Over the next few years Spanish clubs are expected to aggressively pursue the spanish speaking market in America, while trying to enhance their own image in America, than bring the MLS to the next level. But to get to the next level MLS teams will have to play top opposition and that means giving in to the Spanish giants for a while.
Next on the list of soccer leagues is Italy's Serie A. For years Serie A was considered the best league, but after several disappointing seasons, they lost that title. Serie A was formed back in 1929, one year after La Liga. For much of the leagues's history, only 16-18 clubs have competed. However, since 2004-2005 there have been twenty clubs competing to be the best in Italy.
Serie A can boast some of the most famous and successful clubs in all of history. AC Milan has won the most international competitions in the world; and Juventus is ranked third in Europe and sixth in the world as a club who's won the most international competitions. Serie A is ranked third in UEFA's standing for performance, behind the Premiership and La Liga. Tactically Serie A is the best league, but all too often the Italian teams come undone in European competition by being too rigid.
Italy's Serie A has virtually no interest in Americans or MLS. Back in 1994 Alexi Lalas, the former GM of the LA Galaxy, went to Serie A and joined Padova. His stint there lasted only one season though, as Padova ended up last in the league's standings.
Other than that, only one American has gone over to Serie A. That's striker Gabriel Ferrari from New York City. He was signed by Sampdoria in 2007; however, the club loaned him out to Serie C1 club Perugia. Doesn't say much for his performance, does it?
These three league's aren't the only international leagues in which Americans play in. Other successful Americans play for other big clubs in other leagues. DaMarcus Beasley and Maurice Edu play for Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers; former DCU player Freddy Adu plays for AS Monaco; and USA international defender Steve Cherundolo plays for Hannover 96 in the German Bundesliga.
Also, players such as Brian McBride, Eddie Pope, Cobi Jones, and Kasey Keller, currently at MLS clubs previously played overseas.
The most prestigious club tournament in the world is the UEFA Champions League. UEFA is the governing soccer association in Europe; just like CONCACAF is for North America. The current format of the Champions League was adopted in 1992; but an European tournament has been held since 1955.
Previously, it had been known as the European Cup. The Champions League is open to all UEFA members, except for Liechtenstein who has no major soccer league. In England, Spain, Germany and Italy any club that finished first to fourth in their league is eligible for the tournament. In all the other leagues depending on previous tournament history maybe only one team may qualify or have to get through preliminary competion to qualify.
Clubs that finish 3rd in the group stage of the Champions League do not move forward in the competition but they do qualify to compete in the second most important European tournament, the UEFA Cup.
Americans have not fared well in either tournament. Mainly, because not many Americans are on clubs who qualify for the tournaments. The most successful American in a European tournament is DaMarcus Beasley. He's scored the most goals for an American in the Champions League and made it to the semi finals with PSV Eindhoven in the 2005-2006 season.
So what's next for American players in international soccer? Will MLS ever be respected by other international leagues? Well, MLS has made significant improvements in recent years. It also seems that more MLS players are going overseas.
CONCACAF, the governing soccer body for North America, has made attempts to gain recognition. Most notably, the creation of its own Champions League which is almost a direct copy of it's European counterparts.
If MLS and Americans play their cards right, they might be able to use this competition to gain some needed respect. It looks like European clubs are already beginning to notice MLS, but they are still leery.
Who knows, maybe in the future MLS could be as great as the top European leagues?
For more info on Americans in European leagues I just found this site called Yanks-Abroad.com. Here's the link http://www.yanks-abroad.com/.
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