Major League Soccer (MLS) has become a vital breeding ground for young American talent, with several rising stars making significant impacts both domestically and for the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT). As the U.S. prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, these players are enhancing the national team’s depth, competitiveness, and long-term potential. Below, we explore some of the standout MLS talents in 2025 and analyze what their emergence means for the USMNT under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Major League Soccer (MLS) Rising Stars
Diego Luna (Midfielder, Real Salt Lake)
Age: 21
2025 Highlights: Named the 2024 MLS Young Player of the Year, Luna has continued his stellar form into 2025, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 16 MLS matches. His creativity and vision have made him a standout playmaker.
USMNT Contribution: During the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, Luna scored three goals and added four assists, including two in a 5-0 rout of Trinidad and Tobago, showcasing his ability to unlock defenses.
Alex Freeman (Defender, Orlando City SC)
Age: 20
2025 Highlights: In his third MLS season, Freeman started all three group stage matches at the 2025 Gold Cup, helping secure consecutive clean sheets. He also contributed four goals and three assists for Orlando.
USMNT Contribution: Freeman’s defensive reliability and offensive output as a fullback provide the national team with a versatile option for the backline.
Sebastian Berhalter (Midfielder, Vancouver Whitecaps)
Age: 24
2025 Highlights: Berhalter debuted for the USMNT in June 2025 and started every Gold Cup match, delivering two assists from set pieces with his box-to-box energy.
USMNT Contribution: His versatility and set-piece expertise add depth and tactical flexibility to the midfield.
Max Arfsten (Defender, Columbus Crew)
Age: 24
2025 Highlights: Arfsten started seven Gold Cup matches and scored in a 4-2 MLS win over FC Cincinnati, highlighting his two-way capabilities.
USMNT Contribution: His defensive and offensive contributions bolster the USMNT’s options at the back.
Brian White (Forward, Vancouver Whitecaps)
Age: 29
2025 Highlights: White has been a prolific scorer, netting 11 goals in 14 MLS appearances, earning a spot among the league’s top strikers and a Gold Cup call-up.
USMNT Contribution: His finishing ability addresses the USMNT’s need for a consistent goal scorer.
Patrick Agyemang (Forward, Derby County, formerly Charlotte FC)
Age: 24
2025 Highlights: A 2025 MLS All-Star before transferring to Derby County, Agyemang scored in the Gold Cup opener against Trinidad and Tobago.
USMNT Contribution: His early international promise is notable, though his move to Europe may shift his long-term role.
Implications for the USMNT in General.
The rise of these MLS stars has profound implications for the USMNT, particularly as it builds toward the 2026 World Cup.
1. Enhanced Depth and Competition
MLS Pipeline: In 2025, 16 MLS players were called up for the pre-Gold Cup camp the most since 2023 demonstrating the league’s growing role in supplying national team talent. With European stars like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie occasionally unavailable (e.g., during the 2025 Gold Cup), MLS players have seized opportunities to compete for roster spots.
Roster Balance: This influx of talent increases competition, pushing both domestic and European-based players to elevate their performances.
2. Development of Homegrown Talent
MLS Academies: Players like Freeman (via MLS NEXT Pro) and Luna benefit from MLS’s emphasis on youth academies and early first-team minutes, gaining valuable competitive experience.
Readiness for International Play: This development model ensures young players are battle-tested and prepared to contribute to the USMNT.
3. Bridging the Domestic-European Gap
MLS Growth: With improved infrastructure, the Designated Player Rule, and rising competitiveness, MLS is closing the quality gap with European leagues. This allows players to develop effectively in the U.S., potentially reducing the need for early moves abroad.
Dual Pathways: While some, like Agyemang, pursue European opportunities, others thrive in MLS, offering Pochettino a broader talent pool.
4. Tactical and Mental Maturity
Gold Cup Proving Ground: The 2025 Gold Cup showcased the resilience of MLS players, from Freeman’s defensive solidity to Luna’s attacking flair and goalkeeper Matt Freese’s penalty shootout heroics against Costa Rica.
Team Cohesion: Pochettino’s integration of MLS talents with veterans like Tim Ream and Chris Richards is fostering a squad capable of handling Concacaf’s challenges.
5. Challenges Ahead
Consistency: Recent USMNT struggles such as a four-game home losing streak and losses to Mexico (2025 Gold Cup final) and Panama (Nations League) highlight the need for consistent performances from all players, including MLS stars.
Integration: Balancing MLS and European talent remains critical to building a World Cup-ready team.
What the future holds
The emergence of MLS rising stars like Luna, Freeman, and Berhalter signals a bright future for the USMNT. Their performances in MLS and international competitions like the Gold Cup prove that the league can produce players capable of competing globally. As MLS continues to evolve as a development hub, it complements the European pipeline, reducing reliance on overseas leagues and fostering a new generation of American soccer talent. For the USMNT to succeed in 2026, Pochettino must harness this domestic surge, blending it with established stars to create a cohesive, competitive squad ready to shine on home soil.
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