On the possibility of MLS linking up with USL Pro

MLS to link up with USL Pro

Let’s see how this all works out but it is encouraging to me that different levels of the game are working together to try and come up with ideas.
We have been notorious in this country for operating as individual entities in soccer.

Apparently if an MLS city has USL Pro team nearby, MLS will provide 5 players and pay their salary.
If there’s no USL Pro team the MLS reserve side will become a new, permanent team in USL Pro.
All USL Pro teams will have an MLS affiliate where apparently player movement will occur.

The challenge is still to accelerate player development and this potentially can bring more games to player 25-30 on the MLS roster.

Will there be mechanism’s in place for players to move in and out of USL Pro teams? Can an injured player get a game there before being re-introduced to the full first team?
Will Dynamo midfielder Oscar Boniek Garcia be flying to Tuscson to play in a USL PRO game to re-hab an injury, unlikely.
The fact is in many places around the world players have incentive in place and have the opportunity consistently in top reserve league’s to play in front of coaching staff’s.
This is motivating.
Simply ask yourself how much farther along many MLS players would be with consistent games and not just laboring through a summer of training?
We also must consider the quality of play that will potentially come with this and how this will be unique to different markets.

Geography plays a role in this also.

Lets also not forget the financial side of an agreement like this but for sure money spent on developing players to take on more roles of responsibility is a necessary investment.

As for Academy players graduating into MLS squads few have had impact as consistent starters and these players would benefit greatly from this next step.

It is positive that discussion and possibility is being examined.

Twitter: GlennDavisSoc