The Kansas City Wizards begin their 2009 MLS regular season tonight vs Toronto FC. Now although Major League Soccer was created to help develop american soccer players for the U.S. National Team (no more than 5 foreigners were allowed on each roster in the innaugural 1996 season) the league rules have changed. MLS teams now average 9 foreign born players on each roster. FIFA's Sepp Blatter has recently suggested that leagues adopt a 6/5 rule...At least six players with citizenship of the league their club plays in playing on the field at one time, allowing no more than 5 foreign players playing at one time.Former Dallas Tornado (NASL) and american Kyle Rote, Jr. stated that he would like to see a limit of 5 foreign starters per team. Of course he made that statement in a Sports Illustrated article in 1979 (when the 24 team North American Soccer League required only 2 North American starters per team per game). U.S. soccer players have accomplished and developed a lot in the 30 years since Kyle Rote, Jr. played however today's top american league, MLS, still isn't as domestic player friendly as some would think.
During Thursday's MLS kickoff Seattle Sounders FC played 13 players...6 of those players were foreign born (6 American/5 foreign in starting lineup). NY Red Bulls played 13 players...8 of those players were foreign born (4/7 in the starting lineup). Seattle was victorious 3-0.
Toronto FC curently lists 23 players on their 2009 roster. Only 5 of their 23 players were born in Canada and only 5 were born in the U.S.A. That leaves 13 players on Toronto FC's roster that were not born in Canada or the U.S.A.
MLS should be a global league and Sepp Blatter's 6/5 recommendation is a healthy way of encouraging leagues to develop national talent while allowing for international quality. The recommendation protects, defines and promotes the domestic and international game at the club and country levels. The Kansas City Wizards, Houston Dynamo and San Jose Earthquakes have the fewest amount of foreign born players (4) among the 2009 MLS rosters. The definition of America's Team is up for debate. If America's Team is defined as the most successful MLS team with American players contributing significantly...then let's hope the Wizards' are in the early process of making a case to be America's Team in MLS.
