New York Red Bulls forward Luke Rodgers unexpected success may not be good for MLS

The 29-year-old New York Red Bulls forward has scored three goals in his last three games and has captivated the team’s fans with his gutsy demeanor and strong work rate. Yet, a question must be raised about the former Notts County striker’s performances. After all, here is a player that has never scored more than 13 goals in England’s fourth division and now he’s averaging almost a goal a game.

Is it a possibility that MLS’ talent isn’t high as some would expect it to be?

Whenever a former European star player is asked about the standard of quality in MLS, most will compare it to the English championship, the country’s second division. In an exclusive interview with Rafa Marquez last year, he compared the league to Holland’s Eredivisie or France’s Ligue 1, two of the top 10 leagues in Europe. If those assessments are accurate, then it makes it difficult to explain Rodgers’ torrid start to the season.

Even Red Bulls coach Hans Backe has been surprised of how quickly the Englishman has adapted to the league. The 59-year-old Swede had first-hand knowledge of Rodgers’ time in England having coached the forward briefly at Notts County.

“Normally, he doesn’t score as much,” said Backe. “If you look at his record, he averages about seven to eight goals a year. “

In the middle of his prime, it isn’t as if Rodgers is tapping into some unforeseen potential with a different coaching staff. Speaking after New York’s 1-0 win over Kansas City, team captain Thierry Henry said Rodgers’ success can be attributed to the Red Bulls style of play and the quality of teammates that he currently has as opposed to his previous ones in England.

“I don’t know if he had the players that he has around him now in Notts County,” explained Henry. “No disrespect to his former team but he’s playing with guys who can see the game. You can see it on the goal that he scored. We connected on one movement, all he had to do was be in the six-yard box area and he did it. “

After that game, Rodgers acknowledged that his role has changed from when he played in England. Hinting at the fact that his previous team had a poor midfield, Rodgers explained that his responsibility was to use his versatility and pace to provide service to his partner up top, Lee Hughes, who he admits was a better finisher than he was.

“When I was playing at Notts County, I was playing up front with Lee Hughes who was the league’s top goalscorer at the time,” said Rodgers. “Levy was an out an out goal scorer. I tried to create space for him and pass to him.”

He added, “I was always contributing but it’s nice to be scoring here as well.”

Both Backe and Henry agree that under a system that emphasizes passing and creating open space, Rodgers’ pace and hard work ethic could to continue to excel in MLS.

“Largely, I think he’s fitting in well with this league,” said Backe. “His pace, he’s very lively, he can open space for others and run for 90 minutes. He’s technically good enough to combine with Thierry Henry, they use each other’s combination in a good way.”

Backe continued, “He will be an important player for us.”

“If you stay like he does, sitting on the last man and be really active and running a lot, like today, you are going to have a lot of chances like that one and you just have to put the ball in,” said Henry agreeing with his coach’s assessment.

If statistical analysis is an accurate prediction of things to come, then both might be right. EA Sports recently released its projected results of this MLS season using FIFA 2011. In its forecast, it predicted that the Los Angeles Galaxy would win the Supporters Shield and that Rodgers would win the Golden Boot scoring 17 goals.

Rodgers has laughed off those forecasts, saying that he is only focused on the Red Bulls delivering on its expectation of winning the MLS Cup. Still, he is happy and excited to be surrounded by teammates that provide him a chance to showcase his scoring ability.

“I can’t believe I’m here, I look around and I feel like I’ve landed on my feet, I’m not here for holiday, I really want to do well and I’m trying to show that on the pitch,” he said.

Finally, having a firsthand experience of playing against teams ranging from Premier League clubs to seventh division sides, the small stocky forward gave his own perspective of MLS’ talent level and where the Red Bulls would fit in England.

“It is a very physical league. It’s a pacey game and it’s a tough high standard,” said Rodgers. “This team the Red Bulls could play in the Premiership or definitely the Championship. This team is that good.”