MLS Retains Status as Youngest, Most Diverse League in North America

Group of Designated Players, newcomer signings rank youngest in League history

NEW YORK, NY (March 7, 2018) – Major League Soccer is once again leading the charge in diversity (as determined by birthplace) in the North American sports landscape. From its current pool of 637 players, 72 countries are represented in MLS, the most of any soccer league in the world.

Among those 637 players, 234 have been capped by their national teams (36.7 percent) while nearly 70 percent, 36 of 53, of current Designated Players (average age of 27.32 years) have been capped. Among these internationally capped players, 40 standouts in MLS have been included on a FIFA World Cup roster.

Looking ahead to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, MLS is expected to break records for most players participating in a World Cup along with most countries represented. A total of 27 players from 11 World Cup-bound countries played a part in their respective nations’ World Cup Qualifiers in 2017.

During the offseason, MLS clubs signed its youngest group of newcomers in league history. The 96 newcomers to the league (counting players signed from international leagues, NASL and non-MLS affiliated USL clubs) maintain an average age of 25.05 years old, while 50 percent of the players have experience playing for their respective national team. Of note this offseason, MLS clubs signed 30 South American players averaging 22 years of age.

The current class of Designated Players in MLS also ranks youngest in league history, with the 53 Designated Players in the league averaging 27.32 years of age. This offseason, MLS clubs signed 13 new Designated Players to the league, with those players averaging 23.46 years of age.

For interesting stories of players’ journey to MLS, check out the MLS Flight Path series, presented by Etihad Airways.”

MLS Player Maps and Lists

*Downloadable versions of the Player Maps are available here

League (year) Total # of Players Players Born Abroad (% born outside U.S.A. & Canada) Countries Represented (incl. U.S.A. & Canada) Average Age of All Players (in years) MLS (2018) 637 315 (49.4%) 72 25.36 MLB (2017) 1087 326 (29.9%) 24 28.33 NHL (2017-2018) 779 225 (28.8%) 22 27.17 NBA (2017-2018) 496 96 (19.4%) 47 26.22 NFL (2017) 2104 57 (2.7%) 26 26.36

All Statistics Courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau

*Leagues in season include all players on current rosters.

*Leagues out of season include players on rosters when the season ended.

*Totals as of March 6, 2018

MLS Players by Country (outside U.S.A / Canada) Country Players Argentina 23 England 19 France 19 Ghana 18 Colombia 15

MLS Players by State / Province State Players California 61 New York 21 Ontario (Canada) 18 Texas 18 New Jersey 17

Average Age of MLS Newcomers at End of Regular Season 2018 – 25.05* 2017 – 26.06 2016 – 25.70 2015 – 27.02 2014 – 27.53

*age of newcomers at beginning of regular season

Average Age of Designated Players at End of Regular Season Year Age 2018 27.32* 2017 28.29 2016 29.38 2015 29.21 2014 29.34

*age of Designated Players at beginning of regular season