What I would love to see is Klinsmann reading a statement, with the entire camp roster gathered around him, acknowledging growing pains (because "mistakes" is probably too much to expect), and the need for some changes, and that further discussions within the team will take place, but that the immediate task at hand for everyone (team and fans) is to come together and get good results in the coming week. No need to take questions, and just get back to training.
So what's the solution to this 'elephant in the room'? I don't see anyone really saying anything other than reiterating the subjective opinion that the USMNT is in shambles. If that's all it's going to be here, I'll probably check out.
I could not disagree with you more. From a long-term, big-picture perspective, absolutely, we should not be limiting ourselves to what we are now. We should be aspiring to the level of skill of the best teams. From a short-term, single World Cup cycle perspective, the anonymous player's comment is an accurate description of our present player pool, and no amount of wishcasting is going to change that. Our short-term aspiration should not be to be something we are not and cannot be, our short-term aspiration should be to make the most of our level of skill.
I can't agree with that. Complaining anonymously is seems to be the best way to get your point across while avoiding the dog house. Again, it's common practice in sports journalism. About 400 articles of this sort were published about the Red Sox the last couple years, and those were shown to be quite accurate. It simply can't be dismissed is all.
I am most suspect of the over-emotional quotes. Not sure they "inaccurate," but what good journalism wants to put that out before a WCQ?
The Howard comments about the players not being divided does not, imo, discredit the real problems of JK highlighted in the article: The lack of organization and tactical coaching & the poor man management of JK. In fact, what Howard does (stand up for the players) is exactly what I'd expect of him (in a good way). The things Howard basically said right after the Honduras loss he does not walk back in the convo Ives posted--imo, he thinks the coach/manager is the problem.
That's the editors decision, they're maximizing eyes on the piece, which they've done. But yeah, definitely not the best thing for us.
Yeah, I don't get it. I don't think people should be punished for trying to tell the truth. Perhaps the article was biased or misleading, but I don't get that sense. I think it was more the players felt they had no other choice in actually getting the conversation going. If JK wanted a team to reflect the american culture, well, he finally got his wish, I just wish it had been on the field. Time to clear the air and get moving again. Let's call this article and ice breaker, much like the first two matches at the Confed Cup were for Bob and the team.
And I don’t think anyone is necessarily dismissing the general accuracy of the article, but what I do think is that it is wise to question the judgment of the players who made these statements anonymously to the media. So I would view the anonymous quotes with a critical eye. Especially when they come from people who aren’t afraid to call out the German-born players for not ‘being passionate’ enough for their liking, which is completely out of line.
“They never played together in any game let alone a hex,” Howard said, forgiving the sins of the quartet in front of him. “The back four is all about jelling. It’s a frying pan. We don’t have time to learn.” http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/m...s-leaves-mark-article-1.1257516#ixzz2O6RTKDry
Thanks for that. While there is an implied criticism there, I think you read a bit more vitriol into it than can be reasonably inferred from Howard's statement
Depends on whether you accept the author's explanation that Howard was "forgiving" the defense, rather than just chastising the coach.
Exactly. A manager/coach with true leadership is able to deal with cliques (that naturally form on all teams) in ways that do not damage the team.
The solution is that soccer is a chess game with the actual human beings ... so you have to move your battle pieces from time to time. You can't just say, "You're a pro. Find a solution". A coach like that is worthless and the Germans historically have been high on coaches that have a good command of their board.
Why? I have my own opinions, which I've shared. Your opinions are your own. It's simply that yours seem colored really strongly by a reaction to the Germans vs "natives" rumored split, and that's understandable. But that's really not the crux of this article at all, that's a side issue. (And honestly a bit of a drummed up one for the sake of the controversy, IMO. The author even admits it where he states himself that maybe a little jealousy or jingoism from a player who lost his place might be expected.) There are a lot more meatier issues with a lot more substantiating them than that all over the article. Including some reactions straight from Klinsmann's mouth as well. I'm not sure you've really reacted to the rest of it, from what you're mostly saying.
The first part I agree with. The initial lineup had the look of "going for the w". It is some revisionist history to hammer him there, Boca aside. The 2nd part is one of the stupidest things I've ever read on here. If the US doesn't qualify it's not on Klinsman? Where the f do you people come from? It's on JK and JK only if we miss the first WC since the 80's.