- Lalas "happy and sad" about endorsement of MLS
- Praised coach for recognizing domestic league quality
- Noted it was more MLS appreciation than from U.S. fans
USMNT Mauricio Pochettino included 12 MLS players on his squad for the upcoming September friendlies, saying of the league, “Sometimes the MLS – under my assessment – maybe is more competitive than some leagues in Europe.”
FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas said he had conflicting emotions about the coach’s comments on the domestic league.
“There is a part of me that is so happy to hear Mauricio Pochettino say this,” Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. “Saying something like this… and saying it publicly is blowing minds. Because as we know, the MLS Derangement Syndrome out there shows no sign of abating. And so it makes me happy that he is being this positive about MLS and about MLS’ quality and about American players, relative to the national team that play in MLS. “
Lalas also found it disheartening that the Argentine demonstrated more enthusiasm for MLS than many American soccer fans do.
“I’m sad because our US men’s national team coach – by the way, an Argentinian – has more excitement and respect and positivity towards our domestic league, Major League Soccer, than many Americans,” he said. “It continues to be strange to say that now I know that people are getting out their tinfoil right now and saying, ‘Oh, MLS quotas. And he’s just saying what he has to say. And this is part of the deal.’
“No, no. I think he has proven in his short time, Mauricio Pochettino truly does believe that there is quality in MLS, that there is value in MLS.”
The former USMNT defender admitted that some skeptics will be critical of the comments.
“I just love the fact that he is saying this and the reaction is what you should take note of,” he said. “Those that are up in arms and feel that he’s gaslighting or feel that he’s not being truthful in what he is saying because it goes against what they have said over the years and what they believe over the years. But it’s Mauricio Pochettino saying that.
“And now you know, they’ll come for him and they’ll scream and yell. But I love this discourse. I love the fact that he is putting it out there. And this is not the first time he has talked since the moment he got to the national team about how he doesn’t care where you play. He cares that you play well and that he is standing up for MLS… But I think there’s ultimately this is this is good stuff from Pochettino. And I think he has put his money where his mouth is when it comes to MLS players.”
Pochettino’s positive stance toward MLS represents a significant shift from previous narratives surrounding the USMNT, where European-based players have traditionally been prioritized.
Pochettino will have immediate opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to MLS talent during the upcoming September friendlies against South Korea and Japan, where several MLS players are expected to feature prominently.
