MLS: Not The Only Route To Professional American Soccer...

In the past MLS seemed to have a lock on the top American prospects coming up through the college and youth national team ranks. However, the tide may be turning and MLS had better open their eyes. Last week the Minnesota Thunder announced the signing of Rodrigo Hidalgo. Hidalgo was part of the U-17 Bradenton Residency program and has played on multiple US Youth National teams. He has been on the Generation Adidas watch list but his signature was elusive for the league. I thought he was going to return to the University of South Florida for his senior season but news of his signing with Minnesota changes everything. It turns out that Hidalgo decided that college wasn't offering him what he wanted and he was ready to move onto professional life.

I was fortunate enough to speak to Manny Lagos, former MLS player and Director of Soccer Operations for the Minnesota Thunder, on the signing of Hidalgo. I am glad I spoke to Manny because he cleared up the transaction for me. It turns out that Hidalgo decided to leave college and turn professional after Generation Adidas deals were signed and after the MLS draft. With the help of his agent, Hidalgo went on at least one European trial but didn't enjoy his experience. Lagos and Hidalgo's agent are friendly and discussed the player's availability.

At this point I suppose MLS could have made a swoop for Hidalgo but Minnesota was able to offer the young player a professional environment and a highly competitive playing environment and at this point in his career that is what he needs. As Lagos told me, every young American player is going to have a different road to and through his professional career. MLS and Europe isn't going to work for everyone according to Lagos and this makes sense to me. The USL is able to offer Hidalgo a lot of competitive matches he wouldn’t be getting in MLS. Look at some of the other GA players from the 2007 draft; they’re going to be looking at reserve matches for much of the season. Hidalgo is smart to skip that.

To this point it seemed to me that MLS or overseas was it for the top American prospects. I thought of the USL as a league that would develop later blooming talent that didn't catch US Soccer's eye at a young age. This time around the USL captured a top American prospect. US U-20 Coach Thomas Rongen recommended Hidalgo highly to Minnesota so as Lagos said the circumstances were right to get a deal done.

If Hidalgo performs well he will no doubt get his shot at MLS. Lagos admitted that USL teams know they are helping develop talent and that players won’t spend their entire career with one team. Hopefully Hidalgo will be able to learn a thing or two while in Minnesota and he can launch a successful professional career. I’m looking forward to see how he does.