The FIFA World Cup in Qatar featured 37 Major League Soccer players, a majority of which were made up of the Canadian and United States National teams. But who produced the most impressive performances in Qatar?
United States stars
Beginning with the US national team, nine stars were competing from the MLS in a campaign that featured games against Wales, Iran, England, and the Netherlands. The only MLS star to nail down a starting spot for the US was Walker Zimmerman of Nashville SC. The defender started every game for his home nation at the tournament and barely put a foot wrong besides his foul on Los Angeles FC star Gareth Bale on matchday one against Wales. Zimmerman’s reckless challenge led to a penalty being awarded and ultimately cost his side the three points, however, they still managed to escape from the group with a victory over Iran in the final game.
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The likes of DeAndre Yedlin and Kellyn Acosta were used regularly off the bench for the US including in the knockout tie against the Netherlands and it was Yedlin’s pressing and creativity down the right flank that gave the US a glimmer of hope late on before Denzel Dumfries put the game beyond doubt.
One of the strongest sides at the tournament in Argentina even features one of the MLS’ upcoming stars, meaning Lionel Messi’s brilliance could potentially lead to a World Cup winner playing football in the United States next season. In Betway Sports World Cup odds, Argentina is offered at +600 to go on to win the tournament, but they face a difficult path as they will have to beat Brazil before potentially facing France in the final.
Canada
Another team with a heavy presence of MLS-based players is of course Canada who were making their second-ever World Cup appearance and their first since 1986. The Maple Leafs fought bravely on the pitch albeit at times were naive which was shown in their Croatia and Belgium defeats. While they had no issue dominating the possession and flow of games they were often extremely vulnerable in defensive transition. Regardless of their swift return to Canada, there were some impressive performances from some MLS stars.
Richie Laryea of Toronto FC was ever-present in the right wing-back role, his energy and tenacity were vital to their aggressive style as they dominated Belgium in the opening game, and the semi-finalists of 2018 triumphed simply due to their experience. Another Toronto star that featured at times was Mark-Anthony Kaye who is an all-action midfielder that played against Morocco on matchday two, he did not set the world alight but his aggressive ball-winning nature in the middle of the park helped keep Canada in the game, but unfortunately, they lost to the team who would make it to the quarter-finals knocking out Spain and Belgium on their way.
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#NFFC’s Richie Laryea starts for Canada today in their World Cup fixture against Croatia. pic.twitter.com/j6SOTLJqAg
— Callum Castel (@callumcasteln) November 27, 2022
Kamal Miller was also a mainstay for Canada at the tournament. The CF Montreal defender featured whether they opted for a four or a five-back system which demonstrates his versatility. He is a well-capable ball-playing defender which he got the chance to showcase on the highest stage against some of the highest-paid players on the planet.
Xherdan Shaqiri
The Chicago Fire star was crucial for Switzerland on the final matchday in their do-or-die game with Serbia. The former Liverpool man scored the opening goal on a wild occasion which ended 3-2 for the Swiss. They faced Portugal in the round of 16 where they were emphatically beaten 6-1 by an extremely strong side that was set up with an offense-focused midfield featuring Otavio and Bernardo Silva that was relentless with their ability to create chance after chance to down Switzerland.
Players who have scored in each of the last three World Cups:
Lionel Messi
Cristiano Ronaldo
Xherdan Shaqiri— B/R Football (@brfootball) December 2, 2022
Gareth Bale
Perhaps the MLS’ biggest star at present and one of the greatest players ever to grace the league, Gareth Bale did not enjoy a great tournament with Wales. He did manage to take advantage of Walker Zimmerman’s gift of a penalty to get onto the scoresheet in Qatar as his home fans watched on. But against Iran and England, his nation suffered humbling defeats back-to-back and he was unable to affect the scoreline in both as they bowed out of the groups in their first appearance since 1958.
Bale will return to LA as the league’s standout player but some other MLS stars may return next year with genuine World Cup pedigree that the Welsh star lacks.
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