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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Ben Steiner

Five MLS Players Who Could Be Key to USMNT’s 2026 World Cup Aspirations

USMNT MLS World Cup Sebastian Berhalter Christian Pulisic Cristian Roldan Matt Freese Max Arfsten Miles Robinson United States

There will be 111 days between the day the 2026 MLS season kicks off and the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup opening match against Paraguay in Los Angeles, leaving many players scrambling for form and opportunity within that spell. 

While European talents have elevated their game in recent months, there will still be a significant number of American players on the squad who ply their trade in MLS when the World Cup comes around, making the start of the season a vital opportunity.

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