Thiago Almada Set To Become The First MLS-Based Player At A World Cup Final

When Thiago Almada jogged onto the pitch at Stadium 974 in Doha, replacing Alexis MacAllister towards the end of Argentina’s 2-0 win against Poland, he became the first Major League Soccer-based player to make an appearance for the South American nation at a World Cup.

When he takes his place on the bench for Sunday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup final against France, the Atlanta United attacking midfielder will become the first active MLS player to be part of a World Cup final.

Even before all of this, he was the first player based in MLS to be called up to an Argentina World Cup squad, so there was already some significance to his inclusion for anyone interested in the story of the progress of domestic soccer in the United States.

This may come as a surprise to followers of the de facto top-tier league in the U.S. (which includes a handful of teams from Canada) as, since 2014, the most common nationality of player in MLS after American and Canadian, is Argentinian.

In 2015 there were more Argentines in MLS than there were Canadians, which was also the case in 2008 and 2009 according to data from Transfermarkt. The league has become something of a haven for Argentine playmakers, in particular.

Almada at the 2022 World Cup is just the latest chapter in the league’s relationship with its favourite South American country, but as of Sunday, he is one of the most significant.

It is fitting that he plays for Atlanta United. On bursting into the league as an expansion team in 2017, the Georgian club had a clear policy of finding the best young talent from South America and giving them a platform in Major League Soccer. A platform from which these players could look to achieve success in the league itself and, if they impress sufficiently, earn a move to Europe.

Miguel Almirón became the poster boy for this approach. Signed by Atlanta for their inaugural season in 2017, the Paraguayan contributed to their MLS Cup win in 2018 and was an All-Star in both years he played in the league, also being named Newcomer of the Year in 2017.

His eye-catching performances, including 21 goals across those two seasons, attracted attention from Europe. He eventually made a move to Newcastle United for around $27 million, which was a club record fee for the English team at the time.

It has not been as well-trodden a path as many, not least the players themselves, would have hoped, but Almada’s mere presence in Argentina’s World Cup squad suggests that he will be the next player to follow Almirón’s route.

Almada has so far only played six minutes at this World Cup, or at least that’s what the statistics websites say, but they only count up to 90 minutes. In fact, including the period of added time at the end of the game, he played for around 12 minutes.

He was able to exchange one or two passes with Lionel Messi, completed all 12 of his attempted passes, and also set up Nicolás Tagliafico for a chance on goal which the left-back probably should have scored.

Though there are scenarios in which he might get minutes in the final, head coach Lionel Scaloni has not given much of an indication that the 21-year-old is high up the pecking order as a replacement from the bench.

Almada’s appearance at the World Cup for Argentina as an MLS player could be seen as the natural result of a recent MLS trend. One that sees some of its clubs increasingly look for young South American stars, as opposed to shipping in ageing stars from Europe on the brink of retirement.

On the other hand, the only MLS-based players to score at this World Cup were Chicago Fire’s 31-year-old Swiss attackking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, and Los Angeles FC’s 33-year-old Welsh forward, Gareth Bale—the latter against the United States, no less.

This is a sign that there is currently no set blueprint for how an MLS club should operate. Designated Players do not have to be Europeans looking for one last payday before retirement, but they still can be if a club thinks such a player will be suitable for them.

There is now a mixture of older star names alongside burgeoning talents from South America, and indeed from North America.

Almada’s progress with Argentina at this World Cup, albeit mostly as a supporter in the locker room and from the sidelines, is a sign that Atlanta United, at least, are doing something right, even as they continue to get some things wrong.

A total of 37 MLS-based players were present at this World Cup, the most ever from the league.

This was partly thanks to the qualification of both the United States and Canada, making it the first time both nations had appeared at a World Cup together.

The number will likely increase by the time the two countries co-host the tournament with Mexico in 2026, but it’s highly unlikely Almada will still be among them.

If Almada is in Europe by that time, he will be seen as another Almirón-like success story for MLS, as will his mere presence at this World Cup, even as he looks on from the bench during the final.