MLS and the Nats

Since its inaugural season in 1996, MLS has undoubtedly had a significant positive effect on the USMNT. 13 years later, the National Team is built around current MLS stars and league alumni who now ply their trade in Europe. While the league has its fair share of critics, it's hard to argue against MLS' big role in transforming the USMNT into a team that has hopes of challenging for the World Cup in the near future.

Some argue that MLS does not provide the best environment for developing young players, but it certainly has its advantages. While a move to European side would certainly provide competition for playing time every day and a longer season, it may be to the detriment of a young player's development. More than a few aspiring youth prospects have made the move to Europe only to spend time on the bench or play for the reserves.

MLS, meanwhile, because of the various cap restraints and difficulties in building a roster, has allowed many young players to earn a great deal of playing time early on in their career. Landon Donovan, Stuart Holden, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Michael Bradley are all examples of players who earned starting roles with their MLS clubs very early in their respective careers. The game experience they had at such a young age was an invaluable asset in their development and helped their careers blossom.

The consistent playing time helped the aforementioned players gain confidence and develop their abilities in game situations, and it can be argued that this set up (though it lacks some of the competition for playing time that is present in many European leagues) does more for young American players than bypassing MLS for Europe would. While there are some players who are able to make it by beginning their careers in a European league, there are plenty who opt for this route and fail to develop into the player they were projected to be. For every Charlie Davies and Oguchi Onyewu, there are a number of young players who opt for Europe but see their growth stunted by a lack of playing time early on.

By playing consistently, as well, young players are given a stage to showcase their abilities. Not only can such a player make their case for a spot in the USMNT conversation by solid play week in and week out, they can also show off their abilities for potential overseas suitors that would provide the opportunity for regular playing time, in contrast to the clubs that might sign on the youth player in a more speculative manner. Sitting on a bench in Europe does not provide the same opportunity to showcase one's abilities. While playing in MLS does not guarantee playing time, the unique roster restrictions make the league much more conducive to earning minutes as a young player.

While there is no one correct career path, MLS should not be considered anything but a great aid to the USMNT. With 12 of the 18 players called up for the last round of qualifiers either current MLS players or MLS alumni, it's obvious that the young league is making its mark on the National Team. Several players representing the US U-20 team in Egypt right now have taken the MLS route and have already been able to earn significant playing time at the club level at this point in their brief careers. So beyond the senior national team, MLS is having an impact on the youth levels as well.

If it weren't for MLS, who knows where the National Team would be right now. As the league grows and quality of play continues to improve, MLS will likely continue to be a key component in the National Team's progression for years to come.