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

Some of Jozy Altidore’s fondest childhood memories involve watching Mexican football. Growing up in South Florida as the son of Haitian immigrants, he often sat with his father, captivated by Liga MX matches broadcast on Telemundo. Those games sparked a deep passion for soccer beyond the U.S. borders.

This bond with Mexican soccer influenced his career profoundly. Altidore went on to score 42 goals for the USMNT, debuting with a goal against Mexico’s national team, experiencing one of CONCACAF’s most intense rivalries firsthand.

A Playing Stint in Liga MX

His ties to Liga MX extend beyond childhood fandom; towards the end of his career, Altidore joined Puebla on loan. This experience gave him a rare perspective on the North American soccer scene, especially when evaluating the Leagues Cup, which pits the best MLS clubs against top Liga MX teams.

He told GOAL, "I think it’s been pretty split. It reinforces the competitive balance between Liga MX and MLS. Sometimes one league dominates, but now with so many transfers crossing leagues, like Chicago Fire sending their striker to Monterrey, it shows both leagues want to improve continuously."

The Evolving Leagues Cup Landscape

Altidore played over 100 times for the USMNT, witnessing the rivalry with Mexico closely. The recent Leagues Cup editions reveal shifting dynamics. In 2025, all semifinalists were MLS sides, with narrow wins or penalties deciding matches. Yet this year, Liga MX showed dominance early on, knocking out several strong MLS contenders such as Inter Miami, Charlotte, FC Cincinnati, Nashville, and Vancouver during Phase One.

Altidore shared, "This year’s competition has been exciting. It’s great to see the energy around Leagues Cup and soccer in the U.S."

He recalls how Liga MX once stood clearly ahead, but now the rivalry is broader. The league rosters are more international than ever before, changing the nature of competition.

Altidore said:

"Early MLS had mostly American players, but now teams like Inter Miami, Chicago Fire, and LAFC feature a lot of South American and European talent. The rivalry has grown from a simple USA-Mexico clash to a more complex league-level battle."

MLS and USMNT: Performance Over Location

Though Altidore spent much of his career in Europe, his most productive years came in MLS with Toronto FC, winning an MLS Cup and multiple Canadian Championships. Back then, there was skepticism about MLS players’ quality for the national team, but since his retirement, things have shifted.

Current USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino included eight MLS players in his 26-man World Cup roster, highlighting the league’s rising reputation as a talent source.

Altidore emphasized, "It doesn’t matter where you play, but how you perform week in and week out. Players must push themselves beyond just signing a good contract."

He applauds the growing MLS-to-Europe pipeline, citing young stars like Zavier Gozo moving from Real Salt Lake to Crystal Palace for substantial fees. That ambition to challenge oneself benefits both player and league.

International Stars Shaping MLS

Since Altidore last played, MLS has attracted major international talents from top leagues, which has raised the competition level. He noted transfers from Serie A and the Premier League as proof of the league’s growing appeal.

Discussing the arrival of Casemiro at Inter Miami, Altidore explained, "His move wasn’t just about the player himself but also the chance to play alongside Messi. It shows how MLS draws top players now without hesitation."

MLS is expected to continue evolving with potential roster rule changes allowing more spending freedom, and a possible switch to a European-style fall-to-spring schedule by 2027-28.

Altidore remains cautious, saying, "There’s a balance between controlling spending and giving teams room to improve quality."

Altidore’s Experience at Puebla

After a decorated MLS run, Altidore finally played in Liga MX with Puebla on loan. Earlier attempts to join Club America or Tigres fell through due to family reasons and his commitment to Toronto FC's MLS Cup ambitions. Signing with Puebla fulfilled a long-held dream rooted in his childhood memories of watching Mexican football.

He acknowledged some initial skepticism due to the intense US-Mexico rivalry, but was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception. He recalled, "I was received with open arms. The teammates, staff, and fans were incredibly welcoming. It felt like home."

Reflecting now, he wonders if moving to Mexico earlier might have enhanced his career enjoyment.

Leagues Cup Uncertainty and Excitement

Altidore offers insight on the unpredictable nature of the Leagues Cup. Despite MLS stadiums hosting matches, fans of Liga MX clubs often dominate attendance, as happened recently when Club America supporters outnumbered Portland Timbers fans at Providence Park.

He explained, "Club America is huge with millions of fans here, so their presence is not surprising. Facing such big teams is always challenging."

Recent quarterfinal results favored Liga MX, with Monterrey edging Chicago Fire 2-1 thanks to Orbelín Pineda’s late winner, and León cruising past Real Salt Lake 3-0.

• Monterrey vs Chicago Fire: 2-1, Orbelín Pineda scored 83rd-minute winner.
• León vs Real Salt Lake: 3-0, Diber Cambindo (2 goals), Sebastián Vegas (1 goal).

The upcoming semifinals feature Monterrey facing the winner of Club America-Columbus and León against Toluca or Austin. Altidore appreciates the open nature of the tournament.

He concluded, "There are four or five teams where anything can happen. That unpredictability makes the competition exciting and entertaining, and I’m eager to watch."