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NEW YORK - Reflecting on his time in Major League Soccer as he sits at a table at Bagatelle in New York's chic Meat Packing district, Thierry Henry raises a question that he admits is difficult to answer.
Going down a mental list of what he gained during his time in North America, Henry mentions the league's continually improving infrastructure, boasting more soccer-specific arenas than ever before. He points out to his continual progress as a player in the league.
But there's one thing that he is determined to find an answer for.
"Now, it's how do you compete with other sports [in the United States," he asks. "It's very difficult."
Henry joined the New York Red Bulls almost two years ago, promising to "develop the game and make it progress." Individually, he's succeeded. The Red Bulls have made the playoffs the past two seasons and Henry has scored an impressive 26 goals in 45 appearances. On a league-wide national level, his impact is debatable.
A self-professed over-analyzer, the 34-year-old notices the poor attendance of Red Bulls games in their arena and the relatively low ratings on MLS's national television broadcasts. He believes that the only way Americans will be drawn into the sport is if the quality of the league is raised overall.
"I do think you can attract more people by how you play," he explains. "I remember playing for Barcelona, even at the end of the game we lost some games but people were still happy."
Considering the recent success of the Euro 2012, which has drawn triple the amount of viewers of its predecessor in 2008, and the high interest in the United States national team, Henry might have a point. Americans are developing a love towards soccer but it isn't necessarily translating into a gain for MLS.
To add to his question, I asked the former France international: What is MLS's appeal to America's young premier athletes? Considering the low salaries offered to most of the league's players, why choose soccer if you can play basketball, baseball or football at a high level?
"Because you love it," he initially responds.
After a few seconds of thought, Henry admits that MLS would have a difficult time attracting some of the country's top athletes, especially if they hail from a working-class family or an inner city area.
"You do have some people who are attracted to other stuff than just that. Therefore, you going to lose a lot of them there," he explains.
"Family pressure plays a big part, especially when a guy is the only hope of his family. I can understand where if you could have this or that, why you would choose that?"
Going down a mental list of what he gained during his time in North America, Henry mentions the league's continually improving infrastructure, boasting more soccer-specific arenas than ever before. He points out to his continual progress as a player in the league.
But there's one thing that he is determined to find an answer for.
"Now, it's how do you compete with other sports [in the United States," he asks. "It's very difficult."
Henry joined the New York Red Bulls almost two years ago, promising to "develop the game and make it progress." Individually, he's succeeded. The Red Bulls have made the playoffs the past two seasons and Henry has scored an impressive 26 goals in 45 appearances. On a league-wide national level, his impact is debatable.
A self-professed over-analyzer, the 34-year-old notices the poor attendance of Red Bulls games in their arena and the relatively low ratings on MLS's national television broadcasts. He believes that the only way Americans will be drawn into the sport is if the quality of the league is raised overall.
"I do think you can attract more people by how you play," he explains. "I remember playing for Barcelona, even at the end of the game we lost some games but people were still happy."
Considering the recent success of the Euro 2012, which has drawn triple the amount of viewers of its predecessor in 2008, and the high interest in the United States national team, Henry might have a point. Americans are developing a love towards soccer but it isn't necessarily translating into a gain for MLS.
To add to his question, I asked the former France international: What is MLS's appeal to America's young premier athletes? Considering the low salaries offered to most of the league's players, why choose soccer if you can play basketball, baseball or football at a high level?
"Because you love it," he initially responds.
After a few seconds of thought, Henry admits that MLS would have a difficult time attracting some of the country's top athletes, especially if they hail from a working-class family or an inner city area.
"You do have some people who are attracted to other stuff than just that. Therefore, you going to lose a lot of them there," he explains.
"Family pressure plays a big part, especially when a guy is the only hope of his family. I can understand where if you could have this or that, why you would choose that?"
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