The World Cup is finally here, and Jurgen Klinsmann doesn’t think Team USA can actually win the tournament. But he’s playing the long game, trying to set up Team USA for long-term success.
As you gear up for the tournament, you should check out this in-depth profile of Klinsmann and his approach. With the release of Landon Donovan, Klinsmann has shown that he’s not afraid to take responsibility for his approach, and he’ll take quite a bit of heat if Team USA falls flat in Brazil.
But Klinsmann wanted the most dedicated and fit players, and Donovan didn’t fit that mold. Many have disagreed with the decision, and when you see teams like Italy relying on aging but crafty veterans like Pirlo you have to question this decision.
But Klinsmann has a plan. Now we’ll see how it works.
Here’s an interview with Landon Donovan from August 2012 where he discusses Team USA, Jurgen Klinsmann and the 2014 World Cup. It’s interesting hearing his take on the aggressive he expected from Klinsmann and how this preceded the winning streak that led the United States to the 2014 World Cup.
Donovan is a class act, but more importantly he’s the kind of player that can help Team USA do some damage on the world stage.
Soccer is booming in towns like Seattle, and Seattle was rockin’ the other night when Team USA defeated Panama to basically ensure a trip to the 2014 World Cup. This article captures the frenzy that existed in Seattle for the game.
It may have been just a friendly, but this was a nice win.
Yes, it was only a friendly, and yes, this was Germany’s B or C team, and yes, the U.S. nearly bungled a 4-1 lead, but you can’t deny that beating Germany anytime, anywhere is something you have every right to feel good about. On a day when U.S. Soccer was celebrating its 100th anniversary, Jurgen Klinsmann’s team had one of the more impressive performances of his tenure, not just beating Germany but displaying some of the entertaining, dangerous playing style that Klinsmann promised when he took over in 2011. Clint Dempsey (two gorgeous goals) and Jozy Altidore (a terrific opening strike) played with the verve they have shown over the last two seasons in European club soccer, and a U.S. team that was bulldozed 4-2 by Belgium on Wednesday will now carry some much-needed confidence into three upcoming World Cup qualifiers. If the Americans can attack this way and play better defense on Friday in Jamaica, they’ll take three points and avenge Klinsmann’s worst loss, a 2-1 qualifying defeat last September.
