Isn’t this what American soccer is all about? Everyone doubting us, backs against the wall, saying we can’t do this or do that. It’s been the USA soccer mantra for awhile now – us against the world, the ultimate underdog.
An old friend always says, “know thyself”, and that statement couldn’t be more true when it comes to the current state of the USMNT. Brian Straus’s article earlier this week raised a lot of eyebrows, but for those that have followed Jurgen Klinsmann’s managerial career, it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise. During Klinsmann’s tenure with Germany, Bayern Munich, and now the United States, he has been quick to add bells and whistles to the mix: newest technology for tracking fitness, motivational speakers, nutritionists, but yet his tactics and game management have frequently been questioned. Klinsmann has spoken about playing a better brand of soccer. That is, more free-flowing, improving players’ comfort level on the ball. His words sound great, if it were working. And though results have been positive, the games have mostly been dire to watch.
This brings us back to “know thyself”. While Klinsmann has been quick to build a “new” USMNT, he needs to remember what has made the team successful in the past. His two best results, wins away to Mexico and Italy, didn’t showcase the Klisnmann style, but followed the same formula that national team supporters have come to expect: great goalkeeping, an organized back four, a compact midfield that can open up wide to be dangerous on the counterattack, the ability to finish created chance, and lastly, a highly motivated team working together, playing with their heart on their sleeve.
An old friend always says, “know thyself”, and that statement couldn’t be more true when it comes to the current state of the USMNT. Brian Straus’s article earlier this week raised a lot of eyebrows, but for those that have followed Jurgen Klinsmann’s managerial career, it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise. During Klinsmann’s tenure with Germany, Bayern Munich, and now the United States, he has been quick to add bells and whistles to the mix: newest technology for tracking fitness, motivational speakers, nutritionists, but yet his tactics and game management have frequently been questioned. Klinsmann has spoken about playing a better brand of soccer. That is, more free-flowing, improving players’ comfort level on the ball. His words sound great, if it were working. And though results have been positive, the games have mostly been dire to watch.
This brings us back to “know thyself”. While Klinsmann has been quick to build a “new” USMNT, he needs to remember what has made the team successful in the past. His two best results, wins away to Mexico and Italy, didn’t showcase the Klisnmann style, but followed the same formula that national team supporters have come to expect: great goalkeeping, an organized back four, a compact midfield that can open up wide to be dangerous on the counterattack, the ability to finish created chance, and lastly, a highly motivated team working together, playing with their heart on their sleeve.
Klinsmann should be commended for trying to raise the standard of the national team, but he can’t do that without accepting the foundation it has been built on. That is his mistake. Have the lackluster performances against Canada and Honduras finally opened Klinsmann’s eyes? A coach can be measured in many ways, but one strength of a coach is the ability to recognize when things are going wrong, be strong enough to admit it as well as strong enough to change. These are two defining games for Jurgen Klinsmann. On Friday night, he needs to face the media with three points in his pocket, or that smile of his might go on a longer sabbatical than Landon Donovan’s playing career.
Against Costa Rica Klinsmann has another opportunity to show his worth as the manager of the United States, but he isn’t the only one that will be analyzed. In a week where anonymous quotes have stolen the headlines, the spotlight will also be squarely on the players – as it should be. A week filled with controversy, along with missing key players, and a new captain named - it would be easy to make the case that the odds are against the United States. But isn’t that just the way we like it?
Against Costa Rica Klinsmann has another opportunity to show his worth as the manager of the United States, but he isn’t the only one that will be analyzed. In a week where anonymous quotes have stolen the headlines, the spotlight will also be squarely on the players – as it should be. A week filled with controversy, along with missing key players, and a new captain named - it would be easy to make the case that the odds are against the United States. But isn’t that just the way we like it?
A little over 16,000 supporters will cram into Dick Sporting Goods Park to cheer on the red, white, and blue. It’s been a rocky week, but this is a World Cup Qualifier, not some throw away game up in Boulder. Expect the crowd to be over served from a long day of March Madness, thirsty for soccer, while the players out to prove their own worth to each other, a manager, and the supporters. In a week with players hidden behind quotes, look for Herc, Dempsey, Bradley, and Guzan to steal the show and once again put the stars and stripes back on the right the road to Brazil.
Jurgen, know thyUSMNT, and keep a defender on Bryan Ruiz.
Jurgen, know thyUSMNT, and keep a defender on Bryan Ruiz.
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