CARSON, Calif. – Miguel Ibarra has made just one appearance for the US national team, but Jurgen Klinsmann is so impressed that he says the NASL-based midfielder is “getting closer and closer to a starting spot.”
Ibarra, the NASL's Golden Ball winner as MVP last season with Minnesota United FC, aims to win his second cap in Sunday's friendly against Panama at StubHub Center (4 pm ET, ESPN and UniMas) after sitting on the bench during last week's defeat in Chile. But no matter his playing time for the Yanks, he's being groomed for a key role ahead, the US head coach says.
“He has a lot of cards in his pockets,” Klinsmann said. “He's an endless runner, he can tie up [defenders], he's technically very gifted, he has a great vision, he sees through people to play the killer balls, he's not afraid in front of the goal to finish things himself. There's a huge amount of talent there, and what he's in the middle of that process is he's developing a personality.
“So for him, the biggest step is develop the personality and the confidence to show everybody who you are. Every camp, he gets stronger. Every time he comes in, he's another level. And this is what we want to see from Miguel.”
Ibarra, who grew up in the high desert north of Los Angeles and starred at UC Irvine, joined Minnesota United after the Portland Timbers, who selected him in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft, declined to sign him after a preseason trial.
He's been a top player in the NASL, becoming the first lower-division player called up to the national team in nearly a decade when Klinsmann invited him into camp ahead of last October's friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras.
Ibarra debuted against Honduras and was in camp, but did not play, for the November friendlies against Colombia and Ireland.
“It was definitely a surprise,” Ibarra said of the initial invitation. “I was caught off-guard. I didn't know if it was a prank or not.”
No, no prank, and Klinsmann likes what he sees from the playmaker/winger in training.
“[Klinsmann’s] just telling me I'm doing great, to keep it up,” Ibarra said. “Just be more confident. He sees a lot of potential in me, just wants me to be more confident, go at players, and he knows I can do it.”
Klinsmann has no qualms that Ibarra is playing in the country's second-division league.
“He needs to get games week in and week out,” Klinsmann said. “He gets those games with Minnesota, and I have sent several people to his games, and he's running it there. He's doing well. He's confident there. He has a contract for another two years, so I'm not telling him, 'Leave your contract and go somewhere else.' That's totally up to him. I'm fine with it, playing for Minnesota.”
There is a buyout clause in the contract, Ibarra says, but no MLS team has made contact or expressed interest – he'd heard rumors that Orlando City SC were interested, but nothing came of it – and he hasn't sought opportunities abroad.
“The level [in the NASL] is great for me,” he said. “There's a lot of good players in that league. You never know, maybe somebody else gets called up this year. I see it more that players can't get into an MLS environment, so they go down to NASL.”
He plays in the No. 10 spot and on the flank for Minnesota and has been on the wing during the US camp that opened Jan. 12.
“It's fun to watch that kid,” Klinsmann said. “He's a good listener. He's hungry. He's on the right path.”
