Why Does Jurgen Klinsmann Keep Selecting Chris Wondolowski For International Duty?
Many have questioned the move but for some reason Jurgen Klinsmann keeps selecting Chris Wondolowski to the United States Men’s National Team.
After year’s of being a regular with the USMNT, Jurgen Klinsmann continues to select the San Jose Earthquakes‘ striker, Chris Wondolowski, for international duty. In earlier years, it was understood why the U.S. manager kept calling upon Wondo but now, there is not clear-cut reason. With the youth movement in the team, why does the aging forward keep getting selected?
With two October friendlies for the United States against Cuba and New Zealand, Klinsmann has shown a commitment to giving some youngsters a chance on the national level. He selected Ethan Horvath, Paul Arriola, Lynden Gooch, Christian Pulisic, Jordan Morris, and Julian Green who are all under 22-years of age. That push for youth was thought to be a the new trend for this roster but instead, Chris Wondolowski at 33-year old got selected once again.
With the new generation of players coming in, they need playing time and minutes to get experience for their international careers to develop. If Wondo is used ahead of Jordan Morris or Julian Green, it would hinder the growth of those two young forwards. These international friendlies are the perfect time to give youth players a chance to see what they can prove on the big stage.
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While Chris is still a great player with the San Jose Earthquakes at the Major League Soccer level, there is almost no reason why he should be selected to the national team going forward. He has already made over 30 caps for the USMNT and has scored 10 goals in the process. His last goal came over a year ago against Guatemala, so it isn’t like he is producing for Klinsmann.
If Wondo is being used a player-coach then that would be acceptable. That’s the only helpful role that I could see him having with the current U.S. National Team. Other than that, he is taking away a spot from promising prospects like Josh Perez, Gedion Zelalem, or Emerson Hyndman who could all use the playing time.
Jurgen can call up Chris during competitive fixtures or tournaments but why for an international friendly? I just don’t see the reasoning. Wondo won’t be in the squad for the 2018 World Cup, so why have him playing during the build up to the historic tournament? Klinsmann should leave him off of the squad and select a younger player that could play, produce, and gain experience.
Jurgen Klinsmann can make tough decisions and isn’t a stranger to cutting ties with aging strikers with the USMNT. He left Landon Donovan off of the 2014 World Cup roster when the striker was only 32-years old. While Wondo has produced at a higher level this MLS season than Donovan was back then, it is time to cut ties with Chris.
The United States Men’s National Team have made great strides in recent years but if Klinsmann continues to select Chris Wondolowski, it sends the wrong message to youth players. The San Jose Earthquakes’ forward has already had his time with the U.S. and it is now time to move on and give youngsters more of an opportunity. Wondo can continue to produce for his club and improve his stellar record in MLS but his time needs to be up with the USMNT under Jurgen Klinsmann.