Although Europe is still the powerbase of football, the beautiful game has now expanded out to six of the seven continents on the planet, with each bosting teams of quality. North America is, perhaps, the most intriguing of these areas, with the United States’ Major League Soccer (MLS) having grown in popularity since the mid 2000s.
Despite the presence of American Football, Ice Hockey, Baseball and Basketball, ‘soccer’ has grown massively in America, with the success of the USMNT (the national team) having boosted the progress being made in the top tier, which now attracts a host of household players, including Chelsea hero, Didier Drogba. The Ivorian signed for Montreal Impact over the summer, and has already hit nine goals in nine league games to make him a fans’ favourite at the Saputo Stadium.
However, Drogba is not the first big name to head Stateside from the Premier League to sample the delights of MLS, and here are FIVE of the best to have gone from England to America…
Cobi Jones
Jones made little impact with Coventry City after joining the Sky Blues following USA’s 1994 World Cup exploits, but he is considered to be one of MLS’s all-time greats. The dreadlocked ex-midfielder is an icon for LA Galaxy fans after helping the team to title glory in 2002 and 2005, and played the second half of his last season with the club, 2007, alongside David Beckham.
Although barely known outside of North America, the 164-cap USA international was “kind of the league’s first superstar” according to his former Galaxy team-mate Alan Gordon.
Now retired, Jones works as a member of the Galaxy’s backroom staff and served as the club’s interim manager in 2008.
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David Beckham
Major League Soccer really kicked on following the arrival of ‘Becks’ in 2007. Prior to this period the division employed a strict salary cap to ensure the financial woes of the NASL (North American Soccer League) were not witnessed again, but Beckham’s signing, from Real Madrid after a great spell with Manchester United, introduced the Designated Player rule, allowing for, at the time, one high earner-per-team to be exempt from the rule. Teams are now allowed three.
The midfielder won two MLS Cups (2011 and 2012) during his stay in Los Angeles, and although his loan moves back to Europe somewhat belittled the league’s credibility, without Beckham MLS would, probably, not be the force it is now.
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Juan Pablo Angel
Although not as ‘high profile’ as some names to have crossed the Atlantic Ocean, Angel was a major success. Much like David Beckham, the Colombian arrived in 2007 as a Designated Player before going on to score 58 MLS goals in 212 appearances. He then moved on to join the Galaxy, but he was not as successful at the StubHub Center and swiftly moved to Los Angeles’ other side, the now defunct Chivas USA, where he averaged close to a goal every other game in 2011 and 2012. Angel then left the States to head back to his homeland to see out his career with Atletico Nacional.
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Thierry Henry
After leaving Barcelona in 2012, Arsenal hero Henry moved to the New York Red Bulls, where he stayed until 2014. A signing made with a view to overhauling the MLS powerhouse of LA Galaxy, Henry’s impact didn’t bring the desired trophies, but he was a success on a personal level in the Big Apple.
The Frenchman netted 51 goals in 122 league outings for the NYRBs, and did help them to claim the Supporters’ Shield (given to the side with the best ‘regular season’ points tally) in 2013 – albeit Sporting Kansas City won the play-offs.
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Robbie Keane
The Republic of Ireland international has made huge strides in ensuring American soccer fans don’t hold the view that players head from Europe to MLS for a late pay day and easy ride. The ex-Spurs and Liverpool striker has shown utter commitment through his time with LA Galaxy, helping the Californian side to three championship wins (2011, 2012 and 2014) and the Supporters’ Shield (given to the side with the best ‘regular season’ points tally) in 2011.
Keane is the Galaxy’s captain even though USA star Omar Gonzalez, England hero Steven Gerrard and Mexican ace Giovani dos Santos ply their trade at the StubHub Center and has scored over 70 goals in just north of 100 appearances in the white shirt.