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©2007 MarvelHaiti.com. All Rights Reserved.
Shaping the Perception of Haiti
Count Thierry Henry among MLS believers
By Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports October 18, 2007
Critics of Major League Soccer can deride the standard of play all they want, but they will not prevent the arrival of more
international superstars over the next few years.
While he probably won't turn up in MLS for at least three years, French striker Thierry Henry has given the league a huge lift by
revealing he plans to end his career in New York.
By Martin Rogers, Yahoo! Sports October 18, 2007
Critics of Major League Soccer can deride the standard of play all they want, but they will not prevent the arrival of more
international superstars over the next few years.
While he probably won't turn up in MLS for at least three years, French striker Thierry Henry has given the league a huge lift by
revealing he plans to end his career in New York.
Henry's comments in the New York Times reflect the increased interest in MLS
around the worldwide soccer community. They're a barometer of how more
leading players are considering following David Beckham across the Atlantic.
Henry, 30, is under contract at Barcelona until 2011 and feelings can obviously
change. But read his words and make up your own mind.
"I always say that one day I can play over there," Henry said. "I would love to. It's
still early.
"Don't get me wrong, I just love the U.S. I don't know why. I love the way you live. I
love American sports. For me, it's a dream to go to training and then see a game
of football, basketball, whatever game. For me, New York is the best city in the
world."
The pedigree of Henry is beyond question or reproach. In seven years with
Arsenal, he became one of the most influential players in English Premiership
history, finishing as the runner-up for the 2003 and 2004 FIFA World Player of the
Year awards.
He is still regarded as one of the world's best strikers, and in Europe, he is an
icon few can claim to parallel
around the worldwide soccer community. They're a barometer of how more
leading players are considering following David Beckham across the Atlantic.
Henry, 30, is under contract at Barcelona until 2011 and feelings can obviously
change. But read his words and make up your own mind.
"I always say that one day I can play over there," Henry said. "I would love to. It's
still early.
"Don't get me wrong, I just love the U.S. I don't know why. I love the way you live. I
love American sports. For me, it's a dream to go to training and then see a game
of football, basketball, whatever game. For me, New York is the best city in the
world."
The pedigree of Henry is beyond question or reproach. In seven years with
Arsenal, he became one of the most influential players in English Premiership
history, finishing as the runner-up for the 2003 and 2004 FIFA World Player of the
Year awards.
He is still regarded as one of the world's best strikers, and in Europe, he is an
icon few can claim to parallel
When I compiled a list of international stars Major League Soccer should look to sign, plenty of readers questioned the decision to
include Henry at No. 6. The common complaint: "Why would a worldwide superstar such as Henry want to come and play in North
America?"
But those who love to bash MLS overlook a key factor – lifestyle. Sure, the standard of play is not yet close to the levels of the
leading European leagues, but the fact remains that plenty of people want to come here.
include Henry at No. 6. The common complaint: "Why would a worldwide superstar such as Henry want to come and play in North
America?"
But those who love to bash MLS overlook a key factor – lifestyle. Sure, the standard of play is not yet close to the levels of the
leading European leagues, but the fact remains that plenty of people want to come here.
For the thousands of Europeans who flock to New York City on vacation
each year, it feels like the center of the universe. For a man like Henry,
who cannot escape the spotlight wherever he treads in his own continent,
the anonymity he is afforded when he visits the Big Apple is refreshing
and enticing.
And take note MLS bashers: Players, coaches and people in the
international soccer world no longer look upon the American game with
tilted-nose scorn. There is a general level of fascination with how much
progress soccer can make here. There's an acceptance that serious
growth is inevitable.
Now, I fully expect another stream of emails criticizing MLS with claims
that Henry will only come to the U.S. for a final payday, or that he'll be
looking for an easier ride in a lower-level league in the twilight of his
career. Such statements are insulting to one of the finest players on the
planet.
each year, it feels like the center of the universe. For a man like Henry,
who cannot escape the spotlight wherever he treads in his own continent,
the anonymity he is afforded when he visits the Big Apple is refreshing
and enticing.
And take note MLS bashers: Players, coaches and people in the
international soccer world no longer look upon the American game with
tilted-nose scorn. There is a general level of fascination with how much
progress soccer can make here. There's an acceptance that serious
growth is inevitable.
Now, I fully expect another stream of emails criticizing MLS with claims
that Henry will only come to the U.S. for a final payday, or that he'll be
looking for an easier ride in a lower-level league in the twilight of his
career. Such statements are insulting to one of the finest players on the
planet.
The man is a competitor and that personality trait is a constant theme running through his life. It will still be in place when he
makes his likely move to New York.
Source: sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AonfpR3tdPmnpcn_InpTpuAmw7YF?slug=ro-henry101807&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
makes his likely move to New York.
Source: sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_ylt=AonfpR3tdPmnpcn_InpTpuAmw7YF?slug=ro-henry101807&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
