The MLS Renaissance

The MLS Renaissance

By Ralph M. Chery

August 11, 2015

NEW YORK-- MLS is into something with all these big players coming in. This season is the beginning of the MLS Renaissance, sports fans. Let's count the number of stars who joined the MLS between last season and now. 1:Kaka, 2:Villa, 3:Pirlo-- what?!  I'm losing breath here, I can't keep up, it used to be just Beckham and Henry.

Let's try again, in a different order this time. 1: Drogba impacted Montreal, 2: no Lampard didn't transfer to City, that's the light blue jersey of NYCFC, 3:Giovinco is in Toronto, 4:Kaka is playing for Orlando now, 5:Pirlo is playing for NYCFC, 6: Lampard is his teammate there, 7: Giovani dos Santos is in L.A.,  the Mexican scored in all the games he played for the Galaxy, well he only played two games but hopefully he can keep that record, 8: Gerrard is in L. A. Gerrard yo. The legend Gerrard.

That's eight.  Okay, excpet for dos Santos and Giovinco, these players are not even going to stay that long in the MLS because they're about to retire, therefore won't be playing at the level in which they made their name. They're following King Pele's footstep who ended his career playing for the New York Cosmos. Coming to America is becoming the icing on the career in the soccer world, Kaka probably goes to Disneyland every week.

This can only benefit the MLS-- not just Kaka going to Disneyland-- what I'm saying is that those world class players will attract people to watch the MLS. I know David Beckham told Queen Elizabeth to watch Gerrard pay for the Galaxy last Sunday.

Adding to more viewers, those stars will bring money. Remember how PSG bought Beckham to sell his jersey. I'm excited every time I see someone with a NYCFC Villa jersey on the train. StubHub Center had 27000 fans for the game between L.A. and Seattle. Why? Gerrard and dos Santos. MLS teams must use this income for a stronger academy system so the players to watch won't just be soon-to-retire players from the European leagues but young talents built in America. Youngsters like Cyle Larin, this kid needs to dial 311. That’s the number of the fire department, he’s on in on fire.

Last but not least, the presence of those stars will improve the MLS players. One: with their leadership-- Pirlo, when you speak enough English, teach your teammates how you won the World Cup. Two: Imagine how much experience a defender like Damien Perrielle will get from marking Villa for 90 minutes; and then the next game he has to deal with Kaka's late run from midfield. Mike Grella nutmegged Frank Lampard last Sunday, this guy is probably so confident that he thinks he can meg Terry too.

 Every MLS players want to be the MVP, they would have to outperform those eight players.  How much more do MLS players push themselves now?

Skills is contagious in soccer, if MLS keeps bringing high class players-- which they will-- Red Bulls vs NYCFC is going to be on City vs United level. Let's dream some more MLS fans: the 2025 MLS First Draft Pick will be a potential star from Barcelona youth system.