Thierry Henry Barcelona 2009/10

There's now a preponderance of evidence that the long rumored move of Thierry Henry to MLS, and specifically the New York Red Bulls, is all but done. While the signing is a massive coup for New York on the field, the arrival of any Designated Player will inevitably lead to analysis of his larger effect beyond how many goals he scores. Henry will be the first since Freddie Ljungberg, and the biggest since Beckham, to focus scrutiny on the league both from abroad and from domestic soccer fans who rarely pay attention to MLS.


Henry's signing, after the back-and-forth dance of rumors, whispers, and denials, means that MLS clubs (at least in the biggest markets) can actually follow through on major signings; one player doesn't represent a sea change necessarily, but it does indicate that big stars aren't always using the league as leverage to get new contracts in Europe. It helped get the deal in place that Henry is an admitted Amero- and NYC-phile, but even those factors don't take away from the gravity of the signing for the league and the club.


Unlike David Beckham's arrival back in 2007, Henry's coming to the States brings a player with a proven pedigree who is still young enough that he could not easily be called "washed up". Sure, Henry was marginalized at Barcelona, but the greatness of that team and the quality of players they possess mitigate the effects of his leaving because he couldn't get a game. Henry is just thirty-two, and though there's no way to paint him as in his "prime", he's by no means ancient. He did make France's World Cup squad, after all, and will arrive in the U.S. following the tournament.


Unlike with Beckham, there shouldn't be the stigma that Henry is headed to America to build his brand, take up acting, or enjoy a semi-retirement. Some of that is thanks to the slowly growing reputation of MLS, and some of it is due to Beckham's own experience here. Even if the nicest thing the European football community says about MLS is that it didn't "ruin" Beckham, since he likely would have made the England World Cup team if he hadn't been injured, that's something. Henry will join a significantly different MLS than Beckham did back in '07, with expansion ramping up attention, new stadiums in New York and Philadelphia, and a muted "boom" environment that he will only help spur on.


Henry isn't a sideshow. He's fan of New York (the city) with solid ties to the States in the sporting world and a genuine passion for growing soccer in America. Where Beckham comes off as manufactured and plastic, Henry projects a likable, genuine quality that will endear him to American soccer fans. Without the overkill hype of Beckham's arrival, and keeping in mind that his profile outside of the sport in the U.S. is much lower, Henry might actually be able to do more long term good for the sport and the league than his English contemporary.
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