MLS
MLS more diverse than Europe’s major leagues - but which Latin American country has the most MLS players?
MLS ranks top in international representation as well as lowest average age, surpassing all other US sports.
Major League Soccer features the youngest and most diverse group of players unlike any other men’s professional league in North America, the league has revealed.
More than 80 nationalities have participated in MLS, making the US soccer league the world’s most diverse roster of players not only within the various North American men’s professional competitions but Europe as a whole.
MLS beats all major European leagues in terms of diversity
The numbers presented by Major League Soccer is almost double what the NBA put out, with 45 countries represented. It is also more than 3 other leagues put together: the NFL with 31, the NHL with 25 and the MLB with 21 countries represented still makes a total lower than that of MLS.
But, the diversity record does not only stretch to North America, as worldwide, Major League Soccer is the most widely represented league in soccer, surpassing Serie A (70), the Premier League (66), the Bundesliga (64), Ligue 1 (64) and LaLiga (59).
In terms of the countries that contribute to such high numbers of much-welcomed diversity, Argentina has contributed the most players (37), followed by Brazil (36) and then Colombia (32).
Average ages of different sports in the USA (as of April 20)
- MLS 26 years and 129 days.
- NBA 26 years and 167 days.
- NFL 26 years and 320 days.
- NHL 27 years and 155 days
- MLB 29 years and 38 days.