Whether it’s promotion and relegation, or major USMNT players leaving Europe for the riches of MLS, Jurgen Klinsmann has taken numerous whacks at Don Garber’s piñata recently. And Mr. Garber, desperate not to lose any PR or standing in the eyes of the growing American soccer populace, fought back. It does reek of desperation, but would be expected in a battle between MLS and the USMNT; whose aspirations are almost never one in the same. So, are you Team Garber, or Team Klinsmann? Share your opinion in the comments section below.
Major League Soccer is growing rapidly, and the USMNT players like Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey are a major part of that growth. Growth is also coming from players who are not USMNT fixtures, or even American, and that’s the nature of every soccer league in the world. However, Don Garber does need the US Men’s National team to be successful in order to grow his league even further. That’s where Jurgen Klinsmann comes in.
Despite Jurgen being a long-time resident of California, which now means that his sons are playing for US Youth Teams instead of German ones, he’s still married to how he was developed in German club academies, and married to the idea of the European game being the best development option. And he’s not wrong. However, he not only has to juggle the many facets of US Soccer, which include college soccer, lower leagues that often get overlooked, and the many quirks of MLS, but also the top of the game in Europe. American soccer is far more complicated and less streamlined than the game in every other country, especially Germany, so it would make sense that Jurgen would be married to his ways.
So when the two forces meet, it results in a hot take match. Don Garber has every right to be mad about Klinsmann dissing MLS because it does do damage to the league in the eyes of soccer fans on the fence, and he’s looking out for the growth of his own league. On the other hand, nothing in Klinsmann’s contract with the USSF dictates that he has to agree with MLS at every turn. He’s been frustrated and turned back by the league in many avenues, including the league playing games during international breaks so some of his best players are not available to him, not to mention watching some of his best players have a dramatic dip in form when they moved to MLS. Whether those two things are hand-in-hand are up to interpretation.
Both men can do better to improve the relationship between MLS and the USMNT, because a healthy relationship would be the best thing for US Soccer. Jurgen is correct when he says that Europe is the best for many players because of the testing ground it is to play in Germany or Spain or England (even as he called up many new players from MLS, NASL and even college soccer in his tenure), but publicly calling out MLS doesn’t do him any good in terms of good will with a man he needs to have at least some good will with.
The conflicts between MLS and the US National Team are not new, and they will always exist since the goals of both organizations are not one in the same. Flinging verbal barbs and calling sheltered conference calls make both Garber and Klinsmann look weak. MLS has an important role with the US National Team, and the USMNT has an important role within MLS. They can work together, because they have in the past.
But if you’re taking sides, both men are equally wrong. American soccer might sometimes be childish but it doesn’t need two of the three most important men inside it to prove that.
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F
October 18, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Klinsmann’s motivation is the betterment of the USMNT.
Garbor’s motivation is making money for himself and the owners of the MLS. If Garbor wants Klinsmann to be spokesman, he should pay him. Otherwise, Garbor should STFU — he has no right to “demand” anything from Klinsmann. . Garbor’s only concern is the promotion and protection of the MLS brand. Klinsmann just wants to create a US team that can excel internationally.
Easy pick.
Dean Stell
October 17, 2014 at 5:34 am
Probably Klinsmann a little more just because I appreciate people who speak their mind and are candid. I’m not a tremendous fan of a lot of things MLS does, but I do understand why they do what they do.
Brian
October 16, 2014 at 5:03 pm
Soccer players will always go to play in the best leagues in the world. Same for any other sport. That’s why baseball players from other countries come to the USA. It’s where the best baseball is played, not to mention the best pay. Same goes for soccer. Until the MLS can improve its product it will always be second best for American soccer players wanting to prove themselves or get better.
So Klinsmann is correct in urging players to ply their trade in Europe.
Tomas
October 16, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Where in this vague “Europe” are you (and others) referring to? We could send loads of guys to Sweden or Norway (and there have been lots of Yanks there). Is that the “Europe” that’s better than MLS? Or some sh**ty team at the bottom of the table in one of the big 5 leagues? Or some 2nd division club? Every time this conversation happens some people say “go to Europe” without any understanding or analysis of what “Europe” means, and without any actual comparison to the quality of play, training and facilities that MLS clubs provide.
F
October 18, 2014 at 4:35 pm
Yeah, pretty much any country where the kids grow up playing soccer since they can walk are going to have teams with a higher level of play. It’s the main sport, so the competition to make it is much harder, so even Sweden and Norway have better players than the MLS.
And who exactly are the “lot of Yanks” that have been there? Check your facts, bub.
Taylor
October 16, 2014 at 1:17 pm
I believe I shared my thoughts in other comments in the past. MLS can copy J-League in terms of having a clear vision. I don’t see MLS having a clear vision.
When J-League was established, the vision was to help the development of Japanese soccer and its national team. So to get there, they decided that they would follow the Latin America (especially Brazilian) playing style.
They also want the league to be a “school” for local players, resulting in their strategy to sign aging internationals who were willing to “teach” Japanese players, hence: Zico, Uwe Bein, Pierre Littbarski, Guido Buchwald, etc.
There has to be a unified strategy for the league. Yes, Beckham was good in terms of raising a profile. But is this the only goal of the MLS?
tim
October 16, 2014 at 12:33 pm
Eurosnobs = Klinsman fans
General American soccer fans = Dont care and support both.
MLS fans = Garber
F
October 18, 2014 at 4:27 pm
You = ignorant cracker. Just because the MLS is an American league doesn’t mean it can match the level of other leagues. Your blind patriotism not only shows your colors, but stupidity as well.
F
October 18, 2014 at 4:49 pm
Klinsmann motivation is the betterment of the USMNT.
Garbor’s motivation is profit for himself and for the owners of the MLS. Garbor doesn’t care how the US performs on the international stage. He just wants to promote and protect the MLS brand. If he want Klinsmann to be a spokesman, he should pay him. But he has no standing to make any “demands” on him. What a douche.
So take your pick.
Flyvanescence
October 16, 2014 at 12:28 pm
The more pressing question is: Team Edward or Team Jacob? 😀
Americano & Proud
October 16, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Klinsmann is not wrong about playing in Europe being superior to MLS. However, sending a message like this publically demeans the league, its players (that have no European prospects), and fans of both MLS & USMNT.
I have less a problem with Dempsey in MLS rather than Bradley, who never reached a career peak in Europe and could have started for a low level UCL squad. However, elite players in MLS can still play at a high level internationally. Just ask Keane, Donovan, Cahill, and the Costa Rican squad. I have no problem with Garber protecting his league, but Klinsmann comes off very poor. He should know that he needs MLS to round out the bottom of his rosters. Sure younger stars like Bradley, Altidore, Yedlin, etc need to play in Europe to grow to their highest peaks, but I am fine with the Dempsey, Jones, etc who come back after proving their mettle and building the domestic product. That would be my ideal scenario.
Also I hate the “Klinsmann was a great player argument so Garber should know his place” argument. It’s been disproved many times in different sports.
goatslookshifty
October 16, 2014 at 12:24 pm
Oh great…now Don Garber thinks ‘Team Garber’ could be the next MLS expansion team in Topeka, Kansas.
Flamethrower
October 16, 2014 at 11:33 am
Managing a team and administrating a league probably require two very different skillsets. Just because Klinsmann was a good player doesn’t make him an expert on how to run a league. Otherwise why don’t we give him that job too.
F
October 18, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Good idea. What makes a former NFL exec qualified to be lead a soccer league? I’d rather see someone who’s actually excelled at the game, and given most of his life to it, lead the league.
yespage
October 16, 2014 at 9:35 am
Klinsmann got the team out of a group of death and lost to a very good Belgium side. What has Garber done exactly?
The USMNT is the keystone to football in the US.
tim
October 16, 2014 at 12:31 pm
Klinsi won ONE game, could not hold it together against Portugal, got dominated by Germany and Owned by Belgium. Give me a break.
yespage
October 16, 2014 at 3:48 pm
The Portugal game, the one where the US was down 1-0, tied it, then took the lead in the 81st minute, only for Portugal to draw even in the last play of the game via the best cross the world has ever seen by one of the best players on the planet?
That was Klinsmann not holding it together?
The US ruled CONCACAF and then the US proved they belonged on the stage of World Cup football by beating a good Ghana team, nearly beating Portugal and advancing to the knockout round against an unfortunate Belgium.
Tim
October 17, 2014 at 7:35 am
Bob Bradley the same exact thing…..
F
October 18, 2014 at 4:20 pm
You seem to forget that before the WC started, most were saying that the US wouldn’t even win one game, let alone get out of the group. So let’s not nitpick and second-guess. Klinsmann had the US over-achieving.
christian
October 16, 2014 at 9:34 am
Garber is a huckster and a clown. His ‘leadership’ of MLS is a big reason the league isn’t getting better.
Klinsmann is a leader and MLS would do well to take his advice at every turn.
Gary
October 16, 2014 at 9:19 am
Those who know football support Klinsmann. Those who don’t support team Garber.
Jo
October 16, 2014 at 1:42 pm
Not true at all. Many soccer fans don’t feel the need to put the “U” in poser and lick Europe’s boot at every turn.
F
October 18, 2014 at 4:18 pm
But ALL soccer fans — the ones not brown-nosing Garber and the MLS — know that the quality of MLS is inferior. It’s where real soccer talents go to retire when they’re too old to compete in Europe.
gary
October 16, 2014 at 9:07 am
All you need to know is this:
MLS = garbage!
Kei
October 16, 2014 at 8:50 am
Jurgen Klinsmann: World Cup winner in 1990; illustrious playing career with spells in Germany, Italy, France, and England; led Germany to a semifinal World Cup finish as manager; shepherded the USMNT out of the group of death at the last World Cup; recently appointed technical director of US Soccer
Don Garber: Oversaw NFL’s international operations, including NFL Europe; works as the commissioner of a league in which no less than five current or incoming owners are better known for owning NFL teams
I think I know whose soccer takes I’m more apt to take seriously.