New York Red Bulls

Bruce Arena is referred to by many soccer fans and pundits as the greatest American coach ever.

An article on Grantland by Andrew Lewellen is yet another voice affirming that. He writes about how Arena has taken on the job of coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy, turning around a team neck deep in pressure, tension and turmoil.

Lewellen also noted Arena’s success in developing successful teams at the University of Virginia, D.C. United and the United State’s men’s national team.

One high profile job (and failure) conveniently left out was his year and a half stint with the New York Red Bulls. Arena was hired by the franchise after the 2006 FIFA World Cup and resigned two days after their 2007 season ended.

The failing aspect of the job was not as much Arena’s fault, however, as it was the failure for the Red Bulls organization to be patient, highlighting why in 17 seasons there have been 13 head coaches (including current interim Mike Petke) and a revolving door of players but zero trophies to brag about.

In the two years Arena was the head coach of the Red Bulls, he compiled a record of 18-19-11. It was the lowest winning percentage he has had at any job he’s held in MLS or with the USMNT. But he did make the playoffs in both seasons.

He brought in talented players like Juan Pablo Angel—one of the best Designated Players in league history—Dave van den Bergh and Dane Richards. Team legend Clint Mathis was reacquired. Claudio Reyna, despite a disappointing tenure in the league, added some legitimacy and veteran leadership to the team. Two rookies drafted before Arena became coach, Marvelle Wynne and Jozy Altidore, flourished under Arena.

The first-round exits were typical Red Bull disappointments. How much can one man do in a season and a half, however?

Once Arena left, Altidore was sold, Marvelle Wynne was traded and van den Bergh was traded a season later. Jorge Rojas, Juan Pietravallo, Gabriel Cichero and Oscar Echeverry were all signed and all failed to make a positive impact on the team and the league.

The 2008 Red Bulls did reach the MLS Cup, their best finish ever, but lost in the finals and then fell to last in the league in 2009 with a league-worst 21 points. The roster development that Arena laid the foundation for was gone.

Arena is known in the league for his player scouting and development abilities. As documented in Lewellen’s article, he is popular for building chemistry in a team that leads to success.

With the Galaxy, Arena took the Galaxy to the 2009 MLS Cup, the 2010 Western Conference finals and won the 2011 MLS Cup. They’re back in the 2012 MLS Cup this year. The Galaxy won the Supporter’s Shield in 2010 and 2011 and Arena won the MLS Coach of the Year award in 2009.

In that time frame the Red Bulls never got further than the quarterfinals of the MLS Cup playoffs.

Bruce Arena drafted Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza, two backline mainstays and players that would earn USMNT caps. Along with Arena acquisitions Todd Dunivant and goalie Donovan Ricketts, the Galaxy defense is arguably the best in the league; conveniently the Red Bulls struggle to maintain any consistency on defense.

Valuable Galaxy players like Robbie Keane, former Red Bull Mike Magee, Juninho and Jack McBean were Arena signings.

Arena has been able to field a championship contender balancing a team with three Designated Players under contract (just like New York) with good draft picks and shrewd international signings (unlike New York).

Had Arena stayed on with the Red Bulls they too might have developed a consistent roster with chemistry, pricey and inexpensive players and a good mix of youngsters and veterans.

Instead, while the Galaxy are in the MLS Cup final for the third time in four years, the Red Bulls experienced another early exit in the playoffs.

It’s the same old routine for the Red Bulls. They are in win-now mode, yet have never won.

Maybe if they had the patience and vision that Arena has and utilizes, things could be different.

It’s unlikely that Mike Petke is the leading candidate for the New York Red Bulls head coaching position.

It’s not impossible; he was just named interim head coach with the team not renewing Hans Backe’s contract. But history tells us the organization will go with the bigger, flashier, more expensive name, both with players and the coaching staff.

While Backe was still the head coach, names like GaryMcAllister and Harry Redknapp have been rumored by various sources to be considered the team’s head coach in 2013.

But maybe Petke, a legend to the Red Bull/MetroStars faithful, might not be a bad choice after all.

The trend in Major League Soccer is to hire former, recently retired players as new head coaches. Jason Kreis, Ben Olsen, Jay Heaps and Robin Fraser have all been hired as head coaches in the league since Kreis’ appointment at Real Salt Lake in 2007.

Olsen has brought D.C. United to the semifinals in his second full season as coach, and Kreis has won an MLS Cup championship.

The New England Revolution ownership was heavily criticized for the Heaps hire, mainly because of his lack of coaching experience.

Petke, however, just finished his second season as one of the team’s assistant coaches, both seasons where the team made the playoffs.

Petke is also an MLS veteran. He knows the league, understands the subtleties that are necessary to be successful in this league.

Once again, history shows that foreign coaches have difficulty adjusting from European leagues to MLS. It could be time for the Red Bulls to go back to an MLS-savvy coach who understands how the team must work around the salary cap and how important the draft is to build a team with plenty of depth, two things Backe did not do very well with.

Finally, it’s hard to imagine that there is any person out there who is more passionate about the club and cares more about its success than Petke.

He is a New York native. He played for the team in seven of his 14 seasons in the league. He was drafted by the club. He retired as a member of the franchise. He is active in the community and in connecting with the fans.

In fact, his fan-friendly approach would be a welcome change of pace for the organization whose season-ticket holders can be heard griping about the lack of interest ownership shows in them outside of their payment for seats.

The fact that the team has kept him on staff while letting go of both Backe and head assistant Jan Halvor Halvorsen implies that the team has some faith in Petke’s abilities as a coach.

It might be worth a shot to let him see what he can do on a permanent basis.

The New York Red Bulls are home to three of the four highest-paid players in MLS, and the only thing the franchise has to show for it is a bunch of Red Bulls gear circulating around Mexico and a half-empty stadium.

No trophies. No championships. Just a miserably faithful fanbase.

$13.8 million, that is the combined salaries of Thierry Henry ($5.6 million), Rafa Márquez ($4.6 million) and Tim Cahill ($3.6 million).

In recent years, the Red Bulls have adopted the prototypical New York blueprint when it comes to building a championship team—throw a bunch of money at stuff and hope it sticks.

In the last decade, the New York Yankees have approximately spent a combined $1.94 billion in payroll for one World Series title. 

The New York Knicks spent $63.4 million last year to celebrate their only playoff victory like an NBA championship. They would be obliterated and eliminated by the Miami Heat just three days later.

The 2012 Red Bulls are just the latest installment of spending big to come up small in the definitive moments of the season. Their league-high $16.7 million payroll could not even produce a single goal in the playoffs.

(Unless you are willing to count Bill Hamid’s incompetence as a goalkeeper. I certainly am not.)

Cahill and his $3.6 million salary has to accept some culpability for his subpar play since his arrival from Everton; however, given the recent reports of Cahill playing through a tear in his calf (via Franco Panizo, Red Bulls beat writer), I will reserve my judgements on him for a later date.

Not to mention, the leadership qualities Cahill exuded following New York's loss are promising for the Red Bulls.

Henry, however, is a different story. The MLS’ highest-paid player did not take a crucial free kick in the waning moments of Thursday’s match.

His excuse? The free kick was best suited for a left-footed taker (via Ives Galarcep).

While it is hard to knock a man whose incredible talents (15 goals with 12 assists) carried New York to the playoffs, it must be done. When you are paid $5.6 million, you take that free kick, period.

Left footed or not, Roy Miller is not paid the big bucks ($112,495) to take the most important shot of the season.

Having said all that, the title for the biggest waste of money in MLS history belongs to Márquez.

Henry has always voiced his support for his former Barcelona teammate, but it is in his best interest if he bites his tongue this time around. 

Márquez seemed disinterested from the start of Thursday’s match (one might wonder if his halftime spat with Hans Backe in the first leg of the series had anything to do with it).

His first yellow 61 minutes into the match foreshadowed the monumental error that would ultimately cost New York a victory. That selfish and toxic personality finally sank the hearts of Red Bulls fans everywhere.

New York has paid $4.6 million for a man that started only 32 of 68 games since his arrival. His mysterious injuries, nasty shots at teammates and postgame antics finally culminated in a brutal tackle that sent him off in the 75th minute. 

Márquez has expressed his interest in being loaned during the offseason. For the sake of the franchise, it is best if he does not return from that destination, wherever it may be.

Wondering what could have been, the Red Bulls will now be forced to watch the Houston Dynamo and D.C. United battle for a spot in the MLS Cup Finals. The combined salaries for the two teams is a whopping $7.3 million.

For those of you doing the math at home, that’s $6.5 million less than the combined salaries of Márquez, Henry and Cahill. That is enough left over to purchase the entire Seattle Sounders roster as well ($4.2 million).

Changes are coming in New York.

The decision to no longer extend the contract of head coach Hans Backe and the hiring of Andy Roxburgh as the new sporting director exemplify that, but the most imperative change that must be made is a change in philosophy. 

This is how jerseys are sold. This is not how championships are won. With another team set to arrive in New York, it would behoove the Red Bulls to get it right sooner than later.

Follow Eduardo on Twitter for more insight on a variety of sports topics. Follow @Mendez_FC

They sure do know how to break your heart, don’t they?

The New York Red Bulls’ 1-0 defeat at the hands of DC United ended another disappointing season for New York.

The Red Bulls didn't just lose 2-1 on the aggregate, they lost in the same heartbreaking fashion their fans have been subjected to for 17 years. 

Kenny Cooper’s penalty kick in the 72nd minute put New York up 1-0. They would have the lead and a man advantage for the the final 20 minutes of the match following a costly red-card foul by United keeper Bill Hamid.

That is, until referee Mark Geiger reminded New Yorkers everywhere what it is like to be a Red Bulls fan.

Cooper’s stutter-step penalty kick was disallowed due to the encroachment of Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill, who found themselves well inside the box before the kick was taken. By the letter of the law, Geiger made the correct call.

With a combined $8.5 million salary and years of international experience between them, Cahill and Henry should have been aware of Geiger’s propensity to involve himself in a match.

The question is: Why did New York’s big-name talents not toe the line and trust Cooper to bury the 11th penalty of his career?

Cooper would subsequently have his shot saved on the second attempt. It was the first time he missed a penalty kick in his illustrious MLS career.

After Joe Willis’ save, it only took six minutes for New York defender Rafa Márquez to decide he had enough of this whole Red-Bulls thing. His inexplicable tackle on Chris Pontius drew his second yellow of the match, sending him off and leaving both sides with 10 men.

Even Pontius was observant of Márquez’s lack of dedication to New York. 

“It was like he was trying to get thrown out of the game,” he told the media. “Like he didn't want to be there” (via soccerbyives.net).

When rookie sensation Nick DeLeon broke the scoreless draw in the 88th minute, Red Bulls fans everywhere felt that familiar sorrow in the pit of their stomach.

The end was near. We all sensed it.

In New York’s final attempt to find an equalizer, and with $5 million captain Thierry Henry by his side, Roy Miller sent his free kick straight into the stands. 

Considering it was his first free-kick attempt all season, many are still wondering why it was Miller and not Henry who took the shot.

According to Henry (via soccerbyives.net), the free kick was best suited for a left-footed taker. Unfortunately for New York, that left foot belonged to Miller, and the so-called attempt to "fool the keeper" backfired. 

When the final whistle blew, New York’s season ended the same as the 16 that preceded it. They are still in search of their first MLS Cup in franchise history. 

This is in no way an attempt to take anything away from a resilient DC side who scraped and crawled their way to victory. They continue to prove their doubters wrong (myself included) and are in serious contention for their fifth MLS Cup. 

After the match, an inconsolable Kenny Cooper carried the weight of disappointed Red Bulls fans everywhere—showing Rafa Marquez what it means to care about your team and their faithful supporters.

Cooper’s return to New York next season is uncertain, but if this was his last match in a Red Bulls kit, his missed penalty should not be the last memory the fanbase has of the selfless striker.

Kenny Cooper deserves better than that.

In the end, Red Bulls fans should not be surprised with how the match ended because, as the saying goes in New York, “that’s so metro.”

Follow Eduardo on Twitter for more insight on a variety of sports topics. Follow @Mendez_FC

The weather outside was frightful, but the MLS’ prolonged decision to postpone the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinals was far from delightful. 

Winter storm Athena invaded Red Bull Arena last night, preventing the New York Red Bulls and DC United from ending their wild and wacky series. 

As if Hurricane Sandy, own goals and Andy Najar’s petulance was not enough, one of MLS’ oldest rivalries was subjected to a nor’easter that blanketed the $250 million fortress in Harrison, New Jersey with heavy winds and snow.

All hands were on deck shoveling mother nature’s elements, including those of MLS commissioner Don Garber, yet they still failed to produce a suitable and safe environment to host the significant match.

Every possible measure was taken by the league—even the majestic orange ball was resuscitated in order to increase visibility during the storm. 

In the end, MLS decided it was best to postpone the match until this evening. It was not a decision supported by players and members of both organizations, but no one was more visibly upset than DC United head coach Ben Olsen.

“Have you seen the field? It looks fine to me,” Olsen said. “I’m baffled that we can’t play this game.” (via MLSSoccer.com)

Ironically enough, Swedish head coach Hans Backe did not share the same sentiment.

“It’s an easy decision. It should be postponed.” he told Martino. “For me it would have been an easy decision because this is not football. This is another kind of sport" (via MLSSoccer.com)

Conspiracy theorists will claim this was just another attempt to ensure New York’s advancement in the postseason. 

With big-name talent like Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill and Rafa Márquez, surely this is just a ploy to increase market dollars for an under-appreciated league; however, anyone removing its own blind allegiance can appreciate the big picture.

Last night’s match was a nationally-televised event. 

With two matches already played on top of NFL-style football lines, a nearly-empty stadium in the middle of a snowstorm is not the message MLS wants to send to the general public.

This is not 1996. This is not a newly formed league. Calculated and unrelenting measures have been taken in order to increase the popularity of MLS, not only in the American sports environment, but worldwide.

Both teams play a beautiful style of soccer. Subjecting the skills of world-class talents like Henry and Chris Pontius to such unforgiving conditions in an empty stadium is a detriment to the league.

MLS must ensure its increased growth in the American sports market, and to treat the American public to a soccer snow fight on national television is a counter-productive strategy.

With moderate conditions expected for this evening, and an additional 24 hours for the crew at Red Bull Arena to create acceptable playing conditions, the MLS will finally be able to move past this series.

Those who valiantly sat through last night’s elements may feel they were swindled out of an opportunity of witnessing a winter wonderland exhibition of soccer, but they must look past themselves.

The vision and direction of MLS is greater than your pristine level of dedication and passion. 

Playing the match in suitable conditions increases the opportunity of multiplying an already devoted and staunch fanbase. This decision will ultimately benefit us all.

Follow Eduardo on Twitter for more insight on a variety of sports topics. Follow @Mendez_FC

The fervor surrounding the rivalry between the New York Red Bulls and DC United is one of the most intense spectacles the MLS has to offer. Each club is notorious for its supporters—rabid fans that serve as the combating soul for its respective club. 

Tonight, the Eastern Conference Semifinals will be the latest chapter in this historic rivalry.

With millions of people in the Tri-state area still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy (myself included), the MLS decided to swap the home dates for the playoff series—much to the dismay of some United fans. 

Fortunately, players, coaches and members of the front office for DC United are class personified and had no issue with swap.  

The fact remains, Red Bull Arena is without power and the region is still struggling to reestablish a mass transit system sufficient enough for a daily commute, let alone a soccer match.

Teams that host the second leg of a home-and-home series advance roughly 60 percent of the time. It is not a significant margin considering they are usually the team with the better record.

The decision to swap home dates was the correct one. Contrary to popular belief, it will have no impact on the outcome of this series. 

Both teams enter the match in top form. Despite losing its best player in Dwayne De Rosario (knee), DC is unbeaten in its last seven matches; however, the level of competition it faced was marginal at best.

New England, Philadelphia, Chivas USA, Portland, Toronto, Columbus and Chicago all have one thing in common—none of them are currently in the MLS Playoffs. 

DC head coach Ben Olsen has done a remarkable job of galvanizing his team since De Rosario’s injury, but a resolute and undaunted coaching style can only last so long. 

With the level of competition rising, DC faces the ominous task of playing one of the most talented teams in the MLS—one that is gelling at the right time.

Like DC, The Red Bulls have not defeated a formidable opponent as of late, but the performance of some of its big-name talent should be disconcerting for United fans.

It was commonplace for New York to concede a goal early. It was as if the opposition started the match already up 1-0, but the Red Bulls did not concede a single goal in the month of October.

There is finally a level of consistent play from its back four, with no other Red Bull playing at a higher level than Mexican legend Rafael Márquez. 

Márquez is not the only designated player living up to his name. Tim Cahill’s prolonged adjustment to the MLS was expected, but it seems as if he has finally adapted to the rigors that are synonymous with the league.

There is a question about his availability for tonight’s match (calf), but Dax McCarty would be Cahill’s likely replacement. It should not prove to be an insurmountable injury given McCarty’s consistent play all season.

The series ultimately will be decided by the productivity of the most lethal one-two punch in the MLS—Thierry Henry and Kenny Cooper. 

The two have combined for 33 goals with 15 assists and will need to carry the Red Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Credit is due to DC’s exemplary play as of late. They are an adroit, cohesive unit, but this is not the same Red Bulls team they defeated 4-1 back in April. 

Expect an intense series, but one that sees New York advance convincingly. 

First Leg Prediction: DC United 2 - 2 New York Red Bulls

Second Leg Prediction: New York Red Bulls 3 - 1 DC United

New York advances 5-3 on aggregate 

Follow Eduardo on twitter for more insight on a variety of sports topics. Follow @BR_Mendez

Sporting Kansas City’s 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Union last night allowed the club to clinch the coveted No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The road to the MLS Cup now runs through Kansas City.

Joining them in the playoffs are the New York Red Bulls, Houston Dynamo, Chicago Fire and D.C. United. All four teams clinched a playoff spot last week, and heading into the final Saturday of the regular season, that is all we know.

The combinations are endless. Other than the No. 1 seed, no other seed in the Eastern Conference has been decided. There are three matches on Saturday that will clarify the playoff picture and provide the MLS with what should be an exciting night of soccer.

Chicago (currently third) is making its first playoff appearance since 2009, and can finish anywhere from second to fifth. A victory over D.C. United on Saturday would clinch the No. 2 seed, but a loss, coupled with a Dynamo victory, could leave the Fire free-falling to the knockout round.

The MLS’ midseason decision to change the first tiebreaker to goals scored is a detriment to the Fire. Of the four teams jockeying for playoff positioning, Chicago has the lowest goal tally (45).

They have not played well of late, losing three of their last four, and Chris Rolfe (eight goals with three assists) has only recorded one assist with zero goals in that stretch. He will need a better performance if he wants his team to avoid the knockout round.

Chicago’s opponent on Saturday, D.C. United (currently second), has won the MLS Cup a league-record four times, but is making their first playoff appearance since 2007.

They are traveling to Toyota Park on Saturday, where they have not lost since 2006 (3-0-3). A victory over the Fire would clinch the No. 2 seed, but like Chicago, a loss would send D.C. into the dreaded knockout round.

D.C., however, would be able to host the match at RFK Stadium on Halloween night. Many felt the injury to reigning MVP Dwayne De Rosario would hinder United’s playoff chances, but credit is due to Ben Olson for galvanizing his team and leading this respected franchise to its eighth playoff appearance.

The Red Bulls (currently fourth) are coming off an impressive showing vs. Kansas City last week—a 0-0 draw where New York displayed a level of tenacity and mental toughness. New York can finish anywhere from third to fifth and will go on the road in search of a crucial three points.

The rival Union—eliminated from playoff contention—would love nothing more than to send New York on the road to fight for their playoff lives. The Red Bulls have not fared well away from the confines of Red Bull Arena and are winless on the road since May 19.

New York has been surrounded by recent turmoil, with the firing of their general manger Erik Soler and the speculated departure of head coach Hans Backe. They have not allowed it to derail their season and still have the opportunity to finish strong—igniting a momentous run towards the MLS Cup.

The scenarios do not end there.

Lost in all this chaos are the dangerous Houston Dynamo (currently fifth). As it stands, the Dynamo would have to travel on Halloween for the knockout round, but with some help, Houston can find themselves in third by the end of Saturday night.

Things get complicated for the Dynamo, as they need a few results to work in their favor. Houston would have to defeat the putrid Colorado Rapids and hope that both the Red Bulls and Fire fall earlier on Saturday afternoon.

Houston has the benefit of knowing their fate beforehand. If they are locked into the final playoff spot before the start of their match, the Dynamo may choose to rest their players for the knockout round just four days later.

It is a strategy that could spark a Cinderella run towards their third MLS Cup championship.

Many were critical of the unbalanced schedule this year, but it has succeeded in providing the MLS with an exciting finish—one that is sure to leave its fanbase on the edge of their seats.

Follow Eduardo on twitter for more insight on a variety of sports topics. Follow @BR_Mendez

Thierry Henry has led the New York Red Bulls to fourth in the Eastern Conference (53 points), but sit just four points ahead of sixth-placed Columbus Crew. 

With Sporting Kansas City visiting Red Bull Arena tonight, New York will attempt to walk away with a crucial three points from the top team in the conference.

They are three points that could save the club from a collapse of epic proportions. 

The Red Bulls found themselves in first place following their 2-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Aug. 10, but have been wildly inconsistent since then and are now in danger of missing the playoffs.

They are a pedestrian 3-2-2 in their last seven matches, with two of those victories coming against the lowly Timbers and Toronto FC. They failed to elevate when the level of competition increased and have only managed one point vs. playoff teams in that stretch (a 2-2 draw vs. D.C. United on Aug. 29).

To make matters worse, New York’s potential implosion has been assisted by curious personnel decisions.

The infelicitous firing of general manager Erik Soler and the speculation of head coach Hans Backe’s departure at year's end is an unnecessary added distraction.

With the level of talent they possess and the amount they spent to obtain it, there is still no excuse for the team’s recent downward trend. 

The Red Bulls were undefeated at home (10-0-3) when Sporting KC visited back in September, but fell 2-0 and suffered their first home loss of the year.  A similar result tonight will be demoralizing and detrimental to New York’s future heading into the final week of season.

A trip to rival Philadelphia awaits the Red Bulls on Oct. 26. Given their horrid performance on the road this year (4-7-5), there is no telling which team will arrive on the pitch.

Thierry Henry has been nothing short of spectacular this year (14 goals with 12 assists) and may have to dig deeper in order to carry his team to the playoffs. Luckily, some help is on the way.

Lloyd Sam was impressive in New York’s 4-1 victory over Toronto FC, but suffered a hamstring injury before the match's conclusion. His anticipated return will provide an added dimension to the Red Bulls’ attack as they attempt to exploit the absence of midfielder Roger Espinoza (ankle sprain).

A draw will help the Red Bulls inch closer to a playoff birth, but there is no denying a victory is necessary for their psyche. One point will fail to ignite a momentous run towards the MLS Cup.

New York must send a message to themselves and the rest of the Eastern Conference, that with the MLS Cup six weeks away, they still belong in the conversation. 

Follow Eduardo on twitter for more insight on a variety of sports topics. Follow @BR_Mendez

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiNW5Ctu66c

Thierry Henry: Proponent of va va voom. Scorer of beautiful goals. Master of understatement?

Henry, the man and myth who became a legend with Arsenal and France for scoring classics like this, this and this, knocked in another memorable strike Saturday night. With his New York Red Bulls leading the Columbus Crew late in the second half of an MLS match, the 35-year-old Henry curled a corner kick directly into the Crew's net.

So, a big-time goal demands a big-time statement afterward, right? Um, nope. Here's what Henry said, via the New York Daily News:

“I’ve scored some OK goals in my career. But I have to say, this one is not a bad one.”

Indeed, Thierry. It wasn't bad at all.

This shot, known in Latin America as an olimpico, requires the shooter to overcome a basically impossible angle. But as Henry has shown repeatedly throughout his career, the laws of physics and the universe don't necessarily matter when scoring is possible.

So, then. Did Henry mean it? Was he actually going for goal?

As Dirty Tackle points out, the Crew's keeper was backup Matt Lampson, and he had just entered the match moments earlier. From the footage, it looks like Henry had planned on taking the corner short right before changing his mind.

Here's another look at the goal, to help you make up your mind.

In the meantime, Henry now has 13 league goals this season, fourth-best in MLS. The Red Bulls trail Kansas City by two points for the Eastern Conference lead.

[Video: KickTV]

Follow @MikeCummings37

Sixteen years ago the world's most popular sport experienced a rebirth in the United States of America, the third biggest country in the world, as a new soccer league was formed. The league had several goals, including to provide high quality competition for future and current national teamers stateside. 16 years later, the league has been an enormous success.

While some may disagree and say that soccer is still not an interesting sport in the eyes of the average American sports fan, in just 16 years, the league has nearly doubled in size, going from 10 to 19 teams. That must mean something. And while considered by many to be a retirement league for European players, now many world class players are coming to the US from Europe at earlier ages (most recently Tim Cahill).

The league is definitely not of the quality the top leagues in Europe can claim, but it's not by any stretch of the imagination a poor league. Look at Landon Donovan. He's never had a successful stint outside of the US in his lifetime. Two short spells at Everton doesn't count. Yet somehow he has the most goals in USMNT history. Somehow he manages to stay in top form by playing in a league that Piers Morgan compared to a pub league.

Beyond that, many clubs in Europe now use MLS to scout young North American talent. Many players have left America and had successful runs in Europe. In between the demise of the NASL and birth of MLS, there was no domestic league for American players to show that they could play and impress clubs elsewhere.

Now that the success of MLS has been established, the league will continue to grow and expand and hopefully become a system similar to what is already in place in England and Wales, where there are several tiers and promotion and relegation between each one. This way the game can spread to all corners of the US and Canada.

As success comes, however, the league needs to be cautious. More and more European players are heading to MLS. And there's an issue with all the big names who want to come here: they only want to play in NY or LA.

Look at the top five international players in the league at the moment: David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, Robbie Keane and Alessandro Nesta. Except for one, they all play in either NY or LA, the two biggest cities and hottest destinations in the US. Kaka has stated he wants to play for either NYRB or LA Galaxy in the future. And realistically, if Cristiano Ronaldo does come here (he stated he would like to), who thinks he'll want to play for the Colombus Crew or Sporting KC?

While there are two teams in LA (Chivas USA is often forgotten), we are looking at a situation where all of the top European players who come here will be packed into two cities. And we could end up with a La Liga-esque situation where two teams dominate all of the others, and no other teams have a real shot. 

One of the things I think American sports do right is create a more balanced environment where more teams have a real chance to compete. I don't want MLS to turn in to a two-horse race. And with the evolution of the DP rule, who knows, will each team be allowed five DP's in five years? If so, LA and NY will use them up on world class players while all the other teams will struggle to get anywhere close.

While this isn't a huge issue right now, as LA and NY start to look more and more like All-Star teams by themselves, this is something Don Garber needs to keep an eye on. I don't want MLS to turn in to La Liga or (gasp) the Scottish Premier League.