MLS Grows Younger and More Diverse with Youngest Class of Newcomers in League History

March 7, 2019 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release

NEW YORK - Major League Soccer is once again leading the charge in diversity (as determined by birthplace) in the North American sports landscape. From its current pool of 655 players, an MLS-record 73 countries are represented, the most of any professional soccer league in the world and more than any sports league in North America.

In 2019, MLS features a record number of players from the United States (290), Canada (39), Argentina (30), France (24), Brazil (20) and Colombia (19).

Among those 655 players, 245 have been capped by their national teams (37.25 percent), while over 60 percent, 40 of 62 current Designated Players (average age of 27.12 years), have been capped. Among these internationally capped players, 48 standouts in MLS have been included on a FIFA World Cup roster.

During the offseason, MLS clubs signed its youngest group of newcomers in league history. The 84 newcomers to the league (counting players with previous professional experience signed from international leagues and non-MLS affiliated USL clubs) maintain an average age of 24.98 years old, while over 40 percent of the players have experience playing for their respective national team. Of note this offseason, MLS clubs signed 29 South American players averaging 24.41 years of age.

The current class of Designated Players in MLS also ranks youngest in league history, with the 62 Designated Players averaging 27.1 years of age. This offseason, MLS clubs signed 11 new Designated Players averaging 25.72 years of age.

MLS clubs continue investing heavily in their academies and have signed 31 new players to Homegrown Player contracts this offseason. Overall, there are currently 134 players signed to Homegrown contracts, with those players averaging 21.20 years of age. Among the Homegrown Players, 22 have played internationally for their respective national team (16.42 percent).

Clubs continue massive increased investment in rosters through Targeted Allocation Money, adding 25 TAM players this offseason averaging 25.24 years of age. There are currently 126 TAM players (making above the maximum salary but not Designated Players) averaging 27.20 years of age. Internationally, over 60 percent (79 out of 126) of these TAM players have played for their respective national teams.

League (year) Total # of Players Players Born Abroad (% born outside U.S.A. & Canada) Countries Represented (incl. U.S.A. & Canada) Average Age of All Players (in years)

MLS (2019) 655 329 (49.77%) 73 25.33

MLB (2018) 1379 381 (27.6%) 28 28.7

NHL (2017-2018) 985 270 (27.4%) 23 27.19

NBA (2017-2018) 540 103 (19.0%) 49 26.85

NFL (2018) 2020 52 (2.6%) 25 26.73

All Statistics 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.

*Totals as of March 5, 2019

Countries Represented by Birthplace

MLS 73

English Premier League 67

Ligue 1 59

La Liga 57

Bundesliga 56

Serie A 54

Liga MX 19

Percentage of Player Pool as Domestic

Liga MX 61.20%

Ligue 1 53.20%

La Liga 50.90%

MLS 50.20%

Bundesliga 47.30%

Serie A 42.70%

English Premier League 32.90%

Average Age of MLS Newcomers at End of Regular Season

2019 - 24.98*

2018 - 25.58

2017 - 26.06

2016 - 25.70

2015 - 27.02

2014 - 27.53

*age of newcomers at beginning of regular season

Average Age of Designated Players at End of Regular Season

2019 - 27.12*

2018 - 28.41

2017 - 28.29

2016 - 29.38

2015 - 29.21

2014 - 29.34

*age of Designated Players at beginning of regular season

MLS Players by Country (outside U.S.A / Canada) 

Country Players

Argentina 30

France 24

Brazil 20

Colombia 19

Ghana 15

MLS Players by State / Province

State Players

California 59

New York 24

Ontario (Canada) 23

Texas 20

New Jersey 17

Major League Soccer Stories from March 7, 2019

• Timbers Weekly Update: March 7, 2019 - Portland Timbers
• Baggio Husidic Announces Retirement - LA Galaxy
• LAFC Loans Defender Lamar Batista to Phoenix Rising FC - Los Angeles FC
• Preview: Orlando City Heads to Chicago for First Road Contest of 2019 - Orlando City SC
• Chicago Fire Loans Forward Elliot Collier to Memphis 901 FC - Chicago Fire FC
• FC Cincinnati to Place Blake Smith on Waivers - FC Cincinnati
• Storylines | City vs. Chicago Fire - Orlando City SC
• Game against New England on May 17 Postponed to Saturday, May 18, at 1pm - Club de Foot Montreal
• New England Revolution's Match at Montreal Impact Rescheduled for May 18 - New England Revolution
• MLS Grows Younger and More Diverse with Youngest Class of Newcomers in League History - MLS
• Whitecaps FC Add Homegrown Goalkeeper Thomas Hasal to First-Team Roster - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Atlanta United Drops SCCL Quarterfinal First Leg 3-0 to C.F. Monterrey - Atlanta United FC

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