Posted by Stephen Kuzner

By Stephen Kuzner - WFD Fan Correspondent

There are a few things we need to look at when we look at the MLS's progress as a League. Attendances, expansion of teams, TV deals and ratings are important. They help us quantify the growth of the league. But, we need to take a look at the quality of what is presented on the field; aka a qualitative measure to MLS as a league. Ultimately what determines the quality of the product on the field is the quality of the players themselves. You hear it time and time again: bring the world's best to MLS and the American public will come-out in droves to the games. I don't totally buy into this argument, but it has some credence. Talent matters. More importantly, peak talent matters.

As Athletes evolve through their careers, they grow in sports-intelligence and skill and decline in raw athleticism as they age. In their mid-to-late twenties, between ages 24-28 years, athletes hit a peak balance of sports-intelligence, skill, and physical capabilities. This peak-zone can be seen if you look at the last 10 FIFA World Players of the Year. Their ages were the following: Lionel Messi (22), Cristiano Ronaldo (23), Kaká (25), Fabio Cannavaro (33), Ronaldinho (25) & (24), Zinedine Zidane (31), Ronaldo (26), Luís Figo (29), and Zinedine Zidane (28). The average age of this list was 26.6, close to the middle of 24-28 years.

The MLS has a way to go in terms of getting great players in the peak years. If we look at the MLS All-Star team we have the following Donovan Ricketts (33), Jamison Olave (29), Heath Pearce (25), Kevin Alston (22), Chad Marshall (25), Shalrie Joseph (32), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (37), Javier Morales (30), Marco Pappa (22), Sébastien Le Toux (26), Juan Pablo Angel (34), with an average of 28.6 years. Only three of these players are in their peak years. Further, Heath Pearce, Chad Marshall, and Sébastien Le Toux are hardly world-class. At this point, they'd make good squad players or start on mid-table teams in Europe's big leagues. Also, many in this group are a bit old or quite young.

The key to MLS's product on the field the next 10-20 years is to have more good, great, and eventually world-class players at their peak. There are a few ways this can happen. As the US develops players, the MLS needs to hold on to them longer in the beginning of their careers. Jozy Altidore leaving before he could have a legal drink in America was not a good thing for the talent level of MLS. Second, when the world-superstars of the world decide to do their farewell tour, i.e. Thierry Henry and David Beckham, the MLS needs to get them a year or two earlier. Although, Thierry Henry has a lot to contribute to the MLS, at age 32, he is about 4 years out of his prime. Finally, as the MLS continues to grow financially, the league eventually will be able to bring in good and great players at their peak.

The key to raising the level of play in MLS is a gradual approach to gaining and retaining talent. The league so far has progressed year by year in this capacity. A rising tide is not as sexy as a tidal wave, but incremental improvements are sustainable.

Landon Donovan has probably been the MLS's best player in its history. At age 28 now, if he take a move overseas he'll be a great player moving in reverse form the US to Europe at the end of his peak. In the short term, there likely will not be more Landon Donovans that stay in MLS because of financial reasons, but the league can hold onto the Kevin Alstons and Marco Pappas of the world a bit longer than they held onto Jozy Altidore.



Please send any feedback to skuzner@gmail.com.