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Five MLS Players who can make the biggest impact at UEFA Nations League

By Elliot Reeder

A view shows the logo of the UEFA Nations League football competition at the San Siro (Giuseppe-Meazza) stadium on October 5, 2021 in Milan, on the eve of the semifinal football match between Italy and Spain. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
A view shows the logo of the UEFA Nations League football competition at the San Siro (Giuseppe-Meazza) stadium on October 5, 2021 in Milan, on the eve of the semifinal football match between Italy and Spain. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – APRIL 16: Adam Buksa #9 of New England Revolution dribbles down the wing during a game between Charlotte FC and New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
FOXBOROUGH, MA – APRIL 16: Adam Buksa #9 of New England Revolution dribbles down the wing during a game between Charlotte FC and New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /

2.  Forward Adam Buksa (Poland/New England Revolution)

Buksa, 25 years old,  is one of the biggest recent risers in Major League Soccer. Buksa’s superb league play has helped him play his way into the Polish national team after several years of being unused. The 6’4 striker has used his imposing size to turn into one of the most feared strikers in MLS, and Poland will now hope he can create a deadly partnership up top for Poland alongside superstar Robert Lewandowski. Buksa has played in seven matches in the last year or so for Poland, scoring five goals.

Buksa made the journey to MLS from Poland as he signed with the Revolution in late 2019 for a reported $4.5 million dollar transfer fee. After a decent start for New England in 2020, he has turned into a goalscoring machine in the last year and a half in the MLS which propelled him into the Polish national team picture. The recent success has done well for both New England and Buksa as he is now receiving interest from European clubs with the Summer Transfer Window upcoming. Buksa’s value has risen to almost $10 million according to Transfermarkt.

Poland has been looking for several years now to find a quality supporting cast to put around Lewandowski, and Buksa might just be that guy. If Poland is going to build off of a 3rd place group finish from the previous Nations League then they need Buksa to step up and be that guy.

As I previously mentioned, Poland will have to work to get out of a group with Belgium, Netherlands, and Wales. They will need Buksa and Świderski, along with Świderski’s Charlotte FC teammate Kamil Jozwiak, to all step up and play an important role in the squad if they are going to make it to the Nations League Semifinals (or just to avoid relegation and stay up in League A).

TORONTO, CANADA – 2022/05/28: Xherdan Shaqiri (10) seen during the MLS game between Toronto FC and Chicago Fire FC at BMO Field. (Final score; Toronto FC 3-2 Chicago Fire). (Photo by Angel Marchini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA – 2022/05/28: Xherdan Shaqiri (10) seen during the MLS game between Toronto FC and Chicago Fire FC at BMO Field. (Final score; Toronto FC 3-2 Chicago Fire). (Photo by Angel Marchini/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

1. Midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland/Chicago Fire FC)

Shaqiri is a longtime stalwart in the midfield for Switzerland. The 30 year old midfielder made his Swiss debut in 2010 and has played in over 100 matches for Switzerland since then. He is one of the best Swiss National team players of all time as he leads Switzerland all-time in goals (26) in international competition and is 5th all-time in appearances. He most recently starred for Switzerland in the 2020 Euros and 2022 World Cup Qualification.

Shaqiri was a historic signing for the Chicago Fire this past offseason as he reportedly signed for the largest transfer fee in Fire franchise history (a reported $7.5 million). He has scored three goals in 11 matches so far this season for the Fire in his first season as a DP, and recently played for Liverpool and Lyon before coming to MLS.

Switzerland will arguably be one of the favorites of the entire Nations League competition, although they reside in a very difficult Group (Group A2, alongside Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic). Switzerland is currently ranked #14 in the FIFA Men’s World Rankings, but their group-mates are also high up in the rankings. Spain is currently ranked 7th, Portugal is ranked 8th, and Czech Republic is ranked 33rd.

Switzerland will look to improve on a 3rd place group finish from the 2020/2021 competition, and Shaqiri will play a large part in whether Switzerland can do so. With noted goalscorers like Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) and Alvaro Morata (Spain) in their group, Switzerland will need Shaqiri to produce goals while also patrolling the midfield and keeping the ball in the Swiss half of the field.

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