Austin FC sporting director Rodolfo Borrell has responded forcefully to a Jurgen Klinsmann criticism of MLS that is about a decade old. The remarks came as Borrell’s team introduced new signing Brandon Vazquez to local media.

The Vazquez signing is seen as a significant addition for Austin FC. The 26-year-old striker has gotten some looks with the U.S. national team after breaking through with FC Cincinnati with an 18-goal season in 2022, which led to a move to Mexico’s CF Monterrey the following year.

His signing with Austin FC represents a return to a league that was once in the crosshairs of the coach of the U.S. men’s national team. Jurgen Klinsmann, who won a world cup in 1990 as a player with Germany and then led his country to the 2006 World Cup semifinal as a coach, was consistently critical of MLS during his tenure as U.S. national team coach, arguing that the standards of play were higher in Europe and that as a result MLS players would find it heard to break through internationally.

The most headline-grabbing of the comments came after two of the U.S.’s most senior players, Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley, traded European clubs for big-money moves to MLS – Dempsey to Seattle Sounders and Bradley to Toronto FC.

“With Clint’s move back and Michael’s move back,” said Klinsmann, “it’s going to be very difficult to keep the same level that they experienced at the places where they were. It’s just reality. It’s just being honest.”

The comments, along with his decision to drop the MLS-based Landon Donovan from the 2014 World Cup squad, helped create an impression that MLS players are naturally, purely by virtue of where they play, less-suited to the national team. Borrell pushed back on that idea in strong terms on Tuesday, using Vazquez as an example.

Seattle forward Clint Dempsey celebrates his goal during the second half during the MLS Western Conference Finals second leg match, at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington, on November 30, 2017.

Clint Dempsey traded a European career for a big-money move to Seattle in 2013. ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

“As you all know, a few years ago, many years ago, we had a national team head coach where…he was putting in the mind of people in the U.S. that if you’re not playing abroad it’s like you can not make it for the U.S. men’s national team,” Borrell said in a press conference with reporters.

“And that’s why I think this (Brandon Vazquez transfer) is a statement for the club and for the league. Because this starts speaking about how this league has grown in very few years. The fact that we could bring an international player back to the US is a huge statement. And it’s not only good for us, it’s good for us and good for the league. And playing here, like anywhere else, you can make it to the U.S. men’s national team.”

Vazquez joined Austin after a disappointing year in Mexico in which he scored nine goals in 31 league appearances. Austin reportedly paid $10 million for his services, and he will occupy one of the team’s designated player (DP) spots.

He faces an uphill climb to get back in the national team picture, with competition in form of Monaco’s Folarin Balogun, PSV’s Ricardo Pepi, Norwich City’s Josh Sargent, and new Seattle Sounders signee Jesus Ferreira.

Borrell, who previously worked with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, is in the midst of an offseason makeover for an Austin FC side that has missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. The side fired head coach Josh Wolff in the offseason, replacing him with former FC Dallas boss and USMNT assistant Nico Estevez.