Which Mexican players left MLS for the 2022 season?

A couple of years ago, there was an increase in the number of Mexican players coming to Major League Soccer. Now, the opposite seems to be the case. Many of the players who joined the U.S. league back then are now leaving. Below, we review the Mexican players who will no longer be in MLS by 2022.

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Jonathan Dos Santos

Midfielder Jonathan dos Santos has joined Las Águilas del América for 2022. The younger Dos Santos brother will fulfill his family's dream of playing for the Azulcremas, just as his father and brother Giovani did.

Dos Santos finished his contract with the LA Galaxy and after four and a half years with the Los Angeles club, the institution decided not to renew it. During his time in MLS, Jona became a leader on and off the field, wearing the captain's armband for the last two years.

Injuries reduced Jona's consistency, but when he was healthy, he maintained a competitive level that earned him a call-up to the Mexican national team.

Rodolfo Pizarro

Rodolfo Pizarro joined David Beckham's Inter Miami CF as one of the major additions to the MLS debutant club in 2020. After two seasons at the club, the Mexican's performance and results were not on his side. 

Now, Pizarro has joined Monterrey on loan with an option to buy. There was also talk of the possibility of a return to Chivas, however, Monterrey bet more on the Mexican. Since last summer, there were rumors of his departure, however, coach Phil Neville dismissed them. But for the 2022 season, Pizarro will already be a Monterrey player.

Since the departure of coach Diego Alonso, who coached him at Pachuca and Rayados, Pizarro was no longer an undisputed starter under Neville. He had the status of Designated Player and as one of the highest-paid players in the league, with three million dollars a year, more was expected of him.

Oswaldo Alanís

Oswaldo Alanís did not enter into San José Earthquakes' plans for the 2022 campaign, the Californian club did not exercise the contract option for the Mexican defender who was on loan.

Alanís shared a farewell on his social networks, "Another stage of my soccer life with San José Earthquakes has ended. It was two years of good soccer experiences, learning, experiences, and personal growth in California. Thank you fans, coaching staff, and board of directors".

Alanís arrived in Liga MX as a reinforcement for Mazatlán in Clausura 2022.

Carlos Fierro

Carlos Fierro was not re-signed by the San Jose Earthquakes and the midfielder signed with FC Juarez of Liga MX as a free agent. After two and a half seasons with the Californian club, Fierro ended his time in MLS.

Upon his arrival with the Quakes, Fierro was reunited with coach Matías Almeyda. His greatest productivity came in 2021, being used mainly as a substitute. The Mexican player participated in 28 matches, 12 as a starter, for a total of 1,152 minutes, 3 goals, and 4 assists in 2021.

Erick ‘Cubo’ Torres

Erik 'Cubo' Torres is no longer in coach Gonzalo Pineda's plans for 2022. El Cubo experienced a second stint in MLS with Atlanta United, after a successful stint in Houston. 

With Atlanta's star striker Josef Martinez out due to injury in 2020, Cubo reinforced the squad. The impact of a striker ends up being measured in goals and Torres scored just one goal in 33 games played between 2020 and 2021.

The Mexican player signed as a free agent with the Orange County Soccer Club of the USL, as announced by the Southern California team.

 Jürgen Damm

Another player who is doubtful to continue in MLS is Jürgen Damm. Atlanta United's Mexican midfielder is still under contract with the red-and-black institution and appears on the team's roster for 2022, but much more is expected from the player. 

The player no longer counts for Gonzalo Pineda, however, the Liga MX records have already been closed so he cannot come to Mexico, and the player could stay in the MLS team but as a reserve.

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