MLS no longer chasing stars as players now push for U.S. move

Alfonso Mondelo (Barakaldo, 1958) is a soccer legend in the United States. After successful spells with the New York Red Bulls and the Puerto Rico national team, MLS tapped him to help lead a new era in American soccer. First came Lionel Messi and the wave of “Messi-mania” that followed his arrival. Next up, starting this summer, is Antoine Griezmann, set to join Orlando City.

According to MLS’s competition director, the move had been agreed for March, but the Frenchman himself delayed it. His goal was to win a domestic title with Atlético Madrid and make another push in the Champions League. One last chapter with the club of his life before heading to the United States.

“He’s a player clubs have been tracking for a long time. He was supposed to join last month, in March, but because of his form and importance to Atlético Madrid, who were still competing in the Copa del Rey and in the Champions League semifinals, he asked to stay through the end of the season,” Mondelo said during an MLS roundtable.

MLS has been pursuing the French forward for some time. There was an initial approach last season that didn’t go through, also due to the player’s decision. He has never hidden his desire to live in the United States, a country he visits regularly and where he closely follows the NFL and NBA. Starting this summer, Florida will have another star.

“Griezmann wants to come play in the United States. He loves the American lifestyle. He’s seeing the growth of this league, which is attracting many players. It’s not like when MLS first started, when we almost had to beg players to come. Now players are the ones asking to join the league because they see its growth and long-term future,” Mondelo added.

Retirement league? “The players here, even those who are older, are ones any team in the world would want. Messi, Son, who may be among the oldest we have… Griezmann, who will arrive, is still one of Atlético Madrid’s most important players. The recruitment policy has changed. Most of the international players coming in now are around 24 years old. That says a lot about MLS. It’s not just about well-known veterans, but also young players who make a name for themselves here before moving on to other leagues.”

World Cup: “This is a country that rallies around its national team. Americans are very patriotic, and there will be tremendous support. We have players at some of the best clubs in the world, regularly competing in tournaments like the Champions League. We’ve had a couple of results that weren’t ideal, but we believe Pochettino will have a squad with real depth. We expect to have a strong World Cup.”

Growing fan base: “Americans under 40 have almost all played soccer at some point. It’s not like years ago, in the days of Pelé, when parents would take their kids to games without really understanding the sport. Now almost everyone has played it, and that, along with the recent impact of women’s soccer, which has been very successful, has made a difference. It’s much easier now for families to go to stadiums, and you can see that happening.”

Pochettino: “He’s a coach with a great track record. He’s brought new, fresh ideas to the national team. Expectations are high because we have players at top clubs. There will be patience, but the pressure is growing. Results matter, and the pressure will be there. At a minimum, this team has to get out of the group stage and then go as far as possible. Otherwise, it will be considered an underwhelming World Cup.”

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.