No, not that kind of talent. But let me explain not that I have your attention.
Every Tuesday morning I pick up the Newark Star-Ledger and read it on my bus ride into Manhattan. Why Tuesday's? Because that's when Frank Giase's excellent weekly soccer column and assorted bits come out. One of the things he touched on in this weeks edition was the international make up of various American sports leagues.
Not surprisingly, MLS has one of the highest amounts of foreign-born players (the NHL holds the title though with 81% of it's players coming from abroad, mostly Canadians).
Currently, 33 percent of MLS players were born outside the US, again with Canadian-born players (13) making up the largest group thanks to the expansion into Toronto. The shocker of the whole deal is that there are only five Mexican players in MLS. FIVE.
Am I the only one that finds that a little out of whack with what the league is trying to do? You have the premier soccer league in North America at your back door, yet there are more Jamaicans, Argentines, and Englishmen in your league than Mexicans. I'm certain there have been points in MLS when there were more players from the south side of the Rio Grande before (the inaugural Chivas USA side had more than the whole league has now) but this shouldn't even be a contest. For my money MLS clubs should have scouts all over the place from Tijuana to Matamoros to Cancun (and stay out of Carlos & Charlies please).
Maybe if coaches brought in more Mexican talent we wouldn't have to suffer through that experiment that is begging to be out down, Chivas USA; I know they garner great support on the road and bring in serious sponsorship dollars but their home opener had more empty seats than a chair storage warehouse. If they can't fill the seats, the only checks they'll be seeing are the bills from Ante Razov and Sacha Klejstan's hair colourist.
Not surprisingly, MLS has one of the highest amounts of foreign-born players (the NHL holds the title though with 81% of it's players coming from abroad, mostly Canadians).
Currently, 33 percent of MLS players were born outside the US, again with Canadian-born players (13) making up the largest group thanks to the expansion into Toronto. The shocker of the whole deal is that there are only five Mexican players in MLS. FIVE.
Am I the only one that finds that a little out of whack with what the league is trying to do? You have the premier soccer league in North America at your back door, yet there are more Jamaicans, Argentines, and Englishmen in your league than Mexicans. I'm certain there have been points in MLS when there were more players from the south side of the Rio Grande before (the inaugural Chivas USA side had more than the whole league has now) but this shouldn't even be a contest. For my money MLS clubs should have scouts all over the place from Tijuana to Matamoros to Cancun (and stay out of Carlos & Charlies please).
Maybe if coaches brought in more Mexican talent we wouldn't have to suffer through that experiment that is begging to be out down, Chivas USA; I know they garner great support on the road and bring in serious sponsorship dollars but their home opener had more empty seats than a chair storage warehouse. If they can't fill the seats, the only checks they'll be seeing are the bills from Ante Razov and Sacha Klejstan's hair colourist.
1 comment:
What would you attribute the lack of Mexican players to? Mexican player's disdain for the MLS, not enough money, lack of Mexican talent, better opportunities in European clubs?
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