Home of football statistics and historyKye Rowles joined Major League Soccer (MLS) side DC United earlier this year, joining a growing list of Australian players in moving to North American football.
However, many people believe that most MLS clubs are still missing a trick by overlooking players from Australia and their viewpoint appears to be justified.
One of the biggest advantages of targeting Australian footballers is the significant impact their presence has on online betting activity on MLS games.
The sportsbook attached to the GGbet online casino offers a range of MLS markets, despite the competition lacking the gravitas of many other major leagues worldwide.
However, bringing players in from vibrant betting jurisdictions such as Australia makes MLS a more appealing proposition to sports bettors there.
Rowles has joined a growing list of Australians plying their trade in MLS, including Patrick Yazbek (Nashville SC), Jake Girdwood-Reich (St Louis City), and Lachlan Brook (Real Salt Lake).
Australian head coach Tony Popovic believes more North American clubs should look towards his nation for talent, and believes those players should be willing to make the move.
“It is a good league – it is a good, solid league,” Popovic said of MLS.
“There is a lot invested into that league — the resources they have, the crowds, the stadiums. The players going there, it is a good stepping stone, I believe.”
Players from Australia do not face language barriers when they move to the US. They fit in tactically and physically due to the similar playing conditions in each nation.
MLS clubs looking for technically gifted players at an affordable price to strengthen their squads should tap into the A-League and its pathway programmes.
Markets such as South America and Europe can be challenging for MLS clubs. Fees are generally high, while agents demand excessive salaries and a hefty percentage of any deals.
Full-back Giuseppe Bovalina is a perfect example. He joined Vancouver for a ‘small transfer fee’ last year. By contrast, Chelsea were quoted €20 million for young Corinthians left-back Denner.
Both players have plenty of room to develop, yet the disparity in the costs involved were mind-boggling. More MLS clubs need to capitalise on Australia’s talent pool.
Australian coaching and the focus on youth development has improved massively in recent years. The country boasts a sizeable bank of promising players which is waiting to be tapped into.
Signing Australian players is also a shrewd marketing strategy. MLS is keen to broaden its international horizons, and acquiring players from overseas strengthens those ambitions.
Moving to MLS is also beneficial to the players. Rowles’ move to DC United has put him in the spotlight and boosted his chances of featuring at the 2026 World Cup.
With an Achilles injury ruling out defender Harry Souttar for up to a year, Rowles has the opportunity to stake his claim for a place in Australia’s squad.
Popovic admitted earlier this year that the door is open for other players to force their way into contention ahead of next summer’s showpiece tournament in North America.
“Like for like, you don’t replace Harry,” Popovic said. “His attributes would be unique to what we have at the moment. We don’t have many players or any players like Harry.
“We need to find a player that gives us that stability in the middle of that back three – that can do what Harry was doing.
“That can be more of a technical player, can be a physical player. It just depends on the strengths that we have around that player in terms of what we can add in that position. We’re a little bit open-minded in who that could be or how that looks.”
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