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MLS Elevates International Standing with September Call-Ups

By Arthur Fernandes

Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates with midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Thiago Almada after scoring against Panama during the friendly football match between Argentina and Panama, at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, on March 23, 2023. - Lionel Messi capped a night of unbridled joy with the 800th goal of his career as world champions Argentina celebrated their homecoming with a 2-0 friendly victory over stubborn Panama in Buenos Aires on Thursday. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP) (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images)
Argentina's forward Lionel Messi celebrates with midfielders Rodrigo De Paul and Thiago Almada after scoring against Panama during the friendly football match between Argentina and Panama, at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, on March 23, 2023. - Lionel Messi capped a night of unbridled joy with the 800th goal of his career as world champions Argentina celebrated their homecoming with a 2-0 friendly victory over stubborn Panama in Buenos Aires on Thursday. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP) (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA/AFP via Getty Images) /
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In this month of September, Major League Soccer (MLS) is once again proving its international growth and recognition as an impressive roster of its players is called up to represent their national teams in a series of prestigious competitions. The September 2023 international window isn’t just a time of nation-vs-nation clashes on the pitch; it’s also a reflection of the continuous advancement of the North American league and the talents it has attracted.

The MLS, once considered a league of lesser global relevance, is clearly on the right track to transform into a hub of international talent and visibility. The presence of MLS players in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Nations League matches is a testament to the league’s growth and maturation in recent years.

Within this notable call-up, it’s evident that the MLS is becoming a showcase for a wide range of talents, regardless of their nationalities. The roster of called-up players spans a diversity of nations, from traditional powerhouses to emerging football nations. Argentina, Georgia, USA, Costa Rica, Poland, Finland, Venezuela, Panama, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Ukraine, Honduras, Hungary, and Cameroon are among the nations represented by these talented MLS players.

This call-up also highlights the growing South American presence in the league. Prominent players such as Thiago Almada, Alan Velasco, and Josef Martínez are showcasing their skills, proving that the MLS is no longer just a destination for players seeking a quiet retirement at the end of their careers. On the contrary, the league is now viewed as a platform that can propel the careers of young talents while also attracting established players seeking competitive challenges.

The MLS has been striving to enhance its global reputation, and these call-ups represent a significant step in that direction. The international visibility that these players will bring to the league during the competitions will not only elevate the status of the MLS but also encourage improvements in the quality of the game and infrastructure.

In a landscape dominated by European leagues on the global stage, the MLS is demonstrating its willingness to compete for the spotlight on the international scene. The call-ups for the September competitions are a clear indicator that the MLS isn’t just growing; it’s also diversifying and strengthening its impact on the global soccer stage.

As MLS players gear up to defend their national colors, the eyes of the soccer world will be upon them. They represent not only their nations but also the ongoing rise of a league that is vying for a prominent place in the hearts of sports fans worldwide.

MLS All-Stars’ Thiago Almada (L) runs with the ball during a friendly football match between the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star team and Arsenal FC, at Audi Field in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
MLS All-Stars’ Thiago Almada (L) runs with the ball during a friendly football match between the Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star team and Arsenal FC, at Audi Field in Washington, DC, on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Stefani Reynolds / AFP) (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Check out the list of called-up players:

Atlanta United

  • Thiago Almada (M, Argentina)
  • Saba Lobjanidze (F, Georgia)
  • Miles Robinson (D, USA)

Austin FC

  • Julio Cascante (D, Costa Rica)

Charlotte FC

  • Karol Swiderski (F, Poland)
  • Jere Uronen (D, Finland)

Chicago Fire FC

  • Miguel Navarro (D, Venezuela)

FC Cincinnati

  • Junior Moreno (M, Venezuela)

FC Dallas

  • Alan Velasco (F, Argentina)

Houston Dynamo FC

  • Adalberto Carrasquilla (M, Panama)
  • Héctor Herrera (M, Mexico)
  • Xavier Valdez (GK, Dominican Republic)

Inter Miami CF

  • Edison Azcona (M, Dominican Republic)
  • Drake Callender (GK, USA)
  • Benjamin Cremaschi (M, USA)
  • Diego Gómez (M, Paraguay)
  • Sergii Kryvtsov (D, Ukraine)
  • Josef Martínez (F, Venezuela)
  • Lionel Messi (F, Argentina)
  • David Ruíz (M, Honduras)
  • Robert Taylor (M, Finland)

Minnesota United FC

  • Teemu Pukki (F, Finland)
  • Joseph Rosales (M, Honduras)

Nashville SC

  • Randall Leal (M, Costa Rica)

New England Revolution

  • Christian Makoun (D, Venezuela)

New York Red Bulls

  • Carlos Coronel (GK, Paraguay)

Philadelphia Union

  • Jesús Bueno (M, Venezuela)
  • Dániel Gazdag (M, Hungary)
  • José Martínez (M, Venezuela)
  • Olivier Mbaizo (D, Cameroon)

Real Salt Lake

  • Braian Ojeda (M, Paraguay)
  • Jefferson Savarino (F, Venezuela)

San Jose Earthquakes

  • Cade Cowell (F, USA)

Seattle Sounders FC

  • Nouhou Tolo (D, Cameroon)

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

  • Andrés Cubas (M, Paraguay)
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