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The United States suffered another disappointing result this week, drawing against Honduras 1-1 in their third international friendly since the World Cup. The USMNT beat the Czech Republic 1-0 in early September and drew against Ecuador 1-1 last Friday.
A day before their loss, Jurgen Klinsmann had some choice words regarding his two stars, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, returning to MLS. Before making the move back stateside, Dempsey was playing for Premier League squad Tottenham Hotspur while Bradley was in Italy playing for AS Roma.
When asked if he was concerned about Dempsey and Bradley being able to maintain their level of play in MLS, Klinsmann responded with:
"There’s nothing I can do about it. I made it clear with Clint’s move back and (Bradley’s) move back that it’s going to be very difficult for them to keep that same level that they experienced at the places where they were. It’s just reality. It’s just being honest.”
People hate Jurgen’s directness, but it is hard to dispute this. MLS is growing and its level of competition is rising, but it is still nowhere close to Serie A or the EPL - and especially not the Champions League. Klinsmann continued on the Bradley situation:
“Making that decision to go from Roma, a Champions League team, to Toronto, that now seems like they’re not even qualifying for the playoffs, it’s a huge disappointment. That comes along with that you adjust yourself to whatever environment you’re in.”
“He had to adjust to the environment he’s in with Toronto instead of maybe an environment that plays Champions League football. He’s going through that experience now and still coming in. For the first time since the World Cup, he has to prove that he hasn’t lost a bit. Obviously, he'll keep working and pushing, but it’s down to him and his environment to see what he’s capable to play in.”
Again, strong words from Jurgen on Michael Bradley, but it does seem true that Bradley wasn’t as effective once he started playing in Toronto. While he played at Roma, he was a field general when playing with the USMNT. Jurgen went on to comment on Jozy Altidore’s struggles at EPL club Sunderland:
“I want (Altidore) to get through the difficult time at Sunderland and maybe make a big step one day to a Champions League team in Europe, because that’s where the top players in the world play. Now, making the step back [to the U.S.], I totally get it. It’s a huge financial offer. It’s also connected to many other elements and this league is getting better and stronger every year in ways which we are all very proud about, and I want everyone to grow in this environment. But the reality also is that for both players, making that step means that you are not in the competitive environment that you were in before.”
Jurgen understands what MLS is right now. It is growing at a extremely fast rate, which is great, but he obviously isn’t sure if it’s the place that his players need to be.
All of this got under the skin of MLS Commissioner Don Garber. In a conference call this week, Garber trashed the decisions Klinsmann has made over the years and defended his league. Garber made the argument that MLS and the USMNT need to improve, but that they need to do it together.
Garber: "I feel very strongly Jurgen's comments are very very detrimental to the league & sport of soccer"
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 15, 2014
Garber: "Sending a negative msg to any players that signing with MLS is not good for career or form is incredibly detrimental to US soccer"
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 15, 2014
Garber: Klinsmann "pattern began with criticism of Landon"
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 15, 2014
The "Donovan should have been in Brazil" thing is true, but is it relevant? Davis and Wondo (other #MLS players) got in over him.
— Thomas Floyd (@thomasfloyd10) October 15, 2014
Garber: "Absolutely unacceptable" to criticize M Bradley through media
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 15, 2014
Garber: Klinsmann "needs to think very very hard about how he manages himself publicly"
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 15, 2014
Garber: "I am demanding that [Klinsmann] refrain from making comments which are critical of our players and damaging to our league"
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) October 15, 2014
So, a lot is being said between both parties. We here at The18 don't think much will come out of it, in all honesty. In fact, for many, Garber looks dopey for blasting the USMNT coach who just got a team nobody thought had a chance through the group of death.
One thing is certain, however, Jurgen Klinsmann and MLS are clearly on different wave lengths. It has been put on record that Jurgen Klinsmann was in full support of Jermaine Jones moving to MLS at his tender age of 32. Jurgen wants his playmakers and younger players to develop overseas, and Jurgen has no problem letting people know that.
