What we appear to have developing in United States soccer between the coach of the national team and the commissioner of the top pro league is a good ol' fashioned soccer ball measuring contest.
National team coach Jurgen Klinsmann was recently critical of Major League Soccer, suggesting that Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley would be better off still playing in Europe than returning home to MLS, which they did this season.
While nobody would argue the quality in, say, the English Premier League is better than it is here, MLS Commissioner Don Garber has basically had enough of Klinsmann's bashing. He told ESPN.com:
"I believe what he's saying is that the players that have come back — [Bradley] and [Dempsey] specifically — have seen their form diminish because of their move to MLS," he said. "I don't believe that is true at all."
If it had ended there, it probably would have just been a case of two guys sticking up for what they believe is best. Maybe they have opposing views, even though they are both pulling in a general direction of improving soccer in the United States.
But Garber took it to another level when he dove into Landon Donovan territory.
"I don't know what could have possibly motivated Jurgen to so publicly criticize Michael Bradley, and ultimately Clint," he said. "It's concerning to me that it seems to be following a pattern that began with his criticism of Landon."
Garber later added, "I believe that Landon should have been in Brazil, not because he earned it or deserved it, but because his performance dictated it, and if anybody disagrees with that … then I believe his treatment was inexcusable. And I have concerns that his criticism, particularly of Michael, is following that same pattern. If Jurgen wants to talk to Michael about what he believes is in the best interests of his career, go ahead and do that, but don't use a global media platform to do that."
