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MLS: 17 Major League Soccer players to expect at the 2018 World Cup

By Christopher Dodson

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 06: Orlando City defender Yoshimar Yotun (19) celebrates after scoring a goal during the soccer match between the Orlando City Lions and Real Salt Lake on May 6, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 06: Orlando City defender Yoshimar Yotun (19) celebrates after scoring a goal during the soccer match between the Orlando City Lions and Real Salt Lake on May 6, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND – MARCH 27: #5 Roman Torres of Panama looks on during the International Friendly between Switzerland and Panama at the Swissporarena on March 27, 2018 in Lucern, Switzerland. (Photo by Monika Majer/Getty Images)
LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND – MARCH 27: #5 Roman Torres of Panama looks on during the International Friendly between Switzerland and Panama at the Swissporarena on March 27, 2018 in Lucern, Switzerland. (Photo by Monika Majer/Getty Images) /

6. Gustav Svensson, Seattle Sounders, Sweden

Arguably the best player of the Sounders injury riddled season, Svensson was named to the latest MLS team of the week. At 31, Svensson had hardly merited a look from the Swedish NT until signing with Seattle. After last year’s solid campaign, Svensson was called in for 4 of Sweden’s World Cup Qualifiers.

Sweden face Germany, Mexico after opening with South Korea in the Group of Death. When Sweden beat Italy in the final two game qualifying series, Svensson was called upon in the 19th minute for an emergency substitute appearance and was splendid weathering the storm in midfield. Svensson has also proven capable in defense for the Sounders, though it is unlikely Sweden would find itself in such a bind.

5. Roman Torres, Panama, Seattle Sounders

Panama was already looking at an uphill battle for points and now must worry about the health of their star player Roman Torres. The World Cup is notoriously a young man’s game, and at 32, Torres will hard pressed to return from a hamstring injury. Torres has missed the Sounders last 4 games as he has been with Panama team doctors trying to prepare.

"“It’s not good. It’s not good. It’s a hamstring injury and it’s not good. That’s all I’ll say on it now. But that was a blow,” Schmetzer told reporters."

Torres is the team’s captain and one of Panama’s biggest modern icons after his World Cup Qualifying goal. In their World Cup debut Panama are looking to leave Russia with a better reputation if not a knockout stage appearance. If he is anywhere near healthy, Torres will be listed in the final 23.

No. 4 next.

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