PHOTO: SAN JOSE EEARTHQUAKES
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Mexico midfielder Andres Guardado says his comment to San Jose Earthquakes center back Yeferson Quintana about having general manager Jesse Fioranelli reserve a place for him next season was only for good humor, but admitted a move to MLS is “attractive” in many ways.
After being linked several times to numerous MLS clubs in the past years, El Tri’s captain thought of making a joke on the subject but did praise MLS’ recent Concacaf Champions League performances.
“A joke, because for the past three, four years I’ve been rumored to be making a move to MLS,” El Tri’s captain told Quakes Epicenter after Mexico’s 3-0 victory against Iceland on Friday at Levi’s Stadium. “So, one more doesn’t hurt. It was only a joke.”
“I’ve always said it, MLS is growing a lot,” he added. Every time they ask me about MLS, I say the same: it’s a league that is doing the right things. And today, they are showing it in the Concacaf Champions League, leaving Mexican teams out.”
In the last two years, the 31-year-old was linked to LAFC and Atlanta United, which are two of the league’s most recent expansion sides. Wednesdays comments at the Quakes training ground brought his name and the league back to surface. A league the current Betis midfielder acknowledges to be appealing and fitting to Mexican players, like himself, on and off the field.
“For us (the Mexican national team players) it’s (MLS) always attractive,” Guardado said. “Not only on the sporting side, but in terms of personal life as well.”
In July, Guardado signed a three-year deal at Benito Villamarin and is prepping for his fourth World Cup, his first as the captain of El Tri.
