The most high profile MLS player headed this year's World Cup just landed one of the most prestigious magazine covers in sports.
Carlos Vela and El Tri teammates Hirving Lozano and Javier Hernandez grace the cover of Sport Illustrated's 2018 World Cup Preview issue. Dubbed "America's Other Team" in the headline, the Mexican trio is one of four SI covers for this year's tournament. Egypt's Mohamed Salah, England's Harry Kane, and a quartet of Iceland players are featured on the other three covers hitting newsstands on Wednesday.
Keep an eye out all week for much more from our comprehensive issue looking ahead to Russia 2018: pic.twitter.com/Ko7PLyoRRm
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 29, 2018
Vela, who played his final game with LAFC in a 1-1 draw against D.C. United on Saturday before leaving to join Mexico's World Cup camp, has scored seven goals and added five assists in 12 matches to being his MLS career. His red-hot form has Mexican fans hoping the forward can lead Mexico out of a difficult group that includes defending champions Germany.