Even as big international stars fill their seats in Major League Soccer, it comes at the cost of preventing America’s best young talent from developing.
The league has never been more popular thanks to the big names that now call America and Canada home.
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Lionel Messi is by far the biggest to sign with Inter Miami in 2023 and he is joined by former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez.
Other big names who have recently moved to MLS include Olivier Giroud, Christian Benteke and Marco Reus.
In addition to receiving a lot of money, MLS teams are allocated eight international spots, although the number can fluctuate as teams can trade those spots for money or other players.
Admittedly, there are also significant off-field benefits that overseas stars often bring with them in terms of attendance and jersey sales.
But former US coach Bruce Arena has grave fears about the long-term impact on the field, particularly on the next generation.
When asked by The Pitch Prospect’s Hawksbee and Jacobs if he felt new signings were preventing young American talent from breaking through, Arena was crystal clear in his judgment.
“It does,” Arena said.
“If you look around the league I think the majority of the first XI at almost every club are international players. So that hinders some of the development of our young players.”
“Strangely, some of our elite young players are now going abroad and I find that a bit worrying.”
One notable name whose growth could be stunted by the influx of foreign talent is Philadelphia Union teenage star Cavan Sullivan.
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Sullivan signed the most expensive home contract in MLS history when he signed for the Union’s first team in May at just 14 years old.
A striking element of the deal is a clause that will see Sullivan, now 15, move to Premier League heavyweights Manchester City in 2028, when he turns 18.
Sullivan, a central midfielder, has since broken the MLS record as the league’s youngest player when he came on as an 85th-minute substitute in Philadelphia’s 5-1 win over the New England Revolution in July.
He entered the field at the age of 14 years and 293 days.
As high as Sullivan’s ceiling may be, Arena was quick to remind the world that he is still incredibly young.
“He’s 15, we can’t forget that,” the former USMNT boss said.
“Let’s see what he looks like when he’s 17 and 18.”
If Sullivan’s development continues at a rapid pace, there is a chance he could move to Europe before completing his move to City.
English football rules state that foreign players must be at least 18 to play, but they leave the door wide open for Sullivan to join 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 the chance to get used to European football.
As good as it would be for Sullivan’s development, Arena noted that an early move to Europe would only be beneficial if he gets playing time.
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The 73-year-old named Christian Pulisic, who graduated from Borussia Dortmund’s academy, as a positive example of football training abroad.
“I can’t argue with that,” Arena said. “Especially a player of his caliber playing for an elite club.
“He had a difficult time at Chelsea, did well at Dortmund, I thought, and he is continuing to develop as a player.”
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“That’s why I can’t deny that elite young Americans going abroad is not a good thing.
“It certainly is if you’re able to do it, but they have to play.”