U.S. soccer would benefit if stars stayed home

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Pressure is on the best American players to develop their skills by crossing the pond to Europe. Some flourish. Think of Brian McBride and Clint Dempsey’s success at Fulham FC in England. Others struggle. Jozy Altidore scored 38 goals in 59 showings at AZ Alkmaar in Holland. Then he went bust in the English Premier League at Sunderland, netting a solitary goal in 21 appearances. He landed back in North America last week, signing for Toronto FC of the MLS.

Is it better for the development of U.S. players to play overseas? National coach Jurgen Klinsmann thinks so. He would have preferred for Dempsey and national team regular Michael Bradley to remain in Europe and fight for their places in their respective teams (Dempsey last played in England at Tottenham Hotspur and is now with the Seattle Sounders. Bradley transferred to Toronto FC from AS Roma in 2014).

But how is a player to feel when he finds himself spending a significant amount of time warming the bench for a European club, or playing intermittently in an environment where competition for spots on the starting 11 is fierce? Don’t players wish to play above all else? If you were guaranteed a game in Seattle or Toronto every week, while making money that affords the trappings associated with an elite soccer player’s lifestyle, then why would you hesitate to come home? And if MLS starts to pay wages comparable to other top leagues, why would American players leave in the first place? The cheeseburgers are just not as good in Europe.

Exposure to technically better soccer and coaches is given as good reason to venture to foreign leagues. There is truth in that. But you could argue that the national team will benefit by keeping the best players together in a domestic league. If key American players play against each other, or with each other week-in, week-out, familiarity with each other’s styles and thinking could benefit the national squad.

Certainly, MLS needs to up the ante if it is to be the decisive provider to the national squad. Set aside the present limitations of its economic model and focus on its investment in recent years in advanced coaching at the youth academy level. This offers promise. The next stage is to develop a strong American style just as there is a German or Italian way of playing football. And if young players coming through the ranks get to play regularly with America’s best players in a domestic league, staying home could trump the pressure to become a wanderer through foreign fields. Of course, money still talks louder than ideals, and will set the agenda for player movement.

Competition between teams in different leagues develops tactical flexibility and experience. CONCACAF’s Champions League tournament deserves better attention stateside, but what if a competition between MLS teams and sides from Mexico’s Liga MX were established. Money with interest would be made on this beef: Which league is better, Mexico or USA?

Same old story: I’m thankful for receiving this from Johnny Miller who pens the “Wayback Machine” for the Sunday Chronicle. A century ago this week, the Chron published a story under the headline, “Local Interest in Soccer Steadily on the Increase.” The story claims, “association football has taken an assured place in the affections of the public” mentioning several thousands watching games near Ocean Beach. Soccer’s appeal lies in “the simplicity of its rules, the demand for speed, combined with intelligence” while noting the game’s spread “to a generation of American schoolboys.” The newspaper got it right.

U.S. national team striker Jozy Altidore (center) signed with the MLS’ Toronto FC after playing in Europe since 2008. U.S. national team striker Jozy Altidore (center) signed with the MLS’ Toronto FC after playing in Europe since 2008. Photo: Chris Young / Associated Press Photo: Chris Young / Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close U.S. soccer would benefit if stars stayed home 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

Alan Black is a freelance writer. Twitter: @footyheader

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