The MLS season kicks off this Saturday, and the timing couldn't be more interesting. For dozens of players across the league, this isn't just another season—it's their final shot to impress national team coaches before World Cup rosters are locked in.
The 2026 World Cup is coming to North America this summer. That's just a few months away, which means every performance matters now.
Take Matt Freese, for example. The New York City FC goalkeeper has gone from unknown to potential World Cup starter in less than a year. He didn't even get his first national team call-up until January 2024, and his first cap came in June.
Now? He's the regular starter for the USMNT after some clutch penalty saves in the Gold Cup final. Talk about a rapid rise.
"I had been training for that and working for that moment," Freese explained. "It happened quickly, but it was what I had been working for."
Staying Focused Despite World Cup Hype
The interesting thing about Freese is how grounded he stays. He didn't change his offseason routine despite the World Cup looming. He took his usual 10 days completely off from soccer—no watching, no training, nothing.
After spending 170 days in hotels last year, he just chilled at home with friends. Smart move, honestly.
"I think it would be a mistake to change the way I prepare for a season just because of the potential of such a big moment in the middle of it," he said. The 27-year-old also keeps distractions minimal—he doesn't even sleep with his phone in the room.
For bettors looking at NYCFC's season, Freese's form will be crucial. He's motivated not just by World Cup dreams but by last season's painful 5-1 defeat to Inter Miami. That loss happened just a week before Miami won MLS Cup.
New York City FC could be an interesting value bet early in the season with a focused, championship-hungry goalkeeper leading the way.
Different Paths to the Same Dream
Not every MLS player is in Freese's position. Cade Cowell just joined the New York Red Bulls and hasn't been in a USMNT camp for two years. But the dream's still alive.
"I think every American player, it's still a goal to be on the World Cup roster," Cowell said. "The window's tight, but it's in God's hands."
Mauricio Pochettino, the new USMNT coach, has been pulling heavily from MLS since taking over in October 2024. That open-door policy gives players like Cowell hope, even with only 26 roster spots available.
Then there's Hugo Lloris at LAFC. The 39-year-old French legend already won the World Cup in 2018 and reached the final in 2022. He's retired from international duty and is just enjoying the game now.
"I'm more relaxed than I used to be," Lloris admitted. "I take football in a less intense way." He might be contemplating if this is his final season as a pro.
LAFC are chasing trophies across three competitions—MLS, Concacaf Champions Cup, and Leagues Cup. With a calmer, experienced Lloris in goal, they could be serious contenders worth backing.
The veteran keeper also sees soccer growing in America, which bodes well for the sport's future here. "I really see a development," he said, watching his own daughters play competitively.
As MLS kicks off, the stakes have never been higher. Club success and World Cup dreams are intertwined for the next few months. Who impresses could change their entire career trajectory—and give bettors some serious value along the way.
