MLS will be a Top league by 2022

[johnnydawg68]

What about Americans of Central and South American heritage, do they not take an interest?

Yes absolutely, but they tend to play outside the "system". That's changing with the MLS Academies though. See Andy Najar, a 17 year old Honduran who moved to the DC area at 13 or so and graduated from their academy and was a star as a teenager this year. Now there's a real tug of war between the US and Honduras for his services at national level.

A lot of those kids actually ended up playing back in Mexico. Keeping them in the states to play their football in MLS is a key. The MLS has historically done a piss poor job of marketing to Hispanics in this country. I think they're trying to change that, but there's also the challenge that a lot of these kids grow up supporting their parents clubs back in Mexico or wherever. You are seeing a LOT more Hispanic kids come through the US ranks though, including guys like Torres (who plays in Mexico but is from Dallas and plays for the USMNT). It's an interesting dynamic. But MLS doesn't pay very well at the "entry level". So kids go to Mexico and Scandanavia etc. where they can get paid.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Yes absolutely, but they tend to play outside the "system". That's changing with the MLS Academies though. See Andy Najar, a 17 year old Honduran who moved to the DC area at 13 or so and graduated from their academy and was a star as a teenager this year. Now there's a real tug of war between the US and Honduras for his services at national level.

A lot of those kids actually ended up playing back in Mexico. Keeping them in the states to play their football in MLS is a key. The MLS has historically done a piss poor job of marketing to Hispanics in this country. I think they're trying to change that, but there's also the challenge that a lot of these kids grow up supporting their parents clubs back in Mexico or wherever. You are seeing a LOT more Hispanic kids come through the US ranks though, including guys like Torres (who plays in Mexico but is from Dallas and plays for the USMNT). It's an interesting dynamic. But MLS doesn't pay very well at the "entry level". So kids go to Mexico and Scandanavia etc. where they can get paid.

Interesting, I think that's always going to be a problem really, especially in the US, where identity, ethnicity and race is an important thing, more so than other places. You constantly here people from the US saying they are Cuban, Italian, Irish etc, even if there parents and even grandparents are US born and bread. I'm not sure how you get around that really. Wasn't Guiseppe Rossi born and raised in the US?

What about another League, do the MLS have anything like English Championship or the Segunda Division? If not, would that be a benefit for younger players coming through?

 

[Nordecke]

Interesting, I think that's always going to be a problem really, especially in the US, where identity, ethnicity and race is an important thing, more so than other places. You constantly here people from the US saying they are Cuban, Italian, Irish etc, even if there parents and even grandparents are US born and bread. I'm not sure how you get around that really. Wasn't Guiseppe Rossi born and raised in the US?

What about another League, do the MLS have anything like English Championship or the Segunda Division? If not, would that be a benefit for younger players coming through?

yes, and yes. Rossi was born and raised in Jersey..

Currently the second tier in the U.S. is almost on par with the MLS, crazy as that sounds.. There is no promotion/ relegation.. Prolly never will be.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Interesting, I think that's always going to be a problem really, especially in the US, where identity, ethnicity and race is an important thing, more so than other places. You constantly here people from the US saying they are Cuban, Italian, Irish etc, even if there parents and even grandparents are US born and bread. I'm not sure how you get around that really. Wasn't Guiseppe Rossi born and raised in the US?

What about another League, do the MLS have anything like English Championship or the Segunda Division? If not, would that be a benefit for younger players coming through?

They got rid of the reserve league a few years ago, which has hurt, but they're bringing it back so that will help. Biggest problem is the kids can't get games. And college soccer is a lukewarm breeding ground. Yes, a lot of the USMNT went to college but they they just don't get the kind of reps you need to become world class. Kids in Europe and South America in club systems just simply play more football by the time they are 18-19 than American kids do. It's not brain surgery.

We do have the national academy in Florida. Actually the U16's just beat S. Korea and tied Brazil this week in a friendly tournament in Arizona. But trying to pick out the best 22 players in a nation the size of the US at that age is hit or miss.

Bottom line is the MLS needs invest serious money in their academies, and grow organically with local/regional players. Of course, I think that's true for all football clubs too (like Everton).