MLS: 17 Major League Soccer players to expect at the 2018 World Cup
As fans of MLS, and with no USMNT going to Russian, fans are left to cheer for MLS players at the World Cup. While some MLS teams will be affected more than others, the exposure is good for MLS. With every good performance the credibility of MLS is raised incrementally more on the international stage. As MLS gains respect, more players are willing to consider come to America.
World Cup Rosters are 23 players deep, and MLS has close to a full team going to Russia. Costa Rica is most dependant on MLS talent, havng called in 6 players to their World Cup team. Nicolas Lodeiro could make the deepest run with Uruguay, but first he must get healthy to survive the final cut. Which other countries are represented and which MLS team will be missing key players?
Let’s take a look at 17 players who will be attending the World Cup this summer.
17. Yoshimar Yotun, Peru, Orlando City
Yotun has 70 caps and was a key contributor for the first Peru team to qualify for the World Cup since 1982. Yotun, 28, has plied his trade in several countries and is a likely starter for Peru. He has played mostly in midfield but can move over as a winger. For Orlando City, Yotun has been a main catalyst in the recent winning streak as he has 3 goals and 5 assist.
Jason Kries has been praising Yotun all season:
“Yoshi’s been a really, really solid and consistent performer for us this entire season. He came in last year and, I think, adjusted to the league as quickly, if not quicker, than any person I’ve ever coached. So to see him taking a step on at the beginning of the season doesn’t surprise me in the slightest and I think he has some more to offer still.”
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Yotun has 3 goals in UEFA Champions League and also have finished twice helped lead Peru to a third place finish in the Copa America. Peru have made deep runs in the Copa America recently, and are primed to challenge for a knockout round spot.
16, 15. Gio and Jonathan dos Santos, LA Galaxy, Mexico
They seemingly always want to play together, and now even want to be injured together. In some what of a drama for the LA Galaxy, the dos Santos’ brother have prattled around in fans opinions in order to avoid injury and ensure a trip to Russia.
First Giovanni pulled his hamstring, or just tweaked it, depending on the degree of severity and the source. Now Jonathan dos Santos is out with a leg injury as well. . Neither will feature in the upcoming friendlies against Iceland and Croatia. Galaxy coach Sigi Schmidt does not seem worried about Jonathan, saying it was only cramps.
This would be Gio’s third World Cup. Previously he led Mexico to their first winners medal’s in the U-17 World Cup and the 2012 Olympic Gold Medal. While Gio has become a leader over the last decade with over 100 caps and 18 goals, Jonathan is more likely to watch from the sidelines as he has just over 30 games for El Tri.
We’ll get more into Mexico, as well as Costa Rica next.