Major League Soccer (MLS) has been in the spotlight recently with high-profile signings like World Cup winner Lionel Messi joining Inter Miami and French striker Olivier Giroud heading to Los Angeles FC.
Now, there are rumors that another star player, German midfielder Marco Reus, might be the next to join the league, according to soccer journalist Fabrizio Romano.
Interestingly, Reus isn’t considering the more typical destinations like Miami or Los Angeles. Instead, he’s reportedly eyeing a move to St. Louis City SC. Roman Bürki, the St. Louis goalkeeper and Reus’s former teammate from their nearly ten years together at Borussia Dortmund, has been actively encouraging Reus to make the move to Missouri.
“I’m trying everything. I keep sending him [Reus] messages, we’re always in contact,” Bürki told German newspaper Bild. “I told Marco that I would give him the captain’s armband right away. I’m trying to make it appealing to him.”
At 34, Reus has been a pivotal part of Borussia Dortmund’s midfield for the last 12 years. He’s set to play in the Champions League final this June, marking only the second final of his career, and is expected to leave Dortmund after the game.
Bürki hasn’t just offered the captaincy to entice Reus. He’s also showcased the top-tier facilities at St. Louis City SC, which were established last year for the expansion team. These facilities are among the best in MLS and arguably surpass those of some European clubs. In contrast, Manchester United’s historic Old Trafford recently made news for ongoing water leaks, highlighting some of the shortcomings of older European stadiums.
For a seasoned player like Reus, who has dealt with significant injuries in the past, high-quality stadium turf, state-of-the-art fitness equipment, and a strong emphasis on mental and physical well-being could be key factors in choosing his next career move, potentially leading him to MLS.
It’s unlikely we’ll hear any updates from Reus about a possible MLS move until after the Champions League final, as he’ll be focused on that match in the coming weeks.
Should Bürki and St. Louis City SC succeed in their efforts, we might see Reus in the Midwest soon. Reus is set to conclude his Borussia Dortmund career in the Champions League Final against Real Madrid on June 1, while St. Louis City will continue their MLS campaign with a match against Los Angeles FC on Wednesday.
