Despite commissioner Don Garber's insistence that Major League Soccer is a growth league, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger singled out MLS on Tuesday as the perfect place to put retiring players out to pasture.

"You have two steps. Being completely at the top finishes when you are 34 at the latest," Wenger told the Arsenal website. "After that, you have different leagues like the MLS and the Indian league. I encourage players to play as long as possible if they really love it."

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann put MLS under fire with recent comments suggesting that even younger U.S. prospects abandon the league for more challenging opportunities.

Garber objected to Klinsmann saying it would be "very difficult" for U.S. internationals Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey to maintain their best form after the duo returned to play in MLS after extended spells in Europe.

Seattle Sounders minority owner Adrian Hanauer, Philadelphia Union CEO and operating partner Nick Sakiewicz, and several other sources told ESPN FC's Jeff Carlisle that there is growing frustration within the league over the advice Klinsmann and U.S. soccer staff are giving to youth national team and MLS academy players.

Klinsmann, however, denied he has been giving an across-the-board message favorable to European football.