Klinsmann ready for US start
Source: Agencies |
August 11, 2011, Thursday
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LESS than two weeks after he was hired to jolt a program plagued by lackluster results, Jurgen Klinsmann faces his first test as US coach tonight in a friendly against Mexico.
"Jumping into a game this right away is not an easy task, but it's an exciting one," Klinsmann said on Tuesday.
Klinsmann, one of the greatest players Germany has ever produced, was put in charge of making the US competitive again in the World Cup. After reaching the round of 16 at last year's World Cup, the Americans took a step backward this year. They were routed by Spain in early June, upset by Panama in Gold Cup group play and then blew a two-goal lead against Mexico before losing the Gold Cup final, costing Bob Bradley his coaching job. The early, real early, returns are promising.
Klinsmann says he's encouraged by the positive attitudes and talent after only a few days of camp. He jumped into training camp with an open mind about who could become impact players, and where the pipeline needs more prospects.
Young talent
Some of the best US players, Landon Donovan, captain Carlos Bocanegra, defender Steve Cherundolo, Clint Dempsey, are aging, and the US didn't have the best track record of developing promising young talent under Bradley. At least, not enough of it. Klinsmann wants to find the next Donovan; the new generation of goalkeepers.
If Mexico is the focus this week, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil never seemed too far out of his thoughts.
"I need to make sure the right people are in place," he said.
The Gold Cup loss to Mexico was a sign that the US team's progress had stalled under Bradley. The US almost hired Klinsmann twice, first after the 2006 World Cup and again last year before giving Bradley what turned out to be a short-lived contract extension.
Bradley's son Michael, a midfielder, described his fired father as a "strong guy" who handled the news like a pro.
"It's part of the game," Michael Bradley said. "Nobody would have expected he was going to be here 20 years. You know that going in. My dad, more than anybody, realized that. He was always committed to work as hard as he could and doing whatever he could to help the national team while he was here."
Now it's Klinsmann's turn.
"Jumping into a game this right away is not an easy task, but it's an exciting one," Klinsmann said on Tuesday.
Klinsmann, one of the greatest players Germany has ever produced, was put in charge of making the US competitive again in the World Cup. After reaching the round of 16 at last year's World Cup, the Americans took a step backward this year. They were routed by Spain in early June, upset by Panama in Gold Cup group play and then blew a two-goal lead against Mexico before losing the Gold Cup final, costing Bob Bradley his coaching job. The early, real early, returns are promising.
Klinsmann says he's encouraged by the positive attitudes and talent after only a few days of camp. He jumped into training camp with an open mind about who could become impact players, and where the pipeline needs more prospects.
Young talent
Some of the best US players, Landon Donovan, captain Carlos Bocanegra, defender Steve Cherundolo, Clint Dempsey, are aging, and the US didn't have the best track record of developing promising young talent under Bradley. At least, not enough of it. Klinsmann wants to find the next Donovan; the new generation of goalkeepers.
If Mexico is the focus this week, the 2014 World Cup in Brazil never seemed too far out of his thoughts.
"I need to make sure the right people are in place," he said.
The Gold Cup loss to Mexico was a sign that the US team's progress had stalled under Bradley. The US almost hired Klinsmann twice, first after the 2006 World Cup and again last year before giving Bradley what turned out to be a short-lived contract extension.
Bradley's son Michael, a midfielder, described his fired father as a "strong guy" who handled the news like a pro.
"It's part of the game," Michael Bradley said. "Nobody would have expected he was going to be here 20 years. You know that going in. My dad, more than anybody, realized that. He was always committed to work as hard as he could and doing whatever he could to help the national team while he was here."
Now it's Klinsmann's turn.
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