Timing is right for MLS team in Chester

Within MLS, the league's "Game First" initiative focuses on competition, looking to draw in soccer-connected fans. For MLS, the idea of having a SuperLiga, with MLS and Mexican Primera Division teams competing, is to grow the Latino market and to prove to those hard-core fans that MLS has a representative product.

So while Beckham still gets the lion's share of the publicity - MLS said Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy jersey was the No. 1 selling player jersey in the world in any sport in 2007 - other stars coming in such as Argentine midfielder Marcelo Gallardo at D.C. United are just as important in expanding the fan base while improving the level of play.

MLS may not be getting top international players at the height of their careers, but the league has proven it isn't a retirement home, either.

Vermes praised league officials for understanding they had to spend more money on the world soccer market, that once the soccer-specific stadiums got up and running and more revenue began coming in, MLS couldn't just be in the export business.

"They figured out that they had to push the envelope," Vermes said, adding that this is especially important as the league expands to 16 clubs, adding franchises in places such as Philadelphia. While a league like the NFL basically has a finite talent pool, Vermes said, "In soccer, you have a global bucket to bring in players."