Garber sees MLS aiming for more Lodeiro, Giovinco-types instead of aging stars

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber believes his league is in transition when it comes to star players.

Associated Press | Dec 8, 2016

Garber sees MLS aiming for more Lodeiro, Giovinco-types instead of aging stars /

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber believes his league is in transition when it comes to star players.

It's a youth movement slowly taking hold as teams shift from older designated players to younger options to fill the premier roles.

"Without doubt the target is younger players who are coming at the prime of their career or even as they're beginning to establish their career," Garber said.

Garber spoke with The Associated Press by phone this week leading to Saturday's MLS Cup final between Seattle and Toronto, discussing the hiring of national coach Bruce Arena and league expansion to Atlanta and Minnesota in 2017.

The evolution of the designated player role is tilting younger, with some of the bigger and older names leaving. Stars like Sebastian Giovinco, Mauro Diaz and Jozy Altidore are in their prime and spending that time in MLS.

End to elusive major trophy quest within reach for Toronto FC's Michael Bradley

That's not to say MLS will close the door on prominent players looking to the league as a place to spend their final few seasons—in the manner of Robbie Keane, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Andrea Pirlo. David Villa at 34 was the MLS MVP this season, and Garber raves about his role.

But Garber suspects the older stars will supplement the league as it moves forward.

"The strategy in the past might have been to sign players that were well known who have already established their legend playing someplace else," Garber said. "Now we're able to bring in a (Nicolas) Lodeiro who is an accomplished player at 28, but he's the MLS newcomer of the year and we're hoping he can create a legend for himself in Major League Soccer and in Seattle.

"Certainly Sebastian Giovinco has been able to prove that, and Giovani dos Santos who has seen his career really rise to an entirely new level by playing in (Los Angeles). It's part of the evolution of our league."

Insider Notes: MLS to significantly increase TAM spread across the league

The tipping point, Garber believes, has been the success of Giovinco, who signed with Toronto in 2015 at 28 and was the league MVP in his first season. Garber also noted the performances of Ignacio Piatti in Montreal and Diego Valeri in Portland as key signings in helping create the shift.

"Somebody told me the other day it's OK to give those guys who helped get us here a gold watch," Garber said. "But now it's time to sign players who are younger, who aren't thinking about that gold watch. They're thinking about winning some silverware, the MLS Cup trophy."

Among other topics Garber addressed as MLS completes its 21st season:

U.S. SOCCER: Garber expects a strong relationship between Arena and the league, but did not address whether Arena's appointment will lead to more MLS players being considered for the national team. Garber also remained confident of the U.S. qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia despite losing its first two matches in the final qualifying round.

"We're obviously very excited about him taking the reins of our national team," Garber said. "He knows our league. He knows our national team and he's deeply experienced in knowing the game and managing the game."

Potential, future soccer stadiums in America

North Carolina FC

The Raleigh bid for an MLS expansion team unveiled a stadium plan for a downtown venue within the boundaries of Peace St., Salisbury St., Lane St. and the N.C. Railroad easement.

Miami

David Beckham's ownership group in Miami has released a rendering for a stadium in the Overtown neighborhood, the latest desired site for an MLS expansion bid that kicked off in 2014.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati doesn't yet have a nailed-down location for an MLS stadium, but the expansion hopeful has released renderings for a 25,000-seat stadium inspired by Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati doesn't yet have a nailed-down location for an MLS stadium, but the expansion hopeful has released renderings for a 25,000-seat stadium inspired by Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati doesn't yet have a nailed-down location for an MLS stadium, but the expansion hopeful has released renderings for a 25,000-seat stadium inspired by Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati doesn't yet have a nailed-down location for an MLS stadium, but the expansion hopeful has released renderings for a 25,000-seat stadium inspired by Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

Portland Timbers

The Timbers are adding 4,000 seats as part of a $50 million renovation to Providence Park.

Portland Timbers

The Timbers are adding 4,000 seats as part of a $50 million renovation to Providence Park.

Atlanta United FC

Atlanta United will share Mercedes-Benz Stadium along with the Atlanta Falcons in a state-of-the-art venue.