A number of MLS teams have recently used the designated player rule to bring in a number of talented players to the league. Adding these talents can only be good for developing young American players. Thierry Henry, Geovanni, Rafael Marquez, and others are all great competitors who can really challenge young American players. For instance Omar Gonzalez showed that he was up to the challenge of defending Thierry Henry in the recent Red Bulls v. Los Angeles game. These sorts of challenges can help young players in MLS become world class players in the future.

This level of development also has a knock on effect for the lower US divisions. For instance Luis Gil, a very talented young American plying his trade with Real Salt Lake, has been loaned to AC St. Louis in USSF Division 2. The level of talent is high enough now in MLS that this young star needed to be loaned out to get playing time. USSF Division 2 has shown that it isn’t short of talent as it is comprised of teams that have competed well in the CONCACAF Champions Cup in the past. This league is poised to host many younger US talents like Gil, who is still only 16 years old. There is more good news about the development of US soccer players.

The U-20 US national team recently finished first in the Milk Cup, which is a major non-Fifa tournament. A number of exciting young players on that team also ply their trade in MLS. Juan Agudelo, Fuad Ibrahim, and Tristan Bowen are just some examples. Without a number of talents like Sebastien Lletget, Jack McInerney, and Amobi Okugo the U-20 team showed very well. It is rare that a US youth national team has had this much depth. This team may go far next year in Colombia during the 2011 World Youth Championship.