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 Saying he welcomed a growing culture of impassioned debate over
soccer issues in the United States such as the one that erupted this
week over his comments, Klinsmann added the MLS had improved a lot
in recent years and was clearly on the rise.
In an interview with Reuters near his adopted home, Klinsmann said
he simply wanted to see the best American players compete in the
pressure-packed atmosphere of the world’s best leagues in Europe to
be ready for the challenges of the next World Cup in 2018.
“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 when asked about criticism from MLS
Commissioner Don Garber about his views.
“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.”
The World Cup in Brazil, where Klinsmann led his team into the round
of 16 with a victory over Ghana and a thrilling draw against
Portugal, was a watershed moment for U.S. soccer, he said.
“The World Cup transferred a lot of energy to the game here. This
creates a lot of different opinions and also some misunderstandings.
"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. It
was just an attempt to explain that players need to always strive to
the highest possible level.”
'STEP BACKWARDS'
Garber had criticized Klinsmann for saying players switching to the
MLS from Europe could be hampered by a drop in form.
“Juergen’s comments are very, very detrimental to the league, to the
sport of soccer in North America ... they are wrong,” Garber said,
adding they were “incredibly damaging and personally infuriating.”
Klinsmann said he believed Garber had misunderstood him.
“I’d simply respond to Don that it’s just not the case and I would
never criticize the MLS or the clubs,” said Klinsmann, a former
Germany striker and coach who recently turned 50.
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“I simply try to help the players understand where they are right
now and where they could be, and let them know if I see them taking
a step backwards a little bit. I just try to wake them up and say
‘you need to go in the other direction’.”
Before the U.S. friendly against Honduras on Tuesday, Klinsmann had
said he was concerned that Bradley, who moved from AS Roma to FC
Toronto, and Dempsey, who left Tottenham for Seattle Sounders, could
suffer a drop in form because they would no longer be facing the
intense pressures in clubs that compete for spots in the Champions
League.
“I think some things were a little misread into my comments,”
Klinsmann said. “Our job on the coaching staff is to help the
players understand the level they’re at and how to get to the level
we want them to play at. That takes realistic conversations, not
critical remarks.”
Klinsmann said the continued positive development of the MLS could
play an important role in the development of U.S. soccer.
“The MLS has definitely gotten a lot better. Every year you can see
an improvement in the game," he added.
"A lot of that comes from the way the league is growing and the
environment around it all. The facilities and everything is all
becoming more professional all the time.
"The fan base is growing and so are the expectations of the fans.
The people really care about their teams in the MLS and that’s just
great. It creates more energy. We want to use that energy.”
(Editing by Simon Evans / Ian Ransom)
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