MLS = European Seniors League

[Barriecuda]

"The Designated Player Rule, nicknamed the Beckham Rule, was adopted as part of the salary cap regulations of Major League Soccer for the 2007 season. The rule allows each MLS franchise to sign players that would be considered outside of the team's salary cap, allowing MLS teams to compete for star players in the international soccer market."

How many of these guys do you remember?

David Beckham (ManU, Real Madrid) 37
Julian de Guzman (Hannover, Espanyol) 31
Thierry Henry (Arsenal, Barcelona) 34
Rafael Marquez (Barcelona) 33
Torsten Frings (Werder, Borussia, Bayern) 35
Danny Koevermans (PSV) 33
Robbie Keane (Sp*rs, Celtic, Liverpool) 32
Mauro Rosales (Ajax, River Plate) 31
Kris Boyd (Rangers, 'Boro) 28
Barry Robson (Celtic, Boro) 33
Marco di Vaio (Parma, Juve, Valencia) 35
Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan)

and as of today: Kenny Miller (Wolves, Celtic, Rangers, Cardiff) 32

Also previously: Geovanni (Man City, Hull); Mista (Atl Madrid, Valencia); Freddie Ljungberg ; Juan Pablo Angel (Aston Villa)

Don't be surprised to see this list double in the next 5 years as more "oldies" start heading over to the Americas for an easy paycheque...

[RioGooner]

Brazil will become an alternative to the MLS. Seedorf just opened the path...

[brazilianGOONER]

Brazil will become an alternative to the MLS. Seedorf just opened the path...

and ronaldo, adriano, ronaldinho, juan, zé roberto, forlán, roberto carlos, gilberto silva... all ex-players in europe and the next big thing in brazil

[augie]

To be fair the US are doing a lot of work at underage level in coaching and bringing kids through (as evidenced by the amount of yanks playing in europe now). The problem for the yanks is that they need to raise the profile of the game with the american public and bringing over high profile players is one of the ways to do that

[Rocky Number Seven]

Followed the MLS since 2008, when England didn't make the Euros me and a group of mates all picked an MLS team and followed that over the summer instead. The standard of play since then has gotten a lot better in my opinion which has been raised by the number of older etablished stars coming through. But as already mentioned there are also a number of American players who could make an impact in Europe over the next couple of seasons and it would probably help if they stayed and helped the league grow. We've already seen what Dempsey and Donavon can do over here, Michael Bradley has just signed for Roma and Jozy Altadore looks to have found some form at AZ after a poor spell on loan at Hull.

Its a shame the people in the US dont embrace it, they have got the stadiums, the profile and are bringing through and also signing the players. Sadley it will always be behind there "own" sports.

[nexum5me]

To be fair the US are doing a lot of work at underage level in coaching and bringing kids through (as evidenced by the amount of yanks playing in europe now). The problem for the yanks is that they need to raise the profile of the game with the american public and bringing over high profile players is one of the ways to do that

a lot of the american public seem to be terrified of "soccer", thinking it's gonna somehow overrun or destroy "their" sports. a mate of mine moved to portland years ago and apparently the local team regulary sells out for home games (20,000 odd capacity), and that their stadium was recently renovated from baseball stadium to specifically football/american football.
it's funny cos i lurk on one american forum (not sport, just general) and in the sports section every now and then a "soccer's for fags" thread will appear, full of good ole boys slagging off football, football players and football fans. going on about how shit and boring it is, all the players are weak pansy faggots (always with the gay insults, and i mean always! it's an obsession ) and that no real man who ever play it etc etc
yet i've never seen a thread on any european forum randomly slagging off baseball/american football/basketball.

fear.

[MegaGooner]

Brazil will become an alternative to the MLS. Seedorf just opened the path...

and ronaldo, adriano, ronaldinho, juan, zé roberto, forlán, roberto carlos, gilberto silva... all ex-players in europe and the next big thing in brazil

You forgot to mention Denilson

[RioGooner]

Brazil will become an alternative to the MLS. Seedorf just opened the path...

and ronaldo, adriano, ronaldinho, juan, zé roberto, forlán, roberto carlos, gilberto silva... all ex-players in europe and the next big thing in brazil

You forgot to mention Denilson

To be an ex-player you have to be a player at some point...

[Yankee_Gooner_Dandee]

the game IS popular here, mostly west-coast and east coast with a little midwest thrown in (chicago, ohio). there are high numbers of youth players, more than any other sport in fact. all the way up until/through high school (grade 12). after that the numbers fall off significantly mostly because there is no where, for say, an average to above-average player to go play with any real significance. the college game is a joke and most universities do not give out full scholarships for soccer. so unless you are an amazing 18-19 year old player who has a shot at MLS or Europe, then you give it up. the coaching at high-school levels is elementary which doesnt help either. though it is getting better slowly.

the whole "soccer is for fags" or "field faeries" thing is from american corn-fed hillbillies and such who only know how to be fat and play american football. trust me, those types couldnt shoot a basketball either and think that game is only for blacks.

the viewership for the EPL and World Cup/Euros are at an all time high, and as such, i expect the popularity of the MLS to slowly rise, and hopefully become better skilled. but the thing is, the NFL will always dominate here so at best the game could hope for 2nd best. the other thing holding the MLS back, is the fact that Americans who do love to watch the sport would much rather watch the EPl or La Liga because the talent level is so much better, and it always will be. I myself have not watched a MLS game in YEARS, but I have not missed an Arsenal game in about 7. thats why the MLS will never grow to a larger level.

[brazilianGOONER]

Brazil will become an alternative to the MLS. Seedorf just opened the path...

and ronaldo, adriano, ronaldinho, juan, zé roberto, forlán, roberto carlos, gilberto silva... all ex-players in europe and the next big thing in brazil

You forgot to mention Denilson

To be an ex-player you have to be a player at some point...

top class, rio and mega!

[Barriecuda]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89IggRNJbX0

Cracking header by Robson in his debut match. Welcome to Vancouver!

[brazilianGOONER]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89IggRNJbX0

Cracking header by Robson in his debut match. Welcome to Vancouver!

should i be ashamed that i never heard of that fella?

[I Hate Hleb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89IggRNJbX0

Cracking header by Robson in his debut match. Welcome to Vancouver!

should i be ashamed that i never heard of that fella?

No. Not many people beyond the British Isles (and many actually in it) will have heard of him. In any case, you have a lot more things to be embarrassed about than this.

[flash gunner]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89IggRNJbX0

Cracking header by Robson in his debut match. Welcome to Vancouver!

should i be ashamed that i never heard of that fella?

He's a scotsman. No one cares about the Scots or their football

[brazilianGOONER]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89IggRNJbX0

Cracking header by Robson in his debut match. Welcome to Vancouver!

should i be ashamed that i never heard of that fella?

No. Not many people beyond the British Isles (and many actually in it) will have heard of him. In any case, you have a lot more things to be embarrassed about than this.

hey, are you spying on me????