Hear
An axiom holds that in any country in the world you go you will find an Argentinian playing soccer in the main league. And if it is the MLSthis theory is strengthened, because the presence of Albiceleste players in that tournament is the largest foreigner among the 79 nations represented on the squadsaccording to a report prepared by the organization itself.
With 35 footballersincluding the world champions in Qatar 2022 Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) and Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), Argentina contributes the highest number of players born outside the United States and Canada for the third consecutive year. Luciano Acosta, with more than 250 games in his cycles in DC United and Cincinnati, and Sebastian Driussi, With nearly 100 games since arriving in Austin in 2021, they are two of the most experienced on the roster. Two other South American countries complete the top five positions: Brazil, with 30, and Colombia, with 29.
Among the Europeans, France and the United Kingdom, with 19, collaborate with the largest rosters, ahead of Germany (17), which continues the strict order of territories that offer the most players to the 29 participating clubs. In addition, there are 15 Uruguayan nationals in these franchises. and 14 from Ghana and Spain.
Three countries that were not represented last season have at least one player in the MLS this year: Bolivia (José Jamir Berdecio, in Philadelphia Union), Guatemala (Nicholas Hagen, in Columbus Crew) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Kimani Stewart -Baynes, in Colorado Rapids). Are curious figures within a group that, in addition, is supported by the most geographically diverse group of young people of all top-level men’s sports on North American soil.
As determined by the place of birth until May 9, the date on which the report that was released this Tuesday was prepared, the 79 foreign players make that league the widest universe of players also worldwide among the most important. Over the past three years, MLS has averaged just over 80 countries represented, which means an increase of 33 percent in the last 15 years. At the local level, that number is well above the next men’s league – the NBA has 45 countries incarnated – and the total is even greater than the sum of those of the NFL (29), the MLB (23) and the NHL (22) combinedconsidering the same dispute period.
Beyond that region, the MLS continues to be the most representative in the world, above the English Premier League (69 countries), France’s Ligue 1 (68), Italy’s Serie A (65), Spain’s League (60) and the Bundesliga (54). That, in the context that the league continues to offer more opportunities for national talent every year: In 2024, 376 players from the United States (332) and Canada (44) compete. This figure represents 48.5 percent of the total, just below the Spanish League (59.5%) and the Bundesliga (54.1%).
At the time of preparing the report, The average age of the players in the squads was 26.13 years, also younger compared to the five major North American men’s sports leagues. The NBA registers 26.48, followed by the NFL (27.23), the MLB (29.15) and the NHL (29.34). To reinforce the theory of open doors to young people, More than 150 players aged 22 or younger played at least one MLS game during the current season. And of the 103 who debuted in 2024, their average age is 23.12. The Argentines Facundo Farias (23 years), Pedro De la Vega (21) and Federico Redondo (21), among others, are part of the new wave.
As extra information, 52 players born in California lead the compendium among the 39 of the 50 US states and the District of Columbia represented on campuses. A dozen states have at least 10 soccer players on the roster that includes 31 New Yorkers, the second most representing. After California is the state of New York, which has 31 players in MLS. AND Five Canadian provinces appear on the lists: British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, with Ontario having the largest representation, with 27. Seventeen MLS players were born in Toronto, the most of any Canadian city.
THE NATION
