Photo by Ira L. Black - Corbis/Getty Images
The MLS used to rely on aging European stars to drive interest. Now a wave of homegrown talent is driving the league’s growth.
The surge of MLS graduates making their mark in Europe’s top five leagues is no coincidence. Last season, former Vancouver Whitecap Alphonso Davies reached the pinnacle of club soccer, lifting the Champions League trophy in a treble-winning season at Bayern Munich. Along the way, the Canadian international collected a number of individual accolades, featuring in the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season as well as being named Bundesliga Rookie of the Season.