Reversal of trend for player movement between MLS and Europe

With a rifle shot of a goal in the 78th minute of Real Salt Lake's 3-0 over Toronto on Saturday night, Clint Mathis signaled that he is truly back. After leaving Greek side Ergotelis last year, Mathis returned to MLS in 2008 with the Rio Tinto outfit. After a rocky first season, Mathis has notched two goals and six assists this year and become a vital part of a dangerous Salt Lake side.

The league needs more players like Mathis who bring a savvy and composure to the lineup. MLS has too few players like him on its rosters. It's also worth noting that players like Mathis represent a new trend, that of American players who have played in Europe and choose to either return or come to MLS.

One of the frustrating things about MLS the past few years has been watching midtier players leave the league for Europe. Very few fans are upset when a player of the ilk of Tim Howard is sold to Manchester United, or when Clint Dempsey joins Fulham. In fact, most agree that moves to top leagues benefit MLS in terms of perception abroad and also are invaluable to the national team.

For too long, however, the next tier of players below the likes of Howard and Dempsey has also been leaving MLS for Europe, and often for leagues of a comparable standard to MLS. All too often, these players play out their contracts, before heading overseas for a larger paycheck. Whether it's a Danny Califf to the Danish league or Troy Perkins to Norway, these are the types of players who make MLS a better league with greater depth.

The trend, however, has thankfully begun to reverse itself. Over the past year, MLS teams have brought in a number of American players from overseas to fill out its rosters. These are players who bring experience and savvy to the roster and provide a backbone in the locker room and on the field. They're more than just window dressing.

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The big transactions over the past year have seen headliners like Brian McBride (Chicago), Kasey Keller (Seattle) and Josh Wolff (returning to Kansas City) enter the league after having played overseas. While these are star players, these moves aren't typical of the league or its rosters. It is additions like Nat Borchers (RSL), Matt Pickens (Colorado) and Cam Weaver (San Jose before being traded to Houston) over the past 18 months -- players with European experience who returned home to the league -- who will carry MLS and can turn playoff contenders into MLS Cup champions.

It is a move that hopefully will see an elevation in the league's standard of play and this trend must continue. With teams losing players for long stretches of time due to the Confederations Cup, the Gold Cup and a slate of World Cup qualifiers, deep rosters are a must. Beyond that, the league schedule is packed with Super Liga and CONCACAF Champions League fixtures, not to mention the U.S. Open Cup.

All this means that the league must not only do everything it can to prevent talented Americans, the bread-and-butter type of players that MLS was founded on, from leaving; it also must work to bring Americans from overseas home.

Quote of the Week

"It is easy for me to say soccer because the grass is always greener, right? I love playing hoops and I love playing soccer. Those are two games I love to play."

-- Steve Nash, when asked about whether he prefers playing basketball or his first ever sport, soccer. Last week, Nash hosted his second annual celebrity soccer game in New York City, "The Showdown in Chinatown," to benefit the Steve Nash Foundation, which is dedicated to assisting underserved children in their health, personal development and education.

Stat of the Week

With a 1-0 loss at Columbus Crew Stadium on Saturday night, the Red Bulls are now 0-7-2 on the road this season and haven't won away from the Meadowlands since May 10, 2008. That is an MLS-record road losing streak of 22 games.

Quick Kicks

• Don't blame the equipment manager, he didn't mix their solids and whites. Affectionately known as "The Reds," Toronto FC donned pink uniforms Wednesday night to benefit the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

• With an Omar Cummings' goal in the 84th minute to salvage a 1-1 tie on Wednesday night against FC Dallas, the Rapids haven't lost in their past seven games.

• With his sixth assist of the season this weekend in RSL's 3-0 over Toronto, Clint Mathis is now second in the league in that category.

• After failing to finish in the top 10 of any major MLS goalkeeping category last season, Chivas USA's Zach Thornton leads the league in saves, minutes played, save percentage and is tied for the lead in wins and shutouts.

Kristian R. Dyer is a freelance writer for ESPNsoccernet. He is the associate editor of Blitz magazine and also writes for the New York City daily paper METRO. He can be reached at KristianRDyer@yahoo.com.