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

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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Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire, Cristian Martinez

CHESTER, PA – MARCH 17: Columbus Crew Midfielder Cristian Martinez (18) carries the ball in the first half during the game between the Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union on March 17, 2018 at Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. (Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

10. Cristian Martinez, Columbus Crew, Panama

2018, Martinez has played 11 MLS matches, with nine starts. He has recorded two assists while already setting a career high with 670 minutes played. Martinez has filled in nicely on the wing for the Crew after Justin Meram’s departure.

At 21, Martinez is cherishing the opportunity to represent his country in it’s debut. “Every player dreams to be in the World Cup one day,” he said at the time. “I’ve been with the national team before and I believe anything can happen in the next few months with the World Cup coming. It’s certainly a motivation for me to work twice as hard every day and hopefully I can get a new opportunity.”

Martinez can dribble circles around most defenders and has really expanding his passing range this season. One reason the Crew did not bring in wing competition was their faith in Martinez. If Martinez can show his potential on a world stage, the Crew will likely make a tidy sum on his transfer. As coach Gregg Berhalter said in the preseason:

"“Cristian is a guy we saw a lot of potential in and that’s why we brought him to the club,” . “It wasn’t easy for him to adapt to the league, to the team, to the physicality, to the training methods. All that took a while, but we always saw glimpses.”"

Going to South America at No. 9.

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