Jozy Altidore Reflects on Liga MX Roots, MLS Growth, and the Changing Leagues Cup Rivalry
Jozy Altidore, who scored 42 goals for the USMNT, has deep ties to Mexican soccer. Growing up in South Florida as the son of Haitian immigrants, he fondly recalls watching Liga MX matches with his father, captivated by the passion of Telemundo commentators over even the smallest plays. This early exposure shaped his love for the sport, especially the intense rivalry between the United States and Mexico.
His relationship with Liga MX goes beyond childhood memories. Toward the end of his career, Altidore played on loan for Puebla, experiencing the Mexican league firsthand. This gives him a rare viewpoint when discussing the dynamics between MLS and Liga MX, particularly the Leagues Cup competition that pitches the best teams from both leagues against each other.
A Rivalry That Reflects Growing Balance
Altidore believes the competition between MLS and Liga MX has been fairly balanced over time. He notes that while Liga MX once held clear dominance, recent years have seen more back-and-forth, with players transferring across leagues, such as Chicago Fire’s striker moving to Monterrey. This shows both MLS’s rising quality and Mexico’s continued investment in their teams.
"I think it’s been pretty split. It reinforces the idea of competitive balance. Teams in Mexico are always trying to improve, and MLS is catching up," Altidore told GOAL.
Leagues Cup: A Shift in Power
During the 2025 Leagues Cup, all four semifinalists were MLS clubs, and even close matches showed American teams as stronger overall. Yet this year, the opening phase painted a different picture. The quarterfinals featured an equal split between MLS and Liga MX sides, but Mexican clubs dominated, knocking out several top MLS contenders like Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati.
Altidore appreciates this evolution, recalling that Mexican soccer used to be the clear leader when he was growing up. Now, club rosters are more international, changing the nature of the rivalry from a simple USA vs Mexico narrative to a broader league-level contest.
"Early on, MLS had more American players. Now teams like Inter Miami, LAFC, and Chicago Fire have many South American and European stars. The rivalry has expanded beyond just USA-Mexico," he said.
Focus on the USMNT and Player Development
Altidore earned 115 caps for the USMNT, scoring 42 times and playing in two World Cups. Though his most productive years came in MLS, he understands the skepticism that once existed about MLS players making the national team, given Europe’s rising talent pool.
Today, under manager Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT embraces MLS players. Eight domestic players made the 26-man World Cup squad, proving that league affiliation matters less than performance. Altidore stresses the importance of consistent effort regardless of where players compete.
"It doesn’t matter where you play; it’s how you perform week in and week out," he explained.
He also supports growing the MLS-to-Europe pipeline, highlighting young players like Zavier Gozo, who moved from Real Salt Lake to Crystal Palace for a significant fee. For Altidore, this hunger to push limits signals a healthy league and national team future.
International Talent Boosts MLS
The influx of global stars has elevated MLS since Altidore’s last professional game in 2023. Transfers from top leagues like Serie A and the Premier League have increased, raising the league’s standard.
Players like Lionel Messi and Casemiro have drawn attention. Casemiro’s move to Inter Miami, turning down Italian interest to play alongside Messi, speaks volumes about MLS’s growing appeal.
"MLS now attracts stars worldwide. Casemiro’s decision shows players want to come here and experience something special," Altidore remarked.
MLS faces potential roster rule changes and a planned switch to a fall-spring calendar in 2027-28. Altidore sees pros and cons, valuing spending controls but open to loosening constraints for better talent acquisition.
Altidore’s Time at Puebla
Late in his career, Altidore joined Puebla on loan, fulfilling a dream born from childhood memories of Liga MX. Though earlier interest from Club America and Tigres was turned down due to family and MLS commitments, his eventual move was warmly received despite initial worries over the US-Mexico rivalry.
"I was skeptical at first, and my parents worried because of the rivalry, but I was welcomed with open arms. It felt like home," he said.
He now wishes he had moved sooner, believing he would have enjoyed the experience even more during his prime.
Leagues Cup Remains Unpredictable
Altidore views Leagues Cup as wide open. Even when games take place in MLS stadiums, support can be complex. For example, Club America fans often outnumber home supporters, illustrating the team's massive following in the U.S.
Recent quarterfinals strengthened Liga MX's position. Monterrey beat Chicago Fire 2-1, with Orbelín Pineda scoring a late winner, while León’s 3-0 win over Real Salt Lake secured two semifinal spots for Mexican clubs. Upcoming matches could shift the balance further.
"There are four or five teams where anything can happen, making it exciting and entertaining football," Altidore said.
