Liga MX an increasingly attractive option for American players SAN ANTONIO -- When the United States takes the field to face Mexico on Wednesday night, up to four of their number could be those who play their club soccer south of the border. Ventura Alvarado, Greg Garza, Joe Corona and William Yarbrough are all part of Jurgen Klinsmann's squad -- Michael Orozco was originally called up before withdrawing through injury -- and each is benefiting from the coach's willingness to look beyond the U.S. for players. Six months ago, few U.S. national team fans would have been aware of Alvarado. The Club America defender had only played four minutes in the Liga MX, a handful of Copa MX games and 21 matches on loan at second-division side Necaxa. http://www.espnfc.us/blog/espn-fc-u...singly-attractive-option-for-american-players
This actually isn't the first time we've had a bunch of players in Mexico. Many USMNT players went to Mexico for the two years between the 1994 World Cup and the first MLS season. Marcelo Balboa, Mike Sorber, Cle Kooiman, and Dominic Kinnear were especially prominent.
It's always been a better league so obviously always has been more attractive. I don't get that this is "news."
An interesting look at Liga MX from the fan side of the equation & why they probably need to start providing content in English along with Spanish: http://www.espnfc.com/mexican-liga-...to-attract-english-speaking-soccer-fans-in-us
were any of them successes though? honestly we should have more Yanks in Mexico. I dont see why Liga MX clubs don't take chances on MLS or even USL players. They can get quality on the real cheap. And it'd be useful as they try to break more and more into the US market.
I only listed the ones who were starters for their Mexican clubs. Kooiman captained Cruz Azul for a season. He is still the only American ever to wear the captain's armband for any Mexican club.
Also, I think there's been some movement of players from the US lower leagues to Ascenso MX lately. Rodrigo Lopez went to the Mexican second tier from Sacramento and did well there, scoring a couple real golazos.