US National Team Players Post-Brazil; and New Stadium in Salt Lake City

First, read this.


Jurgen Klinsmann spoke to the media today regarding the European-based US players that have played in the World Cup. He said, "A lot of our players that played really well in the World Cup and were consistent and worked very, very hard really dropped their performances after the World Cup, even after they are starters with their teams or in many cases unfortunately are not starters in their teams anymore." I watched Palace-Sunderland today, with the full hope that Jozy Altidore, our #1 striker, would start and score bunches of goals, and entertain the American audience watching the game on NBCSN (or more likely streaming it from work). Unfortunately, when looking at his stats since he joined Sunderland, let alone the World Cup, he has not performed effectively for that team. No, Mr. Klinsmann, Jozy is not complacent due to a "good performance" at the World Cup (he got injured in Game 1 against Ghana), he's complacent because YOU have not given any other striker the same opportunity as you continue to give him. Bobby Wood is lighting it up for his club, what more does he have to do to get a fair shake? Terrance Boyd was in-form before the World Cup! Did you call him up? No, you didn't! You called up perennial MLS player Chris Wondolowski, who will never improve in his ability to score goals against competition who doesn't put up too much of a fight, especially at the ripe old age of 31. I agree with almost everything you say, but this one, I must disagree with your tact with complacency. you made them complacent, not a good World Cup.

Next issue is the Real Monarchs unveiling on MLSsoccer.com. I'd love to know how Real Salt Lake got a stadium for the specific use of its USL PRO team, with nothing else to occupy it regularly (not talking about one-offs like concerts) while their opponents in the USL PRO who are not second teams of MLS sides cannot even get their own stadium (except Pittsburgh, Sacramento, Charlestion). That to me screams corruption at tis finest, and that is wrong! We must stop corruption at all levels, wherever we may find it. Now, I'm not criticizing Real Salt Lake or the City of Salt Lake here, what they did was impressive. However, the other USL PRO teams must be afforded the same opportunities as them, with owners who are committed to their cities and their clubs. I hope that the other USL PRO clubs who do not have their own stadiums that they use built for their purpose can be found.