In this week’s edition of Hinton Unleashed, Prost Amerika video columnist Alan Hinton shared his opinions on the depleted Seattle Sounders FC, high-profile arrivals joining Major League Soccer, the difficulty of playing and coaching in the U.S., MLS rivals week and the Women’s World Cup.
Seattle Sounders FC
“The Sounders will come out of this, but it doesn’t get any easier.”
Seattle lost 4-1 in last Sunday’s derby clash against the Portland Timbers. With three DPs out with a suspension (Clint Dempsey) and injuries (Obafemi Martins and Osvaldo Alonso), The Sounders have lost three straight matches and scored one goal. Dempsey and Brad Evans were called up by USMNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the Gold Cup competition.
Hinton was confident the Sounders would weather the storm and return to form in August.
Major League Soccer
“I don’t know about players getting a bit older. I think it’s a myth…people stay fit for longer.”
Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo are all expected to make their MLS debuts in the next couple of months. Hinton, a former winger in England’s old First Division, addressed the age issue with these new arrivals.
“I think there’s still some more gas in the tank for some of these older players. Why shouldn’t they come to America?”
The 72-year-old English National Team player referenced a Fourfourtwo.com article on the increasing number of English league players joining MLS.
“It might be one of the toughest leagues to play in.”
Hinton noted several factors that makes the U.S. domestic league a challenging environment to play and coach in. Despite difficulties, he felt it still was a desirable destination for soccer players.
“If Portland had a stadium for 40-50,000 people…they would fill it every week.”
The “Rivals Week” clashes between San Jose and LA, NYCFC and Red Bulls, and Portland and Seattle drew sellout crowds of 50,000, 48,000 and 22,000, respectively. Those attendance figures provided validation the league was continuing to grow and expands its fan base.
Women’s World Cup
“The Germans are favored to beat the U.S. I don’t know about that. The U.S are resilient.”
The interview with Hinton took place earlier in the day on Tuesday, before the Germany and USWNT semifinals matchup. Hinton predicted the Americans would prevail. They defeated the Germans 2-0 for a spot in the finals on Sunday.
Wednesday’s other semifinal match pits Japan against England. The former English national wants to the Brits to prevail and meet the U.S.
When prodded who he would be supporting, Hinton said he planned to wear his old national team jacket and cheer for England.
