.A. would do well to learn some lessons from the American approach to the tournament.
Right now it is a great time to be invloved in MLS as the league gets set for further expansion with new franchises in Portland and Vancouver ready to be introduced, soon to be followed by Montreal a year later. A strong league already thriving and constantly developing coupled with a successful national team who appear to be going from strength to strength has seen big-name players begin to arrive and with established American stars returning home from Europe and more and more people watching the games, the future is bright for American soccer.
