Owen Coyle: Houston Dynamo head coach

Houston Dynamo head coach Owen Coyle is relishing the start of the Major Soccer League season starting on Wednesday.

Sky Sports will be providing in-depth coverage of the MLS throughout the campaign, and the former St Johnstone, Burnley, Bolton and Wigan boss insists that decision shows there is an appetite for the game in North America.

Coyle’s franchise will come up against Orlando City, who have former AC Milan and Real Madrid forward Kaka in their ranks, this weekend.

But the action begins with former Barcelona striker David Villa and New York City FC providing the opposition for Houston, and Coyle is excited by the prospect of facing such recognised players.

“It’s always nice. I mean I’ve been fortunate to have played against some world class players with my teams before, and these players certainly enhance the MLS,” Coyle said.

“And that’s why with the tie-up with Sky now it’s just so important for everybody with the coverage it will bring. There are quality players coming to the league all the time, we face New York City tonight and Villa, it’s just an exciting time for the MLS and everybody who is a part of it."

Manchester City midfielder Frank Lampard and Liverpool counterpart Steven Gerrard will make the move to North America this summer and Coyle is convinced the experienced duo will help promote the brand.

'Infrastructure'

“I think it’s invaluable the deal, because we all know how Sky Sports are the leading market for any sports that’s going. And the fact with the MLS, it takes it to another level," he said.

"The league is improving the infrastructure year by year, and it brings all those clubs to a global market, and that’s so important. It’s certainly growing. You only have to look at the attendances now at the matches, every stadium is more or less selling out. The infrastructure they have put in place, as they call it over here, soccer specific stadiums.

“Houston have a two-year old 22,000 all-seater stadium, and that’s the type of infrastructure you get throughout the league.

“And it can only help to keep the game growing. You won't have a bigger name in world football than David Beckham then you have Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Kaka, David Villa coming in and that certainly helps."

Back on the pitch, Houston have twice reached the MLS cup final in the last four years and although they failed to make the playoffs last season, Coyle is hopeful 2015 will bring greater rewards

"Well we want to improve," he added. "The club missed out on the playoffs last year and we’re looking for an improved season. We’re looking to reach those playoffs and be competitive in trying to win the trophy as everybody does.

“It will be difficult as there are some huge financial clubs there, but we’ve always punched above our weight before and we can do that again. It’s an exciting time and a season we are really looking forward to.”