An article recently came to my attention by a friend of mine, I will not put up the link because giving that person traffic would be an insult to the growth of this sport in the United States. The article tried making the case that Major League Soccer is a “boring” league that lacks talent. The author goes on to say how MLS cannot compete in entertainment value with any of the elite leagues around the World. Usually I wouldn’t waste my time acknowledging the existence of such an ill-informed person. However, this is an opportunity to speak about the exponential growth of my favorite league in the World.

Talent

Major League Soccer is a young league when compared to many others around the World, and for this reason some academies are barely getting started. However, with enough time Major League Soccer academies will start producing a multitude stars. In fact, that process has already started with players like DeAndre Yedlin of the Seattle Sounders, who became a sensation during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. For now though, Major League Soccer’s greatest attribute isn’t creating players but instead molding them into stars.

Let’s take a look into the United States National Team Roster that went to the 2014 World Cup for some players that began their careers or are currently a part of MLS:

Tim Howard: Former Goalkeeper for the NY/NJ MetroStars (now the New York Red Bulls)

DeAndre Yedlin: Seattle Sounders product that recently signed a 4 year contract with English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur

Omar Gonzalez: L.A. Galaxy defender

Michael Bradley: Started off career with the MetroStars in 2004 before playing abroad and coming back to Major League Soccer via Toronto FC in 2014.

Matt Besler: drafted by Sporting Kansas City in 2009 and is now currently a designated player for them.

DaMarcus Beasley: began career with L.A. Galaxy went to Chicago Fire then played for elite teams around the world before returning to MLS via Houston Dynamo in 2014.

Clint Dempsey: began career with New England Revolution, lost two finals to Houston Dynamo, became a star in the EPL for Fulham. Then moved to Tottenham Hotspur before returning to MLS via Seattle Sounders in 2013.

Brad Guzan: started career with Chicago Fire developmental team before starting pro-career with Chivas USA, then moved to EPL side Aston Villa in 2008.

Bradley Joseph Davis: Signed with MetroStars in 2002 then moved to Southern Oklahoma to make the only mistake of his career by playing for the Dallas Burn, went to San Jose then relocated with team to Houston, Texas.

Kyle Beckerman: started professional career with the now defunct Miami Fusion of Major League Soccer.

Jozy Altidore: debuted in Major League Soccer at the age of 16 for the New York Red Bulls. He then signed a contract Villareal in 2008 and has been playing in Europe ever since.

Chris Wondolowski: drafted by San Jose Earthquakes in 2005, relocated to Houston with team, and in 2009 re-signed with San Jose when team was brought back.

Graham Zusi: drafted by Sporting Kansas City in 2009 and is currently a designated player for them.

Geoff Cameron: drafted by the Houston Dynamo in 2008 before being sold to EPL-side Stoke City in 2012.

Nick Rimando: started pro-career with the now defunct Miami Fusion, went to DC United after Miami folded, then in 2007 joined his current club Real Salt Lake.

Out of the 23-man roster that the United States took to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, 15 of those players started their career in or currently play for Major League Soccer. With 11 of those 15 players currently in Major League Soccer as of the writing of this article. The other 4 are currently playing in “elite” leagues around the World.

Some of the clubs that Major League Soccer products have played for are Villareal, Manchester United, Everton, Fulham, PSV, Tottenham Hotspur, and Roma. The next time somebody says that Major League Soccer lacks talent, point to the 2014 World Cup and remind them of the team made-up of players that had stints in MLS that ended up leading the United States out of the “Group of Death”. Want to know who didn’t make it out of that group? Cristiano Ronaldo. I wonder if the author thinks a team capable of advancing over Cristiano Ronaldo’s isn’t elite.