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

Jozy Altidore’s childhood memories are filled with watching Liga MX matches alongside his father. Born to Haitian immigrants in New Jersey and raised in South Florida, Altidore’s passion for soccer ignited through the Mexican league, where Telemundo commentators would get animated even over routine goals. This early exposure helped shape his affection for the sport south of the border.

His relationship with Mexican soccer runs deep: beyond just watching as a fan, he played for Puebla on loan toward the end of his career. Scoring 42 goals for the USMNT, including his first against Mexico, Altidore experienced one of CONCACAF’s fiercest rivalries firsthand.

Leagues Cup Rivalry Reflects Growing Balance

When discussing the competition between Liga MX and MLS in the Leagues Cup, Altidore notes a more balanced landscape than before. He points out that player movement between the leagues, like Chicago Fire’s striker moving to Monterrey, signals improvements in MLS quality and ongoing competitiveness in Mexico.

"I think it’s been pretty split. It reinforces the competitive balance we often talk about. In the past, the scale tipped back and forth, but now with transfers happening regularly, both leagues are pushing each other," Altidore told GOAL.

Recently, MLS teams dominated the 2025 semifinals, but earlier phases saw Liga MX clubs assert their strength, eliminating several top MLS contenders. Altidore finds this iteration of Leagues Cup thrilling, energized by the evolving rivalry and increased excitement around soccer in the U.S.

From National Rivalry to International Club Competition

Altidore explains that the rivalry has shifted from a primarily USA vs. Mexico national team battle to a broader club-level contest influenced by international rosters. MLS teams like Inter Miami, Chicago Fire, and LAFC now boast many South American and European players, expanding the rivalry’s scope beyond just North American talent.

Altidore’s MLS and International Career

With 115 appearances and 42 goals for the USMNT, plus two World Cups under his belt, Altidore remains focused on American soccer. His most productive club years came in MLS with Toronto FC, where alongside Michael Bradley, he won an MLS Cup and multiple titles. Initially, MLS players faced skepticism about their readiness for international duty compared to Europeans, but that perception has changed.

"It doesn’t matter where you play; what counts is how you perform weekly," he said. "MLS has grown, and players must push themselves constantly."

He also supports the growing MLS-to-Europe pipeline, highlighting young talents like Zavier Gozo, who transferred from Real Salt Lake to Crystal Palace for a significant fee, showing ambition to compete at higher levels.

International Stars Boosting MLS

The league’s improvement is evident with increasing transfers from top European leagues bringing elite talent to MLS. Players from Italy’s Serie A and the English Premier League now join the competition, raising its standard. Altidore mentions Casemiro’s move to Inter Miami as a key example—not just for the player himself, but because it reflects the league’s growing appeal for world-class stars.

He notes that players like Casemiro want to experience playing alongside icons such as Lionel Messi, illustrating MLS's magnetic pull today.

Balancing Spending Rules and Growth

With rumors of roster rule changes allowing more spending freedom and a potential shift to a fall-spring schedule in 2027-28, Altidore sees both sides. He appreciates spending limits for maintaining balance but believes some relaxation could help teams acquire better talent.

Altidore’s Time at Puebla

Late in his career, Altidore took a loan spell at Puebla, fulfilling a childhood dream. Despite initial skepticism from his family due to the USA-Mexico rivalry, he found the reception warm and welcoming, feeling almost at home in Liga MX. He regrets not making the move earlier, believing he would have enjoyed it more during his prime.

"I was received with open arms. It was incredibly warm—from teammates to fans. For me, it felt like home," he recalled.

Leagues Cup Remains Unpredictable

Altidore views the Leagues Cup as wide open. Even with MLS hosting matches, Mexican clubs bring huge fan support—like Club America’s fans outnumbering Portland Timbers’ supporters at Providence Park. Recent quarterfinal results reinforced Liga MX’s strength, with Monterrey and León securing semifinal spots.

• Monterrey vs. Chicago Fire: Monterrey won 2-1 with Orbelín Pineda scoring late.
• León vs. Real Salt Lake: León triumphed 3-0 with two goals from Diber Cambindo and one from Sebastián Vegas.

Upcoming quarterfinal matchups include Monterrey facing the winner of Club America vs. Columbus, and León meeting either Toluca or Austin. Altidore enjoys the unpredictability.

"You have four or five teams where anything can happen. That makes for great football and entertainment," he said.