sports
MLS will have fewer US World Cup players than ever. Its impact is being felt anyway
The league’s emphasis on youth development has seen its place in the careers of US national team players shift dramatically
TL;DR
- The proportion of MLS players starting for the USMNT in World Cups has declined significantly since the league's inception in 1996.
- In 1998, MLS players accounted for an average of seven starts per game, while by 2022, this number had dropped to just one.
- The 2014 World Cup was an anomaly, with 4.75 MLS players starting per game, due to a concerted effort by MLS to sign high-profile national team players.
- For the upcoming World Cup, it's plausible that only two MLS players might start, with the majority of the squad being developed through MLS academies.
- Despite fewer players on the field, MLS's impact is evident through the development of a substantial number of players who began their careers in its academies.