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MLS Has Let Down the U.S. Men’s National Team

By Rucker Haringey

Oct 10, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; United States players Matt Bessler (5), Michael Bradley (4) and Clint Dempsey (8) react during 3-2 loss in overtime against Mexico in CONCACAF Cup match at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; United States players Matt Bessler (5), Michael Bradley (4) and Clint Dempsey (8) react during 3-2 loss in overtime against Mexico in CONCACAF Cup match at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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After last night’s disheartening 3-2 defeat at the hands of Mexico, US Men’s National Team supporters are hurling blame at manager Jurgen Klinsmann and numerous squad members. Instead, they’d be well served to focus their blame on the chief culprit for the stagnation of the USMNT program: Major League Soccer.

The fashionable narrative has been for fans of soccer in America to applaud every big name that comes “home” to play for MLS. Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey have been almost canonized for returning to the US from higher profile leagues abroad. Younger players like Graham Zusi and Matt Besler received similar praise for spurning transfers overseas and re-upping with their MLS clubs. While the acquisition and retention of these players has been great for MLS, it’s been to the detriment of US soccer.

One need only watch last night’s match against El Tri to see the detrimental effects of MLS on the National Team. The U.S. Man of the Match was clearly defender Geoff Cameron. He plies his trade at Stoke City, across the pond from the MLS. He may not be playing at a strong EPL side, but he still gets regular time against the world’s best and it shows on the International stage. Surely Cameron going against Sergio Aguero better prepares him for the Mexican attack than Besler’s work against the LA Galaxy front line. The game’s most impactful substitute, DeAndre Yedlin, also happens to play in the Premier League at Sunderland. He injected real pace in the game and looked totally unafraid of the moment. Simply being in the Premier League better prepares them for these huge contests than their MLS teammates.

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Contrast the performances of Yedlin and Cameron, to the more established MLS stars. Clint Dempsey, the most prolific U.S. striker of all time was largely anonymous. Michael Bradley, once the engine of the American midfield seemed off the pace last night and truthfully, has for much of the past year. Altidore who admittedly suffered from his own EPL spell failed to impact the game as well. Dempsey’s ineffectiveness might be explained by being slightly past his prime, but Bradley and Altidore should be at or near their career peak. Their inability to propel the U.S. forward is best explained by the lack of competition they face week in and week out.

If the United States Men’s National Team is to take a step forward on the international scale, its best players must challenge themselves in the world’s best leagues. No one in Argentina is clamoring for Lionel Messi to come home to help save their domestic league and American fans must reach the same level of understanding as their Argentine counterparts. U.S. fans must instead embrace their national team heroes going overseas to play their trade in the most challenging environments. Only then, can the USMNT really fulfill its vast potential.

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