MLS players in the 2018 FIFA World Cup: Complete list and when to watch in the group stage
By Daniel Garza
There will be 19 players from MLS participating in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Here’s the complete breakdown of how to keep an eye on their progress in the group stage.
In just a few short days, the eyes of the world will switch to Russia for a month as the FIFA World Cup descends on the vast European nation. Among the players involved in the storyline to come, 19 will be representing the MLS.
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From Egypt to Mexico, the list contains names such as Carlos Vela and Omar Gaber. In total, 11 different clubs will be represented.
Here’s the complete list of players headed to the World Cup.
Omar Gaber (LAFC)-Egypt
Marco Ureña (LAFC)-Costa Rica
Carlos Vela (LAFC)-Mexico
Adolfo Machado (Houston Dynamo)-Panama
Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy)-Mexico
Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy)-Mexico
Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United)-Costa Rica
Ronald Matarrita (NYCFC)-Costa Rica
Rodney Wallace (NYCFC)-Costa Rica
Fidel Escober (New York Red Bulls)-Panama
Michael Murillo (New York Red Bulls)-Panama
Yoshi Yotun (Orlando City)-Peru
David Guzman (Portland Timbers)-Costa Rica
Andy Polo (Portland Timbers)-Peru
Harold Cummings (San Jose Earthquakes)-Panama
Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes)-Panama
Gustav Svensson (Seattle Sounders)-Sweden
Roman Torres (Seattle Sounders)-Panama
Kendall Watson (Vancouver Whitecaps)-Costa Rica
When to watch
Here’s when to watch the above players and their respective countries.
Mexico
Sun 6/17 vs. Germany-11:00 AM (EST)
Sat 6/23 vs. South Korea-11:00 AM (EST)
Wed 6/27 vs. Sweden-10:00 AM (EST)
Panama
Mon 6/18 vs. Belgium-11:00 AM (EST)
Sun 6/24 vs. England-8:00 AM (EST)
Thur 6/28 vs. Tunisia-2:00 PM (EST)
Costa Rica
Sun 6/17 vs. Serbia-8:00 AM (EST)
Fri 6/22 vs. Brazil-8:00 AM (EST)
Wed 6/27 vs. Switzerland-2:00 PM (EST)
Peru
Sat 6/16 vs. Denmark-12:00 PM (EST)
Thur 6/21 vs. France-11:00 AM (EST)
Tue 6/19 vs. Australia-10:00 AM (EST)
Egypt
Fri 6/15 vs. Uruguay-8:00 AM (EST)
Tue 6/19 vs. Russia-2:00 PM (EST)
Mon 6/25 vs. Saudi Arabia-10:00 AM (EST)
Sweden
Mon 6/18 vs. South Korea-8:00 AM (EST)
Sat 6/23 vs. Germany-2:00 PM (EST)
Wed 6/27 vs. Mexico-10:00 AM (EST)
Which players will have the biggest impact?
Vela has to be the top player to watch on the aforementioned list. The forward has already had a fantastic start to life with LAFC and will look to translate his fine form on the international stage. Mexico will need him to come up big throughout the competition.
The Dos Santos brothers will undoubtedly be featured at some point for Mexico. Can Giovani get a goal for his country to add to his storyed career?
Much like his LAFC teammate Vela, Ureña will have to have a big tournament offensively for Costa Rica. Having scored in the last World Cup, the veteran will bring a wealth of experience with him to Russia.
On Panama’s roster, Escobar. Torres, Machado, and Murrillo will likely start every match on the backline. They will be instrumental in determining if Panama can stay in matches and try to shock their group.
Yotun could very well be in the starting XI for Peru. He will definitely be a player to watch for a country that could be poised to make a shock run to the knockout stages.
Next: MLS Week 14 Power Rankings
Stay tuned to MLS Multiplex throughout the competition for updates on the MLS’ representation.