“That’s going to be something that you’re going to see more in MLS, is some people bringing in some outside, international players…And I don’t think it’s just because they’re international, it’s because they’re bringing some unique skill.” So said David Alioto, the new executive vice president of what will be the second incarnation of the San Jose Earthquakes, and, according to the San Jose Mercury News, he isn’t just talking about guys who can’t cut it in Europe and South America. Dan Courtemanche, MLS’ senior vice president also echoed similar sentiments recently: “People say, ‘Why don’t you spend more money on marketing?’ I’d rather spend that money on players — Beckham, Ronaldo, Zidane, whoever that might be. That’s a much better way to market the league.” Hmmm, the paper points out that no one is making any specific promises, so this could be “an elaborate ruse to drum up interest in Major League Soccer.” In response to these comments, the Merc runs through a list of potential MLS candidates, listing David Beckham as the most likely to make the crossover (at some point in his career), at even odds. Ronaldo came second at 3-1, Zinedine Zidane, who has on several occasions said he’s retiring from the game, third at 20-1, English speaking Luis Figo, less likely at 75-1, and young Cristiano Ronaldo (which is never going to happen), 100-1 odds to make it to the States.