Major League Soccer is successfully tapping into the "unbelievable" potential of the sport in America, with the United States national team benefitting from the growth of the game there according to Dutch legend Ruud Gullit – and the former LA Galaxy boss believes that this could continue to entice better players from Europe to move Stateside.
Some star names to have graced the MLS in the past include Roberto Donadoni, Lothar Matthäus, Hristo Stoichkov, Youri Djorkaeff, David Beckham, Alessandro Nesta and Thierry Henry, while David Villa, Kaká, Frank Lampard, Andre Pirlo, Steven Gerrard and Didier Drogba have all recently decided to join Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane across the pond.
The recent move of Italian international Sebastian Giovinco from Juventus to Toronto FC particularly raised eyebrows given the forward is only 28 with a relatively established reputation in Seria A, but when asked if it was a concern that so many of Europe's big names had opted to switch to the MLS in recent times, Gullit disagreed and cited the movers' age profiles.
“At the moment no, because right now they are all players that already have done everything in Europe. They are basically in retirement mode,” said Gullit who was in Dublin as an ambassador for Carlsberg during the Premier League trophy visit on Wednesday. “Last time, New York City lost [2-0 to rivals New York Red Bulls] with Pirlo, Lampard and Villa, so it doesn't matter.
“The most difficult part also in America is you play in the summer, you play there in like 30-35 degrees celsius, humidity 90 percent. You have to play games in the summer, so it is not easy. You have to travel a lot and the level is quite okay.”
Continue reading Ruud Gullit's thoughts on the MLS on Extratime.ie.
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