SEATTLE — Jonathan Bornstein says he’s open to returning to Major League Soccer if the opportunity presents itself.
The former United States international has found playing time hard to come by in Mexico, and after a rare start for Tigres UANL on Tuesday, he admitted that a potential return to Chivas USA has piqued his interest.
The Goats recently acquired Bornstein’s rights via trade with the Portland Timbers, who took a flier on the World Cup veteran in the 2010 MLS Expansion Draft. Bornstein left Chivas USA for a career in Mexico following the 2010 season. Originally from Torrance, Calif., Bornstein began his career with Chivas in 2006, when he was named the MLS Rookie of the Year.
“It’s great to have my rights back at Chivas, my hometown,” Bornstein told MLSsoccer.com after Tigres’ loss to Seattle in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. “If I go back, it would be great to play in front of my family and friends again.
“Obviously I like to keep my doors open. I’d like to go back eventually to MLS and play. Most Americans want to do that, play in their home league. It would be an option if it came up.”
READ: Chivas USA boss says Bornstein not in the plans for 2013
Until then, Bornstein says he’s adjusting well to life in Mexico, even though he’s only made nine Liga MX appearances since joining Tigres in 2011. Bornstein has taken the opportunity to learn Spanish – saying he’s now “85-90 percent” fluent – and enjoying the Mexican lifestyle.
“I’ve been training really well every day, same thing, I go in, I work hard, like I have always done throughout my career,” he said. “I think we have an amazing team, is what the situation boils down to. I’m just kind of waiting for my chance. I’m not getting a lot of minutes, so maybe there could be interest in a change, somewhere I can get some minutes. Who knows?”
Despite the disappointing result, Bornstein played reasonably well and his pass along the left sideline helped set up Tigres’ lone goal of the night. Going down a man on the road with so few experienced players, however, proved to be too much for Tigres to handle.
“For [MLS], it’s a good sign,” Bornstein said. “For us, it should be a learning experience and we have to analyze what went wrong.”
Between the Lines: Passive Offside
