Major League Soccer has increasingly turned to and now away from European stars to build the elite ends of their teams. The near-retired star who has played at a far higher level throughout their career but drops into MLS has been a staple of the league throughout its 25-year history. Some of the greatest players in league history are of this ilk.
But as the league has expanded and developed, growing in commercial success and quality of play, the efficacy of these older players has depreciated. Some are still extremely impactful, of course.