MLS Players at the World Cup

By Anonymous (not verified), November 16, 2022

For Immediate ReleaseMLS Communications

2022 FIFA World Cup: The MLS Connections to Watch For

This Sunday, Nov. 20, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will kick off the biggest sporting event on the planet, and it will feature a record number of MLS players competing, MLS clubs represented, and national team rosters highlighted by MLS talent.Major League Soccer’s 35 World Cup players are the most of any league in the Americas, only eclipsed globally by the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, and Ligue 1 in overall number of players called in to the World Cup.The following are key insights, significant figures, and a daily match schedule that outlines the major MLS storylines to track throughout the tournament.MLS By the Numbers

35: MLS players called-up to 2022 FIFA World Cup rosters – the most in league history
27.233: Average age (27 Years, 85 Days) of the 35 MLS players called up to World Cup rosters
20: MLS clubs with players named to World Cup rosters – tied with the English Premier League for the most among top-flight soccer leagues in the world
18: U.S. Men’s National Team players with MLS ties (current players, former players, or players that spent time in an MLS academy)
18: Canada Men’s National Team players with MLS ties (current players, former players, or players that spent time in MLS academy)
11: Current MLS players representing Canada – the most of any national team
9: Current MLS players representing the U.S. Men’s National Team
8: For the first time in history, all eight World Cup groups will feature at least one MLS player
6: MLS players in Qatar have previous World Cup experience: Martín Cáceres, Milos Degenek, Héctor Herrera, Bryan Oviedo, Xherdan Shaqiri, and DeAndre Yedlin
6: World Cup players contributed by CF Montréal, the most by a single MLS club
4: Coaches leading national teams at the World Cup who have previously coached in MLS: Diego Alonso (Uruguay, formerly Inter Miami CF), Gregg Berhalter (USA, formerly Columbus Crew), Tata Martino (Mexico, formerly Atlanta United), and Carlos Queiroz (Iran, NY/NJ MetroStars)
1: MLS NEXT Pro will see its first World Cup representative in league history, Daniel Chacón (Colorado Rapids 2) of Costa Rica

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MATCHDAY 1: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20QATAR vs. ECUADOR (11 a.m. ET, FOX)Opening Match to Feature Four MLS Ecuadorians Against Host Country QatarOn the opening day of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, four MLS players representing Ecuador will line up against host country Qatar in the tournament’s first match. Ecuador’s four MLS players are the most ever contributed by MLS to a non-Concacaf nation.Ecuador Touts Three MLS Cup Champions & One FIFA Club World Cup-Bound DefenderThe quartet of MLS players on Ecuador’s roster includes three 2022 MLS Cup champions José Cifuentes, Diego Palacios, and Jhegson Sebastian Méndez of the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). While the world recognizes Palacios for assisting Gareth Bale’s 2022 MLS Cup wonder goal (WATCH HERE), Xavier Arreaga will battle for not one but TWO World Cups, as he and Seattle Sounders FC are bound for the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup as Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League winners.

MATCHDAY 2: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21USA vs. WALES (2 p.m. ET, FOX)MLS Cup-Winning Teammates Kellyn Acosta & Gareth Bale Go Head-to-Head in World CupFresh off leading LAFC to an MLS Cup victory, Hollywood headliners Kellyn Acosta of the U.S. Men’s National Team and Gareth Bale of Wales will face off on the world’s biggest stage after guiding LAFC to a domestic double that also included a Supporters’ Shield title as the league's No.1 regular-season team. In MLS Cup, Acosta scored the game’s opening goal (WATCH GOAL ) before Bale scored the game-tying, stoppage-time goal that was heard around the world (WATCH GOAL in 10 Languages). USMNT Enters First World Cup Match with Roster Featuring 18 Players with MLS TiesMLS continues to power the U.S. Men’s National Team, which this World Cup will feature 18 players who are either current or former MLS players, or who spent time in an MLS academy. Among the nine current players are MLS Cup champion Kellyn Acosta of LAFC, as well as two-time Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman of Nashville SC.

MATCHDAY 3: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 MEXICO vs. POLAND (11 a.m. ET, FOX)MLS Cities Charlotte & Houston Will Be Eyeing Group C’s Mexico vs. Poland MatchMexican playmaker Héctor Herrera of the Houston Dynamo prepares to face off against Charlotte FC’s Karol Swiderski and Poland in a Group Stage showdown of MLS newcomers. While Herrera and Mexico have consistently advanced into the Round of 16, Poland last finished at the bottom of their group. With Swiderski’s 10 MLS goals and six assists for Charlotte this season, Poland could be on the rise.MLS Cup Royalty Is at the Helm of Mexico’s World Cup QuestMexican National Team head coach Tata Martino joined El Tri after leading Atlanta United to MLS Cup victory in 2018. FRANCE vs. AUSTRALIA (2 p.m. ET, FOX)Columbus Crew Defender to Lead Australia Against Reigning World Cup ChampionsThree-time World Cup participant Milos Degenek of the Columbus Crew will have history on his side when he leads Australia against the reigning World Cup champions of France. Historically, the defending World Cup champions have lost their first Group Stage match of the following World Cup in the last three straight tournaments. Degenek’s role in seven Columbus Crew shutouts and in Australia’s underdog, Intercontinental Playoff victory over Peru could help the Socceroos lead history to repeat itself.

MATCHDAY 4: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23BELGIUM vs. CANADA (2 p.m. ET, FOX)Canada Leads the Way in MLS Representation at First World Cup in 36 YearsIn Canada’s first World Cup match since 1986, the nation’s 26-man roster will feature 18 current or former MLS players and players who spent time in MLS academies. Canada has more MLS players than any other country (11), with each of the three Canadian MLS clubs -- CF Montréal, Toronto FC, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC – represented by at least one player. Montréal’s six call-ups are the most of any one MLS club at this year’s World Cup.CF Montréal Players Prepare to Face Former Head Coach Thierry Henry & No. 2 BelgiumFormer CF Montréal Head Coach Thierry Henry has a history with Canadian internationals Samuel Piette and Kamal Miller, having coached the duo during his head coaching tenure in MLS. Now an assistant coach with Belgium, Henry will face his former players as opponents when 2018 FIFA World Cup semifinalists Belgium take on Canada in the country’s first World Cup match in 36 years.Ismaël Koné is the Youngest MLS Player Called Up to this Year’s FIFA World CupAfter only earning his first cap for Canada earlier in the year, CF Montréal midfielder Ismaël Koné has earned a spot in the nation’s final World Cup roster and is the youngest player from MLS to make their nation’s roster at 20 years and 162 days old.SPAIN vs. COSTA RICA (11 a.m. ET, FOX)Daniel Chacón Becomes First MLS NEXT Pro Named to World Cup RosterMLS NEXT Pro signing Daniel Chacón (Colorado Rapids 2) became the league’s first-ever player to be called up to a FIFA World Cup roster after the 21-year-old helped Costa Rica secure crucial wins over the U.S. and New Zealand during World Cup qualifiers. The Colorado Rapids 2 midfielder will face off against the likes of World Cup champions Germany and Spain as well as perennial contender Japan during the Group Stage.MLS Players to Represent Costa Rica for a Third Consecutive World CupAlongside Chacón will be Real Salt Lake’s Bryan Oviedo, who is taking part in his second World Cup with Costa Rica, and FC Cincinnati’s Ronald Matarrita, who comes into his first-ever World Cup tournament after helping Cincinnati qualify for their first-ever MLS postseason.

MATCHDAY 5: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24SWITZERLAND vs CAMEROON (5 a.m. ET, FS1)Xherdan Shaqiri is Chasing Swiss World Cup Records After Debut Season with Chicago Fire FCFour-time FIFA World Cup competitor Xherdan Shaqiri is two games away from making the most World Cup appearances by a Swiss player as well as three goals away from surpassing Josef Hügi for most World Cup goals scored (6) for Switzerland by one player. Shaqiri has scored in each of the last two World Cups, including a hat trick against Honduras at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.Top MLS Defenders Suit Up for Cameroon’s Return to the World CupSeattle Sounders FC’s Nouhou is fresh off a 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League-winning campaign where he was integral to a Sounders defense that allowed just five goals across the tournament. The Philadelphia Union’s Olivier Mbaizo reached 2022 MLS Cup with the Union and was a starter for the team’s league-best defensive record ahead of their participation in Cameroon’s first World Cup since 2014.URUGUAY vs. SOUTH KOREA (8 a.m. ET, FS1)Martín Cáceres Chasing Fourth Knockout Stage Appearance with UruguayLA Galaxy defender Martín Cáceres has reached the knockout stages of each of the last three FIFA World Cups with Uruguay, making the semifinals in 2010 and the quarterfinals in both 2014 and 2018.Standout Season from Orlando’s Facundo Torres Earns Him First World Cup Call-UpFacundo Torres, Orlando City SC’s lifeline in 2022, provided a team-leading 25 goal contributions in his first season with the club, including two goals and an assist in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup to win Orlando’s first-ever major trophy (WATCH TORRES’ GOALS).Former MLS Head Coach Diego Alonso Challenges for World Cup with UruguayAfter joining Inter Miami CF as the club’s inaugural head coach in 2019, Diego Alonso took charge of his homeland of Uruguay to complete their World Cup qualification cycle. Alonso’s Uruguay won their last four World Cup qualifying matches, outscoring their opponents 8-1, and have earned muti-goal wins over Mexico and Canada in the build-up to their opening match at the World Cup against South Korea.

MATCHDAY 6: FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25ENGLAND vs USA (2 p.m. ET, FOX)Rivalry Renewed in Third All-Time USMNT vs. England FIFA World Cup MatchThe U.S. Men’s National Team has never lost to England in any of their three previous FIFA World Cup matches, and this new generation of 18 players with MLS roots is gearing up to preserve that tradition. In their last meeting in 2010, MLS Great Landon Donovan was in the starting lineup, when the U.S. earned a crucial point against England to top their group and advance to the knockout stage.DeAndre Yedlin’s English Connections Throughout the YearsInter Miami CF defender DeAndre Yedlin is the only player on the USMNT with previous World Cup experience, and he has some English familiarity with David Beckham as co-owner and president of Inter Miami, and his head coach Phil Neville – who both represented England as players. Yedlin will also be up against his former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur teammates Harry Kane, Callum Wilson, Kyle Walker, and Kieran Trippier.Roots Run Deep Among MLS Coaches from The USMNT vs. England from 12 Years AgoThe Black Friday clash between the USMNT and England will be the third all-time at a World Cup. The U.S. have never lost to England at the World Cup (1-0-1), with the last World Cup match between these sides in 2010 featuring 2022 MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield winner and LAFC Head Coach Steve Cherundolo as a U.S. starter and Toronto FC Head Coach Bob Bradley as the U.S. head coach. D.C. United Head Coach Wayne Rooney was a starter for England in that match.MLS-Made Talents Shining in England’s English Premier LeagueFour former MLS players are currently in the English Premier League: Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner (formerly New England Revolution), Leeds United midfielders Tyler Adams (formerly of New York Red Bulls) and Brenden Aaronson (formerly Philadelphia Union), and Fulham defender Tim Ream (formerly New York Red Bulls). Turner, who currently sits atop the English Premier League standings with Arsenal, will face three of his Arsenal teammates in the match.

MATCHDAY 10: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29IRAN vs USA (2 p.m. ET, FOX)Inaugural NY/NJ Metrostars Head Coach Carlos Queiroz Squares Off Against USMNT With IranWith four former MLS coaches at the helm of World Cup-bound national teams, the U.S. will be facing an Iran team led by a familiar name to many. Carlos Queiroz oversaw an inaugural 1996 NY/NJ Metrostars roster that featured now Sporting Kansas Head Coach Peter Vermes and Portland Timbers Head Coach Giovanni Savarese as well as USMNT and MLS goalkeeping legend Tony Meola, Minnesota United Sporting Director Manny Lagos , and Italian international Roberto Donadoni. Now in his 10th year with the Iranian National Team, Queiroz leads Iran into their second-ever World Cup meeting with the U.S. hoping to replicate the 2-1 victory they secured in the group stage of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.A Father & Son Story That Crosses Both CountriesMLS Great and former U.S. Men’s National Team player Alecko Eskandarian is the son of the great Iranian National Team player Andranik Eskandarian, who represented Iran at the 1978 World Cup, the country’s first World Cup appearance. Andranik’s play in the 1978 World Cup led the famed NASL New York Cosmos to recruit him to join their team of superstars that included the likes of Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, and also paved the way for his family to emigrate to the United States where his son, Alecko, was born. As a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team, Alecko earned his first cap appropriately against Wales, the U.S. and Iran’s opponent in Group B this year. Andranik became a United States citizen in 1984.Following an award-winning playing career, Alecko would go on to serve as the assistant coach for the NY Cosmos (his father’s former team) and later as Youth Technical Director and first team assistant coach of the Philadelphia Union Youth Academy where he scouted a then-rising star young player named Christian Pulisic. Alecko now serves as a Senior Director of Player Relations and Player Development for Major League Soccer and will be supporting a U.S. squad that boasts 18 players with ties to MLS. Father (Andranik Eskandarian) and son (Alecko) have shared many soccer experiences, but this year, they will add another surreal event. Alecko and Andranik will be in Qatar watching Alecko’s team (the U.S.) face off against his father’s team (Iran) in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The match very well could be a deciding game for the U.S. or Iran to move past the group stage.