Jack McInerney and The National Team

Philadelphia Union stud striker Jack McInerney has been making his case for the national team this season. With six goals in eight games and a player of the month honor, the 20 year old striker is popping up all over the place. He is the driving force behind the Union’s offense and one of MLS’s bright young stars. This summer the USA will go through a number of national team games, with the Gold Cup, friendlies and of course world cup qualifiers. The US national team will be exercising many different players and bringing in new players into the fold. The US will bring in many young players to give them a chance to see where they stand for the world cup. Any player who is in form in MLS will be on Klinsmann’s radar.  Is Jack Mac ready for the national team? Many Union fans think so but I can’t see it ending well and here is why:

First off, Jack McInerney has only had a third of a season and has not proved that he can sustain his form. How will he handle playing multiple games a week? Before this season he did not play consistent and with national team duty he would have to play many games. His fitness would be tested to say the least. Secondly and most importantly his mental toughness is not ready for the international level. Jack has a bit of a hot head and gets moody at times on the pitch. He acts immature. Although he has shown strides of maturity over the years he still is not ready for the senior squad.  He takes himself out of the game if he is not getting involved or getting balls fed to him. He has a way of becoming invisible for periods of time furring a game. Mentally on the national team he would not be able to contribute to his fullest. Even the last game against the Sounders, he became very silent and if he did not have the ball he was not doing much.

Also Jack’s style does not fit the US’s. The US forwards normally have to drop back into the midfield and work for the balls. Jack is not a creator he needs to have the ball played to his feet.  The US national team needs forwards to go back and stretch the defense, make the runs and create for others. I could not see his style meshing well with the national team. Jozy needs a strike partner that will create and be able to get in behind defenders.

Another reason it is a bad fit is the solid fact that a number of other strikers deserve the opportunity. I would much rather see Juan Agudelo, CJ Sapong, Josh Gatt, Eddie Johnson, Will Bruin,  Andrew Wooten, Bobby Wood, and Jose Villareal just to name a few. Not to mention the bevy of players who are not strikers that are looking for a shot, like Brek Shea, Joe Corona Alejandro Bedoya, Brad Davis and Sacha Klejstan. So many players are looking for a shot and it is hard to see Jack Mac being a part of the scene. Other players have different skills and styles that fit the national team needs right now. Not to mention the defensive side is more important right now and more choices should be brought in defensively over offensive players.

I am not saying that Jack McInerney will never make the national team or that I am against him making it. Personally I think it is best for Jack to stay have a solid season and prove to be one of the best strikers in MLS then play for the national team. What is best for both player, country and club is for Jack to stay in Philly and work towards getting on the national team. If he does not get the call up right away, it will make Jack work for it. The national team is the highest privilege in soccer; it is something that must be earned.

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