MLS Transfer Rumors: Alessandro Nesta and 5 Aging Stars Poised for a Move to MLS

Ever since David Beckham made the move from Real Madrid to the Los Angeles Galaxy at the age of 32 to see out the rest of his career, it has become in vogue for stars who can no longer compete at the highest level to move across the pond. Some of the game’s greatest players over the past decade have followed the trendsetting Beckham, including Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez, Torsten Frings and Robbie Keane. It is an excellent way for them to remain playing, holding on to hopes of once again representing their national side as well as giving the MLS the much-needed star power to expand its brand. There is little to suggest that this kind of transaction will stop any time soon. Changes in the rules in 2010 expanded the “designated player” options that currently allow teams to fund these transfers. Come this summer, we are likely to hear some once-superstar names come up in conversations about being the latest to make the move to the MLS. Here are five of the biggest who could make America home to their swan song.Begin Slideshow

MLS: Alexi Lalas Is Bad for the League and the Sport

When the MLS got picked up by ESPN in 2006, I was very excited. There is hardly an argument that any US media outlet does sports broadcasting better than the Bristol based studios. If someone was to get soccer right in this country it would be the brilliant producers there.I do not recall who was playing in the first game. I don't really recall anything about the game. However, I do remember the awful bickering between commentators Tommy Smyth and Eric  Wynalda. The two fought over everything and agreed on nothing. It distracted from play and was downright annoying.ESPN solved the problem by moving Smyth to only international and European league games. They decided to stick with the American commentating American games. This solved the problem in the box during the game, but in the studio before, after and at halftime, an issue still existed...Alexi Lalas.Lalas is the man who is expected to introduce us to the games, let us know changes that need to be made at half and break it down in hindsight analysis after the final whistle is blown. He does all of this, but with a sense of arrogant jealousy that makes him seem villainous and ...

Didier Drogba in the MLS and What That Would Mean to American Soccer

When Chelsea signed Fernando Torres from Liverpool for an English record transfer fee, Didier Drogba had to see something was changing.When he and the Spaniard couldn't link up on the field and Drogba was benched in favor of the new player, he had to begin to wonder about his future.And when head man Carlo Ancelotti was sacked and rumors about making the team younger began to swirl, he had to recognize that his time at Stamford Bridge may be coming to an end.Summer transfer rumors mimic New England weather: If you don't like it, wait five minutes. But in the case of Didier Drogba, the reports have consistently suggested the Ivorian will be moving away from the West London club.There have been links to other EPL clubs such as Tottenham or Manchester City. But the Chelsea front office have nixed all claims that they are willing to sell him to an EPL opponent. Smart decision, considering Drogba only trails Manchester United's Wayne Rooney in most goals scored in the league since joining in 2004.Other more probable links are to the Italian giants AC Milan and Spanish side Malaga. Both have expressed interest, are not in direct contention with Chelsea, ...