The United States wanted to host a World Cup. The committee that made the bid followed all the necessary steps in pitching their bid for the 1994 World Cup. FIFA gave the tournament hosting responsibilities to the USA, in hopes that it would spark interest in world football in the largest untapped soccer market at the time. Therefore, as a condition for the United States winning the games, they were to create a domestic league, Major League Soccer. Ever since, the league’s presence in the states has made the Men’s National Team better, and it will continue to do so.
The World Cup had it’s desired effect. Interest in soccer grew, and the newly founded MLS began it’s first season in 1996 with only ten teams. Some of the leagues foundation was built on the premise that American players were to be given majority spots on the team, in an effort to boost the USA’s soccer program as a whole. Since the beginning in ‘96, every year the league has experienced growth of some kind. From Columbus building the country’s first soccer specific stadium, to expansion teams, and even just noticeable rises in the quality of play.
Since the league’s inception, The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) has not failed to qualify for the World Cup once. Despite the 1998 disaster, the US has had raised expectations every world cup cycle, especially after the fantastic 2002 squad pushed their way past powerhouse Portugal and dos-a-cero’ed Mexico yet again only to fall to an admittedly lucky Germany (and Torsten Frings’ left hand). The proof is in the results. Since 1996, the United States has only ranked out of the top 32 (Statistical world cup, obviously all the top 32 teams do not qualify) for nine total months. Not even 12 of the last 228 months have had the USMNT finishing out of qualifying.
Now here’s why I believe the partnership between the USMNT and MLS is vital. Over the last decade youth development in the United States has grown in leaps and bounds. The amount of quality talent that the US is producing, instead of importing, is more prevalent now more than ever. It used to be that if an American player was having any sort of success in MLS, then he would be given a spot on the USMNT. But if you look at the same situation in today’s game, the wealth of talent available to the US staff makes this difficult. Jack McInerny, Dax McCarty, and Juan Agudelo (who until very recently was a MLS player) are three examples of players that no matter what seemed to never be getting the caps that their in-league form dictated.
Even some top players that have been getting some appearances for the US are on the fringe of making the roster for Brazil, namely Brad Davis and Chris Wondolowski. Both are arguably the most influential players on their teams and have lead them to successful seasons, while having outstanding personal years. Whether or not Davis makes it is more in jeopardy than Wondo, who has been on a tear for club & country lately (if you don’t believe me, ask Greg Lalas http://www.mlssoccer.com/video/2014/04/17/make-way-wondo-brazil-bound ).
Not only are prominent MLS’ers not making the cut, but some players on top flight European clubs aren't getting the call ups they’re working for either. Examples being Sacha Kljestan at Champions League club Anderlecht, Eric Lichaj at Nottingham Forrest, and Tim Ream at Bolton Wanderers. These are players that play at some of the top levels of world soccer that can’t get caps. So the argument stands that the depth of quality has increased, and hopefully will continue to increase in the future.
These three are also perfect examples of players that started in Major League Soccer, then were lured by the greener pastures of Europe. One of the problems that players like these are having across the pond is that the perception of American soccer follows them, and the belief that American soccer is not at the same level of quality as is in some other countries. Lack of faith leads to less playing time, which can affect form. Just look what happened to Michael Bradley at AS Roma. He battled in his position with many top talents from around the world. Even though he held his own and was well respected as a player by the supporters, the club transferred in other internationals to take away the already limited playing time he was receiving. Bradley made the move back to MLS in search of more guaranteed playing time, and maybe a better paycheck than he could have received abroad.
Major League Soccer has found a nice niche in the US Soccer program, as a development league for the best young Americans who are willing to start domestically instead of overseas. With the transfers of arguably America’s two most successful European travelers in the primes of their careers, Bradley from Roma and Tottenham Hotspur’s Clint Dempsey back to MLS, there have risen the talks that now the MLS is a preferred place to play instead of just a feeder league. There seem to be 3 sides of this argument, rather simply yes or no, but a third opinion, that this is the best way for the Americans that wouldn’t get recognized in another league to make a name for themselves and get top quality games. When you look at leagues like the Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga (not as much the Premier League anymore) they have high percentages of domestic players in their domestic leagues. The other side of this third point is that it will not be the best place for foreigners to come and play at the height of their game. There is a very small contingent of players from Europe, Asia, and Africa who play in this league, and while they all have higher ambitions, this league may just be a way to play somewhere other than Europe, where they may have failed to move on from clubs the way they hoped.
Major League Soccer is not yet at the point where foreign players choose to play here over some other top leagues because the game is better for them, and in likelihood it probably never will be that way. I have heard many opinions on whether or not MLS will be one of the top leagues competing with Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, and the Premier League, but while having high dreams and ambitions is nice, some may need a reality check. MLS does not have the money or national attention that these other leagues and clubs have, and they may never reach these heights.
This brings me to another point, since the league keeps growing, the individual clubs are doing their fair share of growth as well. Many of the clubs have youth systems that develop kids from younger ages through the club and give them top quality coaching and instruction. Two of Major League Soccer’s flagship clubs, the New York Red Bulls and Sporting KC both have fantastic youth programs that have produced many talents in MLS, and some that will soon grace the national team stage.
So, does Major League Soccer in fact harm the United States Men’s National Team? If you've read the last few paragraphs, then you can see that clearly and simply, no. MLS and the USMNT have had a connection since before the league’s first game, and their partnership has been about as symbiotic as they come. Since the league’s inception, the US has improved in quality and depth, as well as in popularity. With a big World Cup coming up, a large portion of the country’s squad for Brazil will come from MLS players. Also, the USMNT’s performance has helped bring in new fans to MLS, and allowed the league to expand and gain more power. With the size and quality of the USMNT & MLS both erupting exponentially, I would bet that the future of Major League Soccer and the United States Men’s National Team are both bright, as they will both look to flourish together.
