MLS looking to Colombia for talent

For Colombians, the door to MLS is open.

It did not open in 2.011, but rather before. 

When it did may not be quite clear, but with the number of Colombians that dot MLS rosters, it’s evident that passage from Colombia to the U.S. is alive and well.

Colombia has become the best well of new talent from which MLS teams stockpile their rosters. 

The Portland Timbers recently made a high-profile move, acquiring 20-year-old Jose Adolfo Valencia as a player the club hopes will provide an instant impact on their second-year franchise.

Montreal’s first signing was 28 year old Nelson Rivas, a Colombian who had spent time with Inter Milan prior to joining the Impact.

Thus, Colombia accounts for the highest number of foreign-born players on MLS rosters, more than Brazil or Argentina.

“When you have a number of players who come here, they do well, they perform well for every team, I think it just kind of gives opportunity to the rest of the guys down there to have a chance to come here,” Juan Pablo Angel said during the 2.011 season.

“As long as the ones that are in the league keep performing well, I think the door is going to be open for new Colombians to come here.”

Angel is one of the highest profile and most successful Colombians to play in MLS. 

Angel joined the New York Red Bulls in 2.007 and was an instant star with the club, helping the team reach its one and only MLS Cup in 2.008. 

Despite a failed stint with the Galaxy, Angel has scored at least 10 goals in each of his five seasons here and notched seven after the Galaxy traded Angel to Chivas USA in August.

Angel and others, such as Montreal’s Rivas and Philadelphia’s Faryd Mondragon have come over the traditional route via Europe but that, too, is changing.

Colombian youngsters have ambitions of playing abroad, but instead of moving elsewhere in South America, a move to MLS could also be a springboard across the pond for young and untested Colombians.

“The league is getting bigger, getting stronger and getting exposure,” Angel said. “If you want to make a big jump and have a transition into other leagues, MLS is becoming that. 

Instead of going to a middle team in Argentina or a low team in Argentina or Brazil or Uruguay or Chile, they’d rather come to the States. 

The league is getting more exposure, it’s competitive and it’s good for a learning process.”

MLS clubs have had major success recently in plucking players from Colombian clubs. 

Real Salt Lake brought in Jamison Olave on loan from Colombia, and Olave has been a major part of the team’s recent successes.

Seattle brought in Fredy Montero, and the forward instantly lit up MLS and is now one of the league’s top strikers. 

Portland’s Jorge Perlaza and Diego Chara were teammates on Deportivo Tolima and now will look to combine with Valencia to help the team compete for a playoff spot in 2.012.

Aside from a move to Europe though, MLS can also help young Colombians in another area  potential calls to the national team. 

That too has changed about MLS.

“I will tell you the perception was different before, that the league wasn’t as competitive,” Angel said. “

That was a misconception from the coaches of the national teams. 

They didn’t think this was a very competitive league to have players selected for the national team. 

But that has been proven wrong.”