Jozy Altidore Reflects on His Liga MX Roots, MLS Growth, and the Rising Rivalry in the Leagues Cup

Jozy Altidore scored 42 goals for the USMNT, but his passion for soccer began with Mexican football. Growing up watching Liga MX matches alongside his father, Altidore developed a deep appreciation for the league's intensity and style. This early exposure shapes how he views the ongoing rivalry in the Leagues Cup, a competition featuring the best from MLS and Liga MX.

Born in New Jersey to Haitian immigrants and raised in South Florida, Altidore saw the fierce contests between Mexican teams on Telemundo broadcasts. His childhood memories of these games gave him a unique perspective that goes beyond just being an American soccer legend.

Playing Experience in Liga MX

Later in his career, Altidore took his connection to Mexican soccer further by playing for Puebla on loan. Despite initial skepticism from his family due to the intense US-Mexico rivalry, he found the welcome in Mexico warm and genuine.

“For me, it was like I was at home. I really, really loved it,” Altidore said. “It’s one of the things I look back on, and I always think, what if I went there a bit earlier?”

The Evolving Balance Between Liga MX and MLS

Altidore observes a shifting balance of power between the two leagues. The Leagues Cup showcases this evolving rivalry with recent tournaments seeing MLS clubs rise in competitiveness. But Liga MX still boasts strong teams, making every match unpredictable.

He noted player transfers crossing the border, such as Chicago Fire’s striker moving to Monterrey, highlighting growing parity. Both leagues invest heavily to improve their squads, increasing the quality of competition.

An International Influence on Club Rosters

MLS teams now feature diverse international talent, expanding the rivalry beyond just a US-Mexico national team dynamic. Clubs like Inter Miami, LAFC, and Chicago Fire include players from South America and Europe, reflecting a broader, globalized league identity.

“The rivalry has expanded to more of a league level than it was just the USA-Mexico type of rivalry,” Altidore explained.

USMNT Focus and MLS Development

Though retired from professional play for a few years, Altidore remains deeply connected to the USMNT, where he earned 115 caps and scored 42 goals across two World Cups. He recalls the skepticism about MLS players’ readiness for international duty but sees progress now.

Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the US squad included eight MLS players in the World Cup roster, showing the league’s growing influence. Altidore emphasizes that performance matters more than the league a player competes in.

“It doesn’t necessarily matter where you play… It’s how you’re playing week in and week out,” he said.

He supports the pipeline from MLS to Europe and admires young players pushing themselves, citing Zavier Gozo’s move from Real Salt Lake to Crystal Palace as a positive example.

Impact of Star Players and League Growth

MLS’s growth is also fueled by the arrival of global stars. Altidore highlights Casemiro joining Inter Miami to play alongside Lionel Messi as a sign of MLS’s rising stature.

“These players are coming without thinking about it now, willing and wanting to come play in MLS,” he said.

Transfer activity from top leagues such as Serie A and the Premier League into MLS has increased three to four times, raising the overall quality.

Changes like easing spending restrictions and switching to a fall-spring calendar are expected soon, though Altidore believes a balance must be struck between financial control and flexibility.

Leagues Cup: A Competition Wide Open

The 2025 Leagues Cup quarterfinals revealed an evenly split field between MLS and Liga MX, but Liga MX teams dominated several key matches. Clubs like Monterrey and León secured their semifinal spots convincingly, while some top MLS contenders failed to advance.

• Monterrey vs Chicago Fire: 2-1, with a late winner by Orbelín Pineda
• León vs Real Salt Lake: 3-0, powered by Diber Cambindo’s two goals and Sebastián Vegas’s strike

Altidore expects no clear favorite going forward, making the tournament thrilling and unpredictable.

“You have four or five teams where anything can happen… It makes for great entertainment, high-level football,” he remarked.

Even when games are held in MLS venues, fan support can heavily favor Mexican teams, as seen with Club America’s large crowd presence in Portland, demonstrating the deep passion on both sides.