Frank Myrland
While a step down in competition from the European Leagues, the MLS has seen its fair share of talented youngsters make the leap across the Atlantic after proving their worth on the fields of North America. Here are five young stars who may work their way to Europe in the near future:
Sean Franklin
24 year-old Sean Franklin is a rising star in the backline of the Los Angeles Galaxy. The defender had a spectacular high school soccer career, winning a championship with his team in 2003 while also being named the league’s Most Valuable Player. He carried this success to college level, where he helped his school reach the playoffs for the first time in their history. Franklin may very well have led his team all the way to a championship if he hadn’t been sidelined with a broken arm suffered during the semi-final match.
Los Angeles jumped at the chance to draft the young player, choosing him 4th overall in the 2008 MLS Super Draft. Now thrust into the spotlight of professional North American soccer and part of a squad that included David Beckham, Franklin continued to impress. His long range passing ability, as well as his anticipation and field awareness earned him a regular spot in the lineup. The youngster was recognised at the close of the season as the MLS Rookie of the Year.
The defender's second season with the club was less fortunate, as a hamstring injury early in the campaign kept him away from first-team action. Franklin spent some time with the United States U-20 squad and has also been called up for the Senior team on two separate occasions, though has yet to see action with that side.
Kenny Cooper
With a former professional goalkeeper for a father, Kenny Cooper (main photo) seemed destined for the big league from the start. Kenny Cooper Sr. spent some time in England before finishing his career in North America with the Dallas Tornado of the now defunct North American Soccer League. Kenny Cooper Jr. now plays as the star forward for Dallas FC.
Cooper first caught the eye of scouts at a youth tournament that was held in the Dallas area. Manchester United were intrigued and after a trial with the team, Cooper found himself signed to one of the most reputable squads in the world. Being signed by Manchester United is one thing, while making the starting eleven is quite another. Cooper was loaned to Academica de Coimbra of Portugal and Oldham Athletic, seeing very limited playing time, before United released him.
The youngster found a new home with Dallas of the MLS and promptly scored in his first appearance. He ended the season tied sixth in the league for goals scored with 11 in 31 games. After Dallas fought off interest from Norwegian and Scottish sides during the off-season, Cooper topped his first effort by recording 18 goals in 30 games, earning himself a spot in the MLS Best XI Team, and also took Player of the Week honours on two occasions. The forward has seen a handful of games with the US national team, scoring four goals including one in both the quarter and semi-final of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
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Emmanuel Ekpo
Nigerian Emmanuel Ekpo is one of the top players on what is currently a very strong Columbus Crew team. The 21 year-old defensive midfielder is an experienced footballer, having already spent some time in the Nigerian Premier League before crossing the Atlantic to join the MLS. Signed in 2008, Ekpo did not waste time trying to impress, scoring a memorable goal in his very first appearance. The defensive midfielder has already broken into the very strong Nigeria side, spending time with the team during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Ekpo received a silver medal for his efforts, coming on as a substitute in all six games including the 1-0 loss to Argentina in the final.
Abdus Ibrahim
Born in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, but raised in Minnesota, Ibrahim is the youngest player on this list. The forward was invited to play with the American U-17s and played 17 games internationally including some matches at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup at South Korea, a tournament in which the United States bowed out to Germany in the Round of 16. With both the experience and two international goals already under his belt, Ibrahim was drafted in the second round of the 2007 MLS Super Draft by FC Dallas.
Ibrahim has the distinction of being the second youngest player to be drafted in MLS history behind Freddy Adu, but before ever playing a game with Toronto, the youngster was traded to Toronto FC, scoring a goal on his debut with the team in July of 2008. With Ibrahim aboard, Toronto beat their Canadian rivals to win the Canadian championship in 2009. Ibrahim has been called up to the American U-20 team and seems to have a bright future ahead of him.
Fredy Montero
Columbian forward Fredy Montero got started early, being noticed and signed to a contract by Deportivo Cali after only one trial, all at the young age of 13. He was called up to the senior team in 2005 before being sent out on loan to Atletico Huila and later to his current club Seattle Sounders FC.
Joining a new side in MLS Montero scored the first and third goals in Seattle Sounders franchise history, earning himself Player of the Week honours at the opening of the 2009 MLS season. After continuing to perform at a high level, the Colombian later took Player of the Month honours as well.
Montero has had his share of trouble. He struggled to work with his midfielders and was sent off in a game against the Chicago Fire for elbowing another player. With some experience, Montero should make his way to Europe very soon unless his loan deal with Seattle makes enough of an impact to keep him in North America. The youngster already has some clubs, including English Premier League side Fulham, clambering to get him. Montero has also spent some time with the Columbian national team.
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