Atlanta United player Jurgen Damm spoke with 90 minutes on his journey to Major League Soccer from Liga MX and the innate differences between the two North American leagues as they continue to intensify their rivalry through international tournaments.
Damm joined Atlanta United in June 2020 and forced the club to pay 50,000 in Allocation Money to the Houston Dynamo, which held its discovery rights.
During the interview, he highlighted the team’s excitement at the arrival of another Mexican addition: former Seattle Sounders assistant and newest head coach Gonzalo Pineda.
Dust fights for Atlanta United / Carmen Mandato / Getty Images
How has the arrival of Gonzalo Pineda, the first Mexican head coach at Atlanta United, affected the team?
The truth is that I am very happy and excited about this new chapter we are about to begin. He is the first Mexican head coach for Atlanta United, a young mind who does things well. He enjoyed the Seattle Sounders as an assistant coach and the team noted that. He has a strong mentality with the ambitions to revolutionize. We as a group are very happy, and the point will be to place Atlanta United in the top positions on the conference table.
Do you think that with another Mexican addition to the team, a larger Spanish-speaking culture will begin to form within Atlanta United?
Yes, I think here in Atlanta there is a large Latin people who love football, unlike what you hear about the United States which simply focused on the NFL, NBA or MLB. Major League Soccer has grown enormously over the years, we have an average of about 50,000 to 70,000 fans per match. As for the developed Mexican culture, I think Pineda’s arrival is likely to open the doors for more to come.
When discussing the bridge between Mexican and American leagues, what are the innate differences between Liga MX and Major League Soccer as players?
I think MLS is a league that has grown enormously, from athletics to the structural aspect of stadiums, training facilities and organization. In many ways, the league is first world. Several well-known managers have begun to mention that the American league is growing in Europe. Major League Soccer has progressed, but until they defeat a Mexican side in the Concacaf Champions League, it can not be said that they have surpassed the Liga MX. But they are well on their way. As the rivalry between the leagues intensifies, the level of competition and competence grows at both ends. The international tournaments will also benefit Mexican fans in the United States as they hope to see their teams like America, Tigres or Chivas play in their cities. International tournaments benefit both sides and I would love to see more.
Next week, the two leagues are waiting for the first cross-border All-Star game ever, who do you have as favorites to win?
Yes, it’s the first time it’s played in this format, and I think it gives it a special flavor to be against Mexico. It’s pretty even in my eyes, Mexico brings a lot of good players although some numbers will be left out due to injuries, but their choice is huge. MLS also has fantastic players like Vela, Nani, Chicharito and Pulido, and I think Major League Soccer might take home this opportunity. Who knows, nothing is ever completely decided and anything can happen on the pitch.
We know there is a connection between Atlanta United and the Mexican national team with Tata Martino, have you talked to him recently about a call to the team?
I initially talked to Profe Tata when I was at Tigres. He came to visit and I had the opportunity to talk to him about several things. The main subject was regularity with my team. We know he has a special relationship with Atlanta United, having been crowned champion during his first year with the club. I talked to him when I came across a rented property, but nothing from the international team recently. The most important thing, and something I have always thought is that I have to be stable with my team and in good shape, score goals and record assists. I think doing everything right will lead to a conversation on your own. Being good with my club allows me to become an alternative. I want to end this tournament well because the World Cup is just around the corner and we all want to be the ones playing it.
Finally, what can you afford for young Mexican players who want to come and play in the United States?
I’ve heard this question a lot and been asked how I came to Atlanta United, but the truth is that the American league has many complications for players in how it is formed. There are many rules to go through, such as the salary cap, where you can only pay a certain amount for one player. There is also something called discovery, where each team must list players they found or liked and only those clubs may start negotiating. In my case, there were three clubs that presented me for negotiations: Houston Dynamo, Minnesota United and Atlanta United. I talked to all three teams, but after discussions, I realized that Atlanta was the best option because of the big fans, the culture, the stadium and the city. But only the three clubs got to talk to me, it’s not like international football where any club can approach you with a deal. It will definitely be harder for any player to join the league, but MLS realizes the potential a Mexican player can give a team. They know it is a very attractive option. I have been here for almost a year and a half and I am very happy here. I have learned a lot at this stage of my career and hope to stay much longer.
