MLS’ Impact on The World Cup

The growth of soccer is continually measured in four year increments; the success of the national team is often a reflection on the success of the domestic league. A better MLS makes for a better and deeper national team, that much is proven. The MLS quality and popularity is improving but is still not world class and still has a strong amount of naysayers. Since USMNT is MLS driven the success and failures fall on the league. Apart from the American contingent, the league is well represented through the ranks of Central American and South American teams. The MLS is having an impact on this world Cup and is changing the perception of the league both globally and nationally.

Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley’s, transfer into the league were met with speculation. Many speculated that the quality of play was not strong enough to develop and prepare players for the World Cup. Clint Dempsey has scored 2 goals and Bradley has covered more ground than any player at the World Cup. Apart from Jermaine Jones, Kyle Beckerman and Matt Besler have been the top players for the US.  Besler’s, KC teammate, Graham Zusi, is having a successful World Cup too. Zusi has been useful on the flanks providing great service. Although Omar has only been featured in 2 games, he offered up world class defending in the Germany game. Getting out of the group of death is a great accomplishment and shows the class of the league. But it will speak volumes if they can get past Belgium.

Costa Rica, are currently the darlings of the tournament by reaching the quarterfinals. They have a small contingent of MLS defensemen who are making names on the global stage. Giancarlo ” Pipo” Gonzalez, has been arguably the highest rated center back in this World Cup. He has outplayed many established players. The only center backs ranked higher than Pipo, are David Luiz and Matt Hummels. Although Gonzalez has only played a handful of games in MLS, he has proven the league well. He transferred to the league at the beginning of the season.

Giancarlo Gonzalez, joined MLS to put himself in position to get ready for the World Cup and increase his chances of making the national team. It was a smart move since he is ranked higher than any center back in La Liga. Another player that took that route was Brazilian goalie Julio Cesar.  Julio’s club, QPR, was relegated out of the Premier league in England. He needed a place to polish his skills and the MLS was his league of choice. He chose this league to be challenged and stay sharp. Julio, is having a great World Cup.

Mark Geiger, from New Jersey, may not be a player but he is having a tremendous impact on the World Cup. He became the first ref to feature in a World Cup round of 16 game. He was the head ref in the France v. Nigeria game. It was his fourth game in the competition. He has made some great calls and has appeared to play an even and fair game. He has made tough and fair calls. His work has been a breath of fresh air. This is a major accomplishment, Mark Geiger has turned around the negative view of American refs.

The US is not the only country to include MLS players. Honduras, brought in 4 MLSers. Honduras crashed out of group play and only scored 1 goal in the tournament. For a developing country like Honduras, MLS has become a destination for the top talent. Although Honduras had very little impact on the World Cup they did put up a valiant fight and that is commendable. Ecuador brought in Minda, a Chivas USA midfielder. He saw action in 2 of the 3 games. Ecuador ultimately had 0 to no impact on the cup but it does show more teams are turning to MLS talent. Australia is another team that brought in a MLSer. National hero, Tim Cahill, scored 2 class goals and almost brought the Socceroos glory.

MLS’ impact can also be measured by who is not in the World Cup. England, a team that bailed out in the group stage with offensive struggles, neglected to call up Jermaine Defoe. The Toronto FC goal scorer has scored 8 goals in MLS play. Jermaine has been a fixture in the England national team but his move to MLS saw him on the outside looking in. Manager Roy Hodgson, went with a more inexperienced side. If Defoe was called up on the national team, England may have fared better against Italy, or Costa Rica. An experienced inform forward might have been the difference for England.

It may not be the best league in the world, but the MLS is a growing league. Each World Cup its impact gets bigger and bigger. The league is growing and adding new players and teams. MLS is investing in youth and starting youth clinics that will improve the quality of play. As the league gets better the national team will get better. It truly is an exciting time to be a fan of the soccer in America.