MLS: Analysing Jim Curtin’s American players claim

Jim Curtin has claimed that he believes in the ‘American player’ in MLS. But is the Philadelphia Union head coach’s claim correct?

In English football, there is an ageing belief that the ‘English player’ is superior to foreign imports in the Premier League as they have developed in the style of play that has defined the league.

The Premier League, and especially the lower leagues in England, is renowned for its physicality. In previous years, foreign players have struggled to deal with the high-tempo character of play, often barged off the ball by more powerful and aggressive British players.

However, as football has changed and evolved, becoming a more global sport in the process, the style…