Without U.S. in 2018 World Cup, league looks for different ‘bump’
With no U.S. World Cup team to tout, Major League Soccer is putting an emphasis on new young talent as the 2018 season debuts Saturday.
MLS has been a league known for old European players in the twilight of their careers. But this year’s crop of MLS newcomers is the youngest ever, averaging 24.86 years old. One of the youngsters generating buzz is 18-year-old Ezequiel Barco of Argentina, acquired by Atlanta United for an MLS-record $15 million transfer fee from Argentina’s Independiente.
The U.S. national team failed to qualify for soccer’s biggest tournament, which means the domestic league’s American stars are staying home from Russia.
That translates to fewer marketing opportunities for MLS. In 2014, for example, the league’s motto was “For Club And Country.” And the socalled “World Cup Bump” in attendance and TV viewership might not materialize this year.
“It’s disappointing that the U.S. men are not going to be in Russia. These moments are always ones that rally the country behind the red, white and blue, behind our sport, and in many cases, behind our players,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said.
Even without U.S. participation, MLS expects to have as many as 26 league players (a record) representing different nations in the World Cup.
The league stresses that growth now depends on raising the quality of play to that of the established European leagues and Liga MX in Mexico, which typically draws more television viewers than MLS in the U.S.
Briefly: There are six new head coaches, including the Earthquakes’ Mikael Stahre. One intriguing hire: Former U.S. national team goalkeeper Brad Friedel (New England) . ... The Los Angeles team that replaces Chivas USA, which folded in 2014, finally debuts. LAFC launches under former U.S. World Cup coach Bob Bradley. The team made a splash with its first signing, Mexican national team forward Carlos Vela. Season tickets have already sold out at the team’s $350 million Banc of California Stadium, which will host its first match April 29 with a visit from the Seattle Sounders.