10 Possible Future MLS Designated Players

[RonBurgundy68]

By Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports

Every soccer fan has his or her own opinion on how Major League Soccer should go about trying to improve itself as a product. Some are in favour of scrapping the playoffs. Others believe the knockout format provides necessary end-of-season excitement.

The concept of a system of promotion and relegation also divides opinion, but one topic which all MLS followers have an interest is that of which overseas talent might follow David Beckham into the league.

Commissioner Don Garber insists his organization "wants" rather than "needs" big-name imports, and he is right in insisting that a haphazard approach to signing superstars would be dangerous and counter-productive.

Below is Yahoo! Sports' list of the 10 players who should be on the radar of Garber and the CEOs of MLS clubs.

It has to be realistic, so the likes of Ronalidinho, Kaka, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not mentioned. Their age and current contract situations mean there is no chance of seeing them playing regularly Stateside anytime soon.

The following players, however, could be gracing MLS stadiums within the next few years, and they would certainly add something positive to an improving product.

1. Ronaldo (age 30, AC Milan, Brazilian). Past his best? Yes. Weight problems? Well, coming to the States probably won't help his waistline. But if you had to choose someone to put away a scoring chance to save your life, there would be no one better. Perhaps the most natural pure finisher the game has ever seen – and that sort of ability is never completely lost.

According to reports, the New York Red Bulls were close to signing him before he agreed to a 12-month extension at Milan. However, he loves the U.S. and it would be no surprise to see him in MLS within the next year or two.

Possible destination: New York Red Bulls or a second New York franchise.

2. Zinedine Zidane (age 35, retired, French). He retired after the 2006 World Cup and his infamous head butt on Marco Materazzi, but seems to be getting itchy feet and is pencilled in to play against the Los Angeles Galaxy in an exhibition in Australia later this year.

Indications are that he could be tempted to pull on the boots for a couple more seasons and he won't want to play at a lower level in Europe. Just imagine him and Beckham both playing central midfield together. Ouch, watch out league.

Possible destination: Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes (who return to MLS as an expansion team in 2008).

3. Claude Makelele (age 34, Chelsea, French). Anyone with even a vague interest in the English Premiership knows all about the famed Chelsea defense. In the first two seasons of Jose Mourinho's reign, the west London side conceded only 37 goals in 76 league matches.

John Terry rightly took much of the credit, but the unsung hero was Makelele, who created a formidable barrier by playing just in front of the back four. Makelele has talked about his wish to play in MLS but just signed a one-year extension to extend his Chelsea contract to 2009. Perhaps even more noteworthy: He has a hot partner – Noemie Lenoir, a supermodel turned actress who starred in "Rush Hour 3."

Likely destination: Houston Dynamo.

4. Rafael Marquez (age 28, Barcelona, Mexican). The Mexico defender signed a new contract at Barcelona after the last World Cup to keep him at the Nou Camp until 2010. By then he will be 31, and there are strong suggestions in Spain that he could be interested in a move to MLS at that stage of his career.

Cuauhtemoc Blanco has been superb since moving to Chicago and has some productive years ahead. But by 2010, he will be 37 and the Fire's fanatical Mexican supporters could be ready for a new cult hero.

Possible destination: Chicago Fire, Chivas USA.

5. Fabio Cannavaro (age 33, Real Madrid, Italian). Italy's legendary defender would add some steel to any MLS defense. He received some criticism following his move to Real Madrid following the 2006 World Cup, but he won over fans by the end of the season.

Two years still remain on his Madrid contract, but Cannavaro has always kept himself in phenomenal condition. Even at 35 in 2009, he would be an exemplary addition to the league.

Possible destination: Toronto FC.

6. Thierry Henry (age 30, Barcelona, French). The former Arsenal striker has just joined Barcelona and will not be leaving any time soon, but several factors point to a future move to MLS. The newly single Frenchman is close friends with NBA star Tony Parker and has often listed New York as his favorite vacation destination.

He even has some presence here, having been featured on Gillette television advertisements alongside Tiger Woods and Roger Federer. He would terrorize MLS defenses with his pace and ability.

Possible destination: New York Red Bulls, Houston Dynamo, FC Dallas.

7. Juan Sebastian Veron (age 32, Estudiantes, Argentinean). Veron is currently back with his hometown club Estudiantes in Argentina and recently rebuffed repeated efforts to bring him to D.C. United. But while the deal is on ice for now, it may not be completely dead, with D.C. desperate to get a big-name drawing card to add some spice to its impressively solid and well-drilled squad.

Veron has plenty of ability and while his work ethic has sometimes been questioned, he would certainly be effective in MLS.

Possible destination: D.C. United.

8. Ryan Giggs (age 33, Manchester United, Welsh). Giggs was the predecessor to David Beckham at Manchester United, becoming a teenage icon after breaking through as a 17-year-old. He subsequently took a step back from the high life, but continued to excel on the field and has won a record nine Premiership titles.

His United contract ends next year and he is expected to retire, but he could be tempted by a switch to MLS.

Possible destination: New England Revolution, Colorado Rapids.

9. Henrik Larsson (age 35, Helsingborgs, Swedish). Larsson may be impossible to get – after all, he turned down a contract extension at Barcelona to return to Swedish club Helsingborgs. However, there were suggestions that part of that was due to him wanting his children not to grow up in Spain.

He may not have similar reservations about the U.S. Larsson is so much more than just a goal scorer; he would be a gem for MLS.

Possible destination: San Jose Earthquakes.

10. Pierluigi Collina (age 47, retired, Italian). OK, I know it's cheating by choosing a referee as No. 10. But Collina is a cult figure and a truly sensational referee. Scandalously pensioned off in Italy due to his age, the greatest ref in history would be a brilliant addition to MLS and would help improve refereeing standards that are far from perfect.

[Bon_Mot]

Wow!  This guy was either up against a deadline and just threw some spit balls to see what would stick or he underestimates the GM's around the league and doesn't have a good grasp of what would benefit the MLS.

1.  Ronaldo - Not only is he fat, but he's got bad knees, too.  And his work ethic has been challenged.  Let whichever New York franchise that wants him have him - the coach will be gone within three years because there aren't enough pies in all of the Big Apple to satisfy his appetite and there's way too many distractions to keep him focused on soccer.

2.  Zizou - This seems like it could be a "legitimate rumor"...and who wouldn't want a THIRTY-SIX YEAR OLD with a horrible reputation in the states.

3.  Makelele - I have no idea where this came from.  I think this Martin Rogers guy just likes saying "Makelele".  It's fun.  Go ahead.  Say it again.  "Makelele".  If you don't know how to pronouce his name, it's kind of like ukulele as in the Hawaiian guitar which roughly translates into "jumping flee" in English...but I digress...  What does his partner have to do with him coming to the US, and how does Houston enter the picture?  Does Yahoo pay its Sports Writers well?  If so they'll be receiving a resume soon.

4.  Rafa Marquez - I'd like to know what "...there are strong suggestions in Spain..." means.  Who's making these suggestions in Spain?  Is it someone who has witnessed how the fans of the FMF treat their players like gods?  Is it someone who could explain why the captain of the Mexican National Team would play in the domestic league of its most hated rival?

5.  Cannavaro - I don't remember any rumors at all of him coming to the MLS.  But hey, what franchise wouldn't want to spend millions on a THIRTY-FIVE YEAR OLD center back who's under 5'10''?!

6.  Henry - This could actually happen!  One outta ten ain't bad, Martin!

7.  Veron - What's great about this Rogers guy including Veron in his article is that he wrote an article the other day about how Veron NOT coming to the MLS was good for the league.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/news?slug=ro-veron121507&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

8.  Giggs - I would much rather see him as Sir Alex's successor at Man U.

9.  Larsson - Dude, he's thirty-friggin-five.  My over 30 Co-Ed team even considers that old for a forward.  And he even says that Larsson might be "impossible to get."  I'd hate to see that guys Wish List for Christmas.

10.  Collina - Now you're not even trying, Martin Rogers.  Really?!  You couldn't name another old player from one of the top clubs in Europe?  What about Figo or Roberto Carlos?

[SEsoccerplayer]

Reminds me of the media down here regarding soccer knowledge, and background, which is most often NONE. Sorry have to vent a little, but how many soccer games have been covered, then compare that to any other sport?

[sharkfutbol]

I go for Henry and I would even accept a MANU person... geez..  Giggs

[Jsmity]

I cant believe that Fabio Cannavaro is mentioned in this....  ???

[bullets13]

it's not going to make a big difference, even if they get all ten of these guys.  soccer has to grow in popularity before star-power is going to make any real difference at all.  how many people who care nothing about soccer are going to say "hey, they have some french dude named Henry?  i better start going to the games!"  while getting some stars from overseas may bring a few soccer fans into the mix who hated the MLS because in the past it's been slow and boring, i just don't see it making a major impact.  The beckham effect was a one-time deal.  He is recognizable across the US, to soccer lovers and the soccer ignorant alike.  there is no other player like that in the world.  i do think that soccer will continue to grow, however, as more and more young children are beginning to play.  as for the older generations who didn't grow up with it, i don't think there's anything we can do to get their attention, with the exception of a nude jessica simpson halftime performance. 

[sharkfutbol]

I agree with ya bullet.  I can say I still will go watch beckham because he is a legend to us soccer ignorant folks.. His name goes with soccer now days like the name of Pele. You hear beckham you think soccer, or of course spice girls. ha.  But Henry or any of the others would and will not draw like beckham does.