The MLS Evolution: From Retirement League to Global Talent Hub

Historically, MLS has been seen as a league for aging stars nearing the twilight of their careers, Americans, and South Americans who couldn’t quite make it in the top leagues of their continent. I can’t pinpoint the exact moment that changed, but that era is over.

Today, players are coming to MLS as a proving ground—a launchpad for the next step in their careers. The league is attracting high-quality players in their prime, many of whom casual MLS fans may not even recognize, but who are legitimate top-tier talents. Signings like Jonathan Bamba (a massive addition), Kévin Denkey, Emmanuel Latte Lath, and Danley Jean Jacques are clear indicators of this shift. These are players who could have easily continued their careers in Europe but chose MLS instead.

Even our young stars are beginning to stay and develop here rather than feeling pressured to make an early jump abroad. The once-prevailing fear of missing a singular opportunity to play overseas is fading as MLS provides more viable pathways. Players like Benjamin Cremaschi, who is blossoming in Miami, and Jack McGlynn, who opted to remain in MLS by joining the Houston Dynamo for an expanded role, exemplify this growing trend.

It’s not just young domestic talent that sees MLS as a place to grow—world-class prospects are making the move as well. Leonardo Barroso recently joined the Chicago Fire from Sporting Portugal, while last season, Federico Redondo turned down Premier League interest to join Inter Miami alongside the great Lionel Messi. Even 18-year-old Ecuadorian striker Allen Obando has been rumored to be linked with Inter Miami.

However, for a league to be truly healthy, it must not only develop young talent but also retain established players while earning respect from other leagues. That validation is now evident in MLS, as demonstrated by this transfer window’s outgoing moves. It’s no longer just European clubs scouting MLS talent—South American leagues, which historically would rarely take MLS players for free, are now paying millions in transfer fees. This shift benefits both sides: MLS players gain opportunities in historically great South American leagues, while those leagues themselves become more well-rounded.

Some might argue that many of these transfers involve South American players returning to their home continent, but if you look at this transfer window’s outgoing moves, these are players who made their names in MLS. This is the natural lifecycle of a thriving league.

It’s no surprise that Opta recently ranked MLS as a top-ten league—though, personally, I think that might be a bit premature we are surely not far off. Here’s a look at some of the outgoing transfers MLS has made so far this window:

Atlanta United FC

•Caleb Wiley: Transferred to Chelsea FC (England) in July 2024 for $11 million!

•Thiago Almada: Moved to Botafogo (Brazil) in summer 2024 for $30 million!

•Santiago Sosa: Joined Racing Club (Argentina) on January 1, 2025, for $4 million.

Austin FC

•Jhojan Valencia: Transferred to Universidad Católica (Chile) on December 19, 2024.

Columbus crew

Columbus Crew made several huge moves such as Cucho Hernández to Real Betis and Aidan Morris to Middlesbrough last year.

Chicago Fire FC

•Tobias Salquist: Moved to FC Nordsjælland (Denmark) on January 2, 2025.

D.C. United

• True U.S. soccer product and DC United defender Matai Akinmboni transferred to AFC Bournemouth (England) for over a million euros.