His presence, however, is also symptomatic of MLS s flawed conviction that it must bring in international players to appeal large ethnic populations in league cities. Beyond the fact that these players are invariably beyond their prime playing form, they seldom have produced any significant results to their teams in the standings or at the box office. Worse, they have made MLS look foolish with their irresponsible behavior. The picture of German defender Lothar Matthaeus lounging on a French Riviera beach with his model girlfriend while supposedly being too hurt to play for the MetroStars spoke volumes of the low regard with which these prima donnas hold the league. Doctor s orders, Matthaeus explained his unique therapy.
Warm sand is medicinal.
It would seem not, but MLS officials seemed reticent to press the point, as is the case now with Hernandez. Preceding Hernandez in Los Angeles, goalkeeper Jorge Campos gave MLS one good season before holding the league hostage for the next two. Striker Carlos Hermosillo, well past his prime, commanded a large pricetag, but paid virtually no dividend either on the field or at the gate. MLS seems to think these big-name players bring prestige to a young league. The exact opposite happens when the international soccer communities snickers when these players walk all over MLS officials.