Former Everton defender Cuco Martina is eyeing MLS as he looks for a new club as a free agent.
Speaking to Jon Arnold for Get CONCACAFed, the Curacao international praised the league and feels it would be an ideal fit for him.
"I’m 31 now," Martina said. "I’m still fit and want to achieve things. I’d like to make it in America because it’s such a good league. I’ve followed it for two or three years now. I know some players who went there to play and all tell me great things about the league. I promised myself I’d like to make a career in America."
Per Get CONCACAFed, Martina said a move to MLS would suit his lifestyle and would also make for easier trips to and from national team camps. He cited former Southampton teammate and current CF Montréal midfielder Victor Wanyama and his Curacao teammate and current Columbus Crew goalkeeper Eloy Room as those who put in a good word for the league. With World Cup qualifying beginning in Concacaf this month, Martina is hoping he can follow a similar path as Room did, who impressed in the 2019 Gold Cup to earn a contract with the Crew.
"I know it’s not easy to play in Concacaf," he said. "It’s quite hard. We respect [group opponents] Guatemala, but we know our own quality, and, honestly, the quality of players in our team we are much better than them. We need to make sure we stick to the game plan and beat them easily."
