Jermaine Jones recently went on the ESPN FC’s Max & Herc podcast to talk about his critics.
Midfielder Jermaine Jones has been a mainstay on the USMNT since Jurgen Klinsmann took over in 2011. While he has never had a permanent position in the team, even playing center back for a spell, he has always played a role for the US.
After a recent 1-1 draw against Panama in the most current World Cup qualifier, Jones received some criticism from fans and media alike for his performance.
Playing in a shape-shifting 4-4-2, Jones and captain Michael Bradley were the center of the midfield. Normally, Bradley will sit back in front of the back four and distribute passes all over the pitch. Jones, on the other hand, was the engine that played beside him. His best qualities have always been his endless work ethic and determination. He can break open a counterattack by either robbing an opposing player, or being the one who made a clever run up the pitch.
In Jurgen Klinsmann’s, uh, “system,” Jones was often given free rein to chase and run to his heart’s desire. However, Bruce Arena has long taken a more conservative, tactical approach to games, thus limiting his roaming tendencies. It seems to have backfired on the aging midfielder.
"“If we lose the game, they always try to find the next guy who can play for Jermaine,” Jones told the Max and Herc podcast. “It is never somebody else, it is always me.”"
While Jones has a point, it may not be as clear-cut as he thinks. It is true that Jones has taken more criticism in losses than in wins, but that is true with almost every player in every team in every sport. When a professional athlete has a poor performance in a vital game, he or she has to expect the backlash. In fact, Michael Bradley has taken more flak recently for his up and down form than Jones ever has. USMNT fans don’t discriminate.
Jones is also 35 years old. At this point in his career, the most soccer fans can expect from him is one last World Cup. Many are wanting to see more of a youth movement in the side. A player such as Kellyn Acosta, who has been playing at a high level for a few years in the MLS, is more than ready to take over a bigger role in the team.
On the same podcast, Jones also took the liberty to praise himself at the same time as belittling his critics.
"“When we play the big tournament, I am always the best player on the field for this country, but then, end of the day, they try to kick me out when we lose games?” he said."
Again, it is true that in some big tournaments or matches, the 35-year-old has been the best player on the pitch. In the previous World Cup against Portugal, Jones had one of his premier performances for the USMNT, including this rocket of a goal to give the US the lead.
However, past performances mean little when it comes to qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. There certainly is a bit of recency bias regarding Jones, as the US battered Honduras 6-0 the previous game while he was suspended. Then, he was inserted into the lineup along side Bradley and the team’s performance suffered. Jones was certainly not the only player on the field that had a poor performance, but was not the only player to receive criticism either.
Jones seems to be taking most of the critique from a recent piece from Matt Doyle of mlssoccer.com. Doyle takes a calculated approach to the subject, even praising Jones on his time with the team as well as his athleticism and fight he shows on the pitch every game.
But, as the article points out, his performances has taken a dip in recent matches. He no longer is the midfielder than can take over a game in the center. Against Panama, other midfielders who are not known as defensive maestros had five, even six times as many ball recoveries as Jones on the day. Also on display was his inconsistent passing, which has long been a problem.
Right this moment in US Soccer, it might not be the best time to completely jettison a veteran midfielder. The US has vital games upcoming against Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago that he could be useful for. He can always come off the bench during the World Cup as well.
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However, Father Time is undefeated, and Jones is going to be 36 should the US make it to Russia. It would be foolish to rely on the shoulders of a 36-year-old. The US would be wise to have a succession plan in place. Just don’t take that the wrong way, Jermaine.
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