MLS: A Strategic Haven for USMNT Aspirants Matt Turner and Paxten Aaronson

The landscape for U.S. Men’s National Team hopefuls is shifting, with Major League Soccer (MLS) increasingly seen as a viable and even beneficial destination for players looking to solidify their roles. Recent high-profile moves by Paxten Aaronson and Matt Turner highlight a growing trend: returning to MLS can provide crucial playing time, a familiar environment, and a clear path to national team relevance.

While the allure of top European leagues remains undeniable, the evolving MLS offers a compelling alternative, particularly for those seeking consistent minutes and significant developmental opportunities. This strategic pivot is challenging the long-held stigma against the domestic league, proving it can be a springboard rather than a step down for American talent.

Paxten Aaronson’s Return: A Fresh Start with the Colorado Rapids

At just 21, Paxten Aaronson’s decision to sign a Designated Player contract with the Colorado Rapids after leaving Eintracht Frankfurt marks a pivotal moment in his young career. While his loan spell in the Eredivisie offered valuable experience, the move to MLS provides something different: a chance to be a focal point and take on substantial responsibility.

“It’s a unique time in my career,” Aaronson stated upon his signing. “[Colorado] presented an opportunity and a project to me at this point in time in my career. I think it’s something different. I think it’ll challenge me as a young player to come into a team to fight for trophies, to get better in roles and aspects maybe Europe can’t give me.”

This sentiment underscores a key advantage of MLS for developing talent. The league offers a stable environment where young players can focus on refining their skills and growing as individuals, away from the intense pressure and often limited playing time found in some European setups. Players like Real Salt Lake’s Diego Luna have already demonstrated how a strong MLS season can translate into national team recognition at a young age.

A new chapter in his new city 🤩#Rapids96 pic.twitter.com/fvxaFddcE3— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) August 22, 2025

Colorado Rapids head coach Chris Armas echoed this perspective, emphasizing the changing perception of the league. “There are a lot of experts that can talk about the tactics and what we get wrong, and that’s fair. What’s unfair is to make judgments and have, for me, outlandish opinions on what’s best for a young man,” Armas said. “The U.S. and MLS should celebrate moments like this. Our best young players want to come play in our league.”

Matt Turner’s Strategic Move: Reclaiming the USMNT Starting Spot

For Matt Turner, the return to MLS with the New England Revolution is driven by a clear objective: securing his position as the USMNT’s starting goalkeeper for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After a challenging spell in Europe where consistent minutes proved elusive, a move back to a familiar environment where he is guaranteed playing time became paramount.

The lengthy transfer saga involving Lyon and Nottingham Forest underscored the urgency of his situation. Staying in Europe without regular action would have significantly jeopardized his national team aspirations, especially after being surprisingly dropped from the U.S. starting role in favor of NYCFC keeper Matt Freese during the Gold Cup.

In New England, Turner has found the stability and competitive environment he needs. Facing off against many of MLS’s elite attackers—who often comprise the league’s highest-paid Designated Players—provides him with invaluable match practice and the opportunity to hone his skills. “Being in New England was the right place for me to continue to hone those skills, to create new relationships, to play games, to find my happiness in the sport,” Turner shared.

He further highlighted the correlation between his MLS form and national team success: “If you look back at some of my greatest national team games, obviously the [2022] World Cup was amazing, but some of my greatest national team games happened when I was here playing in New England.”

The Importance of a Robust Domestic League

While the immediate goals for Aaronson and Turner differ, their moves underscore a crucial truth for national team development: a strong domestic league is vital for a country’s soccer success. Historically, nations with thriving top flights have consistently produced World Cup-winning squads.

• Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, though featuring only one domestic player, saw numerous squad members who had honed their skills in the Argentine top flight earlier in their careers.
• France’s 2018 champions included nine players from Ligue 1.
• Germany’s 2014 squad boasted 16 Bundesliga players.
• Spain’s 2010 winners featured a staggering 20 La Liga players.

MLS is positioning itself as a legitimate platform for American players to elevate their game and make a tangible impact at the national team level. The league’s growth, investment in young talent, and increasing competitiveness mean that a move to MLS is no longer seen as a career setback but a strategic choice for many.

As Aaronson and Turner embark on their new chapters, their journeys will undoubtedly be closely watched. Their success could pave the way for more USMNT hopefuls to recognize the unique advantages and developmental opportunities that MLS now offers.

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