Interesting article, including the following tidbits: Clint Dempsey: First MLS contract in 2004 had a guaranteed salary of $40,625. Four-year contract with the Seattle Sounders that will pay him a league-record $6.695 million this season Michael Bradley: Was making less than $36,000 when he left MLS for a 10-year playing tour in Europe. When he returned in January, he got $6.5 million to play with Toronto FC. http://www.latimes.com/sports/soccer/la-sp-us-world-cup-mls-20140601-story.html
The World Cup in 94 had to have some effect, to be sure. Im convinced its impact however ranks below cable, the internet and video games. I have to laugh at that line: Pele, who tried and failed to help te sport gain a foothold... Why dismiss the influence of Nasl like that?
The biggest by product of the 1994 World Cup to me was creation of MLS. The biggest by product of the NASL was the structure MLS had and has. The former allowed MLS to happen, but the latter is why it did not fold in 2002. Having patience has allowed for generation to grow up with the sport and supporter culture and general interest to grow. Big moves such as smart expansion and DPs have accelerated the process. To me another World Cup (2026?) in the US would have an even bigger impact than 1994 did and could see MLS finally be in realistic discussions of being the fifth major sporting league in the US/Canada.