MLS Stars Need to Continue to Shine for USMNT
By Marcel Dumas
The USMNT needed a win Tuesday evening against Guatemala in their World Cup qualifier. They got the result they desperately needed as several MLS stars stepped up to lead the 4 – 0 rout.
The men’s national team entered the match under some heavy scrutiny from the media and fans following their 2 – 0 loss in Guatemala last week. Fears of potentially missing the 2018 World Cup were running wild, and were warranted. Another loss to Guatemala would have put the USMNT’s qualifying hopes on life support, and a tie would have been a severe blow as well.
Concerns began to be put to bed early as Clint Dempsey fired the first goal only 12 minutes in. It was the 14th World Cup qualifier goal for the Sounder’s star, passing Landon Donovan for most in USMNT history.
Geoff Cameron doubled the lead in the 35th minute, heading home a Michael Bradley free kick. The 2-0 score line would hold up through halftime.
Graham Zusi put the game on ice less than a minute into the second half when he was able to slot home a loose ball in the box. Jozy Altidore would add a late goal for the final score as the team put the final touches on a well played match.
MLS players played key roles in the win. Dempsey, Bradley, and Zusi were joined by Gyasi Zardes, Kyle Beckerman and Steve Bimbaum in the starting lineup. Altidore entered the game as a sub.
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While playing key roles in this qualifier was satisfying for one night, collectively the MLS contingent (along with the European based players) are going to have to continue to raise their game. As the USMNT continues to move forward in qualifying, there will be no easy matches, and the squad is going to have to show better then they have so far.
Part of that may hinge on the fact that MLS players are just now getting their season started and are getting back to speed, but it does not excuse them for the awful performance last Friday. If the United States is going to make a run in the next World Cup, their MLS players are going to have to show the rest of the world they can match up with the other leagues best. It is a statement that will have to be made until MLS has positioned itself as a top tier league.
Missing the next World Cup could do a great deal of damage to the progress MLS is making. The exposure of MLS players in high profile competitions is still needed at this stage of the league’s development.
Positive performances from MLS players are needed to effectively combat the negative opinions others may have of the league and its players. These performances help breakdown perception barriers and serve as recruiting opportunities for the league. MLS stands to gain more traction in their climb up the world ladder when their players succeed on the pitch.
Performing against Guatemala is the easy part, replicating those type of efforts (not necessarily the score line) against the international elites is another step MLS needs in its constant battle for acceptance. The league has worked hard for the last two decades to build a solid footing in the world, it needs its players to continue to carry the torch.