Thursday, November 25, 2004
Bigger things
US soccer's brightest, most capable star (presently) is heading to Germany.
Landon Donovan is the best American soccer player, right now. His development, along with virtually all of the USA's talent (with rare exception) was cultivated in MLS. To anyone who doubts Major League Soccer's worth on an international level, I refer you simply to the Men's National Team. Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Brian McBride, Carlos Bocanegra, Bobby Convey, Tim Howard, Eddie Lewis, John O'Brien, and so on, all came up through MLS and are now international commodities. All now play in Europe, a testament to training ground of MLS. It's a double edged sword. As hard as it is to see the country's best talent go abroad to play their club soccer, it is ultimately beneficial to the National Team. Obviously, anything that's good for the National Team will invariably increase interest in MLS as more soccer fans come out of the wood work. The competition among European clubs is stiffer and better than what we can offer state-side. However, the exodus of all the US' established talent paves the way for a new set of American stars to emerge in MLS. US soccer has a pretty good cycle going for itself, even if it means departing with some name recognition on the club scene. Now the way is clear for guys like Alecko Eskandarian, Eddie Johnson, and of course, Freddy Adu to lift up a new crop.
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Landon Donovan is the best American soccer player, right now. His development, along with virtually all of the USA's talent (with rare exception) was cultivated in MLS. To anyone who doubts Major League Soccer's worth on an international level, I refer you simply to the Men's National Team. Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Brian McBride, Carlos Bocanegra, Bobby Convey, Tim Howard, Eddie Lewis, John O'Brien, and so on, all came up through MLS and are now international commodities. All now play in Europe, a testament to training ground of MLS. It's a double edged sword. As hard as it is to see the country's best talent go abroad to play their club soccer, it is ultimately beneficial to the National Team. Obviously, anything that's good for the National Team will invariably increase interest in MLS as more soccer fans come out of the wood work. The competition among European clubs is stiffer and better than what we can offer state-side. However, the exodus of all the US' established talent paves the way for a new set of American stars to emerge in MLS. US soccer has a pretty good cycle going for itself, even if it means departing with some name recognition on the club scene. Now the way is clear for guys like Alecko Eskandarian, Eddie Johnson, and of course, Freddy Adu to lift up a new crop.
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