During the 2015 MLS season there was one thing that never left the mind of an Sporting KC fan. The exclusion of Benny Feilhaber of any USMNT call-ups whether they be for the usually MLS January call-up or any subsequent call-up for the national team.
Only now is Feilhaber at peace.
In an interview on set with those from Fox Sports the Sporting Kansas City midfielder talked about his being at peace with the fact that while in the running for the 2015 MLS MVP award and being selected as a MLS Best XI that at 31 his international career is at an end.
It was a crying shame really. When let loose Feilhaber was a master of destruction to opposing defenses opening them up from his deep lying play maker role within Peter Vermes team. His 10 goals and 15 assists were a major reason in the success of the 2015 team that went on to capture the US Open Cup and if not for a double goal post penalty miss against the Portland Timbers, eventual MLS Cup Champions, who knows where the season could’ve ended.
Team captain Matt Besler didn’t have as accomplishing of a 2015 season and yet he finds himself as part of the Jurgen Klinsmann fold still as his recent call up to the January camp shows.
Feilhaber has made himself a nice career after returning from Europe having had stints with teams in the English Premier League, German Bundesliga and the Danish Superliga before coming to first play with the New England Revolution and then move to Sporting Kansas City where in his first year he helped win the 2013 MLS Cup.
Jurgen Klinsmann has been more than vocal in terms of stating that he wants his players to challenge themselves at the highest level. Many critics have pointed out that his resistance in utilizing MLS based players is holding back the progress of the national team. While it is hard to disagree with the quality that is available in Europe many players have been called up who haven’t exactly been in the best form with their own clubs.
Herein is the crux of the argument for this native Kansan. Benny Feilhaber has proved himself more than capable at an international level which is what Jurgen desires. Calling up European based players just because they are playing there seems silly. Kyle Beckerman has continued to receive call ups while being two years Benny’s senior
As a Eintracht Frankfurt fan I cringe when Timmy Chandler is in the starting 11 due to the fact that he isn’t the best at tracking back on defense while he is very capable when utilized in attack. Staying in Germany Herta BSC defender John Brooks has show himself to be developing very well but aside from that one header in the 2014 World Cup he has not performed at the international level for the Stars and Stripes.
