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Jhon Duran joins Al-Nassr: The journey from Colombia to Saudi via the MLS and Premier League
Pelzer was a German defender who played for several teams in his homeland – plus 18 months at Blackburn.
Sadly his time at Ewood Park was blighted by injuries and he managed just one League Cup game against Walsall in 2002.
In December 2019, four years after retiring from playing, Pelzer got his first job with a club – technical director of MLS side Chicago Fire.
A few months into the job he went to Envigado to scout a defender – who they also went on to sign.
“I was watching our main target Carlos Teran at the time,” he told BBC Sport. “Jhon got subbed in later on and you could already see how good he was.
“He was a raw talent but you could see his speed and acceleration. In the air he was a handful for the defenders already.
“From my experience in England I knew he had already something for England. That was something where you could have the fantasy he could make it. It was a wow effect.”
But there was a twist – in the form of an article headlined ‘Next Generation 2020: 60 of the best young talents in world football’ that included Duran.
“A few weeks later the Guardian brought a list out, external and after that it was a race,” said Pelzer.
“We wanted to get him somehow but the clock was ticking. There were so many other teams chasing him as well. We were convinced about his qualities.”
Again, Duran’s strong family roots were evident during negotiations.
“During the pandemic we had to be creative,” said Pelzer. “We had to get in touch with the family – that was not that easy. Finally we made it, we got everyone on the same page.
“We showed him how he would progress here. We had a lot of conversations with his family and that was also something that helped a lot in the moment.”
And so in January 2021 a 17-year-old Duran became the youngest international signing in MLS history – for a fee of $2.5m (£1.8m).
But he could not move until he turned 18 – so spent the next year on loan with Envigado.
As well as playing and training with his Colombian club, he had weekly individual training sessions for the Fire.
“It was important for us that he was well prepared,” said Pelzer. “In acceleration, technique, finishing, a lot of jumping exercises, we trained him.
“You could see the numbers every week were better, better. The trajectory was already going in the direction you could see if he trains well and is focused on his work he can achieve a good level.”
After a total of nine goals in 47 games for Envigado, Duran left for the States. “For a young South American boy coming into a country like the US it was different,” said Pelzer.
“The city is huge compared to where he came from. Of course he had to adapt.”
Pelzer said he “was very raw but showed a lot of bright things” on his debut. “That was very impressive but we had to work with him a lot after to get him in the right frame,” he said.
“He has a lot of talent. When he joined us it was about channeling all his qualities because he has to stay focused on his work,” continued the German. “If he is able to focus there and put all his efforts into his work he is able to achieve a very high ceiling.”
Duran scored one goal in the first half of the season – but netted seven more in the second half of the campaign and ended as the club’s top goalscorer with eight goals in 28 games.
And then Aston Villa came in and signed him despite competition from other clubs.
“Villa were the ones who shifted up to sixth gear to make the deal happen,” said Pelzer. “They wanted him and were very serious and put all the efforts in to make it happen.”
Al-Nassr, one of the top clubs in Saudi Arabia, has made a major signing by bringing in Colombian midfielder Jhon Duran. The journey of Duran from Colombia to the Middle East has been quite remarkable, as he has traveled through the MLS and the Premier League to reach this point.Duran started his professional career in Colombia, where he showcased his talent and caught the eye of scouts from the MLS. He made the move to the United States and played for several clubs in the MLS, impressing fans and pundits with his skill and work ethic.
After a successful stint in the MLS, Duran received an offer to play in the Premier League, one of the most prestigious leagues in the world. He seized the opportunity and made a name for himself on the international stage, earning the admiration of fans and fellow players alike.
Now, Duran has taken the next step in his career by joining Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. The club has high hopes for him and believes that his experience in the MLS and the Premier League will help them achieve success in domestic and international competitions.
Duran’s journey from Colombia to Saudi Arabia is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and talent. We look forward to seeing him shine on the pitch for Al-Nassr and continue to make his mark in the world of football.
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- Al-Nassr
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2025 MLS Western Conference Preview & Standings Prediction
The 2025
MLS
season is barely three weeks away! Ahead of the league’s 30th year, we’re moving full steam ahead into prediction season. Starting with the Western Conference today and the Eastern Conference, GIVEMESPORT‘s Ben Wright makes his predictions for the final standings.Note: these predictions are as of January 31, 2025. With the transfer window still in full swing, a lot can change before the first ball is kicked.
15
FC Dallas
2024 finish: 11th
FC Dallas
have essentially gutted their roster. Gone are Jesús Ferreira
, Paul Arriola
, Alan Velasco
and Nkosi Tafari
. They’ve made a few signings, but overall haven’t come close to replacing the exodus of key players from last year. It looks set to be a long season in Eric Quill’s first season in charge.14
San Diego FC
2024 finish: N/A
Credit: San Diego FC It’s typically hard to judge expansion teams before they’ve ever played a match.
San Diego FC
are no different. Some of their moves have been intriguing, like the additions of DP wingers Hirving Lozano
and Anders Dreyer
. There are still plenty of question marks, though, like how Mikey Varas will fare in his first season as a senior head coach. At the end of the day, it’s just really hard to be good as an expansion team.13
Portland Timbers
2024 finish: 9th
The
Portland Timbers
have a ton of questions heading into the season. For starters, will Evander
be back? The 2024 Best XI midfielder ended last season publicly frustrated at the club, and seems like a prime candidate for the league’s new Cash Trade rule. If Evander leaves, Portland’s ceiling falls into the basement.12
Sporting Kansas City
2024 finish: 13th
Sporting Kansas City
are another team who’ve had a major exodus of players this winter. Johnny Russell, Tim Melia
, Alan Pulido
and Fontàs
may have been past their primes, but they were all key players for Sporting, and haven’t been replaced so far this winter… sike! Signing Dejan Joveljic
from the
Los Angeles Galaxy
as the first cash trade in league history is a huge move that brings them one of the best goal-scorers in MLS, and immediately raises their ceiling.11
Vancouver Whitecaps
2024 finish: 8th
Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images The
Vancouver Whitecaps
are another team with major question marks. Are you sensing the trend here? Vanni Sartini was fired after the 2024 season. The club was put up for sale. Fafà Picault
left in free agency, and Stuart Armstrong
has been sold to
Sheffield Wednesday
. There are more questions than answers this point, and while the ‘Caps have been on the bubble of being a contender for the last several seasons, 2025 feels like it has the potential to sour quickly.10
San Jose Earthquakes
2024 finish: 14th
How quickly can Bruce Arena turn around one of the worst teams in MLS history? That’s the big question for the
San Jose Earthquakes
, and honestly one of the biggest questions of the 2025 season. The ‘Quakes were awful in 2024, finishing last in the Supporters’ Shield standings, losing a record 25 matches, and conceding a record 78 goals. They’ve been wildly active in the transfer market, signing Josef Martínez
and Cristian Arango
, as well as bolstering several other areas. Arena has a history of getting production quickly, but will it be enough to get them into the playoffs?9
Austin FC
2024 finish: 10th
Austin FC have overhauled their Designated Players, signing their three current DPs ( Osman Bukari
, Brandon Vázquez
and Myrto Uzuni
) in the last two windows. Sebastián Driussi
is gone, transferred out as Nico Estévez comes in to manage a new-look roster. They don’t have much depth at any position, though, and there are real questions about who is going to create the chances for Vázquez and Uzuni to finish.8
Houston Dynamo
2024 finish: 5th
Hector Herrera and Adalberto Carrasquilla
are gone. Can
Houston Dynamo
still play Ben Olsen’s possession-based style without them? The Dynamo led MLS with 59.3 percent possession last year but scored the seventh-fewest goals. They need to figure out who is going to control the game for them while also hoping Ezequiel Ponce
takes a big step forward in year two. Don’t be surprised if they take a step back in 2025.7
Real Salt Lake
2024 finish: 3th
Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images It’s Diego Luna
‘s team now. With Chicho Arango traded,
Real Salt Lake
have moved on to a new chapter. Diogo Gonçalves
wears the number 10, but I suspect Luna will carry the weight of chance creation for an RSL side that should be in the playoffs, but will have trouble challenging at the top of the table.6
Colorado Rapids
2024 finish: 7th
Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images The
Colorado Rapids
might not have the highest ceiling in the West, but under Chris Armas they’ve proved to have a very high floor, especially if Djordje Mihailović
is able to stay healthy for a full season. Chidozie Awaziem
was savvy pickup from Cincinnati, and he should improve a defense that was decent-if-suspect last year.5
St. Louis City SC
2024 finish: 12th
Mandatory Credit- Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports 
St. Louis CITY SC
have had a quiet winter window, but that’s because they did most of their business in the summer. Marcel Hartel
and Cedric Teuchert
look like stars, and Timo Baumgartl
should be a fantastic addition at the back. They’re one to watch, and one of my two dark horse picks in the West this year.4
LA Galaxy
2024 finish: 2nd
Remember that MLS Cup
-winning roster? Yeah… it’s dismantled. Aside from the fact that Riqui Puig
will miss most of the 2025 season, Gastón Brugman
, Jalen Neal
, Marky Delgado
and now Dejan Joveljic
are gone. With the Galaxy up against cap constraints, they haven’t really been able to reload, although Joveljic’s sale should give them a bit of wiggle room. They should be able to make a couple of additions, but having them in fourth feels like a risk.3
Minnesota United
2024 finish: 6th
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images 
Minnesota United
maybe shouldn’t count as a dark horse, but I’m calling them one. Kelvin Yeboah
looked like a Golden Boot-caliber No. 9 in his half season, Robin Lod
remains one of the best and most overlooked playmakers in the league, and Eric Ramsey has built a solid system to maximize his players’ potential. Count on the Loons finishing towards the top of the Western Conference table.2
Seattle Sounders
2024 finish: 4th
The
Seattle Sounders
quietly had one of the best winter windows in MLS. Re-signing Albert Rusnák
and João Paulo
was excellent business, Paul Arriola
will raise their level in multiple positions, and Jesús Ferreira
is a proven MLS goal-scorer who hasn’t even reached his prime. Pair that with an all-time elite defense and you have a winning formula. The Sounders were just minutes away from making MLS Cup in 2024, and no one should be shocked if they make it all the way in 2025.1
LAFC
2024 finish: 1st
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images 
Los Angeles FC
are another side that have made tons of changes this winter. Their midfield, in particular, has been completely gutted, with Timothy Tillman the only returning midfielder from 2024. Normally, this would be a massive red flag. But John Thorrington has build up a lot of credit with six seasons of exceptional roster building, endlessly able to replace players at a high level and always good for one massive summer move. Even with the changes, they still have loads of talent in this squad, an MVP-caliber attacker in Denis Bouanga
, and the ability to go out and add a game-changing DP in the summer. It’s the blueprint they’ve followed for years, and it always seems to work.
Related
Transfer Needs For All 30 MLS Teams Before Opening Day
The 2025 MLS Regular Season is only weeks away; here’s what every club needs to round out their rosters ahead of Opening Day.
As we look ahead to the 2025 MLS season, the Western Conference is shaping up to be as competitive as ever. With talented teams and star-studded rosters, fans can expect an exciting race for the playoffs.Here is a preview of the top teams in the Western Conference and my prediction for the final standings:
1. LA Galaxy: With a strong core of players and a proven track record of success, the Galaxy are poised to finish at the top of the conference. Led by key players like Chicharito and Jonathan dos Santos, they have the talent and experience to make a deep playoff run.
2. Seattle Sounders: The Sounders have consistently been a powerhouse in the Western Conference and I expect them to be right in the mix again in 2025. With a balanced roster and strong coaching, they will be a tough team to beat.
3. Portland Timbers: The Timbers have a solid roster and a passionate fan base that always gives them a boost at home. With key players like Diego Valeri and Sebastian Blanco leading the way, they should be in contention for a playoff spot.
4. FC Dallas: Dallas has a young and talented roster that has been steadily improving in recent years. With a focus on developing their own talent through their academy, they have the potential to surprise some of the more established teams in the conference.
5. LAFC: After a disappointing season in 2024, LAFC will be looking to bounce back and regain their status as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. With Carlos Vela leading the way, they have the firepower to compete with anyone in the league.
6. Real Salt Lake: RSL may be flying under the radar, but they have a solid core of players and a strong team culture that could propel them into playoff contention. With a well-rounded roster and a hard-working mentality, they could be a dark horse in the conference.
7. Vancouver Whitecaps: The Whitecaps have made some key additions to their roster in the offseason and should be a team to watch in 2025. With exciting young players like Ryan Gauld and Lucas Cavallini, they have the potential to surprise some of the more established teams in the conference.
8. San Jose Earthquakes: The Earthquakes have struggled in recent years, but they have made some key acquisitions in the offseason that could help them improve in 2025. With a revamped roster and a new coaching staff, they will be looking to make a statement in the Western Conference.
Overall, the Western Conference is shaping up to be highly competitive in 2025, with several teams vying for playoff spots. While the Galaxy may be the favorites to finish at the top, there are plenty of talented teams that will be looking to challenge them for supremacy. It’s sure to be an exciting season ahead for MLS fans.
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- MLS Western Conference Standings Prediction 2025
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- MLS 2025 Western Conference Season Preview
- Predictions for 2025 MLS West Conference Standings
- Key Matchups in the 2025 MLS Western Conference
- Top Contenders in the 2025 MLS West Conference
- MLS Western Conference Standings Forecast 2025
- Expert Predictions for the 2025 Western Conference
- 2025 MLS Western Conference Season Preview & Analysis
#MLS #Western #Conference #Preview #Standings #Prediction
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#COMETIC #MLS #87.5MM #1.3MM #GASKET #SR20DET #PULSAR #GTIR #RNN14,rnnMauricio Pochettino: MLS growth evident in USMNT January camp
Right from the jump, Mauricio Pochettino made clear to the players he convened for the US men’s national team’s January 2025 camp that their quality and productivity on the pitch, not the league or continent where they ply their club ball, will determine who earns future call-ups.
“The first meeting that we had with Poch,” Real Salt Lake midfielder Emeka Eneli told reporters earlier this week, “we were all in the meeting room, and he said, ‘It doesn’t matter where you’re playing. We take the players that are in the best form, and those are the players that are going to make the final roster.’”
Proving ground
The USMNT’s Argentine leader drove home that message again as he addressed the media on Friday, one day before a friendly vs. Venezuela at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium (3 pm ET) that marks the first of two matches in which this young-ish, MLS-dominated squad will look to impress the coaching staff.
“We want to add players to compete for a position on the national team, and then, yes, to be confident and to show their real quality,” Pochettino said of what he called a “fantastic” opportunity to evaluate emerging and domestic-based talent in his program’s player pool. “It’s not important from where they come. For us, it’s important how they are going to perform here, with us.
“The message is, please show me that we can come with you and you, playing here in MLS, can compete with players that are competing in Europe.”
The subtext to all this is the legacy of previous regimes, particularly Jurgen Klinsmann’s, which placed varying degrees of emphasis on finding a path to Europe, the sport’s traditional power center, in order to draw the most attention and consideration from the USMNT staff.
First impressions
Pochettino seems set on pushing back against any such mentality, speaking even more bluntly in his first language about how much he’d welcome seeing January campers race their comrades overseas for spots and minutes in the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Plying your trade in one of the so-called ‘Big Five’ leagues doesn’t grant anyone a “green card,” as he called it, to walk into the national team.
“[The camp] is important, because we are seeing players in our league who can become important, who can have the same level as the players who are playing abroad. Because MLS has grown a lot in recent years,” said ‘Poch’ in Spanish. “Maybe the idea remains that to compete well, you have to go outside the United States, but this camp helps us to see the competitive level and quality, to be able to compare it with the players. There are many of these players who could be abroad, just as many of those who are abroad could be in MLS.
“We are seeing players who have nothing to envy of the guys who have been here before, and I think that has to reach the players who are in Europe who think that they are going to come just because they are in Europe. They have to feel that there are players here who are pushing for a place, and they have to push, too.”
Time to shine
That spirit of possibility and openness has flooded that much more optimism and drive among this month’s group, many of whom are experiencing this level for the first time in their careers.
“We all saw that Brandon Vazquez, he went from Monterrey to Austin, and he said that he called Poch and asked him, ‘Is this move going affect my ability to get called up to the national team?’ He said, ‘No, why would it? If you’re playing well in MLS, scoring goals, doing what you do in MLS, you can get called up to any camp you want to,’” noted Eneli, who Pochettino hinted has earned game time in these friendlies.
“So I think just him going out of the gate by saying that, it just makes us all believe that we have a really good chance at hopefully getting called into future national team camps. And then just to continue to put our head down, grind even harder, and just make the most of the opportunity that we have here right now.”
Big picture
All that, combined with so many new faces and so much of the camp’s first week spent building up fitness levels after the players’ offseason, makes the opponent’s identity less essential than in a fully competitive match.
But Venezuela figure to pose a hearty test considering they, too, have called in a hungry group – one that includes Atlanta United defender Ronald Hernández, Austin FC midfielder Dani Pereira and Orlando City goalkeeper Javier Otero – keen to state their credentials for bigger roles as the rising Vinotinto look to reach their first-ever World Cup next year.
For both sides, the hunt for 2026 roster spots is well and truly on.
“I have the opportunity now to say thank you to all the clubs that allowed the players to come. I think it means a lot for me personally, and for the national team, for the federation,” said Pochettino. “It’s amazing that the clubs collaborate with us, sending their players, and that is an important thing.
“The level is very good,” he added. “Today, when we finish the training session, I say, look, after a few months here I think today the session on set pieces was the most quality [he’s seen]. The players that were working showed the most quality, and that talks about how competitive is MLS, and the qualities that we have, young players that need to feel that they can compete and they can reach the level that the national team requires.”
Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham Hotspur manager and current head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, recently spoke out about the growth of Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States. Pochettino praised the development of the league and its impact on the growth of American soccer during the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) January camp.In an interview, Pochettino highlighted the presence of several MLS players in the USMNT camp as a sign of the league’s progress. He commended the quality of talent coming out of MLS and the opportunities it provides for young American players to showcase their abilities on a national stage.
Pochettino’s comments come at a time when MLS is gaining more recognition internationally and attracting top talent from around the world. With the league expanding and improving year after year, it is clear that MLS is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the global soccer landscape.
As the USMNT continues to grow and develop, the presence of MLS players in the national team camp is a testament to the league’s impact on American soccer. Pochettino’s recognition of this growth is a positive sign for the future of both MLS and the USMNT, and a nod to the bright future ahead for American soccer.
Tags:
- Mauricio Pochettino
- MLS growth
- USMNT
- January camp
- Soccer
- Football
- Major League Soccer
- United States Men’s National Team
- Player development
- Coaching tactics
#Mauricio #Pochettino #MLS #growth #evident #USMNT #January #camp
USMNT outsiders from MLS can challenge Euro-based regulars, Mauricio Pochettino says
The words “January camp” do not typically inspire excitement from supporters of the U.S. men’s national team. The squad’s European-based players do not attend because call-up falls outside a FIFA international window. And so traditionally, the roster consists mostly of players from Major League Soccer, or in the case of Matko Miljevic, 23, well, he’s not currently employed by a club.
For the players, of which 24 play in MLS, it’s an important opportunity to represent their country. They could care less about the noise that’s generated across comment sections and online forums that diminish MLS as a pipeline for the national team.
The reality, though, is quite simple: January camp is not a collection of the country’s best players. The squad list is domestic-based, a description that lowers the expectations, not just for the U.S. but for any country that plays an international match in January. The opponents may not garner much attention, either. Venezuela, the Americans’ foe Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is hardly a world beater. However, with the 2026 World Cup 510 days away, January camp under new manager Mauricio Pochettino has some degree of added importance.
Pochettino admitted Friday that the timing of this national team get-together was a bit strange.
“This is the first time that I’ve heard of a camp being held outside of a FIFA match date,” he told reporters. “That could be on me because I wasn’t aware of how national teams are managed. I don’t know if the camp is important for other nations, but it’s important for the United States.”
According to Pochettino, there are players on the current squad that will face Venezuela and Costa Rica (on Wednesday) who are skilled enough to not only feature for the U.S. but match the level of American players who make a living overseas.
MLS players like Walker Zimmerman deserve respect, says Mauricio Pochettino. (John Todd / ISI Photos / Getty Images)“Perhaps that idea has stuck that in order to compete you have to play outside of the U.S.,” Pochettino said. “There are many players here who can play abroad. Just like there are many players abroad who can play in MLS. We have to have an open mind in order to understand the talent level of the players regardless of where they play. (January camp) is important because we’ve seen players, I won’t give any names, who shouldn’t envy those players who have been in previous camps.”
Pochettino added that U.S. national team players in Europe shouldn’t get comfortable. There will always be competition for places. “Just because you play in Europe doesn’t mean you can come here and play whenever you want,” he said.
The tone from Pochettino is different, but USMNT coaches have for years defended the purpose behind the annual January call ups. Pochettino stressed the importance of simply getting to know a wider pool of players from a personal and tactical perspective. He welcomed the challenge of needing to adapt his philosophy, which prioritizes possession, to the skill set of this particular group of players. U.S. fans may roll their eyes at Pochettino’s coachspeak, but it was clear on Friday that the Argentine manager is willing to debate the virtues of the weeks-long get-together.
“We have players who are playing in leagues that aren’t as strong as MLS,” he said. “You have to argue with facts. We want to give these players the same opportunities that we’ve given those players who play abroad.”
Surprises happen, but it’s unlikely that a breakout star will emerge from this January camp. Creating additional depth is important for Pochettino. Instilling his competitive culture across as wide a group of players as possible is crucial, as well. Because at a World Cup, a player’s résumé takes a backseat to their ability to perform in a stressful tournament setting.
Serie A-based USMNT duo Weston McKennie, right, and Christian Pulisic are in fine form. (Fadel Senna / AFP via Getty Images)Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic may be in the best form of their careers. Ricardo Pepi may be solidifying his case to be the squad’s starting No. 9. Antonee Robinson may be the best left back in the Premier League, but when the next World Cup is staged in your backyard, resting on one’s laurels is a complacent decision. Pochettino doesn’t have even two full years to prepare for the 2026 tournament. Every opportunity to train, to evaluate film and data, are quite frankly critical for Pochettino and his staff.
Pochettino spoke on Friday about the continued growth of MLS and his responsibility to help close the gap between the U.S. and world powers like Spain and Argentina. He said that the U.S. has to be “more arrogant in our belief that we can be better.” Recent performances from the first team have not been encouraging enough, though. And so while January camp has been commonly disregarded as unimportant, Pochettino must extract something of true value.
Two wins over Venezuela and Costa Rica would not only prove his point about this group of players, but also give Pochettino two more victories as USMNT head coach. Last week, while speaking at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Chicago, former U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann said that Pochettino was hired to win games and not much else.
“Now we’re leading up to the World Cup, and (Mauricio) knows that,” Klinsmann said. “He’s coming in to make us maybe go to a quarterfinal or semifinal. That’s our wish from Pochettino. He is not coming in to change the youth soccer landscape, the college system or MLS. It’s not his job, and he’s not gonna spend time on that. He will spend time gathering his players around him, figuring out who are the best players that I can bring to that World Cup, and how can I make sure that we go as far as we can.”
Jurgen Klinsmann says Mauricio Pochettino’s focus should be all about winning. (Lintao Zhang / Getty Images)As divisive as Klinsmann is among American soccer fans and pundits, he’s not wrong. Pochettino doesn’t have the time or know-how to try to fix the sport in the U.S. He was hired to lead the national team during the program’s most important two-year stretch ever. Pochettino will not be judged by his comments about MLS or his ideas on how to better develop American players.
Performances in friendlies against top-tier national teams prior to the World Cup and the USMNT’s ability to overachieve as a host nation will fall squarely on his shoulders. That’s a heavy lift and one that Pochettino embraced when he accepted the job.
January camp may do little to elevate the pulse of U.S. supporters. And because opportunities at the international level are cursory, some of the players on this month’s squad may never play for the U.S. again. But if Pochettino was hired to win games, the expectation, regardless of the squad list, should be nothing less than that.
(Top photo: John Dorton / ISI Photos / USSF / Getty Images for USSF)
Mauricio Pochettino, former Tottenham Hotspur manager, believes that USMNT players from Major League Soccer have the potential to challenge the Euro-based regulars on the national team. In a recent interview, Pochettino praised the talent and determination of American players in MLS and suggested that they could make a significant impact on the US Men’s National Team.With MLS continuing to grow and develop top-tier talent, Pochettino’s comments highlight the increasing quality and competitiveness of American soccer. While many USMNT regulars currently play in Europe, Pochettino believes that MLS players have the potential to compete for starting roles and contribute to the team’s success on the international stage.
As the USMNT looks to build a strong squad for future competitions, Pochettino’s endorsement of MLS players could provide opportunities for some lesser-known talents to break into the national team setup. With the potential for increased competition and depth in the squad, USMNT fans can look forward to seeing new faces and fresh talent making their mark on the team in the coming years.
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USMNT, MLS, Euro-based players, Mauricio Pochettino, US soccer, national team, American soccer, soccer news, player development, international competition
#USMNT #outsiders #MLS #challenge #Eurobased #regulars #Mauricio #PochettinoCristiano Ronaldo backed to join MLS & play against Lionel Messi
Ronaldo could represent Portugal in the 2026 World Cup.
Former Manchester United player has advised Cristiano Ronaldo to join one of the Major League Soccer clubs, play against Lionel Messi and represent Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as he has six months left in his Al-Nassr deal.
Even though he is getting close to turning 40, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is anticipated to attend the event, which will be jointly organized by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The all-time great is upholding remarkable standards.
The extension of Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr, a Saudi Pro League team, for an additional year has been discussed. The contract is reportedly for €200 million (£168 million/$206 million) over 12 months. Playing in an unprecedented sixth World Cup won’t be the end, the prolific goalscorer may choose to continue playing beyond that.
Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke thinks Cristiano might be persuaded to join MLS and compete with his longtime rival. The 1999 Treble winner told Coin Casino:
“Cristiano Ronaldo is an extremist and one of, if not the greatest player of all time. Ronaldo is doing everything he can to extend his career, he’s defying the odds the play as long as possible. Ronaldo has a few months left on his contract, he may decide to extend his contract in the Saudi Pro League, he’s still a top scorer there and is still one of the highest scorers in the world.”
“I won’t rule out Ronaldo going to the MLS, with the World Cup coming there, it may be another opportunity for him to feature in Portugal’s squad and potentially win the competition. If he makes the team, I could see him staying in America and play against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.”
Ronaldo will continue to play for as long as possible because he has made it clear that he wants to reach 1,000 goals before thinking about retiring. Although Messi has not yet seen Inter Miami trigger an extension option for 2026, hence just like Ronaldo the Argentine’s future is also uncertain at the Herons.
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There have been rumblings in the soccer world that Cristiano Ronaldo could potentially make a move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the near future, with speculation growing that he could join forces with his long-time rival Lionel Messi in the United States.Ronaldo, who currently plays for Juventus in Italy, has been linked with a move to MLS for some time now, with many believing that the 36-year-old superstar could be tempted by the prospect of a new challenge in the States. And with Messi recently making the move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after leaving Barcelona, the idea of the two legends facing off against each other in MLS has sparked excitement among fans.
While nothing has been confirmed yet, the idea of Ronaldo and Messi plying their trade in the same league is certainly tantalizing. Both players have dominated the world of soccer for over a decade, and the prospect of them facing off in the States would undoubtedly draw huge crowds and generate immense interest.
Whether or not Ronaldo will actually make the move to MLS remains to be seen, but the possibility of him joining forces with Messi in the United States is certainly an intriguing one. Fans will have to wait and see if this dream scenario becomes a reality, but for now, the prospect of seeing two of the greatest players of all time go head-to-head in MLS is certainly an exciting one to ponder.
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La MLS presenta el balón oficial para la temporada 2025
Estamos próximos a comenzar una nueva temporada de la Major League Soccer, la cual será la trigésima en la historia del fútbol estadounidense. LA Galaxy llega como el monarca tras haber superado a New York Red Bulls el pasado 7 de diciembre desde el Dignity Health Sports Park de Los Ángeles, siendo un título especial, pues el conjunto angelino se afianza como el cuadro más ganador y su recién figura, Marco Reus, consiguió la gloria durante su primera temporada en Estados Unidos.
Por segunda temporada consecutiva, Inter Miami protagonizará el encuentro inaugural de la campaña en la MLS, en esta ocasión, será el sábado 22 de febrero recibiendo a New York City FC desde el Chase Stadium, en lo que será la primera prueba oficial para Javier Mascherano frente al banquillo, luego de haber tomado el lugar que dejó vacante Martino, quien se pudo ir con la Leagues Cup y el Supporters Shield a su cargo. Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets y Jordi Alba empiezan otra aventura en territorio estadounidense.
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Como un guiño más a la rica historia de la liga, el diseño del 2025 abarca los 3 estilos más populares de paneles adidas e incluye pequeños detalles de los 18 balones adidas MLS fabricados.MLS PODRÍA INTERESARTE – Inter Miami suma una nueva baja
La MLS presenta el balón oficial para la temporada 2025
Bajo el lema “El Balón Oficial de Juego de la MLS 2025 muestra los colores originales del primer balón de juego y el logotipo de la liga, con el azul y el verde destacados en todo el balón”, se presenta el nuevo esférico
“Como un guiño más a la rica historia de la liga, el diseño del 2025 abarca los 3 estilos más populares de paneles Adidas e incluye pequeños detalles de los 18 balones Adidas MLS fabricados”, se añaden a los componentes del nuevo esférico que tendrán en el fútbol estadounidense.
“El Balón Oficial de Juego de la MLS 2025 celebra la rica historia de la MLS y trae de vuelta los colores originales de la liga 30 años después. Azul. Verde. Historia”, se añade sobre el diseño.
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El Balón Oficial de Juego de la MLS 2025 muestra los colores originales del primer balón de juego y el logotipo de la liga, con el azul y el verde destacados en todo el balón.
MLSSigue el canal de Diario AS en WhatsApp, donde encontrarás todo el deporte en un solo espacio: la actualidad del día, la agenda con la última hora de los eventos deportivos más importantes, las imágenes más destacadas, la opinión de las mejores firmas de AS, reportajes, vídeos, y algo de humor de vez en cuando.
La Major League Soccer (MLS) ha presentado el balón oficial que se utilizará en la temporada 2025 y ha dejado a todos los aficionados emocionados por lo que se viene en el fútbol de Estados Unidos y Canadá.El nuevo balón, fabricado por Adidas, presenta un diseño renovado y moderno que refleja la evolución y crecimiento de la liga en los últimos años. Con colores vibrantes y llamativos, el balón promete ser un elemento clave en los partidos de la MLS.
Además, la tecnología utilizada en la fabricación del balón garantiza un mejor rendimiento en el campo, con mayor precisión en los pases y disparos, lo que sin duda beneficiará a los jugadores y hará que los partidos sean aún más emocionantes para los espectadores.
Los aficionados ya están ansiosos por ver a sus equipos favoritos jugar con este nuevo balón en la temporada 2025, y no cabe duda de que será todo un acierto por parte de la MLS haber apostado por un diseño tan innovador y atractivo. ¡Que empiece el juego! #MLS2025 #BalónOficial
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2023-24 American League MLS MIAMI Soccer Apple TV &Sponsor Iron On Patches
2023-24 American League MLS MIAMI Soccer Apple TV &Sponsor Iron On Patches
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