With the arrivals of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in America, it's hard not to dream of MLS becoming a top league.
The current reality is much harsher.
Wednesday's All-Star Game against Arsenal showed just how steep the gap is between the American competition and Europe's elite, as the Gunners won 5-0 in front of a packed crowd at Audi Field.
And while it was a celebratory week for a league entering an exciting new era, few - if any - of its All-Stars came out of the contest with their stock raised.