- Lalas says stigma of Americans in MLS has diminished
- Says players now return for competitive salaries
- MLS functioning as both a buying and selling league
Addressing the perception of American players returning to Major League Soccer, former MLS star Alex Lalas noted the financial evolution of the league, and says the appeal is now competitive salaries more than just a soft career landing spot.
The Colorado Rapids signed Paxten Aaronson away from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. Paxten Aaronson – brother of Leeds United midfielder Brenden – was one of the finalists for the Eredivisie‘s Young Player of the Year award after recording an eight-goal, four-assist season while on loan with Utretch.
“We could talk for hours about what the perception is and what the reality is when it comes to Major League Soccer,” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “The stigma of players coming back – in this case, someone like Paxten Aaronson, who’s kind of going into the prime of his career – the stigma has become less and less.
“I’m not saying it’s, it’s gone away by any stretch of the imagination. I’m sure there’s plenty of people out there that immediately will see a player in a different light.
Lalas said that different career paths work for different players, pushing back against the notion that continuing a career in MLS represents a bailout.
“My point about that is you are letting your insecurity relative to Major League Soccer infect your brain and color everything that happens,” Lalas added. “There’s no one way to go about it… it’s a back and forth without the tail between the legs, or at least not being as prominent. It has been in the past and money actually associated and big money… That market opening up, that’s a good thing.
“It’s a good thing for Major League Soccer because that’s ultimately what you want. You want to be a buying and selling market, whether that is international talent, or whether that is American talent that looks back or for the first time looks to MLS as a as a vital thing.”
Lalas also addressed LA Galaxy‘s approach to the Leagues Cup, given their struggles during the regular MLS season. He pointed out that reaching the top three positions in the tournament would secure qualification for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
“LA Galaxy sitting in last place having a horrible MLS season, but they find themselves with this kind of redeemable moment in in League’s Cup,” he said. “And keep in mind that the top three teams, regardless if it’s MLS or League MX, qualify for CONCACAF Champions League Champions Cup, right?
“But obviously Orlando, Inter Miami and Seattle are upper-echelon types of teams as opposed to in this moment, the LA Galaxy. And they have put all of their eggs into this Leagues Cup basket, as well they should.”
He expressed support for Galaxy’s decision to prioritize tournament success given their position in the MLS standings.
“Remember years ago when DC United, I think it was, was having a horrible MLS season and they just lit it up,” he said. “And sometimes you can redeem your season by having these moments that, then in this case, the carrot is you qualify. And I guarantee you that the LA Galaxy is going to look very, very different come next year. Players in, players out, players that are hurt coming back.”
The five-time MLS Cup champions have fallen from their perennial contender status this season and currently sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with 16 points from 26 games.
Returning American players will continue testing the league’s evolving reputation. Several USMNT players currently in Europe face crucial career decisions in upcoming transfer windows.
