Thierry Henry Follows in Pelé’s Legendary Footsteps as He Arrives in New York

Let's face it—for the MLS to truly "take off," the league desperately needed a genuine superstar playing in New York.  The Red Bulls have finally lured a true footballing icon to the biggest media market in the country in Thierry Henry.

When the league and the Los Angeles Galaxy brought over the media darling David Beckham to market their sport to the American masses, "The Big Apple" collectively yawned.  Local radio hosts snickered and even mocked the idea that Beckham could transform a country's interest in a sport that is largely overshadowed by baseball, basketball, and the monster that is the NFL.

As evidenced by the success of the NASL during its peak in the mid-to-late 1970s and the attendances at the 1994 World Cup in the US, there is definitely a market for soccer in the United States.  No greater example of this could be found than the mighty New York Cosmos teams, led by Pelé.

The Cosmos were an undoubted hit wi...

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