MLS's French Revolution
By Sean McGuffin (@SeanMCG704)
It has become apparent in the last few years that the MLS has begun to attract more international players. Big names like Lionel Messi, Thomas Muller and Son Heung-Min have gotten more eyes on the league than ever. The most recent international star to come to America’s top flight is Antoine Griezmann.
The French national took his country to a 2018 World Cup win as well as Europa League and Copa del Ray wins. But Griezmann's arrival is more than just another world class European player coming to MLS. Griezmann is just one of many French speaking players taking their talents to the League.
The First Frenchman
Youri Djorkaeff would be the first ever French MLS player, arriving to the New York Metrostars in 2005. Djorkaeff would lead the team in goal contributions his first year before retiring from the sport altogether after the 2006 season. It would not be long until the first French superstar would join the league.
Just five years after Djorkaeff arrived in New York, Thierry Henry would join the rebranded New York Red Bulls in 2010. Henry had already made his name across europe, playing for prestigious clubs like Juventus, Arsenal and FC Barcelona, not to mention his World Cup win at just the age of 20. Henry would score 51 goals and win the supporters shield with the Red Bulls, all while cementing MLS as a legitimate league where European talent can flourish.
World Champions in America’s League
Going into the 2010’s the nation of France was producing incredible footballers left and right, culminating in the nations second World Cup win in 2018. While Les Bleus celebrated in Moscow, Thierry Henry was set to arrive in Montreal.
Now in retirement, Henry came to MLS’s only French speaking city to coach the Montreal Impact in 2019. Henry would coach the club into the 20’s, a decade in which the French connection with MLS truly began. Champions from the 2018 World Cup winning squad Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris would both join Los Angeles FC in 2024.
The Big Two
Today, you could field an entire 11 man roster of French internationals in MLS, but two mid-season arrivals have had the league on watch. Antoine Griezmann is not the only Frenchman to enter the league in 2026, with Allan Saint-Maximin signing with Charlotte FC after the departure of Wilfried Zaha.
Both have had an impact on their respective clubs despite joining halfway through the season. Griezmann has already notched 14 goals with seven assists in just 17 games. Saint-Maximin has had less of an explosive start for Charlotte with two goals and four assists in 14 matches.
The future of French MLS players
While most French players in the league are transferred from leagues around Europe, MLS is beginning to develop French players in house. Transfermarkt lists eight French nationals currently playing in MLS Next Pro, with many coming to the states from Ligue 1 academies.
With National heroes like Griezmann, Lloris and Giroud having stints in MLS, as well as club standouts like Allan Saint-Maximin and Dylan Chambost, it would not be shocking for more French talent to come overseas. If these trends continue, MLS may be on the cusp of its own French Revolution.
