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Jurgen Klinsmann vs. Don Garber Isn’t Really a Thing

By Zac Wassink

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Jurgen Klinsmann vs. Don Garber: The US Soccer war that isn’t.

It’s the US Soccer verbal slap-fight that had been coming since earlier this year, one involving United States Men’s National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann and Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.

Klinsmann intentionally or not fired the first shot this past spring when he left US Soccer royalty and LA Galaxy starter Landon Donovan off of his final 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. It would be unfair to suggest that Klinsmann was making a statement about MLS with that decision.

He and Donovan have not enjoyed the warmest of relationships over the years.

Klinsmann did not keep his feelings on the North American top-flight to himself when speaking with reporters earlier this week about USMNT players such as Donovan, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and others choosing to play in MLS rather than in Europe:

"“I think (Bradley’s) been faced with a very, very difficult year, making that decision, going from a Champions League [club] to a team, Toronto, now it seems like they’re not even going to qualify for the playoffs. It’s a huge disappointment that comes along. You have to adjust yourself to whatever environment you’re in. You have to adjust to the environment he’s in with Toronto, instead of maybe an environment that plays Champions League football. He’s going through that experience now and still coming in now for the first time since the World Cup, he has to prove that he hasn’t lost a bit.“It’s going to be very difficult to keep the same level that they experienced at the places where they were. It’s just reality. It’s just being honest.”"

What could have been some forgettable quotes from the US boss before one final October

cash grab

friendly immediately evolved into a line that would divide MLS defenders from those who hit out at the structure and quality of the league.

Garber, as would any league commissioner worth his paychecks, responded, first touching upon Donovan not being part of the US World Cup squad:

"“I believe that Landon should have been in Brazil. Because his performance dictated it … His treatment was inexcusable.“To think that we are not aligned with our national team coach is disappointing and personally infuriating, frustrating as hell. And frankly I don’t think it is in line with the shared vision that this league has with the [US] federation.“Without the league, the US player pool would be diminished. It is just patently untrue that if you play in Major League Soccer it will affect your form.”"

Donovan, for what it’s worth, enters the second-to-last weekend of the MLS regular season with 10 goals and 19 assists. He will likely be a MLS Most Valuable Player candidate.

Jul 1, 2014; Salvador, BRAZIL; United States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann prior to the match against Belgium during the round of sixteen match in the 2014 World Cup at Arena Fonte Nova. Belgium defeated USA 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

So who is right? Is Klinsmann right in saying that US players should aspire to be more than MLS stars? Is Garber right in suggesting that MLS players can and should be first-team USMNT mainstays.

Neither is right, because it isn’t a matter of right vs. wrong. It’s a matter of two individuals having different goals.

Start with Garber. Those quick to criticize the MLS chief for responding to Klinsmann in a public manner seemingly forget that US club soccer gets little respect and little run outside of the occasional story or highlight-reel moment. The head coach of the USMNT had recently said that his players should want more than playing for North American clubs.

Of course Garber had to defend the league.

It is not Garber’s job to win international tournaments or even to “grow the game” of soccer in the US. He is a league commissioner, and thus his top interest had better be to make profits.

Otherwise, MLS owners will find a replacement.

Garber wanting big-name US players in MLS is a wise business move. New York Red Bulls captain Thierry Henry is a living legend and an all-time great. He is also an anonymous figure to casual sports fans who watch soccer once every four years, individuals Garber and MLS execs want watching the league on a weekly basis.

Those people are familiar with names like Dempsey, Bradley, and Donovan. They see Jozy Altidore as a US player. Recognizable names grow sports brands, and they convert observers into fans willing to spend money on a product.

And what of Klinsmann? The US coach should not concern himself with what is happening in any — any — US league. His objectives are to call the right players into a US team per the occasion, to make sure younger footballers will be ready to perform under the spotlight when that day comes, and to get the best possible results in competitive tournaments.

Klinsmann can think whatever he wants about MLS, NASL, USL Pro, the NFL or the POTUS. His goal had better be to get the US senior squad positive results when it matters most. Call MLS players into your team or don’t, Mr. Klinsmann. Just win.

In fact, both men would do well to worry about performing their own duties. Their jobs literally depend on it.

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