Scot strikes first in MLS 2008

It might not have made a huge dent in the collective world football scene, but Major League Soccer has kicked off its 2008 season, the 13th year of the league, in the US. This season sees a bit of a Scottish influx to the league, thanks mostly to the implosion of Gretna FC and the subsequent availability of many of their top players. Kenny Deuchar headed to MLS side Real Salt Lake, while Tony Caig has taken over the backup keeper duties at the Houston Dynamo.

But it was an even less well-known Scottish footballer who made his mark on Saturday, the first day of this year’s MLS season. Adam Moffat, formerly of Ross County and Elgin City, scored the first goal of the season, netting in the 26th minute for his new team the Columbus Crew. The Crew beat last year’s expansion side Toronto FC 2-0. He almost scored again in the second half, putting a shot just over the crossbar.

Congratulations to Moffat and good luck to the other new Scots in the MLS. The spread of Scottish players to leagues around the world can only be a good thing for both the reputation of the Scottish game and the development of the future national team. For Scotland fans in the US, of which there are many, it also gives another reason to watch the MLS develop, knowing they can cheer for a Scot without having to hop the pond.