So, I normally avoid conversations like this (in life in general) because I absolutely hate how toxic and polarizing that they can become.
But I really appreciate you having the courage to start the discussion, Kartik.
Not just because of your vast understanding (including professional and personal) of so many of the nuances involved but also the approach that you take when discussing intense issues.
This has been concern for me for almost 15 years. In the randomness of my life as a fan, after attending the Charleston Battery-DC United Open Cup Final that night, I had the chance to share a metro (subway) ride with one of the immigration lawyers that worked for MLS.
It was one of those times where someone involved in the business of the sport opted to pull back the curtain and invite me into their professional/intellectual space. When people do, I give them my complete attention.
I have never forgotten that conversation.
He told me which DC United international and other league players he was contracted by MLS to help obtain their green cards in order to transition from taking up an international roster spot to being considered a “domestic” player.
This has been a part of MLS business equations longer than probably the emphasis of analytics of players’ on the field performance.
I was able to help connect the dots due to the time in my life a few years before that I had previously studied and prepared to go through the process to become a consular official for the US State Department.
It also was after I had been privileged to have been granted access to the Puerto Rico Islanders “war room” and a few front office staff took the time to walk me through the P-1A and related process for a few family members of their big name Argentine players. They mapped out moves on white board (just like they did with me around for travel budgets and other operating functions).
When the lawyer for MLS broke down what he did on the train (and probably not meeting a fan that actually cared about the subject or had previous points of reference) he shared more insights about the strategies he and the league used to achieve their desired outcome.
I found it fascinating.
Bringing it back to the discussion that you have started, Kartik: My goal of sharing some of my interactions when I was an active fan is to again reiterate that this has been an issue.
It merits a respectful and thoughtful discourse. The default doesn’t have to just be accusations of unwelcoming to newcomers, being opposed to free market principles or meritocracy.
I also feel like it is not unlike the concern that I have over the number of NCAA and NAIA scholarships being awarded to foreign players (much more of an imbalance on the men’s side) when compared to American players. I think that also flies under the radar.
It is likely that the NWSL and USL Super League will lead the way in featuring mainly AMERICAN-raised players. When those teams' valuations and the marketing power of its players eclipse that of the men's sides, then the narrative will flip decisively towards American talent.
Speaking of money/budget, for the men's side, U.S. raised players will have an economic advantage of foreign imports in being able to survive on a lower salary (thanks to help from family and friends in the U.S.) as well as not needing extensive legal relocation and legal and visa fees. Considering starting salaries in the 30K range, $5K in legal and visa fees to import a foreign player would be extravagant.
USL's embrace of the U.S. Open Cup likewise results in publicity and revenue opportunities for numerous semi-pro and amateur clubs that will result in more opportunities for U.S. raised players to go pro.
TLDR: USL ecosystem will nurture American talent far more than the MLS ever will.
I think is spot-on. Certainly, there are more and more USLC players that played domestically in HD and/or college who are going to count as American for roster purposes. The other thing to note is that the opportunity for young American players seems to come more from NextPro. That league is proving to be a much larger piece of development for those players.
So, I normally avoid conversations like this (in life in general) because I absolutely hate how toxic and polarizing that they can become.
But I really appreciate you having the courage to start the discussion, Kartik.
Not just because of your vast understanding (including professional and personal) of so many of the nuances involved but also the approach that you take when discussing intense issues.
This has been concern for me for almost 15 years. In the randomness of my life as a fan, after attending the Charleston Battery-DC United Open Cup Final that night, I had the chance to share a metro (subway) ride with one of the immigration lawyers that worked for MLS.
It was one of those times where someone involved in the business of the sport opted to pull back the curtain and invite me into their professional/intellectual space. When people do, I give them my complete attention.
I have never forgotten that conversation.
He told me which DC United international and other league players he was contracted by MLS to help obtain their green cards in order to transition from taking up an international roster spot to being considered a “domestic” player.
This has been a part of MLS business equations longer than probably the emphasis of analytics of players’ on the field performance.
I was able to help connect the dots due to the time in my life a few years before that I had previously studied and prepared to go through the process to become a consular official for the US State Department.
It also was after I had been privileged to have been granted access to the Puerto Rico Islanders “war room” and a few front office staff took the time to walk me through the P-1A and related process for a few family members of their big name Argentine players. They mapped out moves on white board (just like they did with me around for travel budgets and other operating functions).
When the lawyer for MLS broke down what he did on the train (and probably not meeting a fan that actually cared about the subject or had previous points of reference) he shared more insights about the strategies he and the league used to achieve their desired outcome.
I found it fascinating.
Bringing it back to the discussion that you have started, Kartik: My goal of sharing some of my interactions when I was an active fan is to again reiterate that this has been an issue.
It merits a respectful and thoughtful discourse. The default doesn’t have to just be accusations of unwelcoming to newcomers, being opposed to free market principles or meritocracy.
I also feel like it is not unlike the concern that I have over the number of NCAA and NAIA scholarships being awarded to foreign players (much more of an imbalance on the men’s side) when compared to American players. I think that also flies under the radar.
Thanks, again so much for introducing it, here.
As always, maximum respect!
It is likely that the NWSL and USL Super League will lead the way in featuring mainly AMERICAN-raised players. When those teams' valuations and the marketing power of its players eclipse that of the men's sides, then the narrative will flip decisively towards American talent.
Speaking of money/budget, for the men's side, U.S. raised players will have an economic advantage of foreign imports in being able to survive on a lower salary (thanks to help from family and friends in the U.S.) as well as not needing extensive legal relocation and legal and visa fees. Considering starting salaries in the 30K range, $5K in legal and visa fees to import a foreign player would be extravagant.
USL's embrace of the U.S. Open Cup likewise results in publicity and revenue opportunities for numerous semi-pro and amateur clubs that will result in more opportunities for U.S. raised players to go pro.
TLDR: USL ecosystem will nurture American talent far more than the MLS ever will.
I think is spot-on. Certainly, there are more and more USLC players that played domestically in HD and/or college who are going to count as American for roster purposes. The other thing to note is that the opportunity for young American players seems to come more from NextPro. That league is proving to be a much larger piece of development for those players.