One of the things I like most about the MLS is that the All-Star game is not a game between MLS players, but a game against some of the best club teams in the world. The MLS All-Stars are proving to the world that the U.S. professional league is getting closer to assuming it status as a solid professional league.
It will be a few more years, at best, before the U.S. can claim a spot among the premier professional leagues in the world. For one, while the All-Stars can play with any team in the world, the rank and file teams are not quite there yet. American talent is growing by leaps and bounds. The MLS reserve league play and youth league play is getting stronger and that will only help the level of play in the major teams. Until we see U.S. club teams winning international club competitions on a regular basis, playing against some of the best club teams the world has to offer, the MLS will still be seen as a second tier league in the soccer world's eyes.
However, the addition of players like David Beckahm and Juan Pablo Angel to the American starting line-ups will help. Some may argue that Beckham is past his playing prime and may very well be, Angel is tearing up defenses across the league and providing a soccer mentorship to one of the most exciting young American players Josmer Altidore. Arguably, these players and players like them are making a difference to the American league.
Highlights and other material on the MLS All-Star game can be found the MLS Website
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