USMNT: How Does the Recent MLS Exodus to Liga MX Affect U.S. Soccer?

Liga MX will have a distinct American flavor in 2016 and fans of the U.S. men's national team should pay attention. 

Jorge Villafana, Omar Gonzalez, and Luis Gil could make their Liga MX debuts this weekend, along with Brazilian midfielder Juninho (Club Tijuana), after moving from MLS in December. 

These players, especially the Americans, may be taking a risk. However, it’s a necessary gamble that can benefit the USMNT in a variety of ways.

Liga MX is a stronger league than MLS thanks in large part to its wealth, which ESPN’s Taylor Twellman pointed out:

Not only are the teams superior, a select few compete in the Copa Libertadores, South America's premier continental competition.

This means that American players will test themselves at a higher level. If they succeed, they’ll likely be monitored by U.S. coaches and called up to the squad.

However, the three Americans who recently transferred to Mexico are in different situations as their debuts loom.

In the case of Villafana, his stock has never been higher, per American Soccer Now’s Brian Sciaretta. He’s coming off an MLS Cup-winning season with the Portland Timbers where he solidified himself as one of the league's best left-backs in 2015.

The Santos Laguna defender may also be called up for the USMNT camp in January. Considering the lack of depth at full-back, Villafana could become a starter for the U.S. in 2016.

Gil, on the other hand, simply lacked playing time with Real Salt Lake. He appeared in their first 13 games of 2015, but he made little impact in those matches and was rotated in and out of the lineup for the rest of the season.

A change of scenery is probably the best decision for Gil. Former RSL teammate Carlos Salcedo was experiencing the same problems, so he secured a move to Chivas and his success has garnered interest from Europe, per ESPN FC's Tom Marshall.

Queretaro also has an experienced coach in Victor Manuel Vucetich, who has won five league championships in Mexico. If there's anyone who can help Gil rediscover his form, it's Vucetich.

It's vital that Gil earns more minutes because youngsters need consistency. He's still 22 and was highly touted in American soccer circles, per ESPN's Scott French. If he fails at Queretaro, then perhaps it's too late for him to become a key player for the USMNT.

However, if Gil can flourish in Mexico, there will certainly be USMNT consideration for him in 2016 and beyond.

As for Gonzalez, his situation is the most difficult of the three Americans.

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The former LA Galaxy center back struggled in 2015 compared to recent years. Gonzalez wasn't as alert, he was being beaten in the air and was caught out of position too many times.

Nonetheless, this transfer to Pachuca gives Gonzalez a clean slate. The 27-year-old will have to fight for a spot in the starting XI at his new club. The center-back partnership was usually Aquivaldo Mosquera and Hugo Rodriguez.

How Gonzalez responds is the key. He was a surefire starter in LA and never dealt with this issue.

If the defender wins a spot in the XI and plays well, then it shows U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann that Gonzalez can overcome adversity. If the opposite occurs, then the German can look elsewhere.

Liga MX is becoming a viable option for many Americans. According to Marshall, there are at least 50 U.S.-eligible players in Mexico and the list continues to grow.

There's plenty of evidence to suggest that Villafana, Gil and Gonzalez can benefit on their Mexican excursions. Perhaps the USMNT can capitalize on Liga MX's success as well.