The USMNT is loaded with MLS talent during this friendly window as they prepare for the Gold Cup later in the summer.
There were a few international players on the roster, but they were outshone by the MLS talent that seemed to mesh better with Mauricio Pochettino‘s system and philosophy. MLS fans were dialed in to see which MLS players would get looks from Pochettino and who would take advantage of this opportunity with multiple first-team players sitting out during this window.
Despite the team’s overall performance in the loss to Turkiye, they still have another chance in this window to recover in form.
The MLS players will have a few more chances to prove they should be on the World Cup roster. After the first of their many chances, we have a little bit of an idea of what to expect from them.
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High Effort in Key Moments
Pochettino has expressed since the Nations League that he expects more in terms of effort from the players representing Team USA.
There were a few notable names that were not called up because Pochettino believed they were not fully invested in the team’s goals. This opened up spots for MLS players who traditionally give more effort in national team camps despite the talent gap.
The MLS players on this roster played well; the key mistakes that decided the game were committed by non-MLS players.
That may not be a reason to cheer, but it is a reason to be happy with the domestic league players representing well. Houston Dynamo’s midfielder Jack McGlynn showed off his effort and talent when he gave the USMNT a lead in the first minute of the game.
Other MLS players did a good job possessing the ball and keeping it away from the Turkiye midfielders who attacked the back line of the USMNT in the first half.
Not all non-MLS players showed poor effort or bad decision-making. Tyler Adams showed why he was one of the best and brightest of the young core. Adams’ smart decisions put the MLS stars in a good position to succeed.
Standouts
McGlynn had a standout day in the midfield thanks to his early goal, he wasn’t the only MLS player to have a good performance, which reflected in the ratings.
Diego Luna is the living definition of high effort, he had the third highest rating on the team despite being subbed off late in the second half. Luna was a rock in the midfield, keeping possession and making clean chances that could have been converted into goals.
Alex Freeman was a big MLS name everyone had their eyes on during Saturday’s game. Freeman is an excellent passer who is capable of making accurate crosses into the box. He had a pass accuracy percentage of 84% and a long ball accuracy percentage of 75%.
His impact wasn’t as impactful as hoped. Poor effort in the midfield in front of him forced him to sit back and help out Chris Richards in the middle.
Matt Freese had a decent performance in goal; he conceded two goals, but he doesn’t share all the blame for the score. Johnny Cordoso essentially scoring an own goal was the turning point. Even with a better jump, there was nothing Freese could do to stop the ball that went directly into the corner of the net.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire
Recording Date 06.06.2025