"It's a very hard league to play in. It's very physical, there's a lot of running. So there is a lot of physical work and to me, in my mind, too little play."
Andrea Pirlo probably didn't have running wind sprints in mind when he planned on winding down his career in MLS, but that's what he got. Although NYCFC play on one of the smallest fields you'll ever see at the professional level, Pirlo still chases the game more than when he played in Italy. And, of course, he's 38 now, so he's likely feeling the burn a bit more.
Other players have commented on the difficulties of playing in MLS, and they're not necessarily referring to the level of play. Rather, it can be a struggle to adjust to what could most generously be called a different style of play.
Here are seven situations where MLS players have vented their frustrations, raised the degree of difficulty or simply gone rogue.
MLS teammate fails
Kaka made a long run to link up with Cyle Larin. Only the pass never came.
Pretty rich of Larin to look off Kaka after he'd just made a 50-yard run. Kaka.... not pleased. #OCSC #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/vcE2NhvPOL
— Pablo Maurer (@MLSist) August 22, 2015
Tim Howard built a wall, and then it crumbled.
That lethal left foot.#JoinOrDie https://t.co/fJGne7aOsy
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 21, 2017
Here's another look at Schweinsteiger's skillful build up play, excellent cross, and... a blast over the bar.
Bastian Schweinsteiger Amazing Skills Show - DC United vs Chicago Fire (MLS 2017): https://t.co/xm0PBgOoLu via @YouTube
— FootballGoal7 (@FootballGoal7) May 20, 2017
Making it look easy
Just tap it in.
Working through some 2014 footage today and came across this gem from Thierry Henry #RBNY #MLS pic.twitter.com/0RcYH5kSg1
— Anders Aarhus (@Sportsviking) March 29, 2017
David Villa claimed to have never done it before, so what better time to score from the midfield than an MLS fixture.
DAVID VILLA CHIPS IT OVER THE GOAL KEEPER FROM 60 YARDS OUT TO BRING THEM UP 2-0!!! ITS EVEN BETTER WITH TITANIC MUSIC #NYCFC @Guaje7Villa pic.twitter.com/6AJ6OHisjE
— TheRenderFIFA (@TheRenderFIFA) April 15, 2017
Get me out of here!
Didier Drogba just wants you to take him with.
I'm going to upload this #Drogba takedown of Steve Clark video, just in case MLS tries to disappear it later. pic.twitter.com/hhZ2q6037L
— The Indie Handbook (@TheIndieHandbk) November 2, 2015
Andrea Pirlo really doesn't want to be on the post.
This vid never gets old! #Pirlo defending a corner.
tbf, there was nothin he could do...still funny tho. #MLS pic.twitter.com/FnDY16IWLv— Daniel Zamora (@trackstar805x) March 7, 2017
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