"Son Heung-min to Rest for San Diego Match" 'Extremely Angry' LAFC Coach "Does MLS Not Want CONCACAF Champions Cup Winners... Football Isn't PlayStation... I Want to See the Face of the Person Who Made This Killer Schedule"
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- LAFC manager Mark Dos Santos expressed extreme frustration with Major League Soccer's demanding schedule.
- He criticized the league's scheduling, particularly the impact on players and the team's performance in crucial competitions.
- The manager's comments came ahead of LAFC's match against San Diego, with Son Heung-min reportedly set to rest.
LAFC manager Mark Dos Santos has unleashed a blistering critique of Major League Soccer's grueling schedule, lamenting what he calls a "killer schedule" that he desperately wants to confront the person responsible for. "Football is not a PlayStation game. I want to see the face of the person who created this schedule," Dos Santos declared, his frustration palpable. The intensity of his remarks underscores the immense pressure players and teams face navigating a fixture list that he believes is detrimental to performance and player welfare. This outburst comes as LAFC prepares for a challenging away match against San Diego, with reports suggesting star player Son Heung-min might be rested. Dos Santos's comments highlight a recurring tension within MLS regarding the balance between league play, domestic cup competitions, and international tournaments like the CONCACAF Champions Cup. From a South Korean perspective, where footballing intensity and player management are paramount, the MLS schedule might appear particularly demanding, potentially impacting the fitness and form of international stars like Son. The league's commitment to player well-being and competitive balance is being questioned by its own coaches, signaling a significant point of contention within the American soccer landscape.
Football is not a PlayStation game. I want to see the face of the person who created this schedule.
Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.