Should DeAndre Yedlin return to MLS? Sigi Schmid and Kasey Keller respond

By John Zielonka | Jan 7, 2017

Jun 25, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; United States midfielder DeAndre Yedlin reacts after missing a shot on goal in the second half against Colombia during the third place match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Defender DeAndre Yedlin’s played for three English sides since departing Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC in 2014.

With his most recent club Newcastle United in the second tier Championship division, Yedlin’s made 16 appearances out of the club’s 30 all-competition matchups.

Prior to signing a five-year contract with Newcastle in 2016, Yedlin made one appearance with Tottenham Hotspur after inking a four-year deal in 2014. Tottenham then loaned him out to Sunderland for one year in 2015, where he played in 23 matches.

I reached out to Yedlin’s former Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid and current soccer analyst (Sounders FC and ESPN) Kasey Keller for their thoughts on Yedlin’s time in England and potential return to MLS. Below are their edited responses.

Was the timing right for Yedlin’s move to the English Premier League?

Sigi Schmid: The move was probably too early. He needed to grow his game a bit more and mature.

Kasey Keller: I was just a bit worried that he was going to come at an age where maybe he wasn’t going to get playing time. I was proven right. I thought Yedlin should have pursued a smaller club where he’d be given more playing time. Bigger clubs would then be more interested and come calling after that.

Should Yedlin have waited to mature his game, and where can he improve?

Schmid: His defending needed to improve and he needed to push through some adversity to prepare for the adversity he would face in England. His final passing and decisions with the ball. He also was going against some good Tottenham competition (Danny Rose and Kyle Walker) at outside back .

Keller: He had success early, and not resting on what you’ve already done. It’s that continuation of finding ways to push yourself and continuing to improve.

Since joining Newcastle United, Yedlin’s not a regular? Why not?

Schmid: Consistency is a key and the manager does not feel 100% confident with him yet. He has improved some of his deficiencies but needs to continue to grow those areas.

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Keller: Has he improved and continuing to get better? You can fly under the radar a little bit (in MLS). You can’t fly under the radar in Europe. Everyone always watching. Scrutiny is much higher.

Should Yedlin consider returning to MLS or stay in Europe?

Schmid: If he comes back now he will probably not go back (to Europe). As a right back, it would be hard to find an MLS team willing to pay the salary he might need. He would want to be a Designated Player or at least a TAM (Targeted Allocation Money). That might be difficult. Otherwise, it is a huge cut in pay.

Keller: A lot of it has to do with the level of commitment. If there’s a part of you saying that I can be better, prove myself here and get back to the Premier League, then I say to him: “stay in Europe.” If you’re not in it completely and 100% mentally, then you’re not going to have a chance.

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