10 Thirty-Something Players For MLS

Filed in archive US Soccer on April 27, 2006

orinfor.gov

Recent rumours of Beckham and Ronaldo heading to MLS may have been optimistic. If these guys ever do play in MLS it will be in a few years time when they 're skills are on the wane. But Jen Chang at Soccernet has put together a list of 10 thirty-something players who could realistically play in MLS, and would add some much needed attacking flair to the league. They are:

• Rivaldo, 34


• Jay-Jay Okocha, 32


• Jared Borgetti, 32


• ariel Ortega, 32


• Edgar Davids, 33


• Manuel Rui Costa, 34


• Alvaro Recoba, 30


• Roy Keane, 34


• Karel Pobosky, 34


• Steve McManaman, 34

I can appreciate that Jen Chang is just speculating but there are a few of these we can cross off the list straight away. Edgar Davids still has too much to offer at the top level. Like Beckham and Ronaldo he won't be in MLS for a couple of years yet. Alvaro Recoba may not be the world beater he was a couple of seasons ago, but he's only 30 years old and will get plenty better offers than MLS. Roy Keane is the most unlikely. Due to his persistent niggling injuries (bad hip mostly) he isn't going to fancy a season in the fast, physical MLS. Why cripple yourself for a year in America? Steve McManaman is out of contract, and therefore the most likely to sign an MLS contract but from what I saw of him in a Manchester City shirt he might not have what it takes anymore.

The other guys would all be assets if they could be persuaded. My favourite would be Okacha who, as Chang points out, hasn't been fully appreciated in England. The guy is one of the most entertaining, creative midfielders around. Borgetti would also be a boon, with the massive Mexican-American audience. And if MLS could snag a big name like Rivaldo then all the better.