With the retirement of Eddie Pope and his appointment to the MLS Players Union, there is hope that there will be a higher profile for MLS players in America. Looking at the big picture, its not just getting MLS soccer players on the card board trading cards. The players union gets revenue from such marketing which should be going back into the player's pockets. MLS has done very little to market the players. Sure you can get a FIRE hat or a United replica jersey, but that money goes to the owners. When a players union approves a card set using the player's images, it can and should get the revenues from that project. In other sports this revenue is shared by even the rookies to help suppliment their income. So if you have been wondering why the NHL hockey and MLB baseball has regularly issued five to six cards sets each year, it is partly because of the players unions. Of course demand has alot to do with it as well. I've put this issue in this forum to make people (not just collectors) aware of the financial gains (or lack there of). If the rest of the world is getting to see our players on cardboard, why can MLS ? The following are some samples of pre-MLS and former MLS players on licensed collectables. Enjoy !
A good place to start as any is with some of the veteran coaches: New England Revolution's coaching staff - Paul Mariner & Steve Nicol note: they spelled Steve's name a little different.
No one American players has appeared on more cards and collectables than Cobi Jones. Here are two nice ones from England.
Here are 2 cards from one of my favorite sets. The club crest is stitched in the background. Preki actually did play for Everton. Although Vinny Jones never played MLS, he is now in California and plays for Hollywood F.C. - so I choose to exhibit his card (if that's a problem, take it up with him).
Here are two of the first MLS players - both from a rare Mexican set. Jorge Campos & Hugo Sanchez. note: Sanchez is pictured in a Real Madrid kit.
Before the short lived MLS career of Shaka Hislop. He was a player in the EPL (West Ham United). Alexi Lalas before the suit and ties (Padova). That's all for today ...
Sorry about this next bunch ... some of these guys wrote on the cards ... like I did't know their name already. (What ? ... it's call an autograph ?) - never mind. A couple of guys with short stays in MLS ... thank God for one, too bad about the other. Both have gone on to manage National Teams. Lothar Matthaus & Roberto Donandoni. Enjoy !
Here are a few rarer cards of MLS stars Earnie Stewart (Willem II) and John Harkes (Sheffield Wednesday)
Re: MLS on cardboard - the big effect Two giants in the EPL - now MLS: Ruud Gullit (Chelsea) and Jamie Moreno (Middlesboro) from a rare Subbuteo set.
This is one of my favorite cards. It is significant for several reasons: 1. Any good DC United fan will recognize that this photo was taken at RFK Stadium in Washington. TOPPS used its American connections for Topps UK release. Too bad they didn't do an NASL set. 2. It was a rare occasion when England played in YELLOW jerseys for the Bicentennial Cup of 1976 - featuring Team USA (with Pele and Bobby Moore), Italy, Brazil and England. If Topps had done a set it could have included Bobby Moore, George Best and Rondey Marsh.