A USMNT Fan’s Guide to the MLS World Cup

I know it’s called the MLS is Back Tournament, but that’s a pretty terrible name and the the format is basically the World Cup format from back when it had 24 teams.

If you’ve been reading my stuff for a while you may already know this, but I’m what you call a club soccer atheist. I grew up in Detroit and live in Cleveland, so I don’t have a local team (*nods to Detroit City FC*) and I’ve never developed a connection with a European team. I watch all soccer through the lens of the USMNT. I will watch random games for enjoyment, but I’ll choose Werder Bremen vs Augsburg over Liverpool vs Manchester United if Josh Sargent is playing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

With that preamble out of the way, here are the teams I’m looking forward to watching at the MLS World Cup and why. Tier Style.

Required Viewing

FC Dallas 😢

Sadness. This is the best team to watch in MLS from a US angle. You couldn’t have struck down Chicago or something, 2020? Hope everyone in Dallas is okay and can play in August.

Philadelphia Union

With Dallas’ exit, the Union become the most interesting team to watch imo. They have a really nice academy set up and are starting to produce young national teamers. Brenden Aaronson (eval-ed him a while back) and Mark McKenzie are both starters and both have made their full national team debut. Aaronson supposedly has European teams watching him closely and is in the mix for one of the #8 spots on the USMNT. McKenzie is a rare breed of American center back. He can hit a pass and handles the ball well enough to step past a pressing defender/carry the ball forward.

NYCFC

These guys don’t get as much attention as they probably should. If you pull up the roster you’ll find the following USMNT eligible names: Tayvon Gray, Justin Haak, Sean Johnson, Keaton Parks, James Sands, Joe Scally, and Gedion Zalalem.

Of those, I think only Johnson, Parks, and Sands are likely to play, but that’s a pretty intriguing list. In particular James Sands is way undervalued by the US fan base (and possibly coaches based on call ups). Torrent and now Delia love the guy and he’s one of those defensive midfield/center back hybrids that you see now and again. (I may have just talked myself into doing a player eval for Mr. Sands) Keaton Parks is a classy midfielder that you don’t see often from the US (no bite though) and Johnson is at least in the conversation to be Steffen’s backup at keeper. Good team to watch

BTW- Scally is already set to move to Borussia Mochengladbach in January so I’m not sure how motivated they’ll be to play him, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

There are Reasons to Watch

Colorado Rapids

I can’t believe I’m putting the Rapids up this far, but here we are. If you’ve been listening to Joe Lowery at all lately he is very high on the 21 year old left back. He also debuted for the USMNT in February and is supposedly a defensive stopper at the position. I don’t know about you but a offensive/defensive combo of Antonee Robinson and Sam Vines on the USMNT depth chart sounds pretty appealing to me.

The Rapids also have Cole Bassett. He didn’t start their first two games, but I’m hoping that’s because he was going to be gone with the Olympic team and they didn’t want to have to start depending on him and then lose him for a month at the beginning of the season. Bassett is another talented #8 because the US produces nothing but #8s for some reason. 🤣

Toronto FC

A couple of you may want to skip this section. Or take a breath and try to be calm for a minute.

Jozy Altidore is still the best striker in the US pool and it’s not particularly close. If he’s healthy and in good form he’ll be starting when qualifiers roll around. I’m not sure if Berhalter sees Bradley as a starter anymore, but he’s certainly on the team. The shut down came at a great time for Bradley since he was supposed to be out for three months or so after ankle surgery. Like it or not, these two veterans will play a role in qualifying and probably the 2022 World Cup.

Atlanta United

Atlanta is a fun team to watch from a style of play perspective. Miles Robinson is the player to watch here. Can he add some passing to his repertoire? He’s already an athletic/defensive match for Aaron Long, but if he can add some passing range I think he’ll pass him up.

George Campbell and George Bello are also present. I’m not sure how much playing time they’ll get or how legitimate their USMNT prospects are, but it’s something to look for.

Seattle Sounders

Frequenly you’ll hear about how NBA players take the summer and try to add something to their game. For example, one year I remember people making a big deal about Lebron working on his post up game over the summer. Jordan Morris seems to do this for the Sounders. Like a lot of US fans, I was bummed when he didn’t move to Bremen two or three years ago, but he’s been developing admirably in MLS. Morris sat out the 1st half against Chicago in March after playing in the CONCACAF Champions League, but when he came on at the start of the 2nd…the Fire couldn’t handle him. If he’s leveled up again I don’t see how European teams don’t come calling. Will he be interested now?

Danny Leyva is a youngster worth keeping an eye on. He got a start for Seattle in one of the first two games and is only 17. Talented kid that plays defensive midfield.

NY Red Bulls

I miss Tyler Adams. I’m glad he went to Leipzig, but I really enjoyed watching him play with New York. Aaron Long is still here so that’s cool, but the most fascinating player on the team is Kyle Duncan. The US suddenly has 13 different right back options, but Duncan started the MLS season on a tear for the Red Bulls. More depth never hurt anyone. Plus the US team isn’t exactly known for their luck with injuries *knocks on wood*

San Jose Earthquakes

I may be completely misreading things, but I think Jackson Yueill is going to be an important player for the USMNT under Gregg Berhalter. He wouldn’t be my choice, but I’m not in charge so that doesn’t matter. San Jose is also a lot of fun to watch under Matias Almeyda. I’m not sure if the man-marking things works because it’s unique or if it’s just because it’s an effective strategy, but it is interesting.

If I Squint I can Find a Reason

LA Galaxy

The Galaxy are a weird team from a US fan’s point of view. The only guy that I’m confident is going to play is Sebastian Lletget. He’s fine, but I think we’re all hoping he gets passed on the USMNT depth chart. However, LA also has Julian Araujo and Efra Alvarez on the roster. If those two guys are playing regularly then they shoot way up this list. Frankly, that the Galaxy have produced zero national team players from their academy (I know Uly went through there) is crazy. LA has so much talent we should be able to field a good national team from that area of the country alone.

LAFC

I wish their academy was about five years older. Bradley has the best team in MLS and has them playing awesome soccer. Unfortunately, Bryce Duke is the only US eligible player that gets minutes. Maybe he develops into something under Bradley?

Columbus Crew

Aboubacar Keita was in over his head at the U20 World Cup last summer, BUT you could see there is talent there. He’s left footed and he can hit a pass. Does Sebastian Berhalter get any minutes? Zardes isn’t a favorite, but he’s going to continue to play for the US. Watchable.

Real Salt Lake

This one is going to depend on David Ochoa. If he gets starts than things get interesting. Imo he’s the only young keeper that has a legit shot to challenge Zack Steffen any time in the near future. Does he get games with RSL or will he be starting with the Monarchs again?

Houston Dynamo

This is all about Tab Ramos. Houston has a great/huge population to draw young talent from, but has been awful at taking advantage of it (see: Cappis, Christian). With Ramos in charge they’ve started signing kids like Marcelo Palomino. Is it too soon for playing time or will Ramos throw him in?

DC United

Moses. Freaking. Nyeman. I hate that DC has this kid. If he played for NYRB, Dallas, Philadelphia, etc. he’d be playing and reason enough to watch. DC United probably won’t play him and I’m mad online about it.

Yawn – Maybe I’ll have it on while I scroll Twitter

Chicago, Cincinatti (I know they have Amaya, but they’re so bad), Miami, Minnestota, Montreal, Nashville, New England, Orlando, Portland, SKC, and Vancouver provide me no reason to watch. That’s a lot of teams for the US domestic league to have zero players with USMNT potential. Feel free to yell at me and tell me how wrong I am.

Note – I didn’t forget about Busio, Ebobisse, Toye, Dotson, Mueller.

If you enjoyed this and would like to be informed of future articles type your email address in the box and you’ll be notified of each new post. Also, feel free to follow me on Twitter @blharreld 🤓

P.S. – Random Thought

Since this tournament is basically a World Cup format does it give coaches with World Cup experience an edge? Bradley, Arena, Ramos (U20) all have coached tournaments with this format (I’m probably missing a couple too). It may give LAFC, New England, and Houston an edge.

Also, this is a good practice run for any managers that might hope to coach a national team in a future World Cup.