In the US, soccer used to be a bit of a second-class sport. But enter David Beckham to the scene. Although there may be other contributing factors, soccer certainly became more popular when Mr Beckham entered the scene, particularly when he joined the MLS and became a big name for LA Galaxy.
Since then, Major League Soccer (MLS) has seen a massive surge in popularity, attracting talent from football leagues from all over the world. In particular, former Premier League players have made an enormous impact upon joining MLS, bringing their skills and experience to the North American footballing world.
Here, we take a look at some of the very best Premier League players who took a journey over the pond to the MLS – and have made a name for themselves in the USA.
Lionel Messi
The current top import has to be Lionel Messi, who has traded in his triumphs with his native Argentina and his time at FC Barcelona to play with InterMiami CF.
David Beckham
As we touched on earlier, probably the most noteworthy has to be Beckham… who started the trend. Undoubtedly, one of the most iconic footballers of his generation, David Beckham, famously made his high-profile move to MLS by joining the LA Galaxy in 2007. You may have been used to seeing his name topping Boylesports Premier League odds for years, but he quickly made his name in America.
The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder not only contributed on the pitch but also played a massive role in boosting the league’s global reputation. Beckham’s impact has extended way beyond his playing days – as he went on to launch Inter Miami CF, influencing the world of football even more.
Thierry Henry
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is another legend who took his talents to MLS and signed with the New York Red Bulls in 2010. The French striker showcased his legendary goal-scoring skills – becoming one of the league’s top players during his time there. Henry’s perfect combination of skills and leadership left a mark on the Red Bulls – and solidified his status as one of the greatest forwards in football history.
Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane, the former Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool striker, had an incredible MLS career with the LA Galaxy. Having joined the team in 2011, the Irishman played a vital role in leading Beckham’s former stomping ground to numerous MLS Cup victories.
Known for his brilliant finishes and leadership on the pitch, Keane is still considered to be one of the league’s best-ever performers, earning accolades for his performance both on and off the pitch.
Wayne Rooney
Former Manchester United and Everton captain Wayne Rooney also made a big impact in the MLS with D.C. United. His arrival in 2018 certainly revitalized the team – and it became apparent why he had become such a legend as an England and Man U player.
Beyond his on-field contributions, Rooney’s influence helped to rejuvenate interest in D.C. United and MLS – and it showcased the American league’s appeal to the rest of the world.
Frank Lampard
A Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard is another world-class EPL player who ventured into the MLS – after heading over to New York City FC in 2015. The classy midfielder brought his decades of experience and football intelligence to the league and had a significant impact during his time there. Indeed, his contributions helped establish NYCFC as a highly competitive force in the league. What’s more, his transition to coaching after he retired shows how much of an impact Premier League players are having in North American football, even when the boots are off.
Steven Gerrard
We’ve mentioned Lampard, so we have to mention his midfielder nemesis, Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard, who made the move to MLS in 2015 – another one who joined the LA Galaxy team. The former England international, as is the case with the other Premier League players who joined the Los Angeles crew, made a lasting impact on the team. His presence took the competitive nature of MLS to the next level – and demonstrated exactly how Premier League stars could be such a force in the North American football landscape.
This is just a handful of the players who have made the move. With the big bucks available… and the growing popularity of the league across the globe, many more will likely want to sample the delights of MLS in the future.
