The MLS players going to the Concacaf Nations League
The Concacaf Nations League is set to kick off this week as four national teams face off against each other for the coveted trophy.
Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and the United States will take part in the semifinals on Thursday before the final and third place match over the weekend.
These nations almost always look to Major League Soccer for roster inspiration. As the league becomes more competitive, more players get called up and participate in international duty. 15 MLS players were asked to participate in the Concacaf Nations League spanning the four countries.
1. Costa Rica
Costa Rica has called up five MLS players to face the Mexican national team in the semifinals of the Concacaf Nations League.
1. Francisco Calvo (Chicago Fire)
2. Allan Cruz (FC Cincinnati)
3. Ronald Matarrita (FC Cincinnati)
4. Luis Díaz (Columbus Crew)
5. Randall Leal (Nashville FC)
2. United States
Head coach Gregg Berhalter recruited four MLS players for the tournament, hoping to make an impact before kicking off the summer of soccer with the Gold Cup. These four promising players have had an interesting start to the season, playing to prove their spot on the national team roster.
1. Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids)
2. Sebastián Lletget (LA Galaxy)
3. David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake)
4. Jackson Yueill (San José Earthquakes)
3. Honduras
Honduras will challenge the fierce USMNT for a spot in the tournament’s final. Head coach Fabian Coito looked to the MLS to bring four players to his roster.
1. Bryan Acosta (FC Dallas)
2. Maynor Figueroa (Houston Dynamo)
3. Boniek García (Houston Dynamo)
4. Romell Quioto (CF Montréal)
4. Mexico
The Mexican national team and Tata Martino required the least amount of MLS players, calling up only two. Mexico is known to have plenty of options between LigaMX, MLS and players abroad in Europe. The Mexican national team faces Costa Rica on June 3 in Denver, Colorado.
1. Jonathan Dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
2. Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City)