Klinsmann on US Chances

[Lothar]

I was in Germany in December and read in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, a major newspaper based in Munich, an interview with Klinsmann about the WC draw. I read the hard copy and have no link. The title was "Vor der Ukraine hatte ich einen Riesenbammel" and the article appeared in the SZ on 12 December. Apologies if someone has already posted this. Klinsmann discusses Germany's first round opponents (Costa Rica, Poland, Equador) and then is asked whom he is glad Germany did not draw. He says he is very glad not to have drawn Ukraine, which he claims is more than a one-man show. SZ then asks whom else he would have feared. Here's a rough translation:
Klinsmann: I would not have gladly drawn the USA. Before the Costa Rica draw I said to Jogi Loew: I'll take anyone, but please not the USA!
SZ: You would not have played gladly aginst your country of chosen residence (Wahlheimat)?
Klinsmann: No, precisely because I know very well what kind of mood they are in (wie die drauf sind). They come with the self-understanding: we have nothing to lose here. The dangerous thing about them is also that many people still see them as a minor opponent. But they have developed step by step. They will be at a WC for the fifth time in a row, and in the meantime they have the self-confidence that they didn't have in 2002 during the quarter finals. Back then Landon Donovan had two break-aways on Oliver Kahn, and he kept getting smaller and smaller. I don't believe that would happen anymore. I know the work of Bruce Arena and know that especially in the mental stages he has accomplished very much. His players know now that they can keep up (mithalten koennen). It is not for nothing that they have been in the top 10 for a longer period.
SZ: Are the Americans a secret top team?
Klinsmann: They could reach the semis, and I am very interested in their opening group. I can imagine that the Czechs are going to have some considerable problems.

[appoo]

I was in Germany in December and read in the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, a major newspaper based in Munich, an interview with Klinsmann about the WC draw. I read the hard copy and have no link. The title was "Vor der Ukraine hatte ich einen Riesenbammel" and the article appeared in the SZ on 12 December. Apologies if someone has already posted this. Klinsmann discusses Germany's first round opponents (Costa Rica, Poland, Equador) and then is asked whom he is glad Germany did not draw. He says he is very glad not to have drawn Ukraine, which he claims is more than a one-man show. SZ then asks whom else he would have feared. Here's a rough translation:
Klinsmann: I would not have gladly drawn the USA. Before the Costa Rica draw I said to Jogi Loew: I'll take anyone, but please not the USA!
SZ: You would not have played gladly aginst your country of chosen residence (Wahlheimat)?
Klinsmann: No, precisely because I know very well what kind of mood they are in (wie die drauf sind). They come with the self-understanding: we have nothing to lose here. The dangerous thing about them is also that many people still see them as a minor opponent. But they have developed step by step. They will be at a WC for the fifth time in a row, and in the meantime they have the self-confidence that they didn't have in 2002 during the quarter finals. Back then Landon Donovan had two break-aways on Oliver Kahn, and he kept getting smaller and smaller. I don't believe that would happen anymore. I know the work of Bruce Arena and know that especially in the mental stages he has accomplished very much. His players know now that they can keep up (mithalten koennen). It is not for nothing that they have been in the top 10 for a longer period.
SZ: Are the Americans a secret top team?
Klinsmann: They could reach the semis, and I am very interested in their opening group. I can imagine that the Czechs are going to have some considerable problems.

damnit, shut up Jurgen!!!

:)

[Achtung]

damnit, shut up Jurgen!!!

:)

I'd be more worried if he was Pele...

[appoo]

I'd be more worried if he was Pele...


:p

Klnsmann is de-stealthing us

[bltleo]

Did not I also tell that USA will reach at least semi-finale? And my dream finale is Germany - USA. I read this article from Klinsi. He is definitely right.
He lives in the USA and he knows a lot about USMNT. It is great we play friendly in march. Good test for us both. I know many Europeans still think USA is not the big soccer nation. But people who follow US soccer would confirm that USMNT is really good team.

This is why I´m fan of USMNT

and i believe you will have very successful World Cup.

Bltleo
GERMANY

[MightyMouse]

Klinsmann is the man, he knows his stuff, he also knows the US of A is no pushover. I think the cat is out of the bag already guys. I think the USA are well aware they are capable of greater things. I think the mood around camp is mums the word so nobody gets a whiff of their confidence. Sure Italy, Ghana, and Czech Rep. can rip us a new one on any given day, but so can we!

[Ronaldo's Idol]

Well hopefully this is an obscure enough interview that no one read it.

But I agree with him, Germany would be in trouble if they played the US again. Moreso than any other world power because any amount of awe and respect generally reserved for Germany from the US is completely gone after the '02 quaterfinal. We know we can beat them, and can go toe to toe with them all over the field. I'm sure Klinsmann is aware of this.

With regards to Italy and Czech, well they might still have some level of awe over the USMNT.

[FC Tallavana]

He would probably be thrilled to be our next coach so I would expect no less from him.

[Hagbard Celine]

With regards to Italy and Czech, well they might still have some level of awe over the USMNT.

Hopefully offset by the appropriate amount of overconfidence on the part of the Czechs and Italians, something Germany wouldn't succomb to after 2002.

[MarioKempes]

damnit, shut up Jurgen!!!

:)

It's ok. Most other countries don't know about ABMOD, Ted Eck, or Thor Lee. At least we still have some secrets.

[MarioKempes]

This may also be a play for the US head coaching job, post-Arena. It wouldn't surprise me. Klinsmann is very smart. He knew this comment would not go unnoticed.

[CCTX SoccerFreak]

Did not I also tell that USA will reach at least semi-finale? And my dream finale is Germany - USA. I read this article from Klinsi. He is definitely right.
He lives in the USA and he knows a lot about USMNT. It is great we play friendly in march. Good test for us both. I know many Europeans still think USA is not the big soccer nation. But people who follow US soccer would confirm that USMNT is really good team.

This is why I´m fan of USMNT

and i believe you will have very successful World Cup.

Bltleo
GERMANY

Sorry Bltleo but USA vs Germany would only happen in the Semi-Finals unfortunately

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281916

[GOOOOAL!!]

damnit, shut up Jurgen!!!

:)

Yes, please sit down and be quiet Jurgen. Behave yourself or we'll sick Homeland Security on you for all those trips back and forth to Germany!

I think Arena should put out a stinker of a team against Germany and get blown out like the US hockey team did with the Russians before the Olympics (the score was 10-3!) then Chexico, Italy and Ghana won't know what hit them :D

[IASocFan]

Sorry Bltleo but USA vs Germany would only happen in the Semi-Finals unfortunately

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281916

USA vs Germany could happen in the semis if the both win or finish second in their groups.

If USA is second and Germany first (or USA=1 and Germany=2) then they could meet in the FINAL!

[Dammit!]

The thread-starter has teh best memory of anyone I've ever know.

Amazing.

I mean, Das freaukin Amazing!

[FirstStar]

Sorry Bltleo but USA vs Germany would only happen in the Semi-Finals unfortunately

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=281916

Incorrect. As long as one of the two wins their group and the other is runner up, they meet in the finals.

[swedust]

I think Arena should put out a stinker of a team against Germany and ... then Chexico, Italy and Ghana won't know what hit them

He won't put out a stinker but I'm sure he's thinking about how not to get scouted.

As far as the cat being out of the bag, yes, journalists can no longer pen articles dismissing us, and coaches are now required to pay a slightly higher degree of lip service, but in the back of the players' minds I'm not so sure. On the other hand, we haven't done enough to erase every doubt, especially among European teams playing in Europe.

[FC Tallavana]

He won't put out a stinker but I'm sure he's thinking about how not to get scouted.

As far as the cat being out of the bag, yes, journalists can no longer pen articles dismissing us, and coaches are now required to pay a slightly higher degree of lip service, but in the back of the players' minds I'm not so sure. On the other hand, we haven't done enough to erase every doubt, especially among European teams playing in Europe.

The team against Germany will be mostly MLSers so it won't come close to being our best team.

[the Next Level]

The team against Germany will be mostly MLSers so it won't come close to being our best team.

What if we still beat them? Wouldn't that be crazy (just thinkin')

[CCTX SoccerFreak]

Incorrect. As long as one of the two wins their group and the other is runner up, they meet in the finals.

Point taken.....http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif