FanNation - The Republic of Sport

If these guys can get Belluschi from River, that'd be awesome! I think MLS should look into Central America and other South American countries where players would be more than happy to play in the US

Looks like that's the direction we're heading in now. European players don't want to come to MLS right now and that's fine. These South American players add more flair and technical savvy to our game anyway.

The race is on now. Last year's influx of South and Central American talent is going to change the league for the best going forward.

There is a definite connection between this and some earlier T&R pieces, such as the reent one on Brazilians on national teams. And look at how many more Latin players end up in Europe. To a high degree, clearly it's globalization at work. But it's also very simple: these players go where they can make a better living.

Ultimately, I think it's great for the league and for American player development. I've long argued that we need to allow for more of the Latin American flavor to influence the game here.

I don't think it isn't that Europeans don't want to come, they are just more expensive to get to come. If we can stock up with bunch of great cheap South American talent and then grab one or two Europeans/Australians to keep the rest of the world interested, I think we are definately on the right track. I think we should be looking at the asian leagues too, there is some good talent there.

Good move by the teams to scout South America. Obviously, they are going to unearth some real talents.

revs make a big move and grab riquelmie, make the big statement hes up for grabs

Also, it would bring a lot of fans to the games

I'm all for bringing Riquelme to MLS. Probably one of the best free kick takers in the world right now. Perfect timing if you ask me.

my question is, would you rather play football in a poverty stricken football crazy nation, or come to America, be a star, get rich (kind of), and live in a country where we call it soccer and most of the game is spent with the fans seated.

If they can get Riquelme that would be a huge coup for MLS.

Argentina isn't exactly poverty stricken, gpv4.

too late, Riquelme signed for Boca permanently earlier this week

i am really excited about the direction the mls is going in and i really hope we can get some more south american players in the leauge as thier style will rub off onto young american players. haveing played in both miami and in the bible belt i have seen that there are 2 styles being played in america, and while the team first approach and smart ball movement of the bible belt is nice, the players tend to lack the deft skill with the ball and creativity of the players in communities dominated by jamaicians and south americans.

Totally agree Rusty. A truly creative player is what we've always lacked as a nation. It may take some time to develop such a being but bringing in talent of the South Amer. calibre is a tremendous leap forward. Dempsey is about the closest thing to that right now. Imagine if he'd grown up in Brazil or Argentina. Holy Crap!

Agreed (gunner) Dempsey is a talent. My Dynamo need to bring in some latin talent to pull the latin fans in that still don't buy into MLS. Arturo Alvarez (FC Dallas) would be cool b/c he's from Houston. Maybe signing a Mexican international would be better though? Either way scouting the Americas for talent can't be bad.

finally, bring in some more south american players. that will surely make up for the deplete american talent pool

If they take their time and look beyond the big two (River and Boca) in the big city, they can find a boatload of excellent players. I hope they don't limit themselves to hanging around Buenos Aires gorging themselves on churrascos but go visit other cities as well. There are many gems playing for the lesser lights in other parts of the country waiting to be "discovered" by the big boys. (DC)

gpv4, have you ever been to Argentina? Obviously not or you wouldn't have made such an illinformed statement. Poverty stricken? I'll agree that politically they are a mess. They always have been! But poverty srticken? Surely you jest! (DC)

Buenos Aires is hardly poverty stricken. I live some hours away. They are ok, believe me.