There are quite a few soccer legends that made it big in the world’s top leagues and international competitions, and are now investing and tying their future with the MLS. From big names like Chelsea player-now-manager Frank Lampard, ex Liverpool and England national-team captain Steven Gerrard, La Liga and Spain International David Villa and many more arrived to the US to take part in one of the most exciting and interesting soccer projects around the world – Major League Soccer.
Some arrive just as players on tour, and after spending a few seasons in the MLS go back to their home countries, whilst others that realize the potential of top-flight soccer in the US come back and invest a lot of their future in Major League Soccer. One example that is getting a lot of attention in the international soccer scene, and also brought a lot of well-needed fame to the MLS is Inter-Miami owner, and ex LA Galaxy player David Beckham. Another English-Premier league figure that also played in the past in Major League Soccer and is now back for a managerial position is Thierry Henry.
The Former French International is considered by many the greatest striker of all times, and has often been crowned the greatest striker in the history of the English Premier League. Henry started his professional soccer career in Monaco, and in 1999 moved to EPL’s Arsenal, where he starred until 2007 and moved on to FC Barcelona.
In 2010, Henry came to the US and spent four years playing for Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls until 2014. This winter, Thierry Henry came to America again, this time as head coach for Canadian MLS club Montreal Impact. Like everyone else in Major League Soccer, and in other major sports in the US, he was caught by a COVID-19 lockdown at what seems to be the worse time.
Henry was busy building a team that will follow his principles and mentality. “Intensity, toughness, never give up attitude and hard work,” he listed as the core foundation to build on. “Style will come, it takes time. But you need that in abundance. We had that before we stopped, so hopefully we can have that when we start,” he added.
And although not perfect, the beginning of the MLS season that was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic did start on a positive note for Montreal Impact. On their first game at home before the league was suspended two games into the 2020 season, the Impact won 2-1 against New England Revolution, and on the second match managed to draw 2-2 on the road against strong MLS side FC Dallas. They also advanced in the Concacaf Champions league round of 16. And then the momentum that Henry started to build just came to a grinding halt.
Henry’s Impact made a few impressive signings from Europe, including Designated Player Victor Wanyama, a Kenyan International midfielder from EPL’s Tottenham Hotspur; as well as Luis Binks, a young defender also from Tottenham; Orji Okwonkwo from Bologna and more young and promising talent. On the transfers, and how they show the direction that Major League Soccer is now taking, Henry said: “For me, the biggest thing is the fact that teams are buying players from the Mexican league and managing to get players from Europe earlier,” he asserted. “I don’t think this could have happened before. Teams are getting players earlier…this is a sign the league is evolving.”
On a video call this Tuesday Henry was talking about the potential of Major League Soccer: “Let the league grow and, I don’t know how far this league can go and it’s up to us to elevate the league. But the league has no limit,” he said, but still urged for patience adding that “you need time to reach that level.” If there’s any part of Henry Thierry’s level of soccer he is planning to bring to the MLS, it’s definitely going to be worth our wait.
