There was once a time when star MLS players like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey led the lines for USMNT. Under current manager Mauricio Pochettino, the lineup features just four players from the league, with the coach asserting that they are just as good as their European counterparts. However, MLS legend Alexi Lalas questioned the Argentinian’s perspective, which raises the question, is the top division of soccer in the United States good enough?

Speaking at the pre-match conference of USMNT’s second-leg clash with Jamaica, Pochettino commented that the playing standard of MLS is just as good as the Premier League or La Liga. Former USMNT player, Alexander Lalas was quick to respond to the coach on X, stating that Pochettino is headed in the wrong direction. “I’m sure Poch will be taken to task for this inflammatory, naive, and destructive approach” read his tweet. 

Pochettino on the other hand believes that the MLS is growing. “For me, I am going to be happy to have most of them playing here in the MLS because I think after (getting) to know the MLS, it is not easy to play here. It’s very physical,” said the boss. He also highlighted how the best player in the world, Lionel Messi plays in the top division of US Soccer. 

This isn’t the first time Alexi Lalas publicly criticized the USMNT coach. He previously questioned Pochettino’s decision to include an ‘unproven’ young goalkeeper Diego Cochin. But what exactly do MLS players need to prove? Players like Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie started in the MLS, before making waves abroad, but is there more to be asked of American soccer? 

Are MLS players up to the standards of modern football?

Under the previous manager Gregg Berhalter, not a single MLS player registered game during the Copa América 2024. Of the 4 MLS players in Pochettimo’s squad, only Tim Ream from Charlotte FC featured in their 5-2 aggregate quarterfinal win over Jamaica. Surprisingly, Lionel Messi is the only player from the MLS to win a Ballon d’Or. 

While nowadays stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba are seen making headlines, there’s a big catch. All these names that were once big in Europe are way past their prime. Looking at other MLS stars like Lorenzo Insigne, Hugo Lloris, and Carlos Vela, has MLS become a sort of ‘retirement’ league?

Pochettino is expected to win the CONCACAF Nations League for a 4th consecutive time, but his true test lies in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a tournament that the North American Continent is hosting. It will be intriguing to see if any MLS players make the starting 11 and have the home crowd chant their names.