Tom of Winter Park, Fla. asks: Why do these young Americans who are playing overseas think that playing for a second-rate league such as MLS is going to improve ability. And why is the USSF so selfish or dense to think that bringing these young players to America is going to improve American soccer and increase MLS revenue? I travel occasionally to watch the Mutiny play, but if Tampa Bay picks up some young kid who is excelling overseas, I’m not going to go to any more games than I usually would. If you do respond, please don’t send some dribble about how these players see little playing time and their skills are suffering because of it. Those who play in second-rate overseas leagues are tiers above what the MLS can provide. Mike Woitalla: Tom, I will try not to dribble or drivel. But IÆll start by splitting a hair: ItÆs MLS, not the U.S. Soccer Federation, that brings Americans players back to the United States. And if an American is indeed excelling, then itÆs unlikely that he will return. Why would he? HeÆs getting experience and good pay. But letÆs get to the most intriguing part of your question in which you claim second-rate overseas leagues are superior to MLS. That depends on what league youÆre talking about. Ante Razov is probably pretty well off playing in the Spanish Second Division. But even that league, which I am told plays a decent brand of soccer, is not ôtiersö about MLS. (In fact, U.S. coach Bruce Arena says it is no better.) Landon Donovan was playing in the German Fourth Division and the German soccer experts I consulted — besides myself — agreed that he was wasting his time at that level. Lower-tier soccer in Europe doesnÆt necessarily have more to offer a young American player than MLS. In certain cases, the playing style — if weÆre talking England or Germany — may not be the best to develop skills. ThatÆs not say a player like Steve Cherundolo isnÆt profiting from playing in Hannover. For one, he is getting playing time, which is absolutely crucial because no matter how good a league is, you donÆt improve on the bench. Secondly, on- and off-field experiences in a foreign country can prove extremely valuable to the development of a young player. As far as MLS profiting from bringing players back: Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, I can assure you that DonovanÆs arrival has created renewed interest in a team that has floundered for years. Gus Kartes — who has joined the Mutiny after spending his teens in Greece — may not be big attendance draw. But he is a talented player and is likely to be just as good — or better — than Americans who have spent four years in college ball. He could turn out to be a very good addition to MLS. Obviously, for American soccer to progress overall it needs to have a number of players getting overseas experience. In fact, only a handful of nations have leagues strong enough to base a successful national team on. The good news is that MLS is strong enough to provide a option for American players who donÆt want to play abroad, or who wouldnÆt get enough playing time in top foreign leagues. I donÆt it has hurt Bobby Convey to play alongside Marco Etcheverry and against the likes of Leonel Alvarez. (If you have a question for a Soccer America Magazine editor, click “Ask Our Editorsö at the top of the home page.”)