Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? I've been saying this forever. The pay to play system does NOT produce our best athletes playing soccer.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Hiring Klinsmann would help us get more fan support.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? If I have been reading BS correctly? Regular quarter final visits and being able to play the best in the world toe to toe all of the time (passing/attacking/possession) and getting more than our fair share of results. I expect no less. What will happen if that doesn't happen? Many US fans will blame everything else in the system but him. I think I nailed it. He has a shot if he can recruit every US soldier's spawn out there, but I don't think he will get them all.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? I think the most important thing here is: a.) It's Germany, and I GUARANTEE you that they didn't hire a manager too coach their national team that didn't know what he was doing. b.) This is the most important, he see's the problems with the US system, and has a genuine desire too fix them. I think his biggest asset is his vision, when he coached Germany, he completely changed their style, so that shows me he's not afraid to come in and make some changes(which we need). c.) As for his style, at least with Germany, he liked to play a very aggressive, quick, attacking style.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? What's all this talk about Klinnsman changing the system? The changes that got Germany where it is today happened 5 years before he was a manager--and it involved millions and millions of dollars. We've already built academies for every team like Germany did. I just don't see his hiring affecting all that much. It might be Kreis anyway.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Excellent point. To my mind, this higher/broader level of specificity about the craft of the game is where the American game begins to mature and transition. Americans growing up in the US with our largely American games know almost instinctively/subconsciously that you don't dribble a basketball with your head down, that you never run with a baseball, that you always switch arms to carry an American football with your arm closer to the sideline. These seem like either trivially simple or even boring esoteric little things, but the fact is these are the finer, sharper edges of the craft of the game when you practically absorb it by osmosis through growing up playing these games in phys ed at school, in the playground and sandlot after school, and of course watching them on TV year after year. But one major tipping point in US soccer will be when these finer, higher intricate levels of the gamecraft become instinctive for us. And first touch is a good example of that.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? I completely disagree with this. I understand Bob Bradley wasn't great tactically, but one of his greatest abilities in my opinion was his changes, at least at half time, that could turn the game around or fix a problem. That being said, his pre-game decisions would sometimes put him in such a bad hole, that he couldn't really always come back from them. Even zonalmarking.net is aware of Bradley's ability to make in game changes.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Yeah well that didn't help him in the GC final now did it?
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Just don't get your hopes up too high. He can only control so much. 1) I have no reason to believe that our dieting and stretching are problematic. And he's only with the team 1/10th of the time anyway. 3) He can't develop the players much at the NT level. Yes I agree we'll see less formations with 2 pure defensive mids ... well ... maybe. We're actually quite deep there and 4231 is very in vogue these days. 4) How much money and how will it be spent? He can't build more soccer fields in urban areas where there is no land (the biggest reason for the lack of urban soccer talent). 5) Bradley experimented a lot. On balance I'd love to see Klinsman get the job but just don't be too optimistic about what he can actually do.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? I'm not really sure how any national team coach anywhere is going to improve the current player pool's first touch in a few training sessions a year. First touch is developed at the youth level from ages 7-14. Unless Jurgen, or anyone else for that matter, is going to be head coach for more than a decade overseeing every youth program in America, he ain't going to do jack shit for the first touch of our player pool. See above. If those types of players don't exist now in our player pool, they won't exist six months from now and they won't exist three years from now either. First touch, speed of thought, soccer IQ...those are things developed at the youth level. Our youth coaching in this country is pure shit with an emphasis on athleticism over technique. Why? If parents are paying shitloads of money for their kids to play club soccer, they want those kids to win. The easiest way to win at the youth level right away is to find the biggest, strongest and fastest players you can and develop a system to exploit those abilities. Can't waste any time teaching kids tactics or technique when your paycheck relies on winning right now. No coach in the universe is going to be able to change our player pool before the next World Cup.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? We don't have the personnel to play the way JK will prefer. It won't be pretty if we pretend to be a first touch/Latin style team. I hope he realizes this right off the bat. See, I kinda cringe when Reyna talks about developing a Barca-style system, and playing it no matter what, live or die. That doesn't fit with the way we play the game, or the psyche of Americans in general. When U.S. Soccer grows up, I've imagined to be more like an Italy/Mourinho's Inter. Tough defensively, smart tactically, and the willingness to do what must be done to win. Having the ability to play attractive football, but also having the ability to abandon it depending on the situation. To me, there's nothing wrong with that. And don't tell me Barca-style is the future of the game. That team is a unique phenomenon that will never be duplicated in our lifetimes.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Bradley will be benched after it's proven others are better and Torres will actually make the squad. I am happy for our future.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? I'm just happy we'll hopefully have a cm tandem with actual VISION and can pass where M. Bradley lacked. I wonder how pissed he's gunna be the first time hes benched..
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? The most immediate change with Klinsy is that we will have a coach that actually dresses like a proper manager as opposed to a Girl's High School Volleyball coach out of a bad teen anime show. That and a lot less longballs. And pretty much no more players who ride pine. This means you, Micheal.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Pretty much sums up my thoughts exactly. I think he would be a good breath of fresh air, would be tactically and technically a better manager than Bob, and would give us a boost. But, believing that he becomes head coach and then somehow within a few years the entire US system is transformed or he turns our mid level players into superstars is just setting up for disappointment. A national team coach is important, but there are limitations on what any single person can do.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Klinsmann is more technical than Bob, not as technical as Lippi. That is still an improvement. As important as it is to bring in someone super-technical, a combination of technical knowledge AND US soccer knowledge is superior in my view. And that's what Klinsmann brings. He is not the perfect candidate and has his flaws- but I think he will succeed in the job. He certainly will have huge respect from the players who know his commitment to US soccer (he is not a Bora check-chasing vagabond) but Juergen truly cares about US soccer getting better...not just better, as best as it can be. Also, he will garner huge respect from the players for his background as a professional. When he talks, they will listen. He's been there, done that at every level. His 'creative' ideas that didn't go over so well at Bayern will be accepted at US Men's National team. In terms of spending 95% of their time with someone else, I believe you will see Klinsmann become a mentor during the year to the younger guys (Adu, Altidore, Agudelo), which will be invaluable to them, while also giving supreme confidence to the Dempsey's and Donovan's to do their thing. A player like Jermaine Jones is going to really show his stuff now- if anyone understands a German rebel like Jones, its Klinsmann. Michael Bradley is the big loser in the near term, because I think Klinsmann will prefer J. Jones to Bradley at DM, and will also look to Holden, Adu and other options for AM. Having said, Bradley is certainly good enough to challenge in an open competition, but I think Klinsmann will look at other options than Bradley in the middle over the next year. Bradley will have another chance to 'apply for the job' next year. Otherwise, I don't expect big changes (Chandler increasingly for Cherundolo), Gooch back at CM with Boca, probably Lichaj as left back. Our lineup (outside of test friendlies) will look something like this: Aguduelo- xxxxx- Altidore Dempsey- Holden (Adu)- Donovan xxxxxxx J. Jones (Edu, eventually Bradley)- xxxxxxxx Lichaj- Gooch- Boca- Chandler (Cherundolo) For technical reasons, almost impossible to play other players than these guys. They are, by distance, our best technical players I think J. Jones becomes an (almost) automatic starter now. It will be interesting to see if Klinsmann tries a formation with Brek Shea on the left too.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Klinsie also brought along what most felt was a very young team to the 2006 world cup. People forget that he lost quite a few matches going into the WC and Germany as a country were holding their breath. But his team won over the country and to an extent the world with their play and victories. My only concern was that his predecessor Rudy got his team to the finals against Brazil playing a more traditional german match of defensive pressure, counter attacks and possession. I wish Klinsie would be just a bit more traditional in his approach. His BM team is tough to gauge because I don't know how many of those players he lost in the locker room early on and just wouldnt play for him.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Right, so all we needed was a snappy dresser all along. Someone call Ralph Lauren.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? You're right about this,but I hardly see that a senior NT coach can do fvcc all about that.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? If it is Klinsmann, we're going to find out just how much of that Germany gig was vapor. Klinsmann didn't have to qualify or compete in the preceding European tournament and didn't have to qualify for the WC. Essentially, he had 2 years of friendlies to build a squad. He has roughly half that time now to build a squad before we begin qualification, followed by the preliminary round and the Hexagonal and no "passes" into the WC, plus a Gold Cup to compete in.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? It was a joke son. I am sure I speak for everyone when we (won't) feel nostalgic for those lovely skintight sweatpants that left nothing to the imagination. I think that's the big selling point. He knows our players and our systems better than any other foreign coach could right off the bat. The only foreigners who could possibly match that would be CONCACAF guys like Ojitos Meza. I wonder just how much Klinsy is going to go with players with heavy Bundesliga experience. I can see Jones, Feilhaber, Cherundolo, Bradley (Yes, even Bradley-Keep reading), Donovan, Chandler, Buddle, etc., having heavier roles with the USA, at least in the short term for the older guys. Those guys know German football and the American way of doing things, making the philosophical changes smoother. What's good is that Klinsy has a bit more clout than Bob Bradley does as an international coach and mediator. Maybe we land Daniel Williams? Fabian Johnson? While Bradley is a big loser in the near term, what you are talking about addresses one of the most serious issues I have had with Bob Bradley. What I mean is, guys like Altidore, Bradley, Bornstein, etc...Well, they are YOUNG guys, and Bob Bradley gave them caps like candies. The real problem with that is that while those guys struggled to get minutes for their clubs, they always knew they were good for US caps. This actually stagnated some of our best up-and-coming talent. You see, many of those players didn't see playing time because they weren't complete players. Altidore needed to work on his touch if he wanted to break a starting lineup. Bornstein needed to learn to not get pulled out of position if he wanted to start in Mexico. Bradley probably would have had a bigger role at Villa if his passing was crisp and his release was faster. My point is, where is the incentive to improve your game when your country always calls you, no matter what? The point is, this isn't the USA in the early 1990's where just being on a Euro team gives you a cap. You need to play. Holding down a spot on a club, and keeping it, requires desire and commitment- and you need those same factors in your internationals. You are simply doing nobody any good if you give caps to benchwarmers when other players are available. Yes, it's cruel- some really talented guys don't play for years as they try to make an XI, but that should make you push yourself harder. Once you master your club situation, then, and only then, should you be an international. And back to Micheal Bradley- being an American with extensive Bundesliga experience puts him in prime position for a greater role with a German coach. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up wearing the Captain's armband under Klinsy's watch. But I know that unlike Bob Bradley it isn't going to be just given to him. Bradley will need to push himself, improve his play, and make himself a genuine starter.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? Most of our games in qualifying are a joke. There are a few key games later in the Hex. Every US coach has struggled to get points on the road in the region. Klinsmann can hardly do worse than Bruce or Bob there. No US coach wins in Mexico or Costa Rica. Bob got 3 points in Honduras by Conor Casey being clutch for one game. As long as Klinsmann is not an overconfident, unprepared a*hole, having him coach alone should be a 'change of pace' the US team needs to play well enough to win at home, and nip a couple games on the road and qualify. Klinsmann is not so dumb that he won't get all the data, and generally make as good or better decisions as Bob or anyone else in the region. Soccer is still a game for the players. Inspiration is important. The World Cup in Brazil is a total freakin' crap shoot, and there is no certain answer regarding coach getting us to next level, tactically genius coach or not. What I will like about Klinsmann is that he can look these player in the eye and say, "I have played at the highest level, won (basically) most everything you can win, and I know what it takes". Bruce could not do that, neither could Bob. he can also look them in the eye and say "I love the US, and want the US to kick a$$' That makes Klinsmann basically an American coach he can also look them in the eye and say "I know offense, I know how to score. I have strong ideas for attack' Bob and Bruce could not do this. he can also give the hairdryer treatment like no other. You can rest assured, that Klinsman will not be worried about being these guys friend, or worrying about saying something unpopular. He a proud, opinionated German, after all. There is no longer a nepotism issue, hint of nepotism or anything that could remotely point to nepotism. That alone is a PLUS. We need to all remember that Germany lost Ballack right before the 2006 World Cup, and people in Germany were convinced that the German WC team would bomb out without Ballack or play terrible football. The fact that they played attractive football, won, and did it with a whole host of new and relatively inexperienced faces was rightfully seen as a strong accomplishment. Klinsman fails from time to time because he tries sh*t and reaches and stretches outside his comfort zone. The US Men's National team now benefits from all of Klinsmann's risk taking, and we get a coach who is uniquely qualified for the position. This is a great move based on all the options available. Now its up to the players to respond- which I believe they will. There is good reason to be optimistic.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? That works both ways. You could also look at it as he didnt have enough time to solidify his team and his approach and only at the end did you see his team start to come together. At any rate, nothing boring about the next cycle.
Re: Is it is Kilnsman, what changes will we see? After an initial challenging period, I think having Klinsmann as his national team coach will be better for Bradley, the player. Even if he plays less, he will be stretched and challenged in ways he wasn't under his father. This is good. If he is truly 'all that' (and he could be, jury still out), then Michael will step up to the challenge and prove himself once again. I'm not as optimistic as you, however, that Bradley will get a greater role in the team. In many ways, the team was designed for him + now that Jermaine Jones is in the team, Klinsmann will prefer Jones since he is better technically and more experienced. This leaves Bradley to compete against a whole host of guys who have strong argument as to why THEY should be starting.