Everton, USMNT Star Tim Howard on MLS, Designated Players, Play-off Predictions

United States international Tim Howard believes Major League Soccer can bolster its profile by increasing the number of designated players for teams.

The governing body set up the designated player system in the wake of David Beckham's arrival at LA Galaxy in 2007 after his departure from Real Madrid.

Under the ruling, MLS teams are now allowed up to three designated players in their squads. These players often earn a significantly higher wage, but the amount charged against each team's salary cap is limited.

Howard has watched the league build in recent years, with interest increasing on the back of the goalkeeper and his USMNT team-mates' successful World Cup campaign in Brazil.

But the Everton No. 1 insists MLS football can now prosper even more if it extends the number of berths available for designated players.

Howard told Bleacher Report: "Manchester City bought in quality players to win the Premier League title. When you talk about the highest quality in the MLS, at the moment it's the three designated players.

"Manchester City bought 15 of those players for their squad, while MLS clubs are only allowed three. From an influential standpoint on the game, you need more quality players. It sounds simplistic, but the number of designated player positions needs to rise.

"It's not an easy fix, but that can go from three to five, so you will know half of your team will be quality."

Howard has watched MLS football grow recently with enthusiasm, and the USMNT star has applauded the support of the fans in North America for helping to build its popularity.

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"It's a healthy league, and there are investors in cities desperate to get teams and putting in bids and looking to grow teams," he added.

"The fans' support is through the roof—it's bigger and better than it has ever been. The league is growing and growing, and it is producing talent."

The growth of the MLS has seen high-profile names such as Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley make returns to their home country.

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But USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann recently questioned the wisdom of such influential internationals playing in the MLS, with Europe offering better-quality football to keep themselves sharper for the World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber was unimpressed with the former Germany international's comments, and hit back, as Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror reported.

"Jurgen's comments are very, very detrimental to the league. They are detrimental to the sport of soccer in America," Garber said.

"It is just patently untrue that if you play in Major League Soccer it will affect your form. I will do everything and anything to defend our league, players and owners."

However, Howard, who is on a year-long sabbatical from international duty, can see the argument from both sides.

"Jurgen is the head coach of a team, and he wants to make that team successful," he said.

"If Jurgen Klinsmann thinks that the best way for his team to be successful is if his young players go to Europe, there is nobody in the world who can argue with that. That is his opinion, whether you agree with it or not. The MLS would argue that they also produce top talent, and they do have an argument there."

Umbro

Ahead of Everton's Premier League match at Tottenham on Sunday, Howard will be keeping a close eye on the MLS Cup play-off semi-final second legs.

New England hold a 2-1 lead over New York ahead of their game at Gillette Stadium, while the LA Galaxy have a single-goal advantage for the second leg of their tie against the Seattle Sounders.

"Seattle at home are rock solid, and the Galaxy are going to have it all to do to get through. Time will tell if that one goal means anything, but if I was Seattle, I'd think the ball is in their court," he added.

"With two away goals against them, New York will have to open up, which could leave them open at the back. We see that in the Champions League all the time because the away team has to go for it because the away goals are weighted.

"I'd go for New England (to beat New York), but the Western team will win the trophy."