It has historically been difficult for leagues to shake certain reputations once they are established. The Italian Serie A is still outrunning the ghosts of the cynical catenaccio era. England’s Premier League is, of course, full of speed-demons and long-ball artists. Spain’s La Liga is populated by tiny technicians knitting together an endless stream of short passing combinations. And on it goes. But as TV deals and streaming services make global soccer more accessible, these reputations have begun to burn off like mist in the morning heat. It is even beginning to happen for MLS. And yet, in many corners of the world, the American and Canadian league is still viewed as a last port of call for aging stars. Very little else about MLS has penetrated the general soccer consciousness, especially in Europe (but also in Argentina, the country that has arguably contributed more than any other to MLS’s uptick in quality).



MLS-as-retirement home is as tired a trope as...