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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Sands misses out on USMNT roster</li><li>Reveals motivation after snub</li><li>Insists Europe has advantage over MLS</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

NYCFC star James Sands admits playing in MLS is damaging his USMNT chances after CONCACAF Nations League snub - but he has a 'plan' to get back into Gregg Berhalter's squad

Major League Soccer

New York City FC

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Speaking on not being included in the 23-man roster for the United States this March, Sands revealed that he understands why he wasn't selected, but that he's not satisfied with where he is in the pecking order in the midfield. He shared that he has a 'plan' to be back in the mix by 2026 to play in the World Cup in the USA.The NYCFC captain believes that playing in MLS is actively hurting his chances of being selected, but is looking to overcome any obstacle in his path to take the field for his country again, while impressing Gregg Berhalter along the way.

WHAT HAPPENED?

"Playing in a World Cup in your home country would be a highlight of anyone's career, Sands told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13208507/NYCFC-midfielder-James-Sands-Gregg-Berhalter-Nations-League-roster-USMNT.html?ns_mchannel=rss&amp;ns_campaign=1490&amp;ito=social-twitter_dailymailsport" target="_blank">the Daily Mail.</a> "And I've got a plan in the back of my mind to get me there and it's just about taking those steps every day."A lot of time with a national team, it’s just not something you can control day to day. I can't be calling him every day. He's not watching me in training every day. So you find a way to sort of put it in the back of your mind and focus on how you’re playing with your club team."I am always trying to get called up to the national team, but I understand now that most of those guys are playing in Europe. So it does make it hard playing in the MLS. It's always going to be the coach's decision for the national team, and he's always going to place a little more value on the guys who are playing in the top European leagues, which I would too. That's how the world works. All I can do is put in good performances here and hopefully they notice."I know that the staff of the national team does a good job watching MLS games. I know they're seeing these games and I just have to keep performing my best and hopefully get myself in the mix."

WHAT JAMES SANDS SAID

Sands has 13 international caps for the USA, despite being only 23-years-old. He featured heavily last summer in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, playing in five matches for the USA during the tournament, all of which were starts. That includes two back-to-back, 120-minute performances in the knockout round before Panama upset the USMNT in the semifinals.Domestically, he has proven himself to be one of the top midfielders available out of MLS, but with so many talented European stars ahead of him it will be tough to crack the XI. The likes of Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso, Luca de la Torre and Brenden Aaronson are all ahead of him in the pecking order.However, it seems as though Sands realizes that his current role as the captain of NYCFC may seemingly not be enough to push forward. A return to Europe could be on the cards for the midfielder this summer after two years at Scottish powerhouse Rangers from 2021-2023, before a return to MLS.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Sands will be watching from afar this Thursday as the USMNT take on Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals. However, despite it being the international break, MLS plays through the window - meaning, NYCFC are back in action at the weekend. They will take on FC Cincinnati on the road as they look for their second victory of the MLS season.

WHAT NEXT FOR SANDS, NYCFC AND THE USMNT?

NYCFC star James Sands admits playing in MLS is damaging his USMNT chances after CONCACAF Nations League snub - but he has a 'plan' to get back into Gregg Berhalter's squad | Goal.com US

NYCFC midfielder James Sands believes that playing in MLS is damaging his chances with the USMNT after missing out on the CONCACAF Nations League roster.

NYCFC star James Sands admits playing in MLS is damaging his USMNT chances after CONCACAF Nations League snub - but he has a &apos;plan&apos; to get back into Gregg Berhalter&apos;s squad

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