With Hernandez arriving I'm just interested whether he will have a bigger impact than Zlatan did both in terms of on the field performance and off the field impact.
Zlatan was fun, but other than personal glorification did he really have an impact? Chicharito will have the same effect, only without the fun.
I guess just in terms of general awareness for the league. I'm sure his highlights clips and videos etc will have circulated social media and meant some fans will have seen clips of the MLS for the first time really
Chicharito won’t be quite as lethal the goal scorer that Zlatan was but the team will achieve more than they did with Zlatan.
Zlatan was a way bigger deal. Especially since Chicharito announced the move literally crying and saying this is his retirement. Lol
This is weird as Hernandez is only 31 still has a few decent years ahead fo him and could flourish if he comes with the right attitude
How do you define "impact"? Zlatan was a bigger signing in the soccer world, and his highlights + quotes were terrific for league visibility abroad. Chicharito is the biggest Mexican star, and will have a much bigger impact in the LA, Mexican-American and Mexican markets, which are markets that MLS is actively targeting. It's like the difference between getting 1 000 000 followers on social media vs 100 000 new paying customers. What has a bigger impact?
I guess the lasting effect it has on the league in terms of bringing it up towards a standard of a major European one. It would be cool for one day the young American players that are going off and budding in Europe to be instead playing in a very competitive and desirable MLS (without washed up players).
I feel that I should point out that Liga MX is by far the most watched league in the US. If you can get a solid chunk of those eyeballs on MLS, it could be a serious deal for the anemic TV ratings. This is as much about getting the eyeballs of US residents on the league as asses in Galaxy seats. On the field however, what he does is largely down to him re-finding his rhythm and LAG strengthening other areas of concern (primarily the backline and overall team defense). If they don't do that, it'll be another circus that eventually fizzles out.
Zlatan only in it for Zlatan. He scored some goals, they were fun. Thats it for Zlatan. Some players come into the league with the right attitude and change it for the better. Thierry Henry came at what was supposed to be the twilight of his career. He played his heart out and inspired his locker room and except for some bad luck in the playoffs should have been a champion. He is now back in Montreal as head coach and I hope he is there for a long time and that he builds a lasting dynasty in the first team but also in the youth teams and in the league itself. He is soccer royalty, I'm happier to have him in North America versus Harry and Meghan. David Beckham had some trying times, but when healthy he played his heart out. Some of the best games in MLS history are games where Beckham's heart and soul were driving forces. For example: The Beckham Experiment by Grant Wahl is required reading for any MLS fan. He is now back as an ambassador for the league with Inter Miami, FC. Obviously, for all the positives we also have the Rafa Marquez' and Donadoni's who came, played, and left, but thats life. We also have the non-stars who played their hearts out and continue to be committed to the league. The Carl Robinsons, John Wolyniecs, Patrice Bernier's, etc. They are the lifeblood of this league and more players like them will shape the future. I hope Chicharito is more Henry than Zlatan, but even if he's only here for two years, scores some goals, and leaves, I guess we should ask ourselves "are you not entertained?"
An interesting book but Wahl clearly wrote it from the perspective that Beckham would inevitably be leaving and that the experiment was a failure (and I guess in terms of the collaboration between LA Galaxy, MLS and 19 Entertainment, it was but Beckham himself ultimately wasn't). Also felt like Wahl manufactured a little drama where there probably was none. I seem to recall a passage about Chris Klein (who was still a player at that point) not complaining about Becks, but that for a guy as nice as CK, it was somehow telling that he wasn't lavishing praise on him.
Hey, the tall guy needs to sell some books! After I wrote that post I re-ordered a hardback copy for my shelf because I gave my last few copies away. We should all be thankful fro Wahl... if he wanted to make more money he would have become an NFL writer.