Haris Medunjanin has kept his place in the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team since joining the Philadelphia Union this winter, but that hasn’t been the case for every European star who’s come to MLS.
Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco was notably left off of Italy’s roster for Euro 2016 last year, and has subsequently had his decision to sign with TFC criticized by Azzurri manager Giampiero Ventura.
Medunjanin, who moved back his report date to Bosnia camp to play in the Union’s match at NYCFC on Saturday (1 pm ET | MLS LIVE), doesn’t think those sorts of critiques are at all warranted.
“I don't think [it's fair]," Medunjanin said when asked by Philadelphia reporters of the Giovinco snub earlier this week. "I think MLS is a great league, a strong league with a lot of international players. [Montreal defender Laurent] Ciman is playing for Belgium. Belgium is like the second or third [ranked] team in the world. He's been playing with the first eleven and he's doing great. It doesn't matter. If you have quality, it doesn't matter where you play.
"Of course, people will say, 'if you play in Spain or Italy or England then you're surrounded by better players.' But I would say to anybody who comes to MLS that it doesn't matter who you are, it's going to be difficult. It doesn't matter if you're a superstar or not. People know how to play here. They need to come and watch the games and then go from there, to see if you're ready for the national team or not."
For more of Medunjanin's take on the subject, check out a solid piece from Kevin Kinkead over at Philly Voice.
