US or Europe?

Why do all the best soccer players from America leave the MLS and go play overseas? Of course, it’s all about the money. When Freddy Adu signed with D.C. United as a 14 year old kid he became the highest paid player in the MLS, with a $500,000 guaranteed contract. Since then Landon Donavon, the proclaimed “Golden Boy” of US Soccer who has become tarnished, signed a deal making him the highest paid player with his $900,000 salary. The lowest base salary happens to be one of Adu’s teammates Andy Metcalfe who makes a measley $11,000 a year. I would be willing to be you could make more than that working at McDonald’s.

In the 2003-2004 season in the English Premier League the average player salary was 900,000 pounds (about $1.7 million). That’s twice as much money as Landon Donovan is making in the US. I guess that he must have his priorities in a different order than most humans to be passing up that kind of money to stay in the US and play in the MLS. But we see most top American players doing what most people would do and chasing the money overseas. It won’t be too long until Freddy Adu is gone and the MLS will have to find a new media target.

David Beckham in the US?

There have been rumors lately that David Beckham, the international superstar, may be leaving his current club Real Madrid after this season. Beckham has in the past stated that he is interested in finishing his career in the US, and that may come sooner than later if the MLS gets lucky.

The L.A. Galaxy have expressed their interest in the former England captain, but there are no guarantees. The rumors started flying when Beckham delayed his decision to sign a 2-year extension with Real Madrid. Apparently he is unhappy with his playing time with Real and is considering leaving after this season. If he has not signed the extension by January 1, he can begin talking with other teams about next season. The Galaxy seem to be the best shot that the MLS has at landing Beckham. L.A. currently has the best stadium, and is often viewed as the class of the MLS because of their past success and location in L.A.

Beckham currently has a soccer academy in L.A. that also ties him to the area. He has already said that the academy is his life after he finishes playing, so it is also a draw that might help land him in L.A. as early as next year to play for the Galaxy.

There is no guarantee that he will even leave Real Madrid, and this might just be a stunt to get more playing time. But if Beckham does actually leave, and the MLS miraculously persuades him to come over to the States, it could be the first of many international players to come. Landing David Beckham in the MLS could be the most important move in the history of the MLS by bringing the spotlight to American soccer and garnering interest in other superstar caliber players.