Matias Almeyda calls on MLS to offer clubs more help during international breaks
By Chris Smith
San Jose Earthquakes manager Matias Almeyda has hit out at the MLS regulations regarding signing young players to the senior team.
Unlike most other leagues around the world, Major League Soccer plays through the Fifa international breaks. In the past, this wasn't a problem as only a handful of imports still played for their national teams and a selection of American and Canadian players left during the window.
Now, as the league has improved, the effect on MLS squads is much larger. During the most recent international break, more than 80 players left the leauge to play for their respective nations.
The Quakes weren't hit too hard this time around, with only Marcos Lopez of Peru missing for the entire window, while Jackson Yueill was called into the USMNT late on after the dismissal of Weston McKennie.
San Jose travel to FC Dallas this weekend but will likely do so without Yueill and Lopez, while Matt Bersano is doubtful with a knee injury and Eric Remedi is suspended, leaving Almeyda's squad stretched thin.
Speaking to reporters ahead of this weekend's game, the Almeyda called upon MLS to address these problems.
"We are looking into which solutions we can take," said Almeyda. "That is why I believe so much in having a second team; a second team with the same system of play. I like the idea of a coach who might have four missing players being able to call up four players from the academy. Those are the points in which this league should improve.
In the previous match, the Colorado Rapids arrived at the game with 16 players. If you want to add pedigree to the league, we have to look deeper into those details. Give us the chance to give our young players a chance. If you have a team with a short roster, as is our case, you'll need to work miracles if you are missing four players."
To make matters worse, further additions to MLS rosters are limited and often only allowed under cases of 'extreme hardship', as per the league's official rules and regulations - found here.
"We're playing for three points. The people want to win, we want to win, and the club wants to win. These things become obstacles."