…As an experience, not just for me but also for my family, I could try to play a year probably in the United States. If I did it, it would be for the experience. If not, it’s clear that I will finish my career here (at Real).

For those of use born and raised in the US, I think at times we forget what a special place this country is in so many ways. Even for a player who helped lead his team to 6 La Liga titles and three European cups, the chance to live in America and play the sport he loves is appealing.

The bad news: he’s not drawn to the US because of Major League Soccer. Now I know you aren’t supposed to look a gift horse in the mouth (whatever that means), and I would love to have Raul spend a season in the MLS. But the quote I wish he said 3 years ago was

…As an experience, not just for me but also for my family, I want to play for the final 5 years of my career in the United States. If I did it, it would be for the experience, for the passion of MLS fans, and the quality of the league.

What’s the missing piece in drawing stars like Raul for 5 years instead of their final year? I believe it is passion.

Now, the US doesn’t have the almost psychotic passion for any of our sports that some other countries display. During the World cup you hear stories of countries grind to a halt, then experiencing an economic boom if they win. No similar cultural phenomenon exists for the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA Championship (and perhaps the sheer number of sports we love has a diluting effect).

I do see that the beautiful game is growing in popularity. However, even among passionate soccer fans that passion is often directed back across the atlantic. One of my favorite MLS players Juan Pablo Angel spoke of enjoying his time “a lot,” but admits

I miss a number of things – the passion of fans in the Argentinian Superclasico and the time I had in the English league, the best championship in the world. When you play those leagues, passion is tiring, but you miss it in the end.

What I believe we need first is not more stars coming west across the atlantic, but more soccer passion staying here at home. And you can bet your ass that is what ColoradoRapidsFan.com is here to do!

View the story about Raul, Retirement, and Rafa at ESPN Soccernet

Of the 32,000 fans from 185 countries around the world who took part in the survey more than 10% who completed it were from the US, undermining any theory that soccer is not popular in the States. US fans also watch more matches than other global fans (48% of global fans would watch as many matches as they could against 64% of US fans).

I can’t help but wonder if the fanaticism of soccer fans in the US is not somewhat related to the scarcity. People waited for hours in line at the iPhone launch in part because there was a limited number available. in the US, soccer is not as accessible as basketball, football, basketball, or even hockey. As evidence: watch SportsCenter any night during the MLS season. To follow soccer, you have to be dedicated.

The article provides also great insight into Americans particular passion for the English Premier League.

98% of US respondents were big fans of the Barclays Premier League, the top football league in England, ahead of the football World Cup which was appreciated by 93% of fans in the USA, and 36% who followed Major League Soccer.

I am a fan of the EPL myself, and an even bigger fan of the World Cup. However, it does seem to me there is a gap between our passionate soccer fans and our passion for the MLS. I am sure this “passion gap” is not lost on the people who run MLS. However, we are a young league compared to a league like the EPL, and it  takes time to develop a strong base of fans and corporate sponsors.

The MLS is on the right path, here’s hoping more soccer fans in the US will find a home at their local MLS pitch.

Read the full Soccer365.com article here.