re: MLS calls news conference at 3 PM to respond to Klinsmann

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"I am in no way saying what Sunil should be doing with Jurgen as it relates with his employment. That is between Sunil and Jurgen. I think he's done a great job with the national team. I think he needs to think very, very hard about how he manages himself publicly and how he deals with his view as to how he should motivate players that are playing in our league."

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Probably over-dramatic speculation on my part - but perhaps something occurred (or was said) in training or meetings between the time that Landon left and the Honduras game, and word about it got back to Garber.

Almost to a man, the MLS players looked like they DGAF about playing on Tuesday night.

I do find it interesting that Dempsey and Bradley are singled out for making "poor career decisions", while Jermaine Jones was not.

It's all much ado (Adu?) about nothing. With Jurgen's track record, clubs and countries are surely beating down his door to hire him away. Once that happens, this stuff is a non-issue.

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I do find it interesting that Dempsey and Bradley are singled out for making "poor career decisions", while Jermaine Jones was not.

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JJ was 32 when he came to MLS after playing for Besiktas
Bradley was 26 when he left Roma to play in MLS
Dempsey was 30 when he left Tottenham to play in MLS

Who other than the MLS commish could possibly have problem with this:

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“There’s nothing I can do about it,” Klinsmann said when asked if he was concerned about Dempsey and Bradley being able to maintain their levels playing in MLS. “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.

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Klinsmann said. “Now, making the step back, 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 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.

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“He had to adjust to the environment he’s in with Toronto instead maybe an environment that plays Champions League football,” Klinsmann said. “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.”

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Man what an A-HOLE that German is! What does he know about the relative strength of soccer leagues and the effect of competitive environments on a players development?


And then we have Garber:

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“Jurgen’s comments are very, very detrimental to our league,”

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Is he talking about some comments other than what I posted?

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And not only are they detrimental, I think they’re wrong.”

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So, Don, it's incorrect that Toronto and Seattle are at a lower level than Tottenham and Roma?

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I’m confident that he will understand and accept the severity of what is happening here, and insure that [Klinsmann] is in line with the vision that he has publicly stated.”

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The severity of the US national team coach publicly telling his players that they will get better by playing in better leagues? I'm sure Sunil is burning up JK's phone with texts telling him to get in line and stop calling the sky blue.

Garber is acting a clown and turning JK's unremarkable comments into a big deal that highlights the weakness of MLS.

Is that really what Klinsman said?? That's not bad at all. Garber is overblowing this so badly.

I also don't see how it relates to klinsman calling up an NASL player. For starters it's a bullshite camp and a good time to experiment. Secondly, just bc he thinks his players should be in Europe doesn't mean he's going to drop them. Just bc he thinks Bradley and Dempsey would be better if they stayed in Europe doesn't mean he doesn't realize they're two of his best players

really doesn't have anything to do with this issue.

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it's not crazy for Jurgen to think that Bradley leaving Roma for Toronto FC at 26 could potentially hurt his development.

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I don't know how much more development Bradley would do at 26. And I'm not sure playing once a month at Roma is better than playing every week at Toronto.

All of this hubbub can be condensed down to the following: Garber is absolutely right to defend and protect the league he has been working hard to build here in our country; it is absolutely necessary for increased and sustained long term growth of soccer. Jurgen is absolutely right in saying that the level of competition in Europe is much better than in the States and he is justified in wanting his players to have that higher level of competition for his USMNT that he is working hard to build.

BUT...and this is really what it's all about...Jurgen does not have to consistently run down the league in public and publicly admonish US players that choose to play in the league. The point of Garber's move was to get Jurgen to shut up (at least publicly) about his league.

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LuckyTiger

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Well said.

whoa bro, don't go pulling in the entire quote into this. that might actually lend some perspective. we prefer to chase soundbites.

I tend to agree with Jurgen's comments as well as that WSJ article. The MLS as well as the USMNT players need that driving factor to push them to unprecedented limits in American soccer. Rather than take offense to his comments they need to take his criticism like grown men and prove him wrong if they disagree.

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Is that really what Klinsman said?? That's not bad at all. Garber is overblowing this so badly.

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This, those comments are nothing but reality, and stated mildly.

ETA: It is a bit of a conundrum though. You want the USMNT players to compete against the highest levels of competition to hone/maintain skills. You also want MLS to be/develop the highest and best players possible to support the USMNT. By top players going abroad, you water down the MLS talent level.

Klinsmann publicly responds to Garber's comments:

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It’s great to see that we have debates and public discussions like this because that shows that more and more people care about soccer in this country,” Klinsmann said. “In Europe, in South America and in Mexico we’re all used to this,” Klinsmann said. “It’s part of people’s everyday lives – to have debates about different opinions. It’s just starting now in the United States and I think it’s pretty cool.”

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“I never meant to put anyone down in the MLS by saying we need the highest level possible for our players no matter where they play,” Klinsmann said, “It was just an attempt to explain that players need to always strive to the highest possible level. I think some things were a little misread into my comments.”

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