Clive Charles owes a debt to Major League Soccer for the historic success of his U.S. Olympic team.
But for MLS, thereÆs no way the United States would have done as well.
What does MLS gain from the success of the U.S. Olympians?
The march to Sydney generated a lot of favorable press for the menÆs game in general and MLS in particular.
(By contrast, the U.S. women suffered from the huge expectations placed on them to repeat as Olympic champions and were bashed for their negative tactics in advancing to the gold-medal game against Norway.)
Nine of the 11 U.S. starters against Japan have played in MLS, and five have been members of MLSÆs Project-40 development program.
MLS has proved itself as a successful training ground for young players.
For all the talk about Americans going abroad, only one American, U.S. midfielder John OÆBrien in his third professional season in the Netherlands, has headed to Europe out of high school and made it.
Jovan Kirovski, who once had the makings of a promising career in Germany, now languishes on the bench at Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon.
It remains to be seen if Landon Donovan, surely the most heralded talent U.S. soccer has ever produced, will succeed at German powerhouse Bayer Leverkusen.
The problem MLS will face is keeping its budding stars.
Danny Califf attracted the attention of European scouts with his play in the back early in the Olympics.
ThereÆs been speculation that D.C. UnitedÆs Chris Albright, who had a good tournament, and Ben Olsen, who struggled with injuries, will head to Europe.
ItÆs great that MLS is developing young players, but it faces a huge credibility problem if it canÆt keep the talent it produces.