Corazon

You're mixing economics with level of play. Players will favor more pay and better living conditions for themselves and family most of the time. MLS, Canada and US offers that but that doesn't mean there's a direct correlation between economics and level of play.

I strongly disagree with your premise that MLS is at level or better... strongly.
 

Probably beat us if we played like we did last night!

If Davies had started on the wing last night, one or two of David, Tabla or Millar would not have seen the pitch. One advantage of the last three games has been that Herdman has given plenty of playing time to those three and has had the opportunity to evaluate them first-hand. I would say that David is the only one so far that looks like he might be ready to face a higher level of competition. That’s fairly valuable information to have, going into next year’s Gold Cup.

Very true, although I think that backfired last night because it sure looked like having Davies in an attacking role last night would have helped our goal differential.  Probably should have started the natural defender in Adekugbe at Left back last night with Davies moving up ahead.  

Herdman's fantasy for Davies:

Completely reasonable. The exposure playing Euro youth tournaments far exceeds anything except Gold Cup or Hex for Canada. For their careers it makes sense to stay with their Euro nations. But hopefully for us and unfortunately for them the Senior options don't materialize and Canada becomes the pathway to WC glory!

He's been in England since an infant so he may very well feel a stronger connection to England than Canada.  However, with Tomori for England & even Eustaquio for Portugal, they both have a chance to play in one of the largest tournaments in the world for the U21 Euro next year.  Another thing to consider for these players is that the U21 Euro tournament can be a great career move as it is a heavily scouted tournament.   I couldn't imagine either of them giving the opportunity up, especially to play for Canada in Nations Qualifier games.

CMNT Depth Chart by Position
                               CF/ST 
                         Larin   Cavallini 
                         David    AJH
                             Ricketts 
LW/LM                 CDM/CM               RW/RM
Hoilett             ^Atiba    Arfield          Davies 
Edwards          Piette    *Osorio    +Akindele 
Millar                Teibert     Kaye          Tabla
    LB                     CB         CB                RB
Adekugbe         Henry    James      Petrasso 
Morgan             Straith    Edgar        Cordova 
Levis                Cornelius   N/A         Godihno
 
                                    GK 
                                 Borjan 
                                Crepeau
                                Leutwiler 
                                Thomas
Notes: 
^ = Retiring after Gold Cup 2019
* = Can Play CAM, LM 
+ = Plays CF too
[Wingers/Left-Right Midfielders can play on either side]

Euro U21 qualifying playoff leg 1: 
FT - Poland 0-1 Portugal
Stephen Eustaquio started and played all 90 minutes 
Leg 2 On Tuesday in Portugal 
Looks like it might be the same thing for Tomori, wait until next summer for a decision to be made 
On an individual level, good for him! Excellent experience to play at the U21 Euros and it will help his move to Sporting Lisbon should it happen (strong rumors) but obviously we want to see him in a canada Jersey