To inform the World better about what types of players play in Major League Soccer, I've composed several categories in this field guide to help you become aware of the types of MLS players:
Type 1: The Prospect
The prospect is a majority of the younger players in Major League Soccer at the moment. They get drafted in the MLS Super Draft because of their star performance on youth international teams (primarily on the USMNT U-20, U-17 or other CONCACAF youth nations).
These players do not stick in MLS for awhile, because during their debutant season or their second/third season in the league, they break out and attract interest in various big-name European clubs. Usually this occurs subsequent to contract expiration, so that they do not have to pay the league a hefty transfer fee, that sometimes gets rejected.
Prospects don't really foresee MLS as their league for their career, but as the springboard for their European club career, so that they get a stronger chance of playing on the US senior squad.
Past examples of prospects: Jozy Altidore, Tim Howard, Michael Bradley, Clearance Goodson and Freddy Adu.
Current examples of prospects: Omar Gonzalez, Chris Seitz, Chris Pontius, Jack McInerney, Freddy Montero, Danny Mwanga.
Type 2: The Cast-off
Cast off's are common and come in all types. Most are players who decided to head straight over to Europe after college, and joined a subpar second-tier European team. They might have joined a much stronger European team, but only see time in the reserves and being loaned.
MLS sees these as either "US internationals" (that only ocassionaly play) or scrubby European players, and offer them a fairly decent deal, and they become regulars in the lineup.
Past examples of cast-offs: Sebastian Le Toux, Heath Pearce, Robbie Rogers, and even Landon Donovan in his early days.
Type 3: The Reject
An egotistic player who THINKS he has the quality to play in Europe. He tries out with many teams, only to be rejected.
Past examples of rejects: Robbie Findley, Luciano Emilio.
Type 4: Retirement Home
Past examples of retirement home players: Juan Pablo Angel, Kasey Keller, Freddie Ljungberg, and Cuatemeloc Blanco.
Type 5: Hollywood
Past example of hollywood players: David Beckham and soon enough Thierry Henry.
Type 6: Scrubs
The scrub is the player that never has an never will be good enough to go over to Europe, and will play his whole career in MLS. Perhaps play a few games for US national team as well, however, it's looking like if you're in MLS and you want to play with the senior squad...you're going to have to be tearing up the league.
Past and present examples of scrubs: Brian Ching, Bobby Convey,
Type 7: Landon Donovan's
The very rare breed. Players that are more than capable of playing top club football overseas, but because of personal choice, and MLS crying to keep them, they decide to stay in the States, also because their national team spot is secured.
Examples: Landon Donovan (no shit), Danny Callif, Bobby Convey,
To inform the World better about what types of players play in Major League Soccer, I've composed several categories in this field guide...
