Since its inception in 1993, the MLS has consistently been an attractive league for fans and players, but the reasons for this have evolved over the years.
Until not so long ago, it was seen as a league in which top players went to prolong their careers and retire with a big contract.
Some of the biggest stars from the EPL, La Liga, and Serie A have had spells in the USA, including David Beckham, Andrea Pirlo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, Kaká, Wayne Rooney, David Villa, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba, to name a few.
Those players helped the league get attention and sponsors while raising interest in football (soccer) in the USA.
However, in the last few years, the clubs have been shifting towards a more progressive approach to conducting their business, focusing on identifying talent in undervalued leagues (mainly South America), developing it, and selling it for a profit.
A league that back in the day paid high fees for players in the last stages of their careers, like Defoe (31), Dempsey (30), Giovani dos Santos (28), or Robbie Keane (31), is now receiving even higher fees for young players they’ve previously acquired at a lower price.
The top-5 sales in MLS history have happened in the last three seasons, with Miguel Almirón being sold to Newcastle (€24m), Ricardo Pepi to Augsburg (€16.4m), Gonzalo Martínez to Al-Nassr (€16m), Alphonso Davies to Bayern (€10m), and Daryl Dike to West Brom (€8.6m).
This is the result of a great recruitment and development strategy.
With the MLS 2022 starting today, in this data analysis, we’ll have a look at four U21 signings that could make a difference this season and become the next big transfer to a top league.
Thiago Almada Scout Report, 20, Argentina Vélez Sarsfield To Atlanta United
Thiago Almada is the best-known name in this data analysis.
The 2001-born Argentinian attacking midfielder has been linked to clubs in Europe for a long time now, and he’s been one of the highest-regarded wonderkids in video games for some time too, so he’s become a household name for lots of football fans.
Born in Buenos Aires, Almada came through Vélez Sarsfield’s academy and played exactly 100 official games for their first team, scoring 24 goals and registering 11 assists in all competitions.
In 2021, he played 46 games (12 goals and 7 assists).
He has represented Argentina at U20 and U23 levels but hasn’t made his senior international debut yet.
Atlanta United has paid €14.5 million for him and has set a buyout clause of just €25 million, allowing them to cash in on him quickly if he performs well.
Almada stands out for his creativity and contribution in terms of goals and assists.
In the last year, he averaged 0.26 non-penalty goals and 0.2 assists per 90, both among the best attacking midfielders in Argentina.
He
