On Klinsmann: Less Vision, More Detail w/ Yanks Abroad’s Brian Sciaretta
Posted on September 12, 2011 2:20 am
The guys talk with Yank’s Abroad writer Brian Sciaretta about whether Stuart Holden will supplant Jose Torres when he comes back; Brian’s preferred midfield selections; his assessment of Jurgen Klinsmann’s plot to build an “American Style” of soccer–has it been too much vision, when we need more focus on detail?; and evaluating the Bob Bradley era on The Straight Red Card.
Great interview, per usual, insightful thoughts from Brian . .
I agree…Brian is one of the most thoughtful and informed guys… Even better so, he has talked to almost every player or that players agent in the entire US player pool, which you’ll see more of in part 2 of 4 when the guys cover just about every German-American and beyond that is eligible for the USMNT and playing in the bundesliga or bundesliga2.
He really criticizes Torres and Klinsy, while praising MB and even BB, and the whole time you guys are like “yeah, yes, yup, yeah”… are you just being agreeable with your guest or did having this conversation with someone who has superior soccer knowledge sway you from the opinions expressed in the preceding episodes?
Ouch! Brian’s knowledge is first class–but his thoughts about Klinsmann are still just opinions (albeit, educated ones). “Yeah, yes and yup,” are pretty standard cues that one is being heard. BUT “sway” us from out opinions? Huh? What did Brian say about Klinsmann that we didn’t take to task last week when we totally broke down Klinsy’s idea of attack during the Belgium game? Our critique of the formation. The lack of Torres in attack and no one storming the box? But I would hardly call Brian’s critique of Torres and Klinsy a “condemnation” or even a big deal. I thought it was fair, and tempered. So, I’m not sure where you got the idea that Brett and I thought Torres was a permanent fixture at CM, since we’ve been talking about Holden’s return for a while now. Brett criticized Torres lack of box to box play last week. And since when did either of us become MB and BB haters. We have ALWAYS said BB did a great job but that it was time for a change. We’ve been critical of MB, but Brett in particular has always said he’s one of the best CMs we have right now… This isn’t a black and white situation. Just because I was critical of MB a month ago doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s a good player today. Just because i thought Bob should be replaced, doesn’t mean I don’t think he did a good job during his tenure. Its not as simple as being for or against Klinsmann either… I can criticize Klinsy and still think he was a good pick for the time.
Yeah, I’m not sure I follow. Could you present a topic that we were swayed by Brian?
Brian had a couple main points in this discussion:
1) Torres may not be playing as dominant role when Holden returns (assuming he returns to previous quality). Derek and I both discussed this topic in a previous vidcast. Not to mention i responded to Brian that i could see Torres playing a big role with the USMN so long as he’s partnered correctly. I think that was our biggest gap.
2)Klinsmann’s results haven’t been stellar so far. Again, we discussed this in our recent vidcast. Although we (Derek and I) have stated that these results ultimately don’t matter especially since he’s doing a lot of experimenting and they are just friendlies. Brian did bring up a good point in that Klinsmann needs to start winning some matches if only for a morality stand point. We certainly don’t want to enter WCQ’ing with a wicked streak of losses.
3) praise of MB and BB, while dismissing some false accusations. I have been a long time MB and BB defender. Derek has been on both sides of the fence depending on the matches, but overall has stated Bob and Mike have done well. As Derek points out above, one may criticize a player without altering their overall opinion of said player. I’ve defending MB through a lot of irrational hate and yet i can state that he was was showing fatigue after the group stages in the Gold Cup (mismanaged by BB) and also was poor against Mexico in the recent friendly, but i think he’ll be a solid contributor and once he regains form.
BCorbit! Wow! First post? Both of you hermits out of the hermit dwellings on the same day?
Well, I’m glad you both replied cos’ i couldn’t figure out for the life of me how to respond to his “complaint” as I was baffled by the whole “sway” assertion.
Maybe you guys should watch your own youtube videos more often!
xbhaskarx:
We appreciate you knowing all the shows, but can you tell us where the guys have taken OPPOSITE views from what Brian shared during the interview. I would particularly like you to catch Derek being a hypocrite, cos I have called him out on this in the past. I am just not able to see (in this case) where anything Brian says totally contradicts what the guys say or have said–but I do like how you slide in the “superior soccer knowledge” comment as a dagger. Good work (I’m not kidding)! I think Derek and Brian know each other pretty well, so I doubt this is a “sucking up” situation, but if you can catch either in a moment of hypocrisy, I say, let’s throw them on the cutting board!
Maybe you would like to present some examples
There was some recognition of Klinsmann as a ‘big-picture guy’ for his comments on the need for change to the youth culture, coaching development, ODP etc, but presented as criticism- he’s “just” the coach, after all. But … do we see anybody else at USSF stepping forward with strategic vision? Reyna’s job is surely to make such changes – Klinsmann’s comments could be taken as endorsing Reyna, giving his ideas support and calling for ongoing momentum. The two initial efforts of Project 2010, Bradenton and Project-40/Generation Adidas, have now been followed by the Development Academies- these need to continue to grow and be seen as USSF’s strategic direction, the vehicle for Reyna to drive his agenda. I’d take Klinsie’s comments as putting us on notice that he is watching the Academies and we’d all be better served if the rest of USSF does, and the fans and the media too.
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