The 6 MLS players going to Euro 2020
Euro 2020 is fast approaching, kicking off on June 11 across the continent. For the first time in the competition’s 60-year history, there will be no determined host country, but instead 11 host cities in all. 24 nations divided into six groups will face each other to compete for the coveted trophy.
Across the pond, six MLS players have been called up by their respective country to take part in the tournament. The following is a guide of Major League Soccer’s involvement in Euro 2020.
1. Pzemyslaw Frankowski (Poland/Chicago Fire)
The midfielder joined Major League Soccer from the Polish league after signing a three-year contract with the Chicago Fire in 2019. In three seasons, Frankowski has appeared in 56 matches, providing eight goals and 11 assists.
He’s become an integral part of head coach Raphael Wicky’s roster by adding stability in the midfield. Internationally, Frankowski has featured across various levels for Poland, ultimately making his senior team debut on March 23, 2018. Since then, he’s earned 10 total caps for Poland and scored his first goal during the European qualifier against Macedonia in 2019.
2. Szabolcs Schon (Hungary/FC Dallas)
This is Schon’s debut season in the MLS after joining FC Dallas from MTK Budapest earlier this year.
The Hungarian player is currently on a three-year contract with Dallas, with club options for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Prior to appearing in Major League Soccer, Schon scored 16 goals and recorded 10 assists in 61 matches across all MTK Budapest’s competitions.
3. Robin Lod (Finland/Minnesota United)
This is Robin Lod’s third season with Minnesota United after signing on July 16, 2019 from Sporting Gijon. The player has made a lasting impression in the midfield, scoring nine goals and recording seven assists in only 36 appearances spanning three seasons.
He featured in 41 matches for the Finland national team, originally making his international debut in 2013 at age 20. In 2018, he made an appearance at FIFA World Cup qualifiers and led the team to reach this 2020 European Championships.
4. Jukka Raitala (Finland/Minnesota United)
The Finish defender made his way to Major League Soccer in 2017, and since then has featured in three league teams. He spent his inaugural season with the Columbus Crew before signing with CF Montreal.
Most recently, Raitala joined Minnesota United for the 2021 season, featuring in five matches thus far. Raitala made his senior national team debut in 2009 in a friendly against Japan. Now, he’s capped 51 times for the team and most importantly inspired Finland to their first appearance in the UEFA European Championships.
5. Lassi Lappalainen (Finland/CF Montreal)
Lappalainen joined CF Montreal on loan from Bologna in the summer of 2019 using Targeted Allocation Money. The contract included an option to extend the loan through the 2020 originally, but has since then been extended through 2021.
He’s made nine goals and three assists for Montreal in 29 appearances. Internationally, he’s recorded two assists in seven games with the Finland national team since making his senior debut in January of 2019.
6. Daniel Gazdag (Hungary/Philadelphia Union)
Gazdag is new to the MLS, having joined Philadelphia Union from Budapest Honved FC on a two-year contract with an option for a third and fourth year exchange.
He’s made one appearance for the MLS team thus far, but head coach Jim Curtin looks forward to unleashing his potential on the pitch. He’s made six appearances for the Hungary national team since his debut in 2019. His first international goal came in March 2021 in the 4-1 victory over Andorra La Vella in a World Cup qualifier.