Mauricio Pochettino has called in 25 players to take part in the pair of November international matches against Haiti in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals.

A few of those 25 players are currently contracted to Major League Soccer clubs in the United States, but a larger majority of those individuals are playing in Europe after beginning their careers in MLS.

The surge in American talent overseas, many of whom originated in their home country as a young player before moving abroad, has pleased the USMNT head coach, who was especially congratulatory of MLS and its newfound ability to generate talent en masse and exporting it abroad.

Ahead of the two games against Haiti, where many young American players are sure to feature, Pochettino was effusive when it comes to the U.S. domestic league and how Americans are thought of across European clubs.

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Mauricio Pochettino praises recent MLS development

Mauricio Pochettino has heaped praise on the American top flight league for its ability to develop and craft young talent before exporting it to bigger European clubs for the prime of their careers.

“MLS to La Liga is a massive step,” said Pochettino when asked about USMNT full-back Alex Freeman, who has risen to prominence under Pochettino as a previously unknown talent. “But he’s adapting so well, and it’s calling attention of different leagues and big clubs. That speaks very well about him.”

Pochettino then used the example of Freeman’s journey from MLS to Europe as a means to praise the American league’s ability to develop talent and export it all over Europe.

“We need to congratulate ourselves, because to have this type of player arriving in the level they are performing and playing, that is what we want. You know the capacity of the MLS clubs and coaches, and all the different clubs how they are doing so well.

I think from outside of USA, I had the possibility to travel in Europe and be in USA, how the people are starting to see the quality of the players, and are starting to give value to the American player. But also they are also very interested in the way the clubs and federation work in USA. That is why talking about the MLS coaches and MLS ??? and also the federation, and the people who are working for a long time, we should congratulate everyone.

“Last week I was watching all the leagues in my house, and I see one goal from the Championship, from Premier League, from La Liga, from Bundesliga, from France. It’s all American, American players, no? Performing in Italy, performing and scoring, that speaks very highly about the people that are working in MLS. I want to keep pushing and believing, it’s good to be part of that.”

MORE: Full list of USMNT players in Europe

What USMNT players in Europe were developed in MLS?

The following American internationals began their careers in the United States before moving to Europe where they are currently contracted to clubs. ​​​​​​​

England

• Premier League:
  • Tyler Adams (NY Red Bulls)
  • Gaga Slonina (Chicago Fire)
  • Chris Richards (FC Dallas)
  • Zavier Gozo (Real Salt Lake)
  • Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union)
• Championship:
  • Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC)
  • Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew)
  • Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps)
  • Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew)
  • Rokas Pukstas (Sporting KC)
  • Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United)
  • Luca Bombino (LAFC)
  • Jack McGlynn (Philadelphia Union, Houston Dynamo)
  • George Campbell (Atlanta United, CF Montreal)

Spain

• La Liga:
  • Alex Freeman (Orlando City)

Italy

• Serie A:
  • Weston McKennie (FC Dallas)
  • Benjamin Cremaschi (Inter Miami)
  • Gianluca Busio (Sporting Kansas City)

Germany

• Bundesliga:
• 2.Bundesliga:
  • John Tolkin (NY Red Bulls)

France

• Ligue 1:
  • Tanner Tessmann (FC Dallas)
  • Tim Weah (NY Red Bulls)
  • Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas)
  • Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union)

Netherlands

• Eredivisie
  • Ricardo Pepi (FC Dallas)
  • Taylor Booth (Real Salt Lake)
  • Kevin Paredes (DC United)

Scotland

• Premiership:
  • Auston Trusty (Philadelphia Union, Colorado Rapids)

Other European leagues

• Bundesliga (Austria)
  • Donovan Pines (DC United)
  • George Bello (Atlanta United)
• Super League (Greece)
  • Erik Palmer-Brown (Sporting KC)
  • Jonathan Gomez (FC Dallas)
• Ekstraklasa (Poland)
  • Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas)