Ex-Tottenham, Fulham keeper Keller: MLS has to continue building home recognition

Recently-retired MLS star Kasey Keller believes the North American domestic competition has to continue pushing local talent and ensuring the promotion is based to a home market.

MLS has emerged as a home for top-class European and South American players who are at the end of their careers but ex-Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Keller feels there should be a major interest in nurturing the game at a local level.

“I think that's part of the challenge, but it has to be more of a local market,” he told ESPN when asked if it is a league that can compete with others around the world.

“The marketing has to come where you have to build that recognition with the home base. And I think eventually that will filter out.

“You have to create stars as well.

“It's a combination of things. I think where teams have really started to pick up their marketing strategies, they're seeing the benefits from it in their daily attendance,” he added.

“There's better stadiums, better scenarios for fans to come to games. One problem that MLS is having in trying to boost TV ratings is the competition with the rest of the leagues around the world.

“You can't go watch an English Premier League game from your home in Seattle, but you can watch the Seattle Sounders play live.”

 
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