For Immediate Release
MLS Communications |
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THE PITCH: TOP THINGS TO WATCH IN MLS THIS WEEK
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MLS Players Answer the Call for International Competitions
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Pictured: United States Men's National Team. Photo Credit: Mayela Lopez (IMAGN / USA TODAY Sports)
Following the first 14 weeks of regular season play, 78 MLS players have received the call to represent 29 countries during the FIFA international window this June. With five of the world’s seven regional confederations tapping into MLS talent, the league’s stars could take center stage in the high-stakes FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoffs, Concacaf Nations League, UEFA Nations League, and international friendlies.
As MLS continues to power national teams for the U.S. and Canada, call-ups for both countries feature 10 MLS players each this window, while a collection of seven MLS players are set to represent Peru, New Zealand, and Costa Rica, as they battle it out for one of the last remaining spots in the World Cup. Peru will play the winner of the United Arab Emirates – Australia match for a spot in Group D while Costa Rica and New Zealand face off for the final spot in Group E.
A continually updated listing (by club) of MLS players called-up this window is available here.
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FIFA Break Presents Vital Chance to Play On
and Stay On World Cup Rosters
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Pictured: LA Galaxy and Mexico defender Julián Araujo. Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez (IMAGN / USA TODAY Sports)
This FIFA international window marks one of two crucial opportunities remaining for players to secure a national team roster spot for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. With four national team games this month – the most matches over the final two FIFA breaks – players are putting their best foot forward for selection heading into the last preparatory window this fall (Sept. 19-27).
Across the board and around the world, every opportunity counts over these next two weeks, especially for four key players on the cusp of solidifying a spot on their respective national teams.
- Julián Araujo (Club: LA Galaxy, Country: Mexico): The 20-year-old defender has started 12 games, leading one of the best defenses in MLS this season in interceptions (21) and key passes (20). He made his El Tri debut on Dec. 8, 2021, and he could become the second-youngest field player on Mexico’s World Cup roster since goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in 2006.
- Leonardo Campana (Club: Inter Miami CF, Country: Ecuador): The Inter Miami CF forward ranks among the league’s top five scorers with seven goals in his first MLS season, and he has led his club to a 5-2-2 record over its last nine games. The striker, who earned two starts in 2021 Copa América, will look to impress against Mexico – another World Cup side – on June 5 at Soldier Field in Chicago (7:30 p.m. ET, UniMás / TUDN).
- José Cifuentes (Club: LAFC, Country: Ecuador): The Los Angeles Football Club midfielder has excelled as a box-to-box impact player, notching eight goals and nine assists for one of the league’s top-five offenses since the start of 2021. On the international scene, his presence on the field has led Ecuador to three matches unbeaten (1W, 2D) since September of last year.
- Raheem Edwards (Club: LA Galaxy, Country: Canada): A position change to defense has been pivotal for the newfound left back, whose five assists tie for second among defenders in league play. His talents will be on full display, when Canada takes on Curaçao on June 9 (10:30 p.m. ET) and Honduras on June 13 (10 p.m. ET) in Nations League competition.
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MLS takes center stage at the UEFA Nations League
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Pictured: LA Galaxy and Serbia striker Dejan Joveljić. Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio (IMAGN / USA TODAY Sports)
The 2022-23 UEFA Nations League kicks off this month with MLS players representing their countries in both League A and League B action of the biennial international competition.
Poland is Packed with MLS Players
New England Revolution striker Adam Buksa, as well as Charlotte FC forward Karol Swiderski and winger Kamil Jozwiak join the Poland squad for UEFA Nations League matches. Buksa rejoins the national team on the heels of a seven-game scoring streak for the Revs and after contributing five goals in five games during Poland’s road to World Cup qualification. Meanwhile, Swiderski has four goals and two assists and Jozwiak has five appearances in MLS action, as the two Charlotte FC players earn their first national team call-ups since November. In the first round of matchups, this MLS attacking trio will provide promising options for Poland ahead of matches against Wales on June 1 (12 p.m. ET, fuboTV), the Netherlands on June 11 (2:45 p.m. ET, FS2 / fuboTV), and Belgium on June 8 (2:45 p.m. ET, FS1 / fuboTV) and June 14 (2:45 p.m. ET, FS2 / fuboTV).
Switzerland Secure with Xherdan Shaqiri
The Chicago Fire FC midfielder has a goal and three assists for his MLS club, as he leads Switzerland against the Czech Republic on June 2 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV), Spain on June 9 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV) and in two matches against Portugal on June 5 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV) and June 12 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV). Shaqiri scored against England in his last Switzerland appearance in March and he prepares to face Spain after scoring a second-half equalizer to force the game into a penalty kick shootout in the quarterfinals of the 2020 European Championship.
Galaxy’s Joveljic Joins Serbia on Goalscoring Stride
In League B action, 22-year-old LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic makes his long-awaited return to the Serbian national team almost a year after his senior team debut. Joining after a stellar performance with two goals and two assists in the Galaxy’s 4-1 win last week, Joveljic’s form could be clutch in Serbia’s promotion chase, with upcoming matches against Norway on June 2 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV), Sweden on June 9 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV), and Slovenia on both June 5 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV) and June 12 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV).
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MLS Influences Past, Present, and Future of
U.S. and Canada Men’s National Teams
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As the U.S. and Canada have both qualified for the same FIFA World Cup for the first time in history, both sides feature at least 10 current MLS players. However, their collective rosters have been impacted and developed by Major League Soccer.
The U.S. Men’s National Team roster for this window is stocked full of current and former MLS players and MLS academy products. Of the 21 goals the U.S. scored in Concacaf World Cup qualifying matches, 14 were scored or assisted by players with MLS ties.
For Canada, the league’s growth and development has also directly impacted their success with a spine of MLS-based players. Canada’s defensive record was the best of any side during the final group stage of Concacaf World Cup qualifiers, conceding just seven goals in 14 games.
Below is a breakdown of the league’s pipeline into the current U.S. and Canada Men’s National Team rosters.
MLS Contributions to Current U.S. Men’s National Team
- 10 Current MLS Players: Kellyn Acosta, Paul Arriola, Jesús Ferreira, Sean Johnson, Aaron Long, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Matt Turner, DeAndre Yedlin, and Walker Zimmerman.
- 16 Players Who Have Played in MLS: Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Paul Arriola, George Bello, Reggie Cannon, Jesús Ferreira, Sean Johnson, Aaron Long, Jordan Morris, Erik Palmer-Brown, Cristian Roldan, Joe Scally, Matt Turner, DeAndre Yedlin, and Walker Zimmerman.
- 13 MLS Academy Products (Players who spent time in MLS academies): Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Paul Arriola, George Bello, Reggie Cannon, Jesús Ferreira, Weston McKennie, Jordan Morris, Erik Palmer-Brown, Joe Scally, Tim Weah, and DeAndre Yedlin.
MLS Contributions to Current Canada Men’s National Team
- 10 Current MLS Players: Lucas Cavallini, Maxime Crépeau, Raheem Edwards, Doneil Henry, Alistair Johnston, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Kamal Miller, Jonathan Osorio, Samuel Piette, and Dayne St. Clair.
- 15 Players Who Have Played in MLS: Samuel Adekugbe, Tajon Buchanan, Lucas Cavallini, Maxime Crépeau, Alphonso Davies, Raheem Edwards, Doneil Henry, Alistair Johnston, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Cyle Larin, Richie Laryea, Kamal Miller, Jonathan Osorio, Samuel Piette, Dayne St. Clair, and Steven Vitória.
- Seven MLS Academy Products (Players who spent time in MLS academies): Samuel Adekugbe, Charles-Andreas Brym, Maxime Crépeau, Alphonso Davies, Raheem Edwards, Doneil Henry, and Mark-Anthony Kaye.
The U.S. Men’s National Team will face Morocco on June 1 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 / UniMás / TUDN) and Uruguay on June 5 (5 p.m. ET, FOX / Univision / TUDN), while Canada heads into a pair of Nations League fixtures against Curacao on June 9 and Honduras on June 13. Broadcast details for Canada matches will be announced soon.
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