One of the most unique aspects of Major League Soccer is the league's schedule. And that schedule makes things extra weird in a year where the World Cup's schedule is different than usual.
With the World Cup starting in November, several MLS-based U.S. men's national team stars will have gone over a month without playing a competitive fixture by the time they land in Qatar. Compare that to their counterparts in Europe, who will be playing right up until the weekend before players head to the fall tournament.
The USMNT has a plan to counteract that, with Gregg Berhalter set to host a camp for those not taking part in the MLS playoffs' later rounds. But players' fitness and form will very much depend on the MLS postseason, with several USMNT regulars already seeing their seasons ended over a month before a ball is kicked in Qatar.
Here's a look at the USMNT representation in the MLS playoffs and what it will mean for the World Cup:
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