The first few months of the Klinsmann era weren’t as successful as many might have hoped in terms of wins and losses, but after ending the 2011 calendar with a respectable 1-0 defeat in France and a solid 3-2 win in Slovenia, there’s definite positive momentum heading into 2012.
The slate for next year is far from finalized, but it will give fans an opportunity to gauge just how much progression is being made and who will play significant roles going forward, as along with multiple friendly matches, the U.S. will begin their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign in the summer.
Showing posts with label USMNT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USMNT. Show all posts
Juergen Klinsmann came to the US National Team with some big ideas. He preached patience, saying he was going to need time to experiment with several different kinds of lineups, formations and tactics. If given time, he justified, he would find the right combination of players to play an attacking style of soccer that was uniquely American.
Then what’s all this “we don’t want to shake up the core structure of the team too much” crap?
Three matches into his USMNT managerial tenure, Klinsi has already found the core of his squad. Through five matches, Klinsmann has capped a total of 26 players with only Danny Williams earning his first ever cap for the US national team. Bob Bradley capped 37 different players in just his first four matches.
For someone who seemed to be preaching sweeping changes, a lot seems to be staying the same. While we continue to see many of the same old faces, young guns like Mix Diskerud, and Josh Gatt can’t even get a sniff of camp.
Logically, all three fit the Klinsmann call-up criteria: starting every week for their clubs at a respectable level. Josh Gatt is first XI for the soon-to-be Norwegian champions and Diskerud has amassed 75 appearances for Stabek in Norway since his first team career started in 2008, becoming one of Stabek’s most important cogs. Diskerud and Gatt also are rumored to have clubs in the very best European leagues after them
So what gives, Juergen? These players play at positions with anything but certainty when it comes to the USMNT, so why aren’t they getting their chance?
At first instinct, you might say Klinsmann doesn’t value youth. Not true. To the contrary, Klinsmann loves youth in his squads. 11 of Klinsmann’s German 23 man roster for the 2006 World Cup were age 25 or younger. Also, on his scouting trip to Germany last month, he took time out to observe and talk to Joe Gyau and Charles Renken, two American youth players at Hoffenheim. Simply, he certainly does not shy away from young players.
When Klisnmann was hired, he said he would establish a new soccer culture. He’s European-ized things about the national team like assigning the starters numbers 1-11 or putting his initials on his coaching clothing. Aside from the fashion changes, though, the biggest change Klinsmann is trying to hard wire into the new American soccer culture is the vitality of the youth national team system.
It’s no secret Klinsmann spearheaded the effort to streamline and invest in the German youth national teams during his time as the German manager. Such efforts on his part resulted in players like Thomas Muller making near-seamless transitions into the full national team. Based on these successes, I pose he’s making a similar effort in the United States.
Skeptical? Wondering why he would spend so much time on the youth teams when the senior team is reeling? You’re in good company. Here’s my best attempt at justifying investing in youth.
The obvious first question to ask is, “why is investing in the youth system important to the full national team?” Let’s take Spain for example. Within 14 months, Spain won the World Cup, the U-21 EURO and U-19 EURO tournaments. Needless to say, they’re a shining example of what a youth program should be about.
Having said all that, try and guess how many members of Spain’s World Cup winning squad never made an appearance for a youth national team. Go on, guess.
I give up. Zero. Not a single member of their World Cup winning squad went without making an appearance for a youth national team. In fact, the average number of youth national team levels represented by a player on Spain’s World Cup team was 3.5. Andres Iniesta represented a team-high seven levels followed by Iker Casillas and Fernando Torres with six. Gerard Pique, Xavi Hernandez, Juan Mata and David Silva follow up with 5 and three others have represented four levels.
What’s the largest number of levels a 2010 US World Cup player represented? Three. Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Jonathan Spector and Jozy Altidore played at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels. A quarter of the US roster never appeared for any youth national team. Putting that in perspective, only a quarter of Spain’s World Cup roster appeared at less than three youth levels. Four players represented one level and two represented two levels.
There are many excuses for this disparity. The size of the United States makes identifying top talent at the U-15 and U-17 levels extremely difficult. Additionally, Spain has eight total youth levels players can represent whereas the US only has five. It’s unreasonable to expect Klinsmann to establish new youth national team levels, but he can do our YNT system a big favor by synchronizing those levels. This means, ideally, once a player ages out of or becomes too talented for one level, they can transfer into the next level seamlessly.
All of Spain’s youth teams play a similar style, making that transition easier for players. This concept is severely lacking in the US. Since Bob Bradley was hired as national team manger (and arguably before that during the Bruce Arena era), the United States have played a defensive 4-4-2 style with the full national team, attempted Dutch total football at the U-20 level and played a Latin-American 4-3-3 style at the U-17 level, all at the same time.
Given Klinsmann’s sweeping changes to the playing style of the full national team, it’s easy to understand the attraction of calling up a young player who has already gone through the growing pains his new system rather than bringing in a new player who is entirely unfamiliar with it, making a synchronized youth system all the more alluring.
On that same note, the common denominator between the 2010 Spain and US World Cup rosters is the players who represented the most YNT levels appear to be among the best the national team has to offer. Sure, some players are late bloomers (Maurice Edu) or come out of nowhere (Jay DeMerit). Heck, David Villa played at just one level of the Spanish YNT system, but the point remains largely the same, exposure to the same system from an early age produces the best players. Remember, Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta lead Spain in levels represented and Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore and DaMarcus Beasley lead the US.
With the rumors of Caleb Porter’s hiring as the U-23 manager and Tab Ramos as the U-20 manager with a possible U-18 appointment still on the way, Klinsmann appears to be starting the process of synchronizing the US Soccer system. Like Klinsmann, Ramos and Porter favor attacking styles with emphasis on possession.
Guys like Diskerud and Gatt may not be snubbed by Klinsmann at the full national team level because of lack of skill or whatever other excuse there is, but rather he wants talent at his youth levels. Give Gatt and Diskerud two or three camps at the U-23 level and watch them transition into the full national team like they’d been there the entire time.
With the full national team, Klinsmann is trying to teach an old dog new tricks, and he knows it. Trying to get players already in their mid-20s or early 30s to play a style unfamiliar to them is like pulling teeth. Where Klinsmann is likely to leave his indelible mark on US Soccer is in introducing the new system to players as early as possible in their careers through the youth national teams.
So instead of lumping Gatt and Diskerud in with the old guard, Klinsmann may well be saving them to learn the new system along with the other young, promising and talented Americans. Don’t be surprised to see guys like Juan Agudelo or in some cases Tim Chandler, Jozy Altidore and Brek Shea go to U-23 camps when there is a full national team camp going on. This way, he can bring the youth through all at once after the Olympics, all entrenched in the system and ready to contribute to his style.
All of this requires a tremendous amount of the patience Klinsmann asked for when he was named manager of the USMNT. Given the track record of success for those countries who commit to the youth national team system, I’ll grant him that patience.
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- Jason Davis
The last one. Number five. Jared and I close out the buildup to the debut of The Best Soccer Show on the North American Soccer Network with talk about the USMNT roster and MLS. The debut of TBSS comes with giveways, sweet ones, so make sure you listen to learn how to get your chance at a copy of EA's FIFA 12 and Bumpy Pitch gear.
The new show has a Twitter feed @bestsoccershow and a Facebook page, so be sure to follow and like respectively - details for the contests are on the Facebook page.
Please share this link until you just can't share it anymore. The Best Soccer Show debuts at 8:30 PM EDT on Saturday, October 8th.
Available through the old MFUSA iTunes feed.
Download directly here.
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The last one. Number five. Jared and I close out the buildup to the debut of The Best Soccer Show on the North American Soccer Network with talk about the USMNT roster and MLS. The debut of TBSS comes with giveways, sweet ones, so make sure you listen to learn how to get your chance at a copy of EA's FIFA 12 and Bumpy Pitch gear.
The new show has a Twitter feed @bestsoccershow and a Facebook page, so be sure to follow and like respectively - details for the contests are on the Facebook page.
Please share this link until you just can't share it anymore. The Best Soccer Show debuts at 8:30 PM EDT on Saturday, October 8th.
Available through the old MFUSA iTunes feed.
Download directly here.
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One of the most common questions any US Soccer fan asks is who is going to replace Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey when they retire. They have held the attack together for the past few years and fast approaching is a time when the US will have to rely on someone other than “Deuce” or “’Cakes” for a goal when they need it.
The scary thought is this process might be happening a bit faster than we all thought. Dempsey is still performing at the highest levels and he shows no signs of slowing down, but Donovan on the other hand, is a different story.
Sure, his MLS scoring record this season has been stellar, but I would expect that from a player of his caliber playing on a MLS team that may go down as one of the best in MLS history. Where it has been noticeable his speed may be slowing a half step, though, is in his performances for the USMNT this year.
-Ben McCormick
Admittedly, it’s been awhile since my last post, so I’ll take a brief moment to toot my own horn. Fabian Johnson was stealthily called into the US squad after my piece on him. Is Juergen Klinsmann reading my writing? Probably not, but still, instant gratification feels pretty good.
On to more pressing matters. For the first time since 1980-something, the USMNT is three matches into a new regime without a win. Oh heavens no, what ever are we going to do? What use is an attacking style that doesn’t score goals?
Slow down. Let’s put this in perspective.
Juergen was hired with precious few days to prepare for a friendly against Mexico. He spoke of the growing pains that would occur, almost promising fans there would be speed bumps on the road to qualifying, and Mexico looked to be as tough of a match as any US fan could ask for. In the words of a friend of mine, “no good can come of this,” and yet, somehow, it did.
Admittedly, it’s been awhile since my last post, so I’ll take a brief moment to toot my own horn. Fabian Johnson was stealthily called into the US squad after my piece on him. Is Juergen Klinsmann reading my writing? Probably not, but still, instant gratification feels pretty good.
On to more pressing matters. For the first time since 1980-something, the USMNT is three matches into a new regime without a win. Oh heavens no, what ever are we going to do? What use is an attacking style that doesn’t score goals?
Slow down. Let’s put this in perspective.
Juergen was hired with precious few days to prepare for a friendly against Mexico. He spoke of the growing pains that would occur, almost promising fans there would be speed bumps on the road to qualifying, and Mexico looked to be as tough of a match as any US fan could ask for. In the words of a friend of mine, “no good can come of this,” and yet, somehow, it did.
Say what you will about the positives Juergen Klinsmann has brought to the USMNT, there are still some things he can't change, like the US player pool...or can he? Although he may not be able to magically produce eleven world class American players, he is in a unique position to cure one of the US's most painful ailments: left back.
Enter Fabian Johnson, the 23 year old German-American left back at Bundesliga club Hoffenheim. Only a couple short years ago, Johnson was playing for the German U-21 team at the UEFA Championship, having just completed another solid season at 1860 Munich, starting 33 matches, scoring two goals and notching seven assists in the process. He then made the big jump to then Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg where his promising career hit a sizable speed bump.
In his first season at Wolfsburg, he played in ten matches, starting only six. The following season, he played in just seven matches, with Wolfsburg's lack of European competition putting the squeeze on his playing time.
At the beginning of this summer, he transferred from Wolfsburg to Hoffenheim for €600k, where general manager Ernst Tanner expects big things, calling Fabian a "very talented and very versatile full-back." And Johnson is already fulfilling those expectations.
A little bonus American Soccer Show action for you. After getting together with Jared to chat with Brian Straus of The Sporting News, we decided it was a good idea to put out a bonus episode rather than hold on to it over the weekend.
In here is a lot of great stuff from Brian on Klinsmann's debut, the new feeling around the team , Freddy to Philly, and more. After finishing up with Brian, Jared and I stick around to chat a bit about the news that Robbie Keane could be headed to LA.
Thanks, as always, for listening. Make sure you like and comment at the Facebook page and hit us up on Twitter via the AmSoc account.
Rating and comments in iTunes are always greatly, greatly appreciated.
Visit the show website for other links of interest.
The demonstrative enthusiasm Jurgen Klinsmann brings to US Soccer was palpable last night from my seat in the second row behind the United States bench at Lincoln Financial Field. For those who felt that Bob Bradley was robotic and displayed little emotion and joy for the game, the first match of the Klinsmann era at least showed that there will be some smiles and fun in the US camp. Seeing the new coach standing prominently on the sideline in support of the players, rallying the team to put higher pressure on the Mexican defense, celebrating the goal, and greeting the substitutes with affection like a proud father, I was heartened by the new direction of the US Men’s National Team, and hopefully the entire program.
I'm struck today - after my maudlin ramble last night that was mostly down to putting fingers to keyboard at halftime and then changing course mid-stream - by the thing on which so many people are focused after the Americans managed to salvage a draw against Mexico last night in Philadelphia. It's not any perceived change in philosophy, or the play of any individual player, but the attitude of the new head coach. Jurgen, he's ebullient, and people are smitten.
- Jason Davis
You're a rational person. You understand how this game works, with its subtle interminable nuances and unruly moving parts. You understand that change is rarely quick, is never easy, and doesn't happen merely because you wish it to, and particularly not on this level with its stop-start nature. Executing a fundamental shift in approach and philosophy is a like turning around a speeding vehicle going 100 mph; if you want to do it without putting yourself in the hospital you have to do it gradually, and with patience.
You're a rational person. You understand how this game works, with its subtle interminable nuances and unruly moving parts. You understand that change is rarely quick, is never easy, and doesn't happen merely because you wish it to, and particularly not on this level with its stop-start nature. Executing a fundamental shift in approach and philosophy is a like turning around a speeding vehicle going 100 mph; if you want to do it without putting yourself in the hospital you have to do it gradually, and with patience.
August 10 is going to be like leaving for a family vacation somewhere far away.
The bags are packed, you and the rest of the family are crammed into what space is left, and daddy Juergen is going to put the family truckster in gear and leave the driveway, ready for the long road trip ahead. Before the car leaves the driveway you ask him if he needs a map, to which he says, "don't worry, I know where I'm going" and you have no choice but to trust him.
This is a fairly common and often humorous situation, a man not asking for or seeking directions. In addition to being a joke that usually ends with elbows in the ribs of husbands and fathers everywhere, it also serves as a good metaphor for where the USMNT is right now. We know where we want to go (Brazil 2014 with a uniquely American playing style and youth system to match) and who is in charge of getting us there, but the journey itself is difficult to predict.
- Jason Davis
It was never easy with Bob Bradley. He tested our patience constantly, made things complicated, failed to ever give us reason to feel comfortable with this stewardship of our beloved national team. He mumbled, hmm'd, hawed, and fussed his way through each and every press conference he ever gave. How a coach performs for the press has nothing to do with his ability to successfully coach a team. But it doesn't get motors running in the fan base, either.
It was never easy with Bob Bradley. He tested our patience constantly, made things complicated, failed to ever give us reason to feel comfortable with this stewardship of our beloved national team. He mumbled, hmm'd, hawed, and fussed his way through each and every press conference he ever gave. How a coach performs for the press has nothing to do with his ability to successfully coach a team. But it doesn't get motors running in the fan base, either.
Last week got away from me, and I completely forgot to post show 80. If you missed it, here's the link to the show's blog page.
But here's show 81. Jared and I convened immediately following the US Women's National Team's amazing win over Brazil in the quaterfinals of the Women's World Cup. We couldn't possibly bury the lead, so we fired out of the blocks talking about the game and the USWNT with Joan Stewart of Cross-Conference. We talk about the match itself as well as the issues facing the US in the women's game, before resolving just to revel in the victory. I don't exaggerate when I say it was one of the most enthralling sporting events I've ever watched.
Segment two begins with some talk about the notion that Mexico's young talent somehow puts pressure on the US - like we're directly affected by Mexico having talent at the U-17 level. Jared and I go back and forth, and while I agree Mexico is wining the battle at the moment, I don't see how that implies the US has to "respond." We should always trying to get better, regardless of what our rival is doing. Listen as I make an analogy about spinning wheels...
We also wonder why US Soccer would schedule a USA-Mexico friendly so soon after the deflating loss in the Gold Cup final.
Jared rolls into a talk about the value of the MLS All-Star Game. There's only so much the league gets out of the event, and it might not work anymore. There's a Catch-22 in there, with MLS needed to bring attention (and cash) to the league while maintaining a sense of competitive legitimacy. The All-Star Game rides the line.
Refereeing in the league continues to be a problem, and while it's dead-horse territory, recent matches bring it back as a topic for discussion. Should MLS be looking to take over the refereeing situation? Jared wonders if letting USSF handle it gives MLS a measure of deniability. That doesn't fly for me.
We close segment two with an email. There's pro/rel stuff in there, but it's really about snobbery and whether Americans who ignore MLS are right to. Listen for our answer, though I'm sure you can guess.
Finally, we take a stab at a couple players who might surprisingly show up in the 2014 World Cup team despite being relative unknowns right now, on the suggestion of a listener at the Facebook page.
As always, thanks for listening. Make sure you like and comment at the Facebook page and hit us up on Twitter via the AmSoc account and the CSRN network account.
Rating and comments in iTunes are always greatly, greatly appreciated. It just takes a few minutes and will help us climb the charts or something.
Visit the show website for other links of interest.
-Ben McCormick
Let's fix American soccer.
Right here, right now. By the end of this post, you will know exactly how the USMNT will get to where it should be: firmly above Mexico, challenging the world powers consistently. It's a long post, but I swear, by the end you'll know exactly how to fix it.
Let's fix American soccer.
Right here, right now. By the end of this post, you will know exactly how the USMNT will get to where it should be: firmly above Mexico, challenging the world powers consistently. It's a long post, but I swear, by the end you'll know exactly how to fix it.
- Jason Davis
Who wants to hear Jared and I attempt to understand what happened on Saturday night while people jump in on the phones in to call for Bob Bradley's head? You, that's who.
It only seemed appropriate to take the show live immediately following the Gold Cup final, the better to capture the visceral feelings of the fans. When we made the decision to do a live post-game show in the middle of the week, we had hope that it would be a celebratory show where we could all bask in the glory of US victory over Mexico. Alas, it was not to be.
With the pain of the loss sharper thanks to letting a two goal slip away and then letting Gio Dos Santos - blech - throw salt in the would, the people were fired up to talk. We take our first call within minutes of starting the show, and everything rolls on from there.
The question of Bob Bradley's job is a running them, naturally, but we also hit on several other topics. It's impossible to deny that Steve Cherundolo's injury changed that game, and there's plenty of conversation on Bob's choice to insert Jonathan Bornstein.
It's mostly doom and gloom, as you might expect, but we try to look at a few silver linings. Freddy Adu seems to be one. There's a few minutes in there we were consider his revival.
As always, thanks for listening. Make sure you like and comment at the Facebook page and hit us up on Twitter via the AmSoc account and the CSRN network account.
Rating and comments in iTunes are always greatly, greatly appreciated. It just takes a few minutes and will help us climb the charts or something.
Visit the show website for other links of interest.
With the Gold Cup over and both Jared and I a bit spent from the extra shows and, dare I say, intensity of the tournament, we'll be back on our regular schedule, and to add topics to the discussion list (which has read "USMNT" and nothing else for some time now) next week.
You asked, we delivered. Another live midweek show to cover the Gold Cup happenings. Jared and I took to the UStream channel last night to talk about the USMNT's win over Panama and American chances against Mexico on Saturday.
The theme of the show: Three Questions.
1. Should Donovan start?
2. Is Mexico beatable?
3. Do you have faith that Bob Bradley will get it right on Saturday?
Jared and I spend the open talking about those questions and a few others, our thoughts on what happened against Panama, and what the personnel changes might mean for the game against Mexico.
Segment two is open lines, with callers coming fast furious and everyone answering the three questions we laid out at the top.
We close with a bit of opinion on the Revs supporters' dustup over the weekend.
Thanks for listening. Make sure you like and comment at the Facebook page and hit us up on Twitter via the AmSoc account and the much improved CSRN account.
Rating and comments in iTunes are always greatly, greatly appreciated. It just takes a few minutes.
Visit the show website for other links of interest.
The theme of the show: Three Questions.
1. Should Donovan start?
2. Is Mexico beatable?
3. Do you have faith that Bob Bradley will get it right on Saturday?
Jared and I spend the open talking about those questions and a few others, our thoughts on what happened against Panama, and what the personnel changes might mean for the game against Mexico.
Segment two is open lines, with callers coming fast furious and everyone answering the three questions we laid out at the top.
We close with a bit of opinion on the Revs supporters' dustup over the weekend.
Thanks for listening. Make sure you like and comment at the Facebook page and hit us up on Twitter via the AmSoc account and the much improved CSRN account.
Rating and comments in iTunes are always greatly, greatly appreciated. It just takes a few minutes.
Visit the show website for other links of interest.
Join MFUSA for a full day of American soccer live blogging.
Starting at 3:45 ET, MFUSA US Youth National Team writer Ben McCormick will host a live blog of the US U17 World Cup team's match against Uzbekistan (ESPN3, kickoff at 4 ET).
*Update*
Looks like Ben will be tied up until the 20th minute or so. If you want to step in for Ben until he arrives, shoot me an email at matchfitusa@gmail.com.
We'll roll on from there to the senior side's Gold Cup semifinal showdown with Panama (FSC 7 PM ET), where Jason will be in to provide commentary.
Starting at 3:45 ET, MFUSA US Youth National Team writer Ben McCormick will host a live blog of the US U17 World Cup team's match against Uzbekistan (ESPN3, kickoff at 4 ET).
*Update*
Looks like Ben will be tied up until the 20th minute or so. If you want to step in for Ben until he arrives, shoot me an email at matchfitusa@gmail.com.
We'll roll on from there to the senior side's Gold Cup semifinal showdown with Panama (FSC 7 PM ET), where Jason will be in to provide commentary.
This post is poorly timed, seeing how Fathers' Day was yesterday and the best time to profess your appreciation for the man that both provided one half of your DNA and raised you is, naturally, on the day set aside for doing just that.
The USA managed to rebound from a distressing 1-0 win over Guadaloupe with an emphatic 2-0 win over Jamaica on Sunday afternoon at RFK. Jared and I took to UStream immediately after the match to give our impressions, get fan reaction, and consider what has changed since last week in Kansas City.
Thanks for listening. Make sure you like and comment at the Facebook page and hit us up on Twitter via the AmSoc account and the much improved CSRN account.
Rating and comments in iTunes are always greatly, greatly appreciated. It just takes a few minutes.
Visit the show website for other links of interest.
Also, share the hell out of the show if you don't mind. Thanks.
