MLS news: 6 USMNT players included in the All-Star roster

The roster for the 2023 MLS All-Star Game against Premier League side Arsenal has been announced and it includes six USMNT internationals. 

There could also be two American players featuring for the Gunners, Matt Turner and Folarin Balogun. It is likely that Mikel Arteta will play Turner in this game. This would save their first-choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for matches against Manchester United and Arsenal which they will also play in their USA tour.

As for Balogun, unless he gets transferred ahead of the trip then he might feature against the team representing MLS. He will certainly be a player that many USMNT supporters attending the game would want to see.

A lot of eyes will be on the big names in Wayne Rooney’s MLS squad like World Cup winner Thiago Almada and Christian Benteke who Premier League fans know well. However, there are six USMNT players who could make a big difference in this fixture.

Walker Zimmerman

Walker Zimmerman is a player that has shown that you do not have to be competing in Europe to keep your place in the USMNT squad. The defender played in all four games at the World Cup in Qatar and recently helped the Stars and Stripes win the Nations League.

The man who is currently a rock at the back for Nashville has featured in the last three All-Star games. If anyone is to stop Arsenal’s attack which includes Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard then it is Zimmerman.

Jesus Ferreira

Jesus Ferreira has scored 10 goals in 18 MLS games for FC Dallas already this year. The 22-year-old won the MLS Young Player of the Year award last season and is expected to play European soccer at some point in his career.

Playing against a side in Arsenal -that came second in the Premier League to Manchester City last season- will be a great test for Ferreira.

Matt Miazga

FC Cincinnati’s Matt Miazga came back to MLS last year after an unsuccessful spell at Chelsea where he managed just two first-team appearances. This match against Arsenal will give Miazga an opportunity to show a Premier League side what he can do.

This year Miazga has been in impressive form for Cincinnati, who are currently top of the Eastern Conference.

Aidan Morris

21-year-old Aidan Morris has been in impressive form for the Columbus Crew this season where he has scored three times and made two assists.

The midfielder is currently at his first tournament with the USMNT at the Gold Cup. Like all the young players featuring against Arsenal, this is a chance for them to see if they have got what it takes to compete against the best.

Jordan Morris

Jordan Morris has scored nine goals for the Seattle Sounders this season which has earned him a place in Rooney’s side. The forward had a brief loan spell at Swansea City back in 2021, so he now has another chance to show a British side what he can do.

With 149 appearances in MLS as well as 53 caps for the USMNT, Morris is one of the most experienced players on the All-Star roster.

John Tolkin

The Left-Back, John Tolkin, has impressively got four assists in MLS for the New York Red Bulls this season. The 20-year-old made his USMNT debut against Columbia earlier this year and is currently with the side at the Gold Cup.

Playing for the ALL-Stars against Arsenal will be another adventure for the young Tolkin.