The Jurgen Klinsmann Era Has Begun

U.S.A vs Mexico
Wednesday August 10th
9PM ET (ESPN 2)

The five year flirtation between U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati and Jurgen Klinsmann finally became a relationship. It's a breath of fresh air for U.S. soccer fans who were bored of former coach Bob Bradley's generic playing style and his lack of developing youth players. In his first interview Klinsmann stated he will develop the future players of the U.S team by giving them the experience to play top international games. Only two weeks into his new job, Klinsmann has the responsibility to put 11 players out on the field on August 10th against a very powerful Mexican National Team. By looking at the 22 man roster that was announced (roster below), Youth players are evident throughout and even U.S. star Clint Dempsey along with "Mr. Up and Down" Jozy Altidore were left off the team. So what can we expect out of Klinsmann from now until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil? Let's first cool our jets!

Expectations are WAY too High

Yes, Jurgen Klinsmann is a star signing. He was an amazing player and so far has been a pretty good coach. Much like the current U.S. situation, he took over a down German National Team after the 2004 European Championship and made them into a 3rd place finish in the 2006 World Cup. He also had a so-so year coaching German powerhouse Bayern Munich. The problem is that fans expect him to do the same with the U.S right away. Unfortunately there is this thing called "talent" and the German team he took over had quiet a bit. For the U.S. we lack star power on the team. We don't have a top-50 player in the world (Landon Donovan is not even close!) to ride on in games and it's why building through the youth is so important. So to sum it all up, this team is going to take a lot of bumps and bruises in the first year, so let's all give Jurgen a break.

The Veteran Players

If your anyone 28 or older on the U.S team right now, your feeling the heat. Especially the defense. By the time we get to the 2014 World Cup, the current starting four will be gone, I'll promise you that. That is why we need players like Timothy Chandler and Tim Ream to play more games internationally. Even Donovan and Dempsey will be 32, which means player development is needed in the attack (AKA Freddy Adu). The only current veteran who still could play another eight or ten years is Everton Keeper Tim Howard. You already see guys being dropped for this Mexico match, and within the next six months Klinsmann will have a good feeling of who plays well in his system and who he thinks will play at a high level in 2014. Unlike Bob Bradley, Klinsmann will give the opportunity for anyone to step up and play well which probably makes a lot of current players uncomfortable. Two guys to keep an eye on: Brek Shea and Edgar Castillo.

The (Former) Coach's Son

Micheal Bradley is a solid player. He works hard, fights for balls, and can score goals at times. But for a center midfielder he lacks creativity and good passing skills to keep possession going. You add him with Jermaine Jones and you pretty much have two defensive midfielders. So without dad, can we see Bradley play well or effectively with Klinsmann? I think he is an important part of the team, but he needs to take a more reserved role with a more attacking midfielder, which is why a guy like Freddy Adu is intriguing. He has always had the chip on his shoulder as the "coach's son" and I believe he will step up and play at a higher level to prove the critics wrong.

Another hint Klinsmann has always talked about is the development of youth soccer from 7 to 18 year old. He would like to see more academy clubs within MLS teams as well as overseas players. But what has always been confusing for him is the "pay to play" methods used here in the U.S. meaning low income families not being able to afford to develop their children into players. Let's be honest, and look at some of worlds best teams and players. Brazil would not have five world cups without the play of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and so many others who were from poor families. Soccer is not a rich persons sport, that's why it prospers in third world countries. The development of children from low income families (specifically Hispanics) could help bring the talent level up to par with other nations and this could be one of the bigger issues for Klinsmann to deal with.

Fans need to lower some expectations for Klinsmann who is working with a very average U.S team, if we can be patient for a year we might see the best play of soccer this country has ever witnessed. Remember it's not about the present and winning exhibition matches for this team, it's about holding that trophy in 2014. Mexico will probably win this game, but there are brighter lights ahead for the U.S. I think Jurgen would agree.

U.S Roster for Mexico Match

GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton)

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS (5): Freddy Adu (Benfica), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

Until Next Time!