Fine Young Talent

One of the most endearing and entertaining aspects of today's MLS is the abundance of talented, promising young players. With many of the top American players toiling overseas, the MLS has become a showcase for lesser known youngsters. Back in July, we saw what Jonathan Bornstein could do when he notched two scores against Colorado. This weekend, Alan Gordon netted two goals of his own in the Galaxy's 2-1 win over Kansas City. Gordon, who scored his first MLS goal last week, got it done with his feet and his head, sliding to knock in a Cobi Jones cross for the first tally before heading home a Landon Donovan spot kick for the game-winner.

The first goal was particularly representative of the current state of MLS soccer. Cobi Jones, who was a popular member of the first wave of young MLS stars assisting the Gordon, one of the league's new young guns. Jones has grown with the league - from a spry, dreadlocked symbol of American soccer to a slower, dreadlocked symbol of longevity. When he fed Gordon on the latter's first goal, it was essentially the older MLS generation helping along the league's new pool of players. A changing of the guard of sorts. Sure, Gordon is no superstar and, until this weekend, he has spent much of his professional career in the A-League. But Gordon is a vivid image of what MLS can offer to fans: an energetic, hungry yet unknown player who can light up the scoreboard.

He, like Bornstein or fellow young Galaxy stud Josh Gardner, can grow to be a star in this league and exite a fan base. After all, we all like to cheer for guys that feel as if they are our own and many of these young bucks have never played for other clubs. It's like a pitcher who has come up through a team's minor league system. Fans are always more protective and supportive of those players because they feel like those guys are worthy investments and capable of doing great things for the organization in the future.

Players like Gordon, Bornstein, Edson Buddle in New York and Andy Dorman in New England, to name a few, have to potential to be major assets to this league. And MLS is doing the right thing by attracting these type of players that will attract a loyal, devoted, involved fan base.