MLS and USMNT must work together for the future of US Soccer

By on October 16, 2014

Jurgen Klinsmann has had experience in managing a nation. Moreover, he has had experience revamping a youth program of a country. If anybody Klinsmann knows that he will not be popular. He wasn’t popular when changed the structure of the German youth setup, but now, eight years on, the Germans are reaping the reward with a World Cup win this summer. He may be the most experienced at what US Soccer and MLS are hoping accomplish inside the organization. And his prior experience has proven change doesn’t come easily.

When he took over the German national team, he was criticized for everything from his offensive flowing tactics to his rotation in the starting lineup, and even his selection policy, based on performance not reputation, which has also drawn similar critics at his time in charge of the US after he dropped legend Landon Donovan from the US’ 2014 World Cup squad. What silenced those critics quickly, though, was when his team started winning. And winning, and winning. They only found themselves knocked out of World Cup 2006 after a loss to eventual champions Italy in the Semifinals.

But Klinsmann faced plenty of critics along the way. However, aside from winning the German’s most important contribution to the team was remodeling their youth setup. The first generation to fully benefit his changes was the one winning the World Cup this summer. Mario Gotze, scorer of Germany’s stoppage time winner, was one of those players out of Klinsmann’s academy systems. And the most crucial element which he needed was complete cooperation from the German Bundesliga and its clubs.

In charge of the US, his job is first and foremost to lead the US National Team to be World Cup contenders. To do this, Klinsmann wants to pool talent from the best possible places. He has been clear in saying that that is currently Europe, so he is doing so.

“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.

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.” – Jurgen Klinsmann

His comments on the league certainly don’t paint a flattering picture of it, but then again it is exactly his job to look at MLS, judge it, and tell it what to fix, because if the MLS is one of the top leagues in the world it will produce the best talent in the world, benefitting the national team. The MLS is a major pool for Klinsmann to draw talent from.

However, MLS commissioner Don Garber didn’t take kindly to the criticism of the league’s quality of Klinsmann’s treatment of Donovan, whom he recently said could have “done more” in his career.

Garber blasted Klinsmann, saying: “Jurgen’s comments are very, very detrimental to the league. They are detrimental to the sport of soccer in America.

“I am just demanding that he refrain from making comments that are critical of our players and damaging to our league.”

But towards the end of his teleconference Garber highlighted one key fact in saying: “To think that we are not aligned with our national team coach is disappointing and personally infuriating.” Certainly both of their comments suggest a lack of synchronicity between the US national team and MLS. Yet as Klinsmann should no, a sturdy relationship with MLS will be key in refurbishing the US’ youth systems. It is hard to think of a country dominant at the World Cup without a strong youth setup in their league – something England has recently been struggling with. MLS’ could not function without the national team, largely relying on it for its popularity, and the national team will need to rely on MLS to become a major international power. Synchronicity is vital, not just for both, but for he future of US Soccer as a while relies more than either on it. Yet Klinsmann should be the one to know, though, nothing comes easy.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.