It’s perhaps easy to dismiss Thierry Henry’s time in the United States as nothing but a swansong following a glittering career at the summit of European football, but that would be a mistake. Henry ended up spending four and a half years with the New York Red Bulls and over that time he helped the side win their first trophy in 17 years. 

That landmark day came back in October 2013 when the New York Red Bulls won the Supporters' Shield after a 5-2 win against Chicago Fire. Henry’s contribution was vast as the Frenchman scored one and assisted twice during the stunning romp to the regular-season title. In essence, if that fixture is a condensed version of Henry’s time in the States, he was by no means there to make up the numbers after he signed for New York in May 2010. 

Over the course of those four and a half seasons in the Big Apple, Henry racked up 135 appearances whilst scoring 52 goals and assisting a further 42 times. Tellingly, the only clubs he spent more time at during his career were Arsenal and Monaco. In fact, Henry’s time in the US was so successful that his name has been included in the finalists for the National Soccer Hall of Fame's 2021 Class. The 43-year-old’s efforts are included under the criteria of ‘illustrious playing careers that involved significant MLS contributions.’

Whether Henry will ultimately be included remains to be seen but the very fact that the Hall of Fame’s selection committee is considering his admission speaks volumes given how exclusive this club is. 

The World Cup-winning star didn’t let the grass grow under his feet when he arrived in America and single-handedly took the league into more homes around the world than ever before. One could even argue that Henry’s time in the MLS rivaled David Beckham’s in terms of putting the league on the map.

As it turns out, Beckham has also been drawn up alongside Henry in the 2021 list of potential inductees so perhaps we may find an answer to that question sooner rather than later. 

Looking back, however, you have to admire how Henry, in particular, took to American culture so seamlessly which undoubtedly aided his on-field performances. There are a few memories that stick out but above all, who can forget the warm welcome the Frenchman received in 2017 upon his return to New York?

Henry was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Citi Field in front of adoring New York Mets fans. It must be said, decibel levels are rarely that loud at Citi Field after a barren run that last saw the New York team win the World Series in 1986. Unfortunately, their MLB odds on bet365 suggest that trophy hiatus won’t end anytime soon with the Mets at 10/1 for a shot at World Series glory this season. 

But perhaps this is the year for Henry and the Mets in their quest to pull off the impossible. 

Henry has won the biggest soccer trophies everywhere he’s gone, from the World Cup to the English Premier League, the formidable French player has claimed them all but perhaps his crowning glory is still to come. An eternal place in the National Soccer Hall of Fame would cement his legacy as the MLS’s most prolific foreign import. 

From Aruba, Xander Bogaerts is one of the best players to ever emerge from that Caribbean island.

Signed in 2009, Bogaerts made it the Red Sox in 2013, and was an everyday infielder for Boston the following season. Boegarts won the Silver Slugger in 2015, which he followed up the following year with his first All-Star Game. Showing power, Boegarts has had three 20-plus Home Run years, peaking with 33 (with 117 RBIs) in 2019.  That season, Boegarts was fifth in MVP voting and was the All-MLB 1 Selection.  Boegarts was also a key cog in the Red Sox 2018 World Series win.

When full-season play returned in 2021, Bogaerts again proved upper-tier, adding another Silver Slugger and All-Star with a 23 Home Run/.295 Year, and was even better in 2022, adding a fourth All-Star with a .307 Batting Average.

In a move that would have seemed unthinkable only years before, Bogearts departed for the San Diego Padres as a Free Agent.  With the BoSox, he had 155 Home Runs, 1,410 Hits with a .292 Batting Average.

Austin Meadows was part of the trade that sent Chris Archer to the Pirates at the 2018 Trade Deadline, and the young Outfielder is showing the skills to be the top player of the transaction.

Meadows became an All-Star in 2019 on the strength of a 32 Home Run/.291/.346/.558 year where he was 14^thin MVP voting. Meadows helped Tampa reach the World Series the following year, and in 2021, Meadows was a large part of the team that went back to the playoffs, as he had 27 Home Runs and 106 RBIs, although he had a less-than-desirable Batting Average (.235), and On Base Percentage (.315).  Tampa dealt Meadows to the Tigers during 2020 Spring Training, ending his run in the state of Florida.

With the Rays, Meadows had 308 Hits with 65 Home Runs.

Brandon Lowe is still early into his career but he has been very impressive thus far.

Playing at Second Base, Lowe debuted in 2018, but still qualified as a rookie in 2019, where he was third in Rookie of the Year voting, batted .336, and was an All-Star.  It was especially impressive considering that Lowe missed nearly half the season due to shin and quad issues.  In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Lowe was an All-MLB Team 2 Selection, showing that he is poised for greatness in a full season.  That is what he gave Tampa in 2021, with a tenth-place finish in MVP voting where he belted 39 Home Runs with 99 RBIs.  

Lowe is still with Tampa though over the last three seasons, he has missed significant time over the last three seasons.  He enters 2025 with 126 Home Runs with a career .812 OPS.