I think you raise some good points. However, I think Benny has made himself the public face to this argument. Unfortunately, he probably carries both some credentials and some baggage. From my point of view, I am interested in seeing guys like Dax, Lichaj, Nguyen, etc get the same treatment as guys like Williams, Chandler, Ventura, Mix, etc. I am trying to separate out Benny's personal argument and apply it to others who do seem deserving.
I think the larger issue is not whether Feilhaber or any other player should or should not be in the team. Those arguments have been going on for as long as there have been National Teams. To me, the issue is that Kilinmann's methodology is so haphazard that no one knows quite what to expect. When Bruce Arena was in charge that was not the case. I'm not a big fan of his, and I think it was a mistake to keep him on after his first WC cycle, but at least he had a plan, and people knew what they were dealing with. Klinsmann hs yet to articulate his "vision" and can't seem to explain tactics or any decisions for that matter. Arena was an arrogant prick of the first magnitude, and he tried to make us feel privileged that we were allowed to breathe the same air as him, but at least he would tell you why he put this guy in, or whatever his reasons were. Klinsmann just tells you that you are too stupid to understand him anyway, so it is a colossal waste of his valuable time for him to even attempt to explain it. According to him, even the rich guys who bankroll the league "don't have correct information." Maybe it's me, but I would think Paulson and Hanauer would have the connections where they'd be able to get the story before commenting, unlike the rest of us internet yahoos...
Based on performance Benny should be playing. If he's not, he needs to be an adult about it which he learned to do at SKC when Vermes benched him. But if you aren't playing your best players, can you not see the problem?
Klinsmann has explained his plan, as technical director of US Soccer, to improve the American soccer talent, go to Germany!!
He's not among our best, regardless of what he's done in MLS (which is a record of up and down, if you ask me). He's not better than Bradley, Diskerud or Jones at the international level. He's a very talented tease of a player. When he was younger I was dying to see him break into the USNT and bring some creativity. Many years later, it seems obvious to me that he's not going to provide more than sporadic glimpses of that special ability. In addition, Benny hasn't shown himself to be the mature, self-motivated, 2-way player that a NT should be. Yes, Vermes got him to play some defense, but is that the kind of history that's going get him notice at the NT level - someone who's going to need a kick in the butt? I don't think JK wants that kind of babysitting. I think he wants guys with the maturity, passion and motivation to run through walls for their chance - that's why he loves Jones so much.
Lee played the whole game.....finally. A mixed bag really. Felt he could have really gone at goal and been more assertive in the final third (had a great cross Zardes should have buried). Also, couple of times he went to receive ball off his chest and was immediately under pressure- not sure if no communication from teammates, or speed of play was catching up with him. But he also made plenty of good plays and did link with teammates. It is a different role than what he plays for the Revs so it can be understood if it is not exactly the same "Lee" we see with the Revs. Will be interested to see if he stays in JK's plans after this camp. Hard to read for me right now.
Lee seemed out of place out wide in a 4-4-2, and after taking the defender on a few times and losing possession, it seemed like he got conservative and stopped. In my mind, I keep picturing Lee as the 2014 machine who kept the ball until he was fouled or beat the man, but maybe he's changed?
Thought he played well in general. Some of his passes seemed a little naive at that level (easily anticipated), but his cross to Zardes is as good as an assist as you could hope for. Showed a lot of confidence in holding the ball and worked well with Bradley IMO. As the 2nd half went on, I think it was difficult adjusting to all the personnel changes.
Actually Lee getting some plaudits about his fitness coming into camp. This can only benefit the Revs - he will want to show well to continue to get called in (but may miss some games with Revs because of it). Crossposting from HoustonHoya - so please make sure to rep him:
Klinsmann praises Nguyen, Acosta for strong January camp February 1, 2016 5:00PM EST Video MLSsoccer.com
My thought is that it also sheds some light on Nguyen's slow start to last season. It sure looks like a whole lot of complacency crept in after their surprising run to the '14 final.
Found this a little funny - article has video/pic of Lee, but the article isn't about Lee (but the video is the same one as referenced above and is about Lee): http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/...aises-four-debutants-sundays-win-over-iceland I know, I know - I am bored at work today
Quoting Houston Hoya again from US Nats N&A - thanks! Klinsmann continues to praise MVLee: “His talent to combine, his talent to do quick moves and open things up, if it’s with a final pass, if it’s with a shot himself,” said Klinsmann in Friday’s post-game press conference, “that’s what he does in New England. He’s dangerous.” http://sbisoccer.com/2016/02/lee-nguyen-makes-his-mark-with-strong-january-camp-showing
I'm a little behind and just noticed this....did anyone become a member or is it just a complete $$ grab only? Too bad you can't register previous CAPS just to have on record, but not count towards the rewards. They should have an unofficial CAP count available for documentation. Anybody know that if I buy future tix via a Supporters Club it will count towards the CAP count or do all purchases need to happen via USSF? http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/201...hletes-unveil-us-soccer-federations-new-crest
I really hope this loss gets Klinsmann fired. Second... there has never been a day when Lee was not better than Mixx and yet, JK started Mix then Nagbe in the second half while leaving Lee to rot on the bench. Has Lee slipped below both on JKs secret depth chart or does it mean Lee starts Tuesday or it was all just another case of JK jerking him around? Third - Bradley has REALLY slipped. Both for the Nats and in MLS. He is just an average player now but JK still sees him as something special. Bradley creates nothing as an AM. I would take Scott Caldwell over Bradley on the NATS at this point. Will JK ever see that? NO he doesnt have the guts to sit Bradley down...ever
If Lee plays it will probably be in the role of stopper or sweeper. How many players did JK have out of their normal position?
The whole team less Howard (or seemed that way at least). Did anyone tell JK this game was a qualifier and not a friendly? I am not a Klinsi hater but this match was a good lesson in what not to do.
Actually, I can see him playing Lee as left back..... That would really put him out of his comfort zone.
I don't buy that Nguyen is, and always has been, better than Mix, but this was a weak performance from Mix (he's had a record of blowing hot and cold - this was definitely cold). I also thought that Nagbe played quite well - probably the best of anyone for the US. I'm ready to acknowledge that we need a change. Klinsman is just not getting good performances from his players - whether it is his fault or theirs, or both. And, the style of play is just getting more and more dismal - just the opposite of what Klinsman's stated objective was when he took the reins. Regardless of the result, watching the USNT try to grind out results is a pretty ugly affair. And, if it looks ugly to viewers, it probably isn't much fun for the players. We should have enough to pull through this round, and probably even the Hex, but it's hard to see us as anything more than lowest ranked qualifiers for the finals. This is a very dysfunctional team.