The Attraction of the MLS
Ever since the 1970’s, big names in world football have been known to finish their careers by moving to the United States and playing a few seasons of Major League Soccer. On Wednesday, French striker Thierry Henry became the most recent to do so.
But will his arrival, and did that of many of his European and South American counterparts in the past years, have a positive effect on US football?
In the 1970’s, English midfielder George Best and Brazilian football legend Pele both moved state-side, playing a few seasons of comfortable football each to cap off their careers.
Then, it was no surprise that the players were attracted by the glamour and glitz of the American sports industry more so than the quality of its football.
And many will still argue that European players only consider the MLS an alluring retirement plan: a place to settle down, play some football and reap the benefits of being a star in the land of the free.
Henry to See off Career
No doubt, the bright lights of New York City formed at least part of the attraction for Henry, who left Spanish side Barcelona for New York Red Bulls on Wednesday, where he will join forces with new manager Hans Backe of Sweden.
“This marks an exciting new chapter in my career and life," Henry said when the deal had been announced.
"It is an honour to play for the New York Red Bulls. I am fully aware of the team's history and my sole goal during my time here is to help win the club its first championship.”
Henry is a star in international football and, as shown by the media exposure the deal generated, a big signing for the Red Bulls.
But the former Arsenal captain and all-time lead scorer has seen his game dwindle in recent years, largely due to losing the pace that once rendered him an invincible striker.
Ahead of the recent FIFA World Cup, Henry was told by French coach Raymond Domenech that he was no longer part of his starting 11 nor the captain of his team.
Resigned to making impact appearances from the substitutes’ bench, Henry came on twice in the World Cup and made little impact on his team’s disappointing run.
Sceptics will therefore argue that Henry is simply another formerly great player who, upon losing his ability to star on the field, wishes to cultivate his stardom off of it.
Glamour Over Football?
LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham’s move from Real Madrid in 2007 is another example of this phenomenon, where he joined home-bred star Landon Donovan.
To be sure, the likes of Beckham and the Seattle Sounders’ former Arsenal player Freddie Ljungberg have inspired their teams to strong performances, with LA Galaxy reaching the final of the 2009 MLS Cup, but their general skill level far surpasses their team mates, even on their off-days.
Aside from finances and glamour, then, the sporting attraction of the MLS for big-name foreign players appears to be the opportunity to star on an overall inferior team.
But seeing as sincere dedication delivered players such as Henry or Beckham to the star status they now enjoy, this can hardly constitute a mouth-watering opportunity in sporting terms.
So the situation has seen few developments since the days of Best and Pele, and concerns about how the commercial transfer policy of MLS teams will impact the future of US football are rightly being voiced.
Contracting a few of yesterday’s notable footballers to ride out their careers in the US will do little to develop the talent the nation will need in order to grow and perform at international tournaments.
More Donovans and less Beckhams would appear to be the better way forward.
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