Major League Soccer

MLS vs USMNT: the war could be declared heading to Tokyo Olympics

By Mauricio Saenz

They can not always coexist. The upcoming events in Japan could lead to a massive trouble between both organizations.

They can not always coexist. The upcoming events in Japan could lead to a massive trouble between both organizations.

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International soccer competitions often bring trouble between different involved parties. And something like that could outbreak between both MLS and the United States men’s national team. In this case, we are approaching the last tournament that will pick teams for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics: the Under 23 Concacaf Pre-Olympic Tournament.

Guadalajara will host the competition between March 18 and 30, and eight national teams will be competing. Mexico, United States, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic will be in Group A, while Canada, Honduras, El Salvador and Haiti will clash in Group B. The top two will move onto semifinals, and the two finalists will play in the Olympics representing Concacaf.

Japan, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, Romania, New Zealand, Egypt, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Australia and South Korea are waiting for the two Concacaf members that will complete the 16 contenders in the Tokyo Olympics from July 23 and August 8. But something may outbreak between MLS and the United States national team.

The Pre Olympic Tournament is not an official competition, therefore, clubs are not forced to release their players to the tournament. Having Christian Pulisic, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna on the team will be a whole challenge, but also names from MLS like George Bello, Kyle Duncan, Daryl Dike, Marco Farfan or Julian Araujo could also be disallowed to fly to Guadalajara.


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