The current US men's national team player pool feels particularly rich, with an impressive collection of MLS talent complemented by a large chunk of players based in Europe and a number of them produced by MLS and playing for some of the continent's best clubs.
From Weston McKennie's success at Juventus to Gio Reyna's breakout at Borussia Dortmund, it feels unlike any other period in the team's history, and with Jordan Morris, Paul Arriola, and Bryan Reynolds being the latest to make the move overseas, it does not look like the trend will slow down anytime soon.
While it may the result of increasing player development over the course of the last decade and change from organizations in American soccer, ex-USMNT defender Alexi Lalas checked into The Call Up to talk a different type of change: one of perception.
"The perception of those players has changed," Lalas told Susannah Collins and Jillian Sakovits. "Sometimes, it's time or timing, OK? We live in a very interesting time right now. Don't think for a second that the situation in regards to the pandemic hasn't played into all of this, especially when it comes to the economics, so you know you're getting a player that's not going to cause you problems off the field, that is going to work hard on the field, that is of value to the international market."
Lalas also added that it can be hard to pinpoint what led to the change in perception, but that at the end of the day, it has happened and the current crop of players are not just benefitting from that change, but succeeding in European environments.
"I just think that hearts and minds have been opened up," Lalas said. "In a strange way, I lament that there has been talent in the past that hasn't been given this opportunity, but look, we all stand on the shoulders of giants. We all benefit from what has happened before and you hope that you create a situation that's much more conducive and open and inviting to the American player."
Make sure to check out the full episode of The Call Up, featuring Lalas' thoughts on social media use and much more.
