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5 players who should join MLS but probably won’t

By Zac Wassink

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Five players who should link up with Major League Soccer but who likely won’t for one reason or another.

It’s that magical time of the year when Christmas decorations come down, the New England Patriots of the National Football League are accused of bending the rules, and North American soccer fans are dreaming of big names that may or may not join Major League Soccer at some point between now and August. The likes of Steven Gerrard, (probably) Frank Lampard, Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore have already put pen to paper on contracts that will land them in MLS either in March on during the summer months. It is not too late for the North American top-flight and for clubs to reach out to others who are looking to leave their current teams for greener pastures.

Much can and should be made of the — cough — questionable transfer rules regarding big-name targets joining MLS. With that said, no fan should blame any athlete for doing whatever possible to get the best possible deal imaginable. MLS and the league’s teams are in spending moods, and, while it would be nice if the league’s minimum salary figure was to rise so that younger players didn’t have to live with three teammates just so they can afford to pay their bills, it is understandable why clubs and the league are attracted to stars. Stars and recognizable names sell tickets, sell merchandise and also create local and national headlines.

Not all footballers, regardless of availability, find playing in MLS to be ideal for a variety of reasons. As former Tottenham Hotspur star Jermain Defoe learned the hard way, playing in MLS could be the unintentional beginning of the end of an international career. Some are not keen on taking a sabbatical from or calling time on playing European football. Others are merely too expensive, even for a league that is not shying away from overpaying players who would not get millions upon millions of dollars were they to seek out such deals in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A or the Bundesliga.

1. Emmanuel Adebayor

I first heard rumblings of the Tottenham Hotspur front man seeking a switch to MLS back in the winter of 2012, before he made the trek overseas to watch Thierry Henry and the New York Red Bulls play a regular season match in Harrison, New Jersey. The problem three years ago remains true today: Adebayor is a mercenary who will take the best contract possible, and that isn’t coming from MLS. He would, upon signing, immediately become the most talented striker in MLS regardless of the team he joined, but Adebayor taking a pay cut, which would have to happen for this deal to become reality, isn’t happening anytime soon.

2. Javier Hernandez 

Aug 2, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez (14) during the second half against the Real Madrid at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Look here, Chicharito. MLS has twice come calling only for you to pass so that you could remain in Europe. This dog is only going to bite so many times before it moves on to a better meal. He will turn 27-years old this coming summer, and Chicharito would become the highest-paid player in MLS were he to agree to the move. While not all United States Men’s National Team fans would embrace the Mexican international, there is little question that Chicharito would become a true superstar if put in the right market. Every year he doesn’t join MLS is Chicharito avoiding the inevitable.

3. Samuel Eto’o

I go back and forth on Eto’o, more so because of his age than because of the talent that he has at this stage of his career. The forward who is set to leave Everton this month turns 34-years old this coming March, putting him right on the edge of my “too old for MLS” threshold. Sampdoria, a side that is currently chasing after a Champions League spot, are currently pursuing Eto’o, and it is rumored that MLS may not be willing to spend on him this time around if ever. Watch out for the New York Cosmos of the NASL, who may swoop in for Eto’o if the Sampdoria move falls through.

4. Terrence Boyd

2014 was largely unkind to the 23-year old. Boyd was one of the last cuts for the US team that traveled to Brazil for the World Cup. He suffered a partially torn ACL in his right knee over the summer. His year then ended when he suffered a torn ACL in that same knee this past December. Boyd has no ties to MLS, and it is going to be some time before he is fit and ready to feature for any competitive side. Being stuck in the second division in Germany may sound like good times for a young man who has spent the majority of his life overseas, but Boyd could find a place to resurrect his career and also a pay increase were he to seek out a move to MLS.

5. Mario Balotelli

I’ve already touched upon Balotelli joining MLS, and the idea remains so tasty that it is worth bringing up again. Liverpool are reportedly actively searching for any team to take him off of their hands, and the latest transfer gossip has Lazio seeking to sign the 24-year old. Acquiring Balotelli would be a shift for MLS, proof that the league is not only in for European players who are either being dropped by top-tier teams or nearing the ends of their careers. He would get MLS on SportsCenter on a weekly basis with his antics on and off of the pitch, which would make Balotelli worth every penny that would have to be spent on him.

It’s too bad that it isn’t happening.

Balotelli would be a massive signing for either LA Galaxy, New York Red Bulls or New York City Football Club. He is a made-for-TV star of an athlete who would have to feature in a big market to make any imaginary deal worth it for MLS. Hopefully, the day will soon come when the league isn’t afraid of taking such a financial risk.

Hopefully.

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