Should US Soccer players play in Europe?

I wonder about this every now and then....the MLS doesn't have a big following and with Beckham coming over and maybe Zidane perhaps that will allow for the league to grow in popularity.

The teams of course don't have much history with each other and don't have rivalries like that of the European clubs but then again those clubs are old as time itself compared to the American teams.



With the growth of soccer in the US as a high school and college sport we are seeing better talent slowly but surely and with Clint Dempsey surfacing from the MLS we are starting to see talent from the US pro league as well.

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My question is should players like Dempsey who have become good national players go to Europe to hone their skill or will that even work? Also if they go to Europe will that help the game grow here in the US?



The MLS needs to find it's American poster boy and honestly I think it's shitty that Freddy Adu has been sent ot Real Salt Lake after years with DC United!!!!! There you have a young talented guy, willing to stay in America and take time learning to play (from 14 years old) and he's not in a major market like New York who just got a new team Red Bull.......Freddy Adu is the goose that laid the golden egg and he gets no run.....not in DC, not on the US national team.....I mean I am not delusional am I??? The kid is talented and he's 17!!!! Where is his LeBron James treatment???

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I vote YES because there is no reason to take up roster spots here in the US if you're too good or could be better. Onyewu and Dempsey and Donovan and Tim Howard and others have gone to Europe to play and especially with Onyewu and Dempsey they will learn a lot in Europe because they are young and they'll be able to lead future US National teams.

Right now I see the MLS is a breeding ground for young US talent and a final resting place for old greats like Beckham and Zidane....the older European players can really provide the skill level and intrest the league needs to keep going and it will also ultimately help the US National team and the sport grow in the US.



I still think if the US ever won the World Cup the people who hate us in the world would only hate us more

Your question is: Should US Soccer players play in Europe?
My answer is: Yes.


Dempsey, McBride and the rest don't leave to Europe just for the exposure and experience they will get over there at least not necessairly because of that ........

Well Lyle my good friend believe it or not the answer is quite simple why they leave and thats MONEY, how much does an MLS player make vs. how much a player makes in the EPL or the Spanish or Italian League? A player here makes a couple of thousands (monthly) and those are the best players around, A single player in Europe (a 'C' level player) will and can make what 3 players earn in the MLS monthly.... Untill the MLS raises that ridiculous 'Team Salary' limit that they have the MLS will continue to loose players I mean they have to earn a living somehow compare what Basketball players, baseball players make vs. MLS it all has to do with the league if the MLS allowed for teams to pay players a decent amount then it would be harder for players to just opt. out and leave for Europe.....

About Adu, I said it when the kid came out and announced he was going pro that there was a future BUT people were making him out to be the next Pele... :(
Not in his wildest dreams the kid was and is good but off the top of my head I can name some other young players who go right past him as far as skills and level of game Guardado from the Mexican League (Atlas starter), Giovanni Do Santos from the Spanish League (Barcelona reserve) and Messi (Barcelona starter).......

We need more International players like Becks to come here to the MLS and play hopefully some other players pull through.... Anyone know if the Davids sell to the MLS ever happened?

the defending in that vid is shocking

thing is if freddie adu tried to do that against chelsea and run at them, 1st makele will take the ball like its not even there, if he gets past mak, essian will be alongside to charge him down, if he still keeps going, carvalho positioning will already be timed to disposive him

and if he tricks him, terry will go straight thru him so hard he will wanna go back to the us

to many foreigners come over here with reputations as hard men and wat ave ya and cant compete with the physical aspect of it.

the americans i give full credit they just about cope

but americans i think will only play in england,
spain and italy is a few years off yet

He played against Chelsea in that video...and yes the defending was bad in a few of those clips....but the kid is 17 years old. I do think he has enough talent to play for the national team! Anyone disagree with that?

Sure there are other young talents in the World that are better than Adu right now but let's take a look at where they play and who they have a chance to learn from. Messi plays for Argentina....Diego Maradona has given him full support and cheers for him at the Argentina national games...you don't think he gets pointers here and there from Diego???

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I think Eddie Johnson will make it in Europe soon as well

hes probably worth going in as a squad player.

bit like a poor mans rooney, uses strengh and power rather than trickery, with the right team mates he can improve


man utd knocked him bk though i think

Well a number of European teams are wanting to sign him when he turns 18.

Some suggest playing for a team like Ajax would be best for him because they have a good youth academy and so on and it's not as physical as the EPL.

I just think as far as "star power" goes he needs to be the poster child for US soccer and the MLS....it's like having a Michael Jordan or whatever....he is young, talented, and he is exciting to watch even vs shitty defense.....well ESPECIALLY vs shitty defense.

Eddie Johnson is extremely skilled as well. He's fast as hell and he's a very good striker he could really help any team in Europe in the next few years.

I looked at who the US has on the national team right now and it's amazing how many players on there we have playing in Europe: Bocanegra, Dempsey, Onyewu, Howard, Keller, Beasley, Bradley, Fielhaber, and Moenchengladbach.

It's a shame the US doesn't focus just a little more attention on offense I mean we have the athletes to keep up with ANYONE even the Brazilians. ALLOW ME TO EXPLAIN: I am not saying our players are near as skilled as the Brazilians but athletically we can keep up, speed, power, size....the skill will come as the game grows here, but to help out defense during international play we need to attack more and keep them on the retreat because our midfielders and strikers are fast and talented.

Also if we're going to lose anyways why not go down shooting??? Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then!

Lyle I kind of agree with you but for fucks sake stop saying "on offence/defence". Say attacking or defending, that is all thats required.

Box on ;D

i think in 100 yeard time america will dominate football cos of its shear size

adu could be the face of us footie for years but if he comes premiership look at the players who are in the same age bracket

rooney
ronaldo
obi mikel
walcott
fabregas
jenas
lennon

he wont be a startin 11 for a top team but does the hype tht comes with him make him think hes to good for a mid table team???

I remember watching some 'Soccer' ;D clip a while ago and myself and my mates were rolling around it fits because the commentator kept on calling headers "a forehead smash' and the Penalty area the 'Final sector'.
Anyway US players do play in Europe and have done for years ???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smashup

US players do play in Europe and have done for years ???

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Two words

Roy Wegerle 8)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimboogie

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smashup

US players do play in Europe and have done for years ???

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Two words

Roy Wegerle 8)

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legend

yep there way Roy Wegerle, Alexei Lalas and Cobi Jones a few years ago.

Had thought any decent US player naturally came over here to play


take Brad Friedel - in my opinion he is the best goaltender in the premiership at moment ;)

whatever happened to Tony Meola ?

He must be pushing 40 by now? Wasn't he in the USA '94 world cup squad?

Friedle is a rock. Kinda looks like Ron Perlman, might have a future in Hollywood ::**

he was captain at USA 94 - think he was talking about going into films too

what's that on your avatar ? Obviously I know its Ali but is it a screenshot from a console game ?