By Jacob Klinger

Being otherwise unoccupied, Jermaine Jones was called into the US National Team camp on Thursday. Jones, who is challenging for a place in Klinsmann's first XI, promises to raise the level of play in a camp generally reserved for MLS regulars. Yet for what advantages his presence might generate, the mere action of Klinsmann adding Jones to the camp roster sends a highly questionable message to the young national team aspirants around him.

Jones was recently handed an eight-week suspension by the German federation for stomping on the injured toe of Borussia Moenchengladbach's rising star, Marco Reus. It was well known prior to that German Cup match that Reus's toe was broken. During a dispute with the referee, Jones jogged around a crowd of players, approached Reus, and deliberately stepped on his injured foot. The incident can be seen around the :10 mark of the following video.

The act went unseen and unpunished by the match official, but after the match it was reviewed by the federation's disciplinary committee, resulting in the suspension. By calling up the estranged midfielder, Klinsmann has stained the usually pristine character of the national team. Though it is sometimes stated backhandedly, the US national team is often applauded for its fair play. A strong work ethic and relative lack of simulation, coupled with a history of abstaining from the sort of behavior Jones recently engaged in, has been a trademark of the team for some time.

The reflexive defense of Jones states that he was acting out of passion in the heat of a hotly-contested game. Had Jones gone in late on a tackle hard and studs up, extended a forearm fighting for a header, or even attempted one of the many laughable headbutts that mire the game, such an argument would hold much more weight. Unfortunately this was not the case with Jones. Play had been stopped, players were arguing, and Jones made the decision to walk around a crowd of players, enter the fray, approach Reus and stomp on his foot. A foot that Jones, Reus, and anyone else who follows German soccer, knew was injured. What Jones did was much closer to pre-meditated assault than a crime of passion.

And while American national team players have been far from saints - Mathis, Dempsey, and Clark have all been said to have acted out - one would be hard-pressed to recall such unsporting behavior being associated with the US. As cliche and overstated as the "blue collar" honesty of American ideals may be, they have certainly taken root in the country's soccer team. Of course Jozy Altidore and many other American attackers would gladly go down in the box if they thought they could draw a PK - hate the game, not the player - but Jones's attack on Reus is the sort of foul play more often seen in the ranks of rightfully despised foes such as Guatemala, or even Mexico. Klinsmann has promised to help mold together the various elements of American soccer culture. What Jones did is certainly not apart of it.

Yet when Jones meets up with Klinsmann's squad in Carson he will be the most senior member of the squad by far. He will also have the opportunity to stay in shape and parttake in Klinsmann's evolving project that is the US national team. Naturally, due to his talent and accomplishments he will inevitably take on a leadership role, even if only on the field. Jones does deserve some credit for apologizing after the incident, but does a player who would intentionally attempt to injure an already-ailing foe truly deserve such a role, much less a place in the squad? The 21 other players currently working under Klinsmann, trying to get to what the head coach has called the "next level," will almost certainly be wondering the very same thing. 

Jacob Klinger is a regular contributor to Soccer 365 as well as No Short Corners. He is currently a journalism student at Syracuse University. His love for the game goes back as far as he can remember, but was truly christened during the United States' cardiac qualifying campaign for Korea/Japan 2002. Between classes and columns, he still plays. You can follow him on Twitter @MrJacobK or email him at jmklinge@syr.edu. 

HAVE YOUR SAY ... Let us know what you think about the crime and punishment of Jermaine Jones and what Klinsmann's place is in that process. Are you compromised as a fan or is Klinsmann just helping the team? Don't hold back.