Four years ago in South Africa, only six of the more than 700 players playing at the World Cup plied their trade at the club level in MLS. Four of those players played for the US, with Andrew Boyens playing for New Zealand and Roger Espinoza playing for Honduras.
That total was the lowest in league history; 15 MLSers were named to World Cup rosters in 2006 (11 for the US), 11 in 2002 (all for the US), and 19 in 1998 (16 for the US).
In Brazil, there will be a significant increase from 2010, and MLS might even set a new high for its participation in the World Cup. A total of 31 players (15 US, 16 international) -- a record for MLS -- were either named as part of a 23-man roster heading to the World Cup or on the provisional list in case someone gets injured. The full list is below.
Australia
Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls)
Brazil
Julio Cesar (Toronto FC)
Costa Rica
Jairo Arrieta (Columbus Crew) * alternate
Waylon Francis (Columbus Crew)
Giancarlo Gonzalez (Columbus Crew)
Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls)
Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake)
Ecuador
Oswaldo Minda (Chivas USA) * alternate
England
Jermain Defoe (Toronto FC) * alternate
Honduras
Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution)
Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes)
Marvin Chavez (Chivas USA)
Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo)
Johnny Leveron (Vancouver Whitecaps) * alternate
Alexander Lopez (Houston Dynamo) * alternate
Iran
Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps)
USA
Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake)
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)
Michael Bradley (Toronto FC)
Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo)
Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders)
Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
Maurice Edu (Philadelphia Union)
Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders)
Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes)
Michael Parkhurst (Columbus Crew)
Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle Sounders)
Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
