Ahead of Wednesday’s friendly match against the Czech Republic in Prague, Jürgen Klinsmann gave his opinion regarding the MLS schedule. On Tuesday, the German coach told reporters that he doesn’t think that scheduling league fixtures during FIFA international dates helps either the MLS or the U.S. national team.
Klinsmann named a roster full of youngsters for this match and most of them compete either in Europe or in Mexico. Out of 35 players who left the MLS for these FIFA dates, only one player was named by Klinsmann: Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
The German coach could call any player, as it’s mandatory for the clubs to release them for these fixtures. Instead, Klinsmann had to agree with the coaches to let the players stay with their clubs for the league fixtures.
One is the case of Michael Bradley and Toronto FC. After Klinsmann spoke with TFC’s former manager Ryan Nelsen, the US head coach decided not to call Bradley.
Regarding this, Klinsmann stated the following:
“Nelsen said, ‘I’m losing five players for Canada, and I lose now Michael Bradley too?
“But Canada gets the five players. Honduras, Costa Rica, whichever foreign players are in MLS—they all go. But I compromise (on) my own players because their coaches all say we need them now badly because we go toward the playoffs and now it’s really getting hectic.”
Klinsmann also expressed his word on what he would want for the future.
“Our biggest wish going forward is that MLS takes time off at the FIFA fixture dates because it’s a lose-lose for both sides when that happens,” he said.
