Five reasons professional soccer is healthier than ever right now in the United State

[AreliusIV]

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber gives us five reasons professional soccer is healthier than ever right now in the United States:

1. MLS is truly the league for the new America. It's the most diverse pro-sports league in the country, featuring players from 44 countries. And we've been told MLS players are the best-looking pro athletes.

2. We now have true homes for soccer. By 2008, there will be eight soccer-specific stadiums in the U.S. built specifically for MLS teams.

3. More than $1 billion invested into MLS during the past 24 months, including stadium investment, new owners, sponsors and television-rights fees. Also, the U.S. market paid the highest TV-rights fee — $425 million — of any country for the 2010 and '14 World Cups.

4. MLS has world-class players. Eighteen of the 23 players on the U.S. roster for this summer's World Cup have played in MLS, and there are MLS players on Cup teams from Mexico, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago.

5. We provide affordable family entertainment. You can bring a family of four to an MLS game and not have to put a second mortgage on your home.

[SoccerPrime]

So speaks the Don of Garber.