Top Things to Watch in MLS This Week
MLS Players Answer the Call for International Competitions
Following the first 14 weeks of regular season play, 78 MLS players have received the call to represent 29 countries during the FIFA international window this June. With five of the world’s seven regional confederations tapping into MLS talent, the league’s stars could take center stage in the high-stakes FIFA World Cup intercontinental playoffs, Concacaf Nations League, UEFA Nations League, and international friendlies.
As MLS continues to power national teams for the U.S. and Canada, call-ups for both countries feature 10 MLS players each this window, while a collection of seven MLS players are set to represent Peru, New Zealand, and Costa Rica, as they battle it out for one of the last remaining spots in the World Cup. Peru will play the winner of the United Arab Emirates – Australia match for a spot in Group D while Costa Rica and New Zealand face off for the final spot in Group E.
A continually updated listing (by club) of MLS players called-up this window is available here.
FIFA Break Presents Vital Chance to Play On and Stay On World Cup Rosters
This FIFA international window marks one of two crucial opportunities remaining for players to secure a national team roster spot for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. With four national team games this month – the most matches over the final two FIFA breaks – players are putting their best foot forward for selection heading into the last preparatory window this fall (Sept. 19-27).
Across the board and around the world, every opportunity counts over these next two weeks, especially for four key players on the cusp of solidifying a spot on their respective national teams.
- Julián Araujo (Club: LA Galaxy, Country: Mexico): The 20-year-old defender has started 12 games, leading one of the best defenses in MLS this season in interceptions (21) and key passes (20). He made his El Tri debut on Dec. 8, 2021, and he could become the second-youngest field player on Mexico's World Cup roster since goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa in 2006.
- Leonardo Campana (Club: Inter Miami CF, Country: Ecuador): The Inter Miami CF forward ranks among the league’s top five scorers with seven goals in his first MLS season, and he has led his club to a 5-2-2 record over its last nine games. The striker, who earned two starts in 2021 Copa América, will look to impress against Mexico – another World Cup side – on June 5 at Soldier Field in Chicago (7:30 p.m. ET, UniMás / TUDN).
- José Cifuentes (Club: LAFC, Country: Ecuador): The Los Angeles Football Club midfielder has excelled as a box-to-box impact player, notching eight goals and nine assists for one of the league’s top-five offenses since the start of 2021. On the international scene, his presence on the field has led Ecuador to three matches unbeaten (1W, 2D) since September of last year.
- Raheem Edwards (Club: LA Galaxy, Country: Canada): A position change to defense has been pivotal for the newfound left back, whose five assists tie for second among defenders in league play. His talents will be on full display, when Canada takes on Curaçao on June 9 (10:30 p.m. ET) and Honduras on June 13 (10 p.m. ET) in Nations League competition.
MLS takes center stage at the UEFA Nations League
The 2022-23 UEFA Nations League kicks off this month with MLS players representing their countries in both League A and League B action of the biennial international competition.
Poland is Packed with MLS Players
New England Revolution striker Adam Buksa, as well as Charlotte FC forward Karol Swiderski and winger Kamil Jozwiak join the Poland squad for UEFA Nations League matches. Buksa rejoins the national team on the heels of a seven-game scoring streak for the Revs and after contributing five goals in five games during Poland’s road to World Cup qualification. Meanwhile, Swiderski has four goals and two assists and Jozwiak has five appearances in MLS action, as the two Charlotte FC players earn their first national team call-ups since November. In the first round of matchups, this MLS attacking trio will provide promising options for Poland ahead of matches against Wales on June 1 (12 p.m. ET, fuboTV), the Netherlands on June 11 (2:45 p.m. ET, FS2 / fuboTV), and Belgium on June 8 (2:45 p.m. ET, FS1 / fuboTV) and June 14 (2:45 p.m. ET, FS2 / fuboTV).
Switzerland Secure with Xherdan Shaqiri
The Chicago Fire FC midfielder has a goal and three assists for his MLS club, as he leads Switzerland against the Czech Republic on June 2 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV), Spain on June 9 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV) and in two matches against Portugal on June 5 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV) and June 12 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV). Shaqiri scored against England in his last Switzerland appearance in March and he prepares to face Spain after scoring a second-half equalizer to force the game into a penalty kick shootout in the quarterfinals of the 2020 European Championship.
Galaxy’s Joveljic Joins Serbia on Goalscoring Stride
In League B action, 22-year-old LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljić makes his long-awaited return to the Serbian national team almost a year after his senior team debut. Joining after a stellar performance with two goals and two assists in the Galaxy’s 4-1 win last week, Joveljic’s form could be clutch in Serbia’s promotion chase, with upcoming matches against Norway on June 2 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV), Sweden on June 9 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV), and Slovenia on both June 5 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV) and June 12 (2:45 p.m. ET, fuboTV).
MLS Influences Past, Present, and Future of U.S. and Canada Men’s National Teams
As the U.S. and Canada have both qualified for the same FIFA World Cup for the first time in history, both sides feature at least 10 current MLS players. However, their collective rosters have been impacted and developed by Major League Soccer.
The U.S. Men’s National Team roster for this window is stocked full of current and former MLS players and MLS academy products. Of the 21 goals the U.S. scored in Concacaf World Cup qualifying matches, 14 were scored or assisted by players with MLS ties.
For Canada, the league’s growth and development has also directly impacted their success with a spine of MLS-based players. Canada’s defensive record was the best of any side during the final group stage of Concacaf World Cup qualifiers, conceding just seven goals in 14 games.
Below is a breakdown of the league’s pipeline into the current U.S. and Canada Men’s National Team rosters.
MLS Contributions to Current U.S. Men’s National Team
- 10 Current MLS Players: Kellyn Acosta, Paul Arriola, Jesús Ferreira, Sean Johnson, Aaron Long, Jordan Morris, Cristian Roldan, Matt Turner, DeAndre Yedlin, and Walker Zimmerman.
- 16 Players Who Have Played in MLS: Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Paul Arriola, George Bello, Reggie Cannon, Jesús Ferreira, Sean Johnson, Aaron Long, Jordan Morris, Erik Palmer-Brown, Cristian Roldan, Joe Scally, Matt Turner, DeAndre Yedlin, and Walker Zimmerman.
- 13 MLS Academy Products (Players who spent time in MLS academies): Brenden Aaronson, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams, Paul Arriola, George Bello, Reggie Cannon, Jesús Ferreira, Weston McKennie, Jordan Morris, Erik Palmer-Brown, Joe Scally, Tim Weah, and DeAndre Yedlin.
MLS Contributions to Current Canada Men’s National Team
- 10 Current MLS Players: Lucas Cavallini, Maxime Crépeau, Raheem Edwards, Doneil Henry, Alistair Johnston, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Kamal Miller, Jonathan Osorio, Samuel Piette, and Dayne St. Clair.
- 15 Players Who Have Played in MLS: Samuel Adekugbe, Tajon Buchanan, Lucas Cavallini, Maxime Crépeau, Alphonso Davies, Raheem Edwards, Doneil Henry, Alistair Johnston, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Cyle Larin, Richie Laryea, Kamal Miller, Jonathan Osorio, Samuel Piette, Dayne St. Clair, and Steven Vitória.
- Seven MLS Academy Products (Players who spent time in MLS academies): Samuel Adekugbe, Charles-Andreas Brym, Maxime Crépeau, Alphonso Davies, Raheem Edwards, Doneil Henry, and Mark-Anthony Kaye.
The U.S. Men’s National Team will face Morocco on June 1 (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2 / UniMás / TUDN) and Uruguay on June 5 (5 p.m. ET, FOX / Univision / TUDN), while Canada heads into a pair of Nations League fixtures against Curacao on June 9 and Honduras on June 13. Broadcast details for Canada matches will be announced in the near future.
Familiar Faces and Hot Newcomers Highlight League Stats Leaders
After 14 weeks of end-to-end action this season, statistical leaderboards are stacking up in tight races among star players and striking young talents. Across multiple categories, and with MLS All-Star team selections in the near view, this regular season is seeing the high-flying contenders rise to the top of the charts.
- History Chasing MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi: The leading scorer race is heating up with 21-year-old FC Dallas and USMNT forward Jesús Ferreira currently in position to become the youngest player in league history to win the award, as his nine goals are tied with San Jose’s Jeremy Ebobisse for the league high. Austin FC’s Sebastián Driussi has 12 goal contributions (eight goals, four assists) and ranks second among MLS scorers with eight goals as he aims to stay in the Landon Donovan MLS MVP conversation. Among the nine different players with seven goals are reigning MLS Golden Boot winner Valentín “Taty” Castellanos, FC Dallas and USMNT midfielder Paul Arriola, and Toronto FC newcomer Jesús Jiménez.
- Rev-ing Up the Assists Leaders: A current and a former Revolution star lead the way in assists as Carles Gil and Austin’s Diego Fagúndez each have seven helpers in 2022. Gil is no stranger to the top of these rankings after winning the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award last season with a league-high 18 assists. Fagúndez, however, can’t be counted out after he previously led the Revs with 10 assists in 2018. The two other players with seven assists include San Jose’s Cristian Espinoza and NYCFC’s Santiago Rodríguez. Espinoza could join Dwayne De Rosario (13 in 2005) as the only former Quakes to lead the league in assists.
- Goalkeeping Things Clean: Recording a club-record six straight clean sheets, NYCFC goalkeeper and MLS Cup MVP Sean Johnson is top of the league with eight shutouts. Of the goalkeepers to play in at least half of a team’s games this season, Philadelphia Union’s Andre Blake (81.3%) and Minnesota United FC’s Dayne St. Clair (79.0%) rank at the top in save percentage and will surely be in the running for the 2022 All-Star team. In terms of total saves, Toronto’s Alexander Bono and Real Salt Lake’s Zac MacMath are pacing the league with 56 saves apiece. With the All-Star voting and selection process approaching, these players will be gaining lots of attention as they jostle to represent MLS in the Twin Cities.
North Texas SC’s English GM and Tanzanian Player Become U.S. Citizens
They came from two very different parts of the world and now find themselves together in Frisco, Texas, joined by their mutual love of soccer. Last week they found themselves together, this time at the Plano Event Center, joined by their mutual goal of becoming U.S. citizens.
North Texas SC General Manager Matt Denny, from Nottingham, England, and 20-year-old player Bernard Kamungo, from Kasulu, Tanzania, attended their naturalization ceremony last Tuesday, where they took the Oath of Allegiance and officially became citizens of the United States.
“I’m really glad we get to share this, it’s a cool story. Bernard’s story is amazing and just to be a part of that, on this step (of it), is amazing,” said Denny. “I’m excited for his journey. Already for him to have signed a contract with his story, that was special, and I’m just honored to be able to share this with him. We’ll always look back on it.”
Kamungo and his family left their home at a refugee camp in Tanzania when he was only 14 years old, landing in Abilene, Texas in 2016. After playing high school soccer in Abilene, he joined North Texas SC in 2021 when his brother signed him up for an open tryout.
“Finally American! This is a really proud moment for my family and I. Coming from Tanzania, relocating here, and now, finally an American citizen,” said Kamungo. “It feels really good. It feels amazing, really. I don’t even know how to describe this moment. Really special moment for me and my family.”
Kamungo has started all nine games for North Texas SC, leading the club in minutes played (792) and goals (5) so far in the first season of MLS NEXT Pro. Through Week 10 of the season, North Texas SC (21 points, 6-1-2) is among the top clubs in the league, currently sitting just one point behind Western Conference-leading Houston Dynamo 2 (22 points, 7-1-1).
