GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in MLS, including another top showing from McGlynn
As U.S. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino prepares for the final 10 matches his team will play in the buildup to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the staff will have eyes on the player pool ahead of each FIFA international window.
The European season is underway, and there are still multiple members of the national team competing domestically in Major League Soccer. The current roster for the USMNT's September friendlies, in fact, includes 12 MLS players.
Jack McGlynn continues his quietly strong season for the Houston Dynamo, while Paxten Aaronson is playing well, but it hasn't immediately helped his new team, the Colorado Rapids. Meanwhile, Tim Ream and Charlotte pulled off a tight win over USMNT teammate Matt Turner and New England.
GOAL looks at the major takeaways from USMNT players in MLS.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportMcGlynn remains on fire
It wasn't as easy as McGlynn or the Houston Dynamo would have hoped, but they notched a three points against St. Louis CITY SC in a 3-2 thriller.
This was a game that the struggling Dynamo would typically lose, but the team narrowly escaped Energizer Park – and can credit McGlynn's assist on the opener as part of the reason. For the game, the midfielder completed two key passes, hit eight long balls, and completed 78 percent of his passes – showing his creativity.
More importantly, he will remain a Dynamo player at least through the rest of the season, as Parma's reported interest cooled and the Serie A side, instead, went after Inter Miami's Benjamin Cremaschi. That'll be important for Houston, who are just one point back from a play-in playoff spot at 10th place.
AdvertisementImagnAaronson needs a win
Paxten Aaronson, locally nicknamed "PaxTen" due to the position he plays, came to the Colorado Rapids with much buzz and fanfare, considering his still-rising game and the fact that he could have remained in Europe. And individually, he's been solid.
Against a struggling Sporting KC side, the 22-year-old connected on 91.5 percent of his passes and had two key passes, yet Colorado lost again. This was the second-straight week in which the Rapids lost to a team near the bottom of the Western Conference's standings, following their loss to LA Galaxy the previous matchday.
It's a far contrast to what the Rapids showed following the abrupt departure of previous No. 10 Djordje Mihailovic to Toronto FC. During that span, Colorado got strong wins over Atlanta United and Minnesota United.
Some of this could be formation-related. During that win streak, the Rapids used a 4-2-3-1. During the loss to SKC, manager Chris Armas reverted to the previous 5-3-2 they utilized while Mihailovic was in town. With the international break kicking off, it gives the team a chance to better see where Aaronson can be most effective in the XI.
Getty Images SportReam leads Charlotte to win over reeling Revs
In advance of his his travel to New Jersey for national team duty, Tim Ream and his Charlotte FC squad headed to the Boston suburbs to take on his USMNT teammate Matt Turner at Gillette Stadium.
It was a narrow 2-1 win, and Ream played a part in quieting the opposition, with four clearances and one blocked shot. He also connected on 88 percent of his passes.
Turner, not selected for the squad for the September friendlies, didn't have the best outing for New England. The goalkeeper struggled mightily with his passing – hitting just 62.1 percent. By comparison, in 2022 – Turner's last season in MLS – he connected on 82 percent of his passes.
Charlotte are now third in MLS, while the Revs don't have much time to save any potential playoff chances. Caleb Porter's side currently sit 11th in the Eastern Conference and are nine points back from ninth-placed New York Red Bulls.
Getty Images SportMoments you might have missed
+ First-time USMNT call-up goalkeeper Roman Celentano had a solid performance for FC Cincinnati, but it wasn't enough to contain a determined Philadelphia Union side in a 1-0 loss.
+ Another first-timer, Sean Zawadzki, also stood out in the midfield for the Columbus Crew, connecting on 94.4 percent of his passes. But his team couldn't get past the Red Bulls in a 0-0 draw.
+ Jesus Ferreira earned the biggest trophy of his career as his Seattle Sounders stunned Inter Miami in a 3-0 loss in the Leagues Cup final.
