These loans were a win-win for the players and their Premier League clubs: The players got to stay in shape during the long MLS offseason and play against the world's best. The clubs got an injection of talent to help carry them through the grueling winter period, where fixtures tend to pile up high.
 |
| Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and Thierry Henry prove able MLS ambassadors |
For MLS though, the rewards aren't quite as straightforward. Sending players over carries risk of injury, and the Galaxy and Red Bulls would likely prefer their players to rest, and then take part in a full preseason to better integrate with new teammates.
As the three loans wind to a close though, the reward for the league has come more into focus. With all three turning in admirable performances, they have been capable ambassadors for their league, and have quieted the overwrought criticism that MLS is a “retirement league”.
Henry's loan at Arsenal came to an unceremonious end Wednesday after Milan delivered a 4-0 mauling in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. After a season and-a-half in MLS though, Henry showed that playing stateside hadn't cost him the statue-earning goalscoring touch he demonstrated at Arsenal between 1999-2007.
In fact (small sample size alert!), Henry's strike rate during his loan at Arsenal (three goals in seven games: 43%) is exactly the same as his strike rate for Red Bulls (16 in 37 games: 43%). Not to mention he has started every game he's played with New York, while he came off the bench in every game at Arsenal.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger tried to extend Henry's loan. The Red Bulls refused.
Robbie Keane has scored goals at nearly every stop in his career, so it's no surprise he continued this trend at Aston Villa, scoring three in six games including a sensational double that clinched the West Midlands derby against Wolves in January.
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish tried to extend Keane's loan. The Galaxy refused. Keane's last game with Villa will be at Wigan on Feb. 25.
Donovan's success at Everton is most significant for the league, because aside from David Beckham, there isn't a single figure more synonymous with MLS than the 29-year-old American midfielder. Because he's spent most of his career in MLS, his play in England is a direct reflection of the U.S. player development apparatus.
As the three loans wind to a close though, the reward for the league has come more into focus. With all three turning in admirable performances, they have been capable ambassadors for their league, and have quieted the overwrought criticism that MLS is a “retirement league”.
Henry's loan at Arsenal came to an unceremonious end Wednesday after Milan delivered a 4-0 mauling in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. After a season and-a-half in MLS though, Henry showed that playing stateside hadn't cost him the statue-earning goalscoring touch he demonstrated at Arsenal between 1999-2007.
In fact (small sample size alert!), Henry's strike rate during his loan at Arsenal (three goals in seven games: 43%) is exactly the same as his strike rate for Red Bulls (16 in 37 games: 43%). Not to mention he has started every game he's played with New York, while he came off the bench in every game at Arsenal.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger tried to extend Henry's loan. The Red Bulls refused.
Robbie Keane has scored goals at nearly every stop in his career, so it's no surprise he continued this trend at Aston Villa, scoring three in six games including a sensational double that clinched the West Midlands derby against Wolves in January.
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish tried to extend Keane's loan. The Galaxy refused. Keane's last game with Villa will be at Wigan on Feb. 25.
Donovan's success at Everton is most significant for the league, because aside from David Beckham, there isn't a single figure more synonymous with MLS than the 29-year-old American midfielder. Because he's spent most of his career in MLS, his play in England is a direct reflection of the U.S. player development apparatus.
0 comments:
Post a Comment