encaitar
Footballguy
I don't get it at all. It's one thing if we have guys starting across the big leagues in Europe, but we don't. Basically the choice is between MLS guys and guys in second division Europe. To me that's a toss up. Hell, even Pulisic wasn't a first choice starter at Dortmund and he's miles better than any other national team player. This group of young guys might change that in 5-6 years, but right now it's either an MLS stud or a JAG at a second division team in Europe.The MLS hate is unfortunate (as the league is obviously getting better) but I sort of get it from people that mostly watch and root for the National Team.
We're simply not far enough removed from the days of guys like Wondo dominating in MLS despite being unable to knock in a sitter against any sort of decent international opponent.
No doubt that MLS has advanced to a point where certain players can play there and still be successful Nats.(especially young studs like Pomykal that are <18 months away from making a trans-Atlantic jump) But I just really hate it when guys like Roldan make their way into the lineup as first off the bench (or even spot starter) types. I feel like we've seen that movie many times over the past 5 or 6 years with a number of guys and it always ends the same way.
IMO, if you're in MLS between the ages of like 23-30 (other than maybe a goal keeper or central defender at the lower end of that range who still needs to mature) its just hard to argue that you should be anything more than an end of the roster guy for the Nats. (with the exception being a guy like Altidore who came home for just stupid money that he would never get elsewhere). Or at least I HOPE we're at that point relatively soon. We just dont have much upside as long as we have to rely on guys like Arriola to consistently produce.
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