Thierry Henry Not the Only Foreigner to Make the Move To the MLS

The arrival of the renowned, yet also controversial French striker to the MLS has sent shockwaves throughout the world of US soccer. As many journalists and football aficionados discuss fearfully the potential repetition of what was David Beckham's more illustrious move stateside two years ago, and others in the metropolitan New York City wait in utter joy at the prospect of the talented Henry taking his place alongside the equally prolific Juan Pablo Angel in the New York Red Bull's offense, many are left wondering how and why such a distinguished foreigner would come play "over here" with us Yanks.

Although most lesser-obsessive soccer fans in the United States might not be aware of the trend that has been occurring over the past few months in our top league, it is no big surprise that a figure like the former Barcelona star has decided to make his home here in the MLS. And, while he may certainly be the highpoint of the latest transfer market, he is only one of many foreigners to have recently made the move to US soccer.

Let's look at some of the other less-recognizable newcomers to Major League Soccer from abroad in both Europe and Latin America.

Milton Rodríguez

The Colombian journeyman may not be as well known as Henry, or even the latter's new teammate and his compatriot Juan Pablo Ángel, but after scoring consistently at every one of his last eleven clubs, the 34 year-old is prepared to ignite a fearsome partnership with Jeff Cunningham at FC Dallas.

Signed just over a month ago, Rodríguez has still not been allowed to play due to rules stating he cannot make an appearance until the beginning of the official transfer market this morning. Still, that should not prevent him from helping the popular Texan club recover after the loss of Sacha Kljestan to Belgian champions Anderlecht, and once again make the playoffs after a tough two-year absence.

Blaise Nkufo

The Swiss international is obviously one of the biggest names to join the MLS in the last few months, having appeared over 30 times for his adopted country and scoring 114 times in 223 appearances for Dutch Eredivise champions FC Twente.

His lumbering, tank-like presence has created problems most recently for even the likes of newly-crowned World Cup winner's Spain (who lost 1-0 to Switzerland in their opening WC fixture), and his strike rate is second-to-none. Joining an already stellar class of footballers in Seattle, the Congolese-born Nkufo should have no trouble helping the West-coast side rise back up the conference table; at the same time probably sending a few goalkeepers to the emergency room for immediate finger reattachment surgeries.

Giancarlo Maldonado

Maldonado is not only an idol at Atlante in Mexico, but also the all-time leading scorer for the Venezuelan national team. The explosive striker was once so promising in his youth career at Uruguay's River Plate, that the UFA approached him about playing for their national team, to which he declined, saying, "I just felt the need to fight for my [own] country and help their football to grow."

Although Maldonado has made a name for himself in Mexico and Chile, where he scored 21 goals in 42 games for the struggling O'Higgins, he also had a brief stint in Spain last year with then newly promoted Xerez CD. His arrival at Chivas USA, where he will link up with Cuban and Mexican forwards Maykel Galindo and Jesús Padilla, respectively, should surely be one of the highlights of this MLS season.

Anthony Obodai

After almost 10 years of playing professionally in the Dutch top flight, the former Ghanaian international has apparently grown tired of European football and decided to ply his trade in Texas with the Houston Dynamo.

Although his last side RKC Waalwijk was relegated last season, Obodai is still held in high esteem, even achieving captaincy at Sparta Rotterdam, where he played for two years before signing for Waalwijk.

The tireless midfielder should find himself at home in Houston, where countrymen Samuel Appiah and Dominic Oduro are growing into important players, and will look to provide great service for the ageless Hawaiian, Brian Ching.

Mista

Mista may have never broken into the Spanish national team for much time (having only appeared twice in 2005), yet he is still a household name around many parts of his nation.

Still only 31 years old, the once protégé of Rafael Benitez may be the ultimate mixing of both wisdom and esteem.

Despite never breaking into the first team at his first club, Real Madrid, Mista featured heavily in the past for both Tenerife and Valencia before settling into the background at Atletico Madrid and Deportivo la Coruña.

While not the breakout star that many had imagined over 10 years ago, he should still unsettle a few defences, as well as bring major thrills to his new Canadian club.

Álvaro Saborío

It may be unfair to include the Costa Rican heavyweight in the list of latest transfers to the MLS, taking into account that he was purchased in March and has already played 15 times for his new club.

But perhaps no foreign player has made or is capable of making as big of an instant impact as Saborío.

The former Bristol City and Saprissa striker has scored over 20 times for his country, played in a World Cup, and has been considered the obvious successor to national legend Paulo Wanchope in his country—a gigantic compliment, to say the least.

Filling in for RSL's ex-wonderboy Yura Movsisyan following last year's stellar league-winning campaign may have been seen as an unenviable task back in January, but in only a matter of months Saborío has almost wiped away all the bad memories of the Armenian's transfer with his own strong, consistent play and ever-threatening eye for goal.

With three Argentines and the still-somehow-considered-decent Robbie Findley by his side, the Costa Rican has helped raise hopes that a repeat may still be in the making for his Utah-based club.

Maicon Santos

Brazilian footballers are often as easy to find as sprinkles on an ice cream cone.

Scattered throughout the world, and even suiting up for foreign national teams at times (e.g. Cacau for Germany, Marcos Senna for Spain, and Deco for Portugal), they are well-known for their on-field dramatics and incomparable ball skill.

Although Maicon Santos may not be as acclaimed or even classy as his compatriots, there is no doubt that he will be a major influence in the Toronto FC midfield after arriving on another loan from Brazilian side Bonsucesso.

Following years of wandering at clubs in Tunisia, Libya, and Israel, Santos may not be looking to settle down. However, he should find himself in a great position, as he should flourish alongside other new arrivals Maxim Usanov, Mista, and Martin Šarić.

Pablo Hernández

Argentine starlet Pablo Hernández is a testament to the fact that foreign players in the MLS do not arrive solely to wind down their careers.

The 23 year-old striker, who will be joining fellow South American Jaime Moreno at D.C. United, may not have the firepower of Argie legends Guillermo Barros Schelotto and Claudio Lopez (the former being one of the brightest players in North America for the past two years), yet his quality is undeniable.

Even if his time at Defensor Sporting in Uruguay may have been limited over the past year, his youth and exuberance should be enough to make a big impact for his new, struggling capital club.

Branko Bošković

Hernández's D.C. United teammate is perhaps one of the most experienced, yet unknown players to arrive in the MLS, despite having amassed for himself a considerable following in Eastern Europe.

The Montenegrin midfielder has 30 international caps to date (including those for Serbia and Montenegro before the nation split apart four years ago) and has played regularly over the last three years for Austrian giants Rapid Vienna, helping them to the 2007-08 championship and Austrian Supercup in the process.

Bošković is well-known for both his massive on-field influence and creative midfield play. Truly, striker Luciano Emilio should have no problem looking for scoring opportunities with the Montenegrin captain sure to serve up balls at an almost unstoppable pace for United's forward line.

Brian Nielsen

Hans Backe has kept no secrets concerning his policy of bringing in tested, foreign talent to his Red Bulls side.

Danish youth international Brian Nielsen is a prime example of that policy—one which most would say has worked out quite well this season following last year's dismal MLS campaign.

Still only 23 years old, and already held in high esteem by the supporters of former side Vejle Boldklub (where Backe also purchased striker Salou Ibrahim), the Danish midfielder looks to bring creative elements always welcome by his new club and could help them propel quickly upwards in the next year after the arrivals of others such as Joel Lindpere, Carl Robinson, and, of course, Thierry Henry.

He might not be a constant presence in the Red Bulls first team, but over time he could provide the quality needed to bring the league championship to New York for the first time in the club's history.

Honorable Mentions

Whereas the past ten footballers may be the more influential to arrive on US shores in the recent months, there are still numerous that have gone without mention. Here's a more complete list that should better highlight the growth of the game in North America:

Rodolfo Espinoza (Universitario to Chivas USA)
Paulo Nagamura (UANL to Chivas USA)
Léandre Griffit (Crystal Palace to Columbus Crew)
Maxim Usanov (Krasnodar to Toronto FC)
Raivis Hščanovičs (Skonto Riga to Toronto FC)
Marko Perović (FC Basel to New England Revolution)
Juan Manuel Peña (Celta Vigo to D.C. United)
Miguel Montaños (Quilmes to Seattle Sounders)