If you’ve been around a while you may remember this type of column. At the beginning of the season I wrote a piece covering which MLS teams were most interesting from the perspective of a MLS atheist, but USMNT fan. I then updated it and made it a weekly thing for a few weeks. Unfortunately, the weekly updates weren’t popular so it didn’t seem worth the effort to continue. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But now the season is over and the playoff field is set. It seems inevitable that LAFC will win the cup, but according to math NYCFC and Atlanta are in with a shot as well.
The real question though is what games should you be watching if you don’t care who wins the cup, but who might play themselves on to a future USMNT roster?
Tier 1: Must Watch Playoff Teams
FC Dallas – Interest Level – Can we call FCD the USYNT development team already?
FC Dallas is a treasure. They struggled at the end of the season, but made the playoffs by murdering SKC on the final day of the season, 6-0.
They are the youngest team in the league and are playing a host of young Americans. Paxton Pomykal is the crown jewel at the moment, but he is dealing with some sort of hip issue and has been playing limited minutes for a while. Meanwhile, Reggie Cannon, Brandon Servania, Edwin Cerillo, Jesse Gonzalez, and Jesus Ferreira have all played major minutes this season and will be key participants in the postseason.
They probably won’t make a deep run, but FCD is doing amazing work for American soccer. 👏
In his first season as a head coach, Luchi Gonzalez has fielded 8 homegrowns across the season, hasn’t gone away from his principles of building from the back, and has made the playoffs with the youngest team in MLS. pic.twitter.com/Q9FlqfvM8T
— Arman Kafai (@ArmanKafai) October 7, 2019
NYCFC – Interest Level – that tall drink of water looks a lot like a future USMNT 6
I wrote an article about Keaton Parks a little bit ago and, assuming he doesn’t go back to Benfica, he’s a lock to get a look from Gregg in the January camp. He’s looks very press-resistant in that deep lying role and plays some excellent passes forward. Watching Keaton against the best MLS has to offer would be reason enough for me to watch.
However, we may also get to see James Sands again. He had settled in at center back and even played defensive mid on occasion when he was injured. I’m not sure if he’ll be integrated back into the team for the playoff run, but he’d make NYCFC even more fun to watch from a US perspective.
Philadelphia Union – Interest Level – Axl from The Middle is apparently very good at the soccer
Brenden Aaronson has been a surprise this year. There was some talk before the season that he’d get some time, but he’s taken his chance and run with it. He’s been keeping Marco Fabian (a former Mexican international and pretty good Bundesliga player) on the bench and was just called up to the full national team. Pretty good.
On top of that, Mark McKenzie has recently won a spot back on the backline. Last year McKenzie looked like a real possibility as a ball-playing center back. If he can get back to that then the US suddenly has another high ceiling CB prospect to be excited about.
Tier 2: Intriguing Enough that I’ll Watch
Toronto – Interest Level – Grumpy Old Men, but still important to the team
Bradley and Altidore aren’t exactly universally loved. They are however still guaranteed members of the roster and probable starters. (Altidore for sure and Bradley depends on what GGG decides to do with Adams) I enjoy watching exciting young prospects more than vets like these guys, but they are so important to the success of the team that their form is interesting to take stock of.
Atlanta United – Chicks dig the long ball, but maybe not center backs
If Miles Robinson were a midfielder or forward Atlanta would be up a tier. IMO Robinson will be challenging Aaron Long for a starting spot very soon and that makes Atlanta worth watching.
If George Bello can get on the field next season and/or Andrew Carleton can get his shtuff together then this team will be must watch for sure.
Tier 3: I like Soccer and I’m Not Doing Anything Right Now
Seattle – Interest Level – Got stuck watching Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives
Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan don’t exactly get my blood flowing as far as USMNT pool members go, but they are for sure on the team and Morris had a couple moments during the last international window. That’s enough, I suppose.
LAFC – Interest Level – I’m supposed to like avocado, right?
LAFC is fun to watch from a strictly soccer perspective because they play an attractive style and score a ton of goals. Problem is that only Walker Zimmerman is USMNT relevant. That’s a bit of a bummer. Apparently their youth teams are brimming with talent (a recent Scuffed pod covered this), but we’re still a couple years away from US youth players even coming close to breaking into that lineup. Godspeed, kiddos.
LA Galaxy – Interest Level – It’s got potential
I’m not a huge Sebastian Lletget guy, but he seems like he might be about to get a big chance to win a starting spot with the national team. This team also gets significantly more compelling when Julian Araujo is in the lineup. It doesn’t happen as often as I like, but if he’s in there for a playoff game I’ll make a serious effort to watch.
Minnesota United – Interest Level – Surprisingly not terrible
Mason Toye had a nice little run there for a few games and ended up with 6 goals this year. Maybe I should be more excited about him, but I’m just not yet.
Hassani Dotson on the other hand I am fascinated by. I haven’t seen much of him, but I’d like to see more. He’s a defensive midfielder that can also play both fullback positions. That sounds like someone who’s going to get a call in January to me.
New York Red Bulls – Interest Level – I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed
The Red Bulls have quite a few US eligible players that have seen time (White, Duncan, Parker, Davis, Fernandez, etc.), but none of them seem like legitimate prospects. Duncan was supposed to be an option for the U23 team, but now he’s out hurt. I know Aaron Long is a set in stone starter right now, but how fun is it to watch a team to see a defend first defender play?
Tier 4: Nah. I’m Good.
Portland – Interest Level – Watching golf that’s not one of the majors
I know Ebobisse is pretty good, but I have no desire to watch this team play. Unless Valeri has a moment of magic Portland are like watching last year’s Schalke team play. Just a chore.
Real Salt Lake – Interest Level – It’s not you, it’s me
Salt Lake has several USMNT eligible players, but none of them have USMNT upside imo. Lennon, Gladd, Saucedo, Herrera, etc. all are nice players, but I’d be surprised if any of them were USMNT starters at any point in their careers. However, if Ochoa really does get the starting keeper spot from Rimando next season…that would be tempting.
DC United – Interest Level – Ugh
Arriola plays here. If you’re a fan of his game watch DC, I suppose. If you must.
New England – Interest Level – Poop emoji
I guess you could hate watch and root against Arena.
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