Really Lazy Reporting, Part 8

From ESPN’s Bruce Schoenfeld: How Barcelona, Villarreal and other European clubs are competing with MLS for America’s top talent

BRUUUUUCE. C’monnnnnn. Are we serious here? Did you not read my unqualified opinion from earlier today (10/14)?

Lazy isn’t probably the right word for this article. There’s on-site reporting at an American academy for a European club. There are… interviews.

The problem lies within the thesis of the article, encapsulated by an alternate title that was displayed on ESPNFC’s home page: MLS teams are at a disadvantage to European clubs scouting in the U.S. These players will leave for bigger, European clubs.

That’s kind of the goal for now, isn’t it? Steffen (Manchester City), Davies (Bayern), Adams (Leipzig), Bryan Reynolds (Roma), Brenden Aaronson (Salzburg), and (soon) Pepi all developed with MLS teams before jumping to major European clubs. Until the cream of the MLS can reputably compete with the Bayerns and Citys of the world, and that is a long time away, these transfers are major wins for the MLS.

Also this is poor:

Unlike MLS clubs, they have no inherent commitment to American soccer. Last he heard, Barcelona was a billion dollars in debt, an economic situation so dire that it couldn’t work out a way to keep Lionel Messi. If that was also the future of American soccer, it didn’t bode well. Instead, academies such as Barcelona’s and Villarreal’s should provide templates for their MLS equivalents.

“Because what will happen when Barcelona decides they can’t afford to do this anymore and says, ‘we’re out.’ What then?”

I’m actually a little turned around by this so let’s unpack: if Barca’s billion dollar debt is the future of American soccer? It’s not. American soccer, and sports, have financial regulations that are absolutely stringent by La Liga standards.

If Barca decides they can’t afford to do… what? Of the six players listed above, zero (0) developed in academies run by Barca or other European giants. In fact, all (all) went through MLS academies or college. We’re on a good path!