Lay off Miles Robinson and Brandon Vazquez! USMNT stars shunning European transfers for MLS or Liga MX moves can work for everyone

This whole debate has gone on for a long time, but it really came to the forefront during the Jurgen Klinsmann-era for the United States men's national team. During that time, the then-coach made it loud and clear: If the U.S. wants to reach its potential, players need to be testing themselves in Europe.

Ever since Klinsmann's tenure, you've seen that mentality take hold in ways it didn't before his time. Stars like Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie moved to Europe at young ages, with the aim of proving themselves at the biggest clubs in the world. As a result, they and others are playing at a higher level than any generation of USMNT stars before them, having been challenged over and over in Europe's top leagues.

But, during Klinsmann's tenure, a trend also began, one that saw some of America's top stars come back home. After long careers in Europe, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore returned to MLS, cashing in on their huge name recognition stateside with big contracts back home. At the end of the day, those players had more value in the U.S. than they did in Europe, and they capitalized on that value while also raising the level of American soccer. As a result, Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders, the two clubs that signed those three stars, battled atop the league for years while ushering MLS into a new era.

To start 2024, the USMNT has seen several of its players in the news regarding big transfers. So far, though, those involved have generally opted for the comforts of home over the demands of Europe.

Miles Robinson, a contender to be a starting centerback for the national team, chose FC Cincinnati after leaving Atlanta United as a free agent. Brandon Vazquez will leave Cincy and MLS, but despite reported interest from the Premier League and Bundesliga has instead moved to Liga MX giants Monterrey for a reported $8.5 million fee.

Elsewhere, just a year-and-a-half after leaving MLS for AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands, Djordje Mihailovic has returned to MLS with the Colorado Rapids, joining Zack Steffen, who signed from Manchester City.

Cade Cowell, too, could be set for a move within North America, with the San Jose Earthquakes youngster linked with Chivas as he looks bound for his next step.

In contrast, Johnny Cardoso has made the move to Europe, joining Real Betis from Internacional in Brazil, but thus far, USMNT transfer season has largely been centered on the U.S. and Mexico.

When viewing transfers through a Klinsmann-centric lens, you can see why there would be disappointment around those decisions. Among those frustrated is American coach Jesse Marsch, who wanted to see what Robinson in particular could do in Europe.

“Very surprised," the former Leeds United manager told CBS Sports' soccer podcast 'Call It What You Want'. "I read that with his free agency he had been talking to a few different MLS clubs, but I thought with his talent that now a move to Europe was perfect for him. You never know what the options are, obviously every player has to evaluate what the situation is, what the finances are, and what the opportunities are, but I think a player like him has to be in Europe, has to be testing himself, has to be pushing to be the best that he can be.

"Even if it’s a league like the Championship or Holland or some of these that aren’t the premier leagues, the best way to create a stepping stone to get there is to have a bit on your resume that shows you had a year or year-and-a-half in Europe, playing for clubs that are competing to be in the Champions League or are in the Champions League. Then you can showcase your talents.

"We’ve talked a lot on this show about players that are testing themselves and putting themselves in over their heads - [Ricardo] Pepi is a good example - and being rewarded for it. I find it a bit of a shame, but each player’s situation is a little different.”

While Marsch's claims may make sense, not every player's situation is the same. Robinson, for example, is a player who, when healthy, may just be the USMNT's best central defender. If not for a disastrous Achilles injury, he almost certainly would have started at the World Cup in Qatar.

At 26, he's entering his prime, and after years of dominating in MLS, there was a real desire to see him go to Europe and test his game at another level. He hasn't done that, though instead opting to stay close to home with FC Cincinnati.

With players like Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie all testing themselves at a high level in Europe, what will Robinson's decision to remain in MLS mean? Can he reach his potential competing at the same level he's competed at since he became a professional? Can he really raise his level to match players competing against the world's best every week?

Vazquez, meanwhile, is a player on the precipice. Folarin Balogun and Pepi are Gregg Berhalter's top-two striker options, but Vazquez is in that group just behind them. He'd been linked with Borussia Monchengladbach and Brentford, but is now heading to Liga MX; is that level high enough for him to keep pace if Balogun and Pepi keep scoring in Europe?

For both men, the answer to those questions is a resounding no. Both Robinson and Vazquez have been accused of taking the easy, comfortable route. Instead of trying and potentially failing in Europe, they've moved to a perceived lower level and safer situations. For many fans of the USMNT, that decision should have an impact on their national-team status.

However, that mindset is a national team-centric one. At the end of the day, the USMNT isn't the be all and end all for these players, even if it is for the supporters. When it comes down to it, this is real life we're talking about, too.

Viewing a transfer through just a USMNT lens does a disservice to those making the decision. For players in this position, transfers aren't about the national team; it's about their lives. Yes, their place in the international pecking order plays a role, but it's far from the only part. It's a priority, but not the only one.

For many players, money will make a significant difference. More likely than not, Vazquez and Robinson will be paid pretty handsomely for their services by their new clubs. Like Dempsey, Bradley and Altidore before them, they are more valuable to their new clubs than they are to those in Europe. In any other line of work, would someone be asked to turn down more money to 'test' themselves so far from home?

There's also comfort, familiarity and family. Vazquez, for example, has a baby on the way, so why wouldn't he want to raise his child a bit closer to home? As a Mexican-American, you don't think he's looking forward to the opportunity to begin this new chapter around those he loves?

There are on-field factors, too. Playing time is one, with Vazquez, Robinson, Mihailovic and Steffen all guaranteed big roles at their new clubs. There is a chance of trophies here too, especially for Vazquez and Robinson.

Overall, these are complicated decisions, ones not just made with the USMNT in mind. It plays a part, of course, but boiling down every transfer to just that one aspect fails to really look at what these decisions mean to the players and the people behind them.

Given the nature of his job, Berhalter is often asked about transfers and how they'll impact the national team. This month was no different as he gears up for January camp.

Specifically, Berhalter was asked about Robinson's decision. Linked with PSV among other suitors in Europe, Robinson instead opted to remain in the U.S. and contend for an MLS Cup with 2023's Supporter's Shield winners.

"When players talk to me about their next step, when they call me and ask me, some of them do, the first thing is always just trying to understand their motivation and what they want," Berhalter said. "With Miles, it was no different. We talked through some of the potential options. We talked through his future and how we see him with the national-team program, and ultimately he decided to sign for the Supporters' Shield winners, a very strong team within MLS.

"That's a personal choice that he makes and all we can do now is continue to monitor him the same we do every other player. That's our commitment to the whole group."

Even with their decisions to stay in North America, it would be foolish to write off Robinson or Vazquez. If Robinson continues to be an MLS Defender of the Year candidate, for example, he'll remain involved with the USMNT. He still has plenty he can prove in MLS, and plenty he can win. Failing to maintain his current level would have big consequences, but staying put isn't a death blow to his national-team career.

Same goes for Vazquez, whose primary competition for the USMNT's third striker spot is Haji Wright, Josh Sargent and Daryl Dike, all of whom play in the English Championship, a league that isn't at a level that much higher than Liga MX. If Vazquez dominates in Mexico, scoring goals for one of the country's giants, he'll remain in Berhalter's thoughts. The most important part of a striker's game is goals, and if he gets them, he isn't going to be overlooked.

Transfers like those that we have seen in January so far don't kill national-team careers, even if they do make the margins a bit more fine. If you're in La Liga, Serie A or the Premier League, it's easier to overlook a few bad performances, but at some point, form and confidence matter, too. If players can maintain that where they are, then sometimes that's right for them.

It won't be right for everyone, and no one decision makes sense for every player out there. These things are complicated and deeply personal. They're big decisions that those outside can hardly understand.