MLS Players in World Cup: List of Teams & Countries

The Unites States failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but there is still plenty for Americans to cheer for thanks to the MLS. How many MLS players are competing in the World Cup? According to the MLS, 19 players on six different countries are participating in the tournament.

If you are looking to cheer for the squad with the most MLS players, look no further than Panama and Costa Rica who both have the most MLS players with six each. Mexico has three players, and all three play on one of the Los Angeles teams. The MLS took a break from June 14-23, which will accommodate the Group Stage. However, players who are on teams still playing in the World Cup will miss MLS games.

Mexico’s Carlos Vela, who plays for LAFC, may be the premier MLS player in the World Cup. Vela is inside the top 10 goal scorers with seven goals so far this season. One of the great debates in American soccer is whether players should play in the MLS in an effort to continue to grow the game, or play in international leagues against premier players. Former U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann was outspoken in his belief that American players should play abroad. Klinsmann was critical when players like Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley chose to come back to the States to play in the MLS.

While it is not to the level of the English Premier League, the quality of play in the MLS has improved. There should be no obligation to play here in the States, it does help the league to keep growing when players choose to stay home. At the same time, Christian Pulisic playing in Germany for Dortmund has elevated his game, which ultimately helps the USMNT. It is an important discussion, but there is no one right answer for the overall growth of soccer in the United States.

Just as it did in 1994, the United States will receive a huge boost in 2026 when they play host to the World Cup. This should also be a shot in the arm for the MLS as well. For now, United States fans will have to cheer on one of the countries with MLS players.

Here’s a look at the MLS players playing in the 2018 World Cup, per the MLS.

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MLS Players in World Cup 2018

PLAYER	MLS TEAM	COUNTRY
D Adolfo Machado	Houston Dynamo	Panama
D/M Omar Gaber	LAFC	Egypt
F Marco Urena	LAFC	Costa Rica
F Carlos Vela	LAFC	Mexico
F Giovani dos Santos	LA Galaxy	Mexico
M Jonathan dos Santos	LA Galaxy	Mexico
D Francisco Calvo	Minnesota United F.C.	Costa Rica
D Ronald Matarrita	New York F.C.	Costa Rica
M Rodney Wallace	New York F.C.	Costa Rica
D Fidel Escobar	New York Red Bulls	Panama
D Michael Murillo	New York Red Bulls	Panama
M Yoshi Yotun	Orlando City	Peru
M David Guzman	Portland Timbers	Costa Rica
M Andy Polo	Portland Timbers	Peru
D Harold Cummings	San Jose Earthquakes	Panama
M Anibal Godoy	San Jose Earthquakes	Panama
M/D Gustav Svensson	Seattle Sounders	Sweden
D Roman Torres	Seattle Sounders	Panama
D Kendall Watson	Vancouver Whitecaps	Costa Rica

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