Salary Cap and its Global Impact

Although the level and quality of football in Europe is known to be the best in the world, and far more competitive than soccer in the United States, the idea of a salary cap has left some thinking that coaching in the MLS is harder than handling a squad in Europe. Just recently, former Arsenal star Patrick Viera, who is now the head coach of the New York City football club, exclaimed, “I just think that coaching in the MLS is of course harder than in Europe. Because of the salary cap and the roster, and the way you have to make things balanced in the squad, making sure you have the players you need” (ESPN Staff, 1). He continued to express that in Europe you can simply go out and buy players, while in the U.S. you need to make sure that you are spending your money the right way. In analysis, the lack of a tight salary cap in Europe allows for the formation of super teams such as FCB and Real Madrid, where all of the world’s best players can team up to make championship runs. Although this is fun and exciting to watch, in the U.S. where coaching is more strategic, adds a whole other element to the game including buying young players low and hoping they grow to be stars one day.  

Article link: http://www.espnfc.com/new-york-city-fc/story/2819334/patrick-vieira-says-coaching-in-mls-harder-than-in-europe