MLS-HEAVY U.S. SQUAD ROMPS
Many elite Americans are playing overseas, in Champions League
The U.S. men’s national soccer team is not a static regiment. Depending on the competition and calendar, players are summoned from an assortment of clubs and leagues.
Typically, when everyone is available, the split between MLS and European-based players is roughly even. That was the case with the 2002, ’06 and ’14 World Cup squads.
As a new World Cup cycle approaches, however, the projected makeup of the U.S. team is swaying heavily overseas.
With an unprecedented number of Americans featured in the Champions League — European soccer’s ultimate proving ground — it’s hard to imagine many MLS players competing for starting jobs at the 2022 tournament in Qatar or the qualifying stage starting next fall.
Consider: A few hours before an MLS-heavy U.S. squad smashed El Salvador, 6-0, in a friendly Wednesday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., goalkeeper Zack Steffen posted a Champions League shutout for Manchester City and Chris Richards saw second-half time for reigning champion Bayern Munich.
A day earlier, Weston McKennie — Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate and Lionel Messi’s opponent — scored a fabulous goal for Juventus against Barcelona, which started American Sergiño Dest.
Several other Americans, such as Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and Tyler Adams, were in uniform for Champions League games across Europe. Eight are on teams that advanced to the round of 16.
Many other U.S. players
U.S. 6, El Salvador 0
were preparing for weekend league matches in England, Germany, Spain, France and Portugal.
At full strength, U.S. Coach Gregg Berhalter could fill a lineup and several reserve slots with players employed by the biggest brands in the sport. For a program with modest success, that’s extraordinary.
Berhalter gathered many of those hotshots last month for a 0-0 draw at Wales and a 6-2 victory over Panama in Austria.
Until he has the opportunity to summon them again in March, Berhalter will focus on his MLS candidates. He is planning a longer camp and one friendly early next year.
There is great value to these domestic get-togethers. Berhalter needs to continue broadening the player pool, cre
ating depth and addressing roster gaps.
There are MLS players very much in Berhalter’s plans for the senior team, such as Seattle forward Jordan Morris, who wasn’t available Wednesday because the Sounders are preparing for the MLS Cup on Saturday at Columbus.
Paul Arriola, D.C. United’s high-energy winger, was among Berhalter’s favorites before tearing an ACL last winter. After returning for United’s finale last month, he received a U.S. call-up and notched the opening goal in the 17th minute as part of a five-goal rush over 10 minutes.
“If you’re the right fit and you’re playing the best and you’re able to do what is asked of you, you have a shot” of receiving call-ups to the full squad next year, said Arriola, 25, whose 34 U.S. appearances are by far the most in this group.
“The players playing in Europe, that’s an amazing step for them, for the country and for U.S. soccer. For the guys in MLS, it motivates us.”
Another player to watch is Brenden Aaronson, a stylish 20year-old midfielder who next month will move to Austria’s RB Salzburg from the Philadelphia Union.
Orlando City forward Chris Mueller made his national team debut Wednesday, scoring twice and setting up goals by Arriola and Toronto FC’s Ayo Akinola, all before halftime.
Granted, El Salvador was terrible, but Mueller and others took full advantage.
LA Galaxy attacker Sebastian Lletget, the only MLS player called into the European camp last month, scored on a cheeky chip over goalkeeper Henry Hernandez.