Although big international stars may put bums on seats in Major League Soccer, it comes at the cost of hindering America’s best young talent from developing.
The league has never been more popular thanks to the marquee names that now call America and Canada home.
Lionel Messi is by far the biggest, having signed for Inter Miami in 2023, and has been joined by former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
Other big names who have recently moved to the MLS include Olivier Giroud, Christian Benteke and Marco Reus.
Aside from those being paid the big bucks, MLS teams are allocated eight international spots, although the number can fluctuate given teams can trade those spots for money, or other players.
Granted, there are serious off-field benefits that often come with the overseas stars in terms of attendance and jersey sales.
However, former United States coach Bruce Arena holds grave fears about the long-lasting on-field impact it has, especially on the next generation.
When asked on talkSPORT’s Hawksbee and Jacobs if he felt marquee signings block American youngsters from coming through, Arena was crystal clear in his verdict.
“It does,” Arena said.
“If you look around the league, I think a majority of the first XI in almost every club are international players. So it hinders some of the development of our young players.
“Oddly enough, some of our elite young players now go abroad and I find that a bit troubling.”
One notable name whose growth may be stunted by the influx of overseas talent is Philadelphia Union’s teenage star Cavan Sullivan.
Sullivan inked the most expensive homegrown deal in MLS history when he signed a first-team contract with the Union at just 14 years of age in May.
An eye-catching element of the deal includes a clause which will see the now-15-year-old Sullivan join Premier League heavyweights Manchester City when he turns 18 in 2028.
Sullivan, a central midfielder, has since broken the MLS record for the youngest player in the league when he came on in the 85th minute in Philadelphia’s 5-1 rout over the New England Revolution in July.
He entered the field aged 14 years and 293 days.
As high as Sullivan’s ceiling may be, Arena was quick to remind the world he is still incredibly young.
“He’s 15, let’s not forget that,” said the ex-USMNT boss.
“Let’s see what he looks like at 17 and 18.”
If Sullivan’s development continues at a rapid rate, there is a chance he could move to Europe before he completes his move to City.
English football rules state foreign players must be 18 to play, but it leaves the door wide open for Sullivan to join any one of City’s sister clubs across the continent.
Girona, Lommel, Troyes and Palermo are all under the City Football Group banner and could give Sullivan a chance to acclimatise to European football.
As good as it would be for Sullivan’s development, Arena noted an early switch to Europe would only be beneficial if he gets game time.
The 73-year-old used Christian Pulisic, who came through the academy at Borussia Dortmund, as a positive example of getting their football education abroad.
“I can’t argue that,” Arena said. “Especially a player of his calibre playing at an elite club.
“He had a rough spell at Chelsea, did well at Dortmund I thought and he continues to develop as a player.
“So I can’t argue the fact that young, elite Americans going abroad is not a good thing.
“It certainly is if you’re capable of it, but they need to play.”
