MLS Fields Most Diverse Group of Athletes in U.S.
May 29, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (May 29, 2014) - By places of birth, Major League Soccer fields the most diverse group of athletes among the top five team sports leagues in the United States, with 57 different countries represented as of May 29. See the chart below for a related comparison of domestic leagues.
The number of MLS players born in the United States and Canada is at all-time high with 335 players, spanning 37 states and five provinces. The states that have the most representation this season are California (71), Texas (32) and Ohio (23). Ontario has most MLS player representation with 14.
To see a world map of MLS Players by Birthplace, CLICK HERE .
To see a list of those players born abroad, CLICK HERE .
To see a map of MLS Players born in the U.S. & Canada, CLICK HERE .
To see a list of those players born in the U.S. & Canada, CLICK HERE .
The League's diversity will be well represented at this summer's FIFA World Cup in Brazil with six countries represented. In addition to the 10 MLS players on the U.S. men's national team, current MLS players will compete for Costa Rica, Honduras, Australia, Brazil and Iran.
The secondary transfer window, in which MLS clubs may acquire players under contract in other countries, opens July 8 and closes August 6. More dynamic players - including some with World Cup experience - are expected to join during this time. Players who already have transferred to MLS this season include Michael Bradley (TOR), Julio Cesar (TOR) Jermain Defoe (TOR), Maurice Edu (PHI), GastÃ"n Fernández (POR), Giancarlo Gonzalez (CLB), Pedro Morales (VAN), Norberto Paparatto (POR) and Michael Parkhurst (CLB).
League (year) Total # of Players Players Born Abroad (% born outside U.S.A. & Canada) Countries Represented
(incl. U.S.A. & Canada)
MLS (2014) 543 208 (38.3%) 57
NBA (2013-2014) 448 86 (19.2%) 43
NHL (2013-2014) 791 197 (24.9%) 21
MLB (2014) 847 218 (25.7%) 19
NFL (2013) 2013 49 (2.4%) 28
Courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau
*Leagues in season include all players on current rosters.
*Leagues out of season include players on rosters when the season ended.
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Major League Soccer Stories from May 29, 2014
- Time Warner Cable SportsNet celebrates Landon Donovan's MLS record with a special program airing thi - LA Galaxy
- Revolution Unconvinced by Impact - New England Revolution
- Real Salt Lake FW Alvaro Saborio to Miss World Cup - Real Salt Lake
- Crew Heads to Toronto for Rematch with Reds - Columbus Crew SC
- Chicago Fire Midfielder Patrick Nyarko Undergoes Successful Ankle Procedure - Chicago Fire FC
- MLS and U.S. Soccer Participate in Healthy Kids and Safe Sports Concussion Summit at the White House - MLS
- MLS Fields Most Diverse Group of Athletes in U.S. - MLS
- Revolution Loans Donnie Smith to Rochester Rhinos - New England Revolution
- Earthquakes to Host Sacramento Republic FC at Kezar Stadium in Fourth Round of U.S. Open Cup - San Jose Earthquakes
- Caldwell Makes Minutes Count - New England Revolution
- MLS Issues Disciplinary Committee Decisions: Week 12 - MLS
- Real Salt Lake to Face Atlanta Silverbacks in US Open Cup on June 14 - Real Salt Lake
- Revolution to Face Richmond Kickers in U.S. Open Cup - New England Revolution
- Crew's Fourth Round Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Opponent Set Up - Columbus Crew SC
- Rapids to Host Orlando City in US Open Cup - Colorado Rapids
- Timbers Complete Six-Point Road Trip with 2-0 Shutout over Chivas - Portland Timbers
- LA Galaxy to Face Arizona United SC in Fourth Round of U.S. Open Cup - LA Galaxy
- Chivas USA Fall at Home, 2-0, to Portland Timbers - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Sounders FC to Host PSA Elite in U.S. Open Cup on June 18 - Seattle Sounders FC
- Timbers to Play Host to Orlando City U23s in Fourth Round of U.S. Open Cup - Portland Timbers
- Ross Friedman Set to Graduate from Harvard - Columbus Crew SC
- Crew Has Several Possibilities to Replace Higuain - Columbus Crew SC
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