There has been an influx of Spaniards into Major League Soccer over the past three years, capping out at a record eight currently on MLS rosters. Could a member of the World Cup-winning Spanish national team be joining his compatriots?
Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina told Spanish outlet Diario de la Roja in an interview last week that he is interested in making a move at some point in his career, and that the US might be one of his options.
"I would like to try to do something different in the future," he said in the interview. "Maybe America or something like that. My idea is to have three or four good years somewhere and then, after that, go somewhere else for a couple more years."
The 31-year-old netminder is currently on loan at Napoli from Liverpool, and he said in the interview he is enjoying his time in Italy and will likely not be returning to England.
Should Reina make an MLS move, he would be joining a group of Spaniards that currently includes fellow Barcelona youth product and 2013 MLS Cup winner Uri Rosell, New York Red Bulls attacker Rubén Bover, Montreal Impact defender Adrián López, Toronto FC winger Álvaro Rey.
And it appears that MLS has become a destination for Spanish players, as prior to this season, more joined the league, including New York Red Bulls defender Armando, D.C. United defender Cristian Fernandez, Colorado midfielder José Mari and Chivas USA midfielder Dani Fragoso.
