The U.S. men’s national team is 15 days away from returning to action this month in the first-ever Continental Clasico against Concacaf rivals Mexico, and although interim head coach Anthony Hudson would love to continue the chemistry between his European-based Players, the focus will likely shift to a MLS-based squad.

Due to the European season not coming to a pause in April, Hudson will be forced to test the depth in the USMNT squad against El Tri on April 19 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Only Atlanta United defender Miles Robinson was the lone MLS player called into the March Concacaf Nations League window, with the MLS regular season schedule in full swing.

Now with the tables turned and many of the USMNT’s European stars likely unavailable, MLS Players such as Jordan Morris, Jesus Ferreira, Robinson, and others could have a chance to boost their stocks ahead of a busy summer schedule.

“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 told reporters Tuesday in a conference call. “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. 

“It is very tricky to get European Players to come outside of the window in a moment like this,” Hudson added. “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.”

The USMNT clinched a berth into the Nations League semifinals after defeating Grenada 7-1 and El Salvador 1-0 during the March window.

April’s showdown with Mexico will be the first of two-consecutive matchups with the Americans and El Tri set to square off in Nations League play on June 15 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The USMNT is riding a four-match unbeaten streak against El Tri in all competitions, which included head-to-head victories in the Concacaf Nations League and Gold Cup Finals in 2021.