America: Where a different kind of football is king. Though football – or soccer – doesn’t have nearly the pull in the U.S. of sports like gridiron football, college football and basketball, Major League Soccer has been gaining prestige of late.
By managing to attract Premier League legends like David Beckham and more recent stars like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard along with former European superstars Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and Kaka, Major League Soccer has gained notoriety for bringing in over the hill stars who have looked ten years younger in America.
With so many Premier League stars that are long in the tooth or just not what they used to be, Major League Soccer could be a great place for them to to go to regain their form and retire while maintaining popularity in an English-speaking country.
Here is a look at 10 Premier League stars we think could finish their careers in Major League Soccer:
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Wayne Rooney
Mancheter United fans can argue otherwise, but the rise of Anthony Martial combined with the club’s continued overtures to Ronaldo and Bale suggest that the Red Devils are prepared to move on from the captain sooner or later.
Rooney is incredibly popular in the United States and he would get a hero’s welcome in any big city he chooses. With the way Philadelphia teams have played the last few years, the Philly Union would be a good first choice.
John Terry
For an Englishman, Terry is brash and brusque.
The Chelsea legend would be a great fit in Major League Soccer, but his 9/11 comments would make him very unpopular in NYC FC, the Red Bulls and DC United. A move to the Montreal Impact with Didier Drogba or LA Galaxy with Steven Gerrard would be ideal.
Brad Guzan
Born in Illinois, the Aston Villa stopper has been irreplaceable for the last three seasons as Guzan has helped the club stave off relegation and make it to the FA Cup Final last year. The former Gold Cup Golden Glove winner would be perfect for a return to Chicago Fire, but a move west to Real Salt Lake or Portland Timbers wouldn’t be bad either.
Branislav Ivanovic
The ageing defensive star doesn’t appear to have much of a future at Stamford Bridge. Ivanovic could move to the MLS and become the big fish in the small pond once again. Since Chicago has a massive Serbian population, maybe the Fire would be an option for the defensive hardman.
Tim Howard
An obvious choice to return to Major League Soccer, Howard has over 100 caps for the USMNT and is a New Jersey born-and-bred star. The Red Bulls and NYC FC would welcome Howard with open arms if he leaves Everton before he retires.
Martin Skrtel
Though he has a brand new contract with Liverpool, the youth movement at Anfield will likely result in his departure once the deal runs its course. If Skrtel wants to continue playing football without needing to learn another new language he could join Orlando City SC or the new Miami FC.
Brendan Rodgers
MLS isn’t known for being a BPL manager’s safety net, but there’s a first time for everything and Major League Soccer could certainly use someone with the coaching style of Brendan Rodgers. It would have to be a club with a lot of cash and a lot of former BPL players too – probably LA Galaxy or NYC FC.
James Milner
Milner still has plenty of tread left on his tires, but with so many veteran Englishmen heading to Major League Soccer, the English midfielder could decide to go out to pasture with some of his old teammates in the United States.
Petr Cech
If his play so far and injury history is any indication, he won’t have many more years left in the Premier League. If that’s the case, a move to Major League Soccer would be ideal – Cech is popular, iconic, and more talented at age 33 than many MLS stoppers in their early 20s.
Geoff Cameron
The defensive ace for Stoke City over the past four seasons, Cameron got his big break as an All-Star for the Houston Dynamo. Combined with his continued presence on the USMNT, a return to his home seems likely – maybe even with his home state’s New England Revolution.