Every time we hear about another European or South American soccer star opting to finish their careers (they might not say that but let’s call it as it is) in the MLS, there’s an air of excitement. The opportunity to be able to see some of the game’s greatest talents here at home in the USA! I’m a die-hard Arsenal fan who missed the opportunity to see the King (Thierry Henry to those who don’t…but should…know!) play for my Gunners. When he decided to hop across the pond and join the New York Red Bulls I knew this was my chance to see one of the greatest goal scorers to ever play the game.
I live about 40 minutes from Gillette Stadium, home to the New England Revolution. When it was their time to host the Red Bulls I was first in line for some front row seats to the event. To my dismay, I quickly found out Thierry won’t be playing at the Gillette Stadium. His old knees didn’t take too kindly to playing on turf fields such as the Revs. I can’t lie, watching that game with the disappointment I already felt about missing an opportunity to see Henry only amplified my feeling that the quality on display wasn’t easy to watch.
Alas! All was not lost, the Red Bull Arena was only a 3 hour drive away in New jersey. If Thierry isn’t coming to me, I figured I’d go to Thierry! So that’s what I did and on October 20th, 2014 I finally got to see my hero play.
You might tell which of these pictures I took vs a professional photographer. BUT, that signed photo is mine 🙂
OK, so I got to two MLS games with the sole purpose of seeing my idols last hurrah! How many games have I been to since? I’d say maybe another two.
So what’s so wrong with the MLS for me to not frequent its games more often? Honestly, if I knew another top player such as Thierry was coming to town again I’d make the effort to go. What I think would potentially increase my viewership of the league without all of these ‘stars’ coming over would be if the really exciting American born talent were staying in North America to play their soccer. Now, for the sake of their careers and the quality of the US men’s national team, this wouldn’t be a great move. All I’m saying is it would massively help the MLS increase its quality and provide that bit of excitement for me that I only got from the Henry game.
There is something really exciting happening in US mens soccer right now with a whole generation of talented youngsters applying and learning their trade overseas. If this momentum continues then my hope is that one day in the near future we have a boat load of talented USA natives playing in the MLS, alongside those ‘stars’ who are now being attracted to the league a little bit earlier in their careers than previously.
We saw an influx of quality when the LA franchises decided to splash some cash and with David Beckham’s Inter Miami FC attracting the likes of Gonzalo Higuaín, we’re sure to see this trend continue and develop. In summary, let’s get the overseas talent in younger and give the homegrown boys a quality league to play in!
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