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.

Young American Keepers Going Abroad...Because There Is No Room At Home...

Each year, after the college season ends and before MLS kicks off we start seeing reports of young Americans testing the European soccer waters. Players of all positions give it a go, but it seems Goalkeepers are among the most successful. This year young prospects Tally Hall and Chris Konopka are trying to join the long list of successful American keepers playing abroad. Both were drafted by MLS clubs but they have decided to try their luck on the other side of the pond. Konopka is awaiting a Polish passport to sign with Cardiff City while Hall is considering an offer from top Danish side, Esbjerg fB.

Names like Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel and Tim Howard are well known by all American soccer fans. They're starting keepers in the English Premier League and two of three got their start in MLS. We can't forget about Adin Brown and Marcus Hahnemann. Two more keepers holding down the starting job professionally in European top leagues and two more keepers who earned their current jobs by impressing in MLS.

Hall and Konopka are not the first American keepers to try Europe before MLS, however it seems this is becoming the preferred route for young American keepers. Both of the young Americans fell in the draft. While I don't have information as to why the highly regarded and skilled Hall fell to the last round of the SuperDraft I assume there were two factors. 1) MLS clubs have a couple talented keepers already on the books 2) Hall was already looking to see his options abroad.

I contend that reason #1 is the heart of the matter. Hall was no doubt looking abroad before the MLS draft because he knew his value wouldn't be too high with clubs already deep in keepers. The LA Galaxy drafted Hall and they in no way need another keeper on the bench with Joe Cannon, Steve Cronin and Josh Saunders already on the bench. Cannon has established himself as the best keeper in MLS, Cronin was a highly touted college prospect himself a few short years ago and Saunders is no slouch after splitting time between the Gals and USL-1 Timbers. With keepers being able to play well into their late thirties (Onstand and Meola I'm looking at you) how is a young keeper supposed to break through and earn a starting job and bigger paycheck. At a certain point it becomes impossible when ten keepers are being drafted into the league each season and only a couple leave.

The US is for some reason a perfect breeding ground for soccer goalkeepers. It must be all the good food we eat, making taller and bigger kids every year. At young ages their coaches put them between the pipes and they stay there. We've got a glut of goalies and we're starting to bust at the seams.

Hall and Konopka seem to be making the right move for their careers and I have no doubt this trend will continue and expand. American keepers are in demand abroad why should they rot on the bench while old farts like Pat Onstad continue to mind the nets. This is one situation where I'm happy to see young players bolting from MLS and the USL. We've got enough quality in our league...and the young guys shouldn't be waiting around for an opportunity to prove their worth.