Major League Soccer is once again leading the charge in diversity (as determined by birthplace) in the North American sports landscape. From its current pool of 637 players, 72 countries are represented in MLS, the most of any soccer league in the world.
Among those 637 players, 234 (36.7 percent) have been capped by their national teams, including 36 of 53 current Designated Players. Among these, 40 have been included on a FIFA World Cup roster.
During the offseason, MLS clubs signed its youngest group of newcomers in league history. Those 96 players (not counting rookies, Homegrown signings or transfers from USL-affiliates) maintain an average age of 25.05 years old, and 50 percent had international experience. Of note, MLS clubs signed 30 players hailing from South American countries, averaging 22 years of age.
The current class of DPs is the youngest in league history, with the 53 Designated Players in The league averaging 27.32 years of age. This offseason, MLS clubs signed 13 new Designated Players to the league, with those players averaging 23.46 years of age.
Diversity of North American Sports League
Total Number of Players / Born outside US/Canada/ nations represented /Average age
MLS (2018) 637 315 (49.4%) 72 25.36
Liga MX (2018) 497 207 (41.7%) 23 27.00
MLB (2017) 1087 326 (29.9%) 24 28.33
NHL (2017-18) 779 225 (28.8%) 22 27.17
NBA (2017-18) 496 96 (19.4%) 47 26.22
NFL (2017) 2104 57 (2.7%) 26 26.36