ST. LOUIS — It’s clear that several prominent members of the U.S. men’s national team are finding limited playing time with their European clubs this season.
Given this situation, some players are contemplating how a return to Major League Soccer (MLS) could influence their prospects of remaining with the USMNT as the 2026 World Cup approaches. While the competition in MLS may not match that of Europe, the opportunity for more playing minutes may be appealing.
“Some players asked me if MLS is a viable platform for them to compete,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino remarked on Sunday, just before the Americans faced Jamaica in the latter part of their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal. “I conveyed that it doesn’t matter if they play in the Premier League, La Liga, Argentina, or Mexico.”
“Lionel Messi is the best player in the world, and he’s playing here. After experiencing MLS, I can say it’s not easy to play here.”
Despite this, the majority of players on the U.S. roster gearing up for Monday’s crucial rematch with Jamaica are based in Europe. Of the 25 players Pochettino selected this month, 13 were nurtured by MLS academies, yet only four currently play in the U.S. league.
This trend highlights the significant growth of the American player pool in recent years.
“You can see the progress in the national team,” said forward Tim Weah, who plays at Juventus alongside U.S. teammate Weston McKennie. “Most players are now competing in Europe. That’s how the sport will continue to grow in the U.S.”
Nevertheless, MLS is likely to pursue some of the USMNT’s standout talents as the World Cup nears. Reports indicate that FC Cincinnati was prepared to offer a $15 million transfer fee for McKennie over the summer. Although he chose to sign a new contract with Juventus, this interest showcases MLS’s ambition.
Other players may also consider a move back to the U.S. for more playing time. Starting goalkeeper Matt Turner, who has only played once for Crystal Palace in England this season, remarked last week that he is “not quite there yet” in terms of returning home.
“I know I can perform at my current level,” said Turner, who earned MLS’s goalkeeper of the year award in 2021 before transitioning to the Premier League. “It’s about finding consistency and opportunity.”
However, if opportunities do not present themselves in the coming months, Turner may reconsider his options.
Pochettino emphasized that competing weekly in MLS is preferable to sitting on the bench in Europe’s elite leagues. He shared a recent discussion with Hugo Lloris, the former World Cup-winning goalkeeper for France and his former teammate at Tottenham Hotspur, who praised MLS for its competitiveness and training discipline.
“He said it’s a very competitive league, they have very good discipline, they train very well,” Pochettino relayed.
“[So] why not?,” the USMNT coach continued. “For me, players have the same chance of representing the USMNT whether they play in MLS or in the Premier League, La Liga, Belgium, or France. They need to understand this privately and publicly.”
