MLS GOT US HERE, NOW WHAT?

Written by: Tyler

I like to follow how Americans do in foreign countries, especially in Europe. Yanks Abroad is a great site that I watch closely. One of my favorite columns is 23 Tickets to South Africa. It is an article that places the Pet vitamins site map
top American talent in buckets based on the likelihood that they will be a member of the 2010 World Cup team.

We are about a year and a half from the 2010 World Cup and the young American talent has to start making a statement as we enter the final round of World Cup Qualifying (which will kick off here in Columbus against Mexico in February). I believe that Major League Soccer has risen the level of play of American soccer. We are better fit to complete on the world stage than we were 15 years ago. One reason is soccer is more popular, bringing more young talent in, but the MLS has provided better players and higher competition on a more consistent basis.

As I was reading the latest edition of 23 Tickets to South Africa, one detail caught my eye. There are very few MLS players on the list. Maybe a blog about Yanks in Europe would have a bias on players from across the pond. Possibly, but I don't see any overwhelming mistakes. Maybe the level that is needed to play on the US National Team has risen above the level of MLS? Again, this is possible, but I don't think we are quite to that level yet.

A quick breakdown from the 23 Tickets to South Africa article:

• Pack Your Bags Boys: 0 of 5 from MLS (though Donovan is on the list as Bayern)
• Nearly A Lock: 0 of 2 from MLS
• Fairly Safe Bet: 0 of 6 from MLS
• In A Battle: 2 of 4 from MLS
• Work to Do: 3 of 6 from MLS (including Marshall who is all but signed to play in Germany)

So, out of a possible 23 slots, MLS players hold 5. I don't have a reason, or conspiracy theory on the original article. I just find it interesting that by 2010, MLS could have brought the level of play in the US up, then was surpassed. Meaning that playing in Europe is almost a needed skill to make the National Team.