The 2024 European Championships — known to soccer fans as the Euros — begin on Friday, June 14, when hosts Germany face Scotland at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The game kicks off a month of competition between Europe's top 24 soccer nations to determine the best team on the continent.
Several of MLS' biggest stars will represent their countries at the Euros, leaving gaps in the league in their absence but opening up big opportunities for their future careers. But who is leaving? How far will they make it in the Euros? And how will their MLS teams fare without them?
Xherdan Shaqiri, Chicago Fire/Switzerland: Shaqiri — affectionately known as Shaq Attack, the Power Cube, Chunk and/or Alpine Messi by his fans — will leave the Chicago Fire to represent his home nation of Switzerland at the Euros. Shaqiri is one of Switzerland's most experienced players and will be expected to bring leadership to the squad. The Swiss have a strong record at the Euros and knocked world champions France out of the last tournament in 2021, but this vintage lacks the grit that previous Swiss teams were known for. Stuck in a difficult group featuring tournament favorite Germany and dark horse Hungary, Switzerland is not expected to excel.
Don't expect Shaqiri to return to MLS, though. After a rough season with the Fire rumors abound that he may stay in Switzerland and join Lugano, a Fire sister club, on loan. Shaqiri trained with Lugano last fall and has established relationships with its leaders.
XHERDAN SHAQIRI!!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 22, 2018
He finishes off a long run by slotting it past the keeper to put Switzerland ahead 2-1 late in the game! pic.twitter.com/lK9sJMi3o7
Lewis Morgan, New York Red Bulls/Scotland: Morgan was a late addition to Scotland's Euro camp; he was contacted after teenage phenom Ben Doak dropped out of the team with an injury. Regarding last-minute replacements, Scotland really couldn't have chosen better. Morgan has nine MLS goals so far this season, putting him fifth in line for the league's Golden Boot, and will relish the opportunity that this Scotland appearance provides him.
The Red Bulls, however, will be less excited about Morgan's call-up. He's been their top scorer this season, and they will struggle to replace his goals. With Scotland expected to exit the tournament early, the Red Bulls will hope that Morgan will return in just a few weeks to help power their charge into the postseason.
HAT TRICK @10LewisMorgan is on fire! pic.twitter.com/ybFQ0hDCxD
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 23, 2024
Saba Lobzhanide, Atlanta United/Georgia: Saba's fans joke that he's a rare Double Georgian, an athlete from the nation of Georgia who plies his trade in the state of Georgia. However, the former will receive most of Saba's attention this summer, as these 2024 Euros are Georgia's first-ever international tournament. It qualified on the final day thanks to a whirlwind playoff victory over Greece, and while it's not expected to challenge for the title, it is expected to cause a few upsets. Saba's a big part of that: he's relatively unknown to his European counterparts, but MLS fans know he's capable of game-changing greatness.
Meanwhile, Atlanta will flounder through a transition period in Saba's absence. After firing coach Gonzalo Pineda last week, it's just trying to survive the summer.
TWO absolute worldies from Saba pic.twitter.com/qQQRG1c66h
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) May 30, 2024
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