by Jason Kuenle
Perhaps it is because United States’ return to the World Cup was in 1990 and that MLS has been around for the majority of that time, that the success of MLS and the success of the USMNT are linked in my head. But what has happened this summer is beginning to disconnect that link. Next year, the 2010 World Cup will mark the third complete World Cup cycle in which MLS has existed. A quick look at the World Cup lineups in 2002, 2006, and 2010 reveals a downward trend in the influence of MLS on the national team. In the 2002 World Cup, the eleven with the most playing time consisted of five players then in MLS, four former MLS players, and two that had never been in MLS. By 2006, those numbers were two, five, and four. If Donovan moves this winter, those numbers could realistically be zero, seven, and four. As the talent of US nationals is recognized around the world, it becomes less likely that our best eleven will include MLS based players.
While its not surprising that the success of the MNT has resulted in moves by its regulars to better leagues in Europe, the signing of developing players by these clubs may cut MLS out of the MNT entirely. While the number of current MLS players has drastically fallen from almost half the team to possibly no one, the number of players who never played in MLS has not risen at the same pace. Yet with Davies’ successful move from Sweden and Feilhaber’s and possibly Adu’s revival in Denmark, the path through Scandinavia to a bigger league looks more and more promising. Meanwhile Jose Torres and Michael Orozco lead a number of Americans having been discovered and signed by Mexican teams. Even the Premier League is now getting in on the action with Eric Lichaj at Villa and Anton Peterlin and Cody Arnoux recently signed by Everton.
It is difficult to say whether being in a better league outside of the US will increase the likelihood of being called up for national team duties. US coaches, and Bradley in particular, have seemed content to call on MLS talent whenever he has a throwaway game or tournament. These games have given players like Sacha Kljestan and Robbie Rogers a forum for making a push to Europe; a pattern that has been repeated numerous times. MLS has lost what could be described as an A-minus USMNT to Europe over the past few years. With a 3-5-2 formation, the MLS alumni all-stars could lineup Howard, Califf, Parkhurst, Bocanegra, Edu, Bradley, Dempsey, Adu, Beasley, Altidore, and Cooper. Since 2002, at least one, and usually two, members of the MLS Best XI has left for Europe before the end of the next year. Of the 2008 squad, Kenny Cooper has already left and Donovan will likely follow this winter. Looking ahead to next year, Stuart Holden and Chad Marshall look to be front runners for making the Best XI for 2009 and good transfer targets for Europe next year.
With the exception of Donovan and Clark, both rumored to be gone this winter, the active members of the MNT player pool in MLS consist of two groups, those over 30 and those under 25. In the next four years, those under 25 stars will be the targets of transfer to Europe, while Ching and Hejduk will no longer be options. If the increased respect for US players allows for the next generation to start their careers abroad, players like Dempsey will never be in MLS to transfer out. Unless MLS can recruit and develop young talent to continuously replace the talent that transfers to Europe, MLS could be on the outside looking in when it comes to MNT players.
