Veteran Red Bulls defender Tim Parker questioned the direction of the MLS and the push to introduce talent from overseas.
In an interview with AmnewYorka Long Island native and St. John's alumnus called in his view “unfortunately that American players have lost some value” in Major League Soccer.
It is no secret that MLS has pushed to raise it to the level of other top leagues around the world as a destination for the sport's finest talent. The arrival of global superstar Lionel Messi amplified hope that more famous talents will come to the United States.
Additionally, MLS teams are developing more talent through their academy programs, but it is becoming more frequent for these players to use MLS as a foothold stone to reach European leagues.
“I understand it from an owner and club business perspective, take young people and off-road them to Europe. “But at the same time, I think Americans really care about this league. I'm one of them. I'm here my whole career and I value everything it has. It hurts to see things we may not get – I don't want to say the respect we deserve – but I think Americans want to play here. We have to go elsewhere, so hopefully they keep us a little longer.”
Two homemade stars were loaned out or sold to European teams at both local MLS clubs.
John Tolkien, a Red Bulls defender and member of the US men's team, was sold to Bundesliga and New York City midfielder, Holstein Keel.
Parker's comments came in an astonishing offseason. The defender struggled to find a new home for 2025 after being traded to New England late in the season by St. Louis City SC, and has since been less interested in free agency.
The 32-year-old told AmnewYork that his agent eventually started calling the team and had to check if he was interested in signing Parker.
“I thought it would be a different process. I thought there would be a little more recruitment process. It's not necessarily that we have to reach out to a lot of teams. I thought it would go back and forth a little more,” he said.
Parker is a league veteran and played for the Red Bulls from 2018 to 2020.
He was named the Best XI Major League Soccer in 2023. This is a designation that allows the best players in the league in each position.
