I've surely stepped in it this time. By accepting the mission of imagining who would win a game between US men's national team-eligible players with MLS day jobs and those who draw club paychecks from abroad, I'm poking at a real hornet's nest.
The debate has kicked off countless tense squabbles since Americans playing in Europe and Mexico became a hot topic in the early 2000s, from BigSoccer to Twitter to your current edition of MLSsoccer.com.
So here I am to piece together a starting XI for both imaginary teams and then figure out how a game between the two sides would unfold. I'm clearly opening myself to irked rants from all corners, regardless of what result I predict.
But first, let's introduce my chosen squads. We'll assume everyone is fit, but maybe those who've been out a while are a form question mark.
MLS
- Goalkeeper: Brad Guzan (Atlanta United), Bill Hamid (D.C. United)
- Defenders: Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Miles Robinson (Atlanta United), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas), Ryan Hollingshead (FC Dallas), Aaron Herrera (Real Salt Lake)
- Midfielders: Russell Canouse (D.C. United), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Jackson Yueill (San Jose), Darlington Nagbe (Columbus), Paxton Pomykal (FC Dallas)
- Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Jordan Morris (Seattle), Paul Arriola (D.C. United), Jonathan Lewis (Colorado), Gyasi Zardes (Columbus)
The MLS boss would have one heck of a time deciding several close position battles, to put it mildly.
In goal, there are numerous suitable options, but I'd probably start Guzan for his high-level experience, solid all-around game and quality at facing spot-kicks. There weren't nearly as many plum left-back choices. I took Hollingshead over Chase Gasper and Daniel Lovitz in spite of the fact that he's the only one from that trio with no USMNT caps to his credit.
While manning the backline and attack stables were pretty straightforward, picking the midfield cogs was more difficult. A large amount of skillset redundancy is how experienced national teamers like Michael Bradley and Wil Trapp were left out. I simply tabbed Yueill as being on the best form trajectory. In a similar vein, Cristian Roldan – I actually penciled him in as the starter in Yueill's spot at one point during the roster build – was the last/toughest bench cut.
Seattle Sounders forward Jordan Morris slots into the MLS XI | USA Today Sports
Strengths
The MLS attacking line may not have a talent edge, but unlike the Exports, they're proven producers at the international level. The backline is aces at defending on the run and the midfield group is full of pluck, which they'll need to deal with Christian Pulisic & Co. The MLS team also has the bench advantage, especially when it comes to the midfield and attack.
Weaknesses
The elephant in the room is the midfield matchup. The MLS group is solid, but the trio they're up against is on another level. The uncapped duo of Canouse and Hollingshead may not actually be liabilities, but at this level they're at least big question marks. With the defensive midfield work of Canouse sorely needed, Nagbe drops to the bench. Because of this, the team is likely going to suffer a sizable possession deficit to the Exports, which only makes them more tactically predictable.
The Exports
- Goalkeepers: Zack Steffen (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge)
- Defenders: John Anthony Brooks (Wolfsburg), Matt Miazga (Reading), Sergino Dest (Ajax), Antonee Robinson (Wigan), Ventura Alvarado (Necaxa), Tim Ream (Fulham)
- Defender/midfielder: Geoff Cameron (QPR)
- Midfielders: Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig), Weston McKennie (Schalke), Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Duane Holmes (Derby County)
- Forwards: Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen), Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund), Timothy Weah (Lille), Ulysses Llanez (Wolfsburg), Emmanuel Sabbi (Hobro IK)
set to join Odense BK at season's end
Most of this team's lineup picks were no-brainers, but filling out the bench was a bit tricky.
Some may argue that DeAndre Yedlin deserves to be on the roster, perhaps even as a starter. However, his form has dropped and Dest's large edge going forward earns him the start. Cameron's ability to cover both the fullback positions and defensive midfield then nudged the Newcastle man right off the match squad.
Up the field, Julian Green narrowly missed out as both the midfield playmaker and wing backup, while Sabbi beat out a bit of competition to deputize the forward role.
Christian Pulisic gives the Exports XI a decisive boost | USA Today Sports
Strengths
The Exports' midfield advantage is sizable in this fantasy matchup. Adams, McKennie and Pulisic are each Champions League knockout-caliber performers for their respective roles. This squad also has a compatible center-back tandem, speed to burn out wide, loads of verve and a netminder capable of heroics.
Weaknesses
The biggest concern would be over how much cutting edge the front line could produce. Reyna, Sargent and Weah all bring loads of talent, but precious little experience. It's also worth fretting some over the defensive capabilities of Dest and Robinson, who will each be charged with corralling a strong MLS threat when they're not bombing forward.
How would the game go?
Though each side has their areas of superiority, there's not a ton separating the MLS and Exports teams. Adding the pride factor to our fictional showdown, one would expect a tight contest with momentum swings. You might also figure the Exports would hold a decent possession advantage, with the MLS crew looking to stay compact, absorb pressure and jump onto the counter attack. Even so, they can't just cede the midfield to their pricey opponents from overseas.
To have a chance, they'll need to disrupt McKennie's supply/distribution chain and prevent him from sending Pulisic and the other pacy Exports attackers off to the races. Can the MLS midfield do that for 90 minutes? That's unlikely, which is precisely why the Chelsea roadrunner opens the scoring late in the first half thanks to a give-and-go with Sargent.
Just when it looks as though the Exports might double their advantage, the MLS boys get loose on the break to tie the score on the edge of halftime. Yueill slips Morris behind on the left and his shot is parried by Steffen, but the rebound is easy enough pickings for Altidore.
MLS then carries much of the second-half play, but are left agonizing over several huge Steffen stops when McKennie bags an 85th-minute decider created by interplay between Pulisic, Dest and sub Llanez. When all is said and done, the Exports boutique midfield makes the difference in a 2-1 bout.
