Anthony Hudson expects to lean on MLS players for friendly against Mexico

Interim head coach Anthony Hudson revealed he expects to lean on MLS talent as the United States and Mexico will face off against each other for the first time this year on April 19th at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. 

Hudson explained that because the game takes place outside of the FIFA international window, an MLS-heavy roster can be expected in the next week or so. 

“It is very tricky to get European players to come outside of the window in a moment like this. So the squad is obviously going to be a heavily-based MLS group with say, three or four players that have been allowed to come in,” he said. 

However, Hudson didn't brood too much.

"Over the last three or four years, a lot of good work has been done in terms of building a strong, healthy player pool with really, really healthy competition in the squad," Hudson explained.

The US has done an excellent job expanding the player pool over the last couple of years and should have enough depth heading into this forthcoming match. But, he still voiced some frustration at not being able to have all of his players available for selection. 

"I think a lot of our planning is a function of the schedule we have and we’re obviously limited by certain things that are out of our control. There are one-off situations, unique situations, in Europe where maybe there’s a conversation that can be had to get a player released for a game like this."

Brandon Vazquez, Jesus Ferreira and Jordan Morris are expected to return to the roster, given the date constrictions. The three failed to make the 26-player squad for the March nations league matches, taking a backseat role to American players in European leagues.

But the upcoming match against Mexico gives these players an opportunity to win over the interim coach.