With MLS developing season by season the league is always looking for star attractions from abroad. The game is growing and although the arrival of the like’s English star David Beckham has increased the profile of the league, there is still major work to do for the game to grow in the United States.
Attractions
Two stars that have been linked with a move to MLS next summer are Real Madrid legend Raul and Barcelona’s Thierry Henry.
The pair from the Spanish giants have been linked with summer moves and a move to MLS could prove a very lucrative option. The team in MLS most heavily linked with the pair are the New York Red Bulls.
Friends
French star Thierry Henry’s best friend is a NBA star called Tony Parker. He has attended NBA games and is known to like the States. The New York lifestyle would suit the French star down to the ground. A move to the MLS would also be one last big fat pay cheque for the former Arsenal star.
At Barcelona this season it seems that he hasn’t got the legs he used to have. His pace used to be one of his biggest assets but he seems to have lost a yard and maybe the lower standard of football in the MLS will allow him to play on for many more years.
Legend
The word legend is used far too often when referring to footballers but Spanish striker Raul is a true Real Madrid legend. He’s Real Madrid’s leading goalscorer of all-time and also scored more goals for the Spanish national side than any other player.
That is some good credentials but at the age of 32 he seems to be on the fringes of the Real Madrid first team. His contract with Los Blancos expires in 2011 but if all parties agreed on a deal I’m sure Real wouldn’t stand in his way. He also has major competition for a place up front from the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema.
Coup
The signing of either these players would be a major coup for MLS and New York especially. They struggled last season in the Eastern conference but the signing of a player of the likes of Raul or Henry would definitely boost morale.
Changes
They now have a purpose built stadium and need a team to go with their new superb surroundings. The season ahead must be better for the Red Bulls and with a European legend up front the season could be even better.
New York are the wealthiest franchise in the MLS because of the backing they receive from their sponsors Red Bull. They also have a European coach in Hans Backe and the Swedish coach has set about getting rid of some of their underperforming squad from last season.
He has brought in mostly European players into his new look squad, rather than the traditional South American imports. The likes of Welsh midfielder Carl Robinson and Estonian star Joel Lindpere have joined the Franchise from Europe. However those two are not exactly in the same league as Henry or Raul, who are quite simply on a different planet to the new Red Bull stars.
Timing
The timing may not be right for either as they could still have enough left in the tank to continue in European football. Henry has worked his way back into Barca’s team by impressing boss Pep Guardiola in training.
Raul is Real Madrid through and through and will not leave the Bernabeu easily. He will want to stay and fight for his place until the bitter end. I can’t see him leaving Real just yet. And at just 32 the pair are still relativity young in these days of footballers playing longer at the top level, so MLS may just have to wait a few more years yet for their ample talents.
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