Absolutely right. It is also true, unless I am misremembering, that Johansson did not play again. Take that for what you might...or might not. The reality is that Dempsey saved our ass. I believe that Dempsey's role was not plan B but a desperation move because Klinsmann did not have enough confidence in those players that he brought. like I said, Dempsey saved our ass...and helped, in many people's eyes, to validate Donovan being left out. Would Klinsmann have had confidence in Donovan? Only Klinsmann knows that and, as far as I know, he isn't telling. Don't take this as an argument about "the decision". It isn't. Consider it is a positive comment on Dempsey's immense role in 2014. I refuse to argue about Klinsmann or Donovan.
What is there to take other than the fact that AJ reaggravated an old injury as reported. He had surgery after the WC. AZ Alkmaar team director and former U.S. Men’s National Team player Earnie Stewart told ESPN FC on Wednesday that Johannsson had been dealing with an ankle knock prior to the start of the World Cup. Stewart said that playing with the injury wasn’t an issue, and that he had gone through the same type of problem during his playing days. “He’s had this injury for a longer while than at the U.S. National Team,” said Stewart. “It was something that you could play with. It wasn’t a problem. I’ve played with the same problem myself. Once it’s time to rest, it’s something that can aggravate you every time you step out on the field.” https://sbisoccer.com/2014/07/johannsson-entered-ankle We already know that Klinsmann did not have any confidence in Donovan because he did not take him. You can't be any clearer than that. Dempsey did not save our ass any more that JJ or Howard. All 3 were named to the list of top players in the tournament.
We can disagree over who was most important. Imo, it was Dempsey. I do remember the injury. As I remember it, there was at least a little controversy that was never completely resolved over the severity of that injury going into the world cup and the wisdom, or lack thereof, of taking Aaronson knowing he was less than 100%. I know that people spun it both ways. I will leave it at that. Like I said, my main point was that Dempsey was huge at the world cup. Period. Yes others played quite well and were important as well...Brooks scored the winning goal against Ghana. Without that, we'd be screwed. Regardless, I think Dempsey stood out above the rest.
Earnie Stewart who was AJ's TD at AZ set the record straight in the ESPN interview. What controversy other than something made up is left? By saying you will leave it at that, much like your earlier Take that for what you might...or might not... sound like you are trying to spin it some way? i am not disagreeing with how important Dempsey was, Klinsmann moved him to a striker 4 matches before Ghana knowing that we needed Dempsey scoring goals to have any chance at WC2014.
You're absolutely right about all of this.My problem about Klinsmann is he never said any of this at the time,when it was obvious that this was the reason.Instead,we got word salad which was disrespectful to the knowledgeable fan. As a coach,I think we can all agree,that JK is more sizzle than steak,as has continually been proven since 2014.My opinion of him as a man manager is he's a jerk,but jerks can e good coaches. On the thread topic,does he have a job right now that he can be fired from?
Wow! Some one has taken this debate very personal for some unknown reason. May want to go out and touch the grass. It is abundantly clear, you will yield nothing in this debate for reasons, only you know.
We cannot all agree to that. And the pro JK posters will be in that let you know the error of your ways.
Johannsson supposedly had a slight ankle injury entering the tournament, although everyone thought he could play (including AZ technical director Earnie Stewart). It apparently flared up after the first game, limited his playing time at the rest of the event, and it shortly thereafter required surgery. So after the first game we were down both Altidore and Johannsson. Johannsson entered World Cup with ankle knock - SBI Soccer
Well let's test how dumb the arguments are from the people who are unable able to move on from a 10 year old decision that didn't have a significant impact on the USMNT.... Bradley in the middle of the park > anywhere else So CAM is either is second or third best position. Since JK is at fault for pushing the game in the direction it has gone where true #10s are rare, we see how dumb the anti JK folks like you actually are.
I don't think you can fault Klinsmann for what he said when he cut LD from the roster. Klinsmann was very respectful, almost apologetic and did not throw Donovan under the bus. There was no other way to do it.
I liked when they made up and Klinsmann gave Donovan the sendoff friendly. You don’t see that much with American players.
They didn't make up. It was the Fed trying to figure out a way to put a bow on a bad chapter. I can't think of a player getting a farewell game from the national team. They usually just announce retirement from international play.
And what exactly have you yielded or acknowledged? have you yet figured out that Deuce in fact started and played striker before and during the WC? have you yet figured out that a 4-3-1-2/4-1-2-1-2/4-4-2 diamond are all different names for the same formation. Your entire spiel is that Klinsmann sucks because he did not take Donovan to the World Cup and your entire reason for being here is to find any obscure data point to support that simple-minded viewpoint. Yes JK played MB90 at CAM in a 4-4-2 diamond much like Ancelotti last year played Bellingham in the same position in the same formation. In both cases that is what the team needed in the scheme the manager chose to play. In both cases it worked out quite well. The funny thing about this thread is that Pep praised Klinsmann's work during WC2014, Earnie Stewart did the same. Diego Simeone who was FIFA's Coach's Ambassador for WC2014 awarded Klinsmann and Lowe joint coach of the tournament. Yet for you it will always be he did not take a prima donna who Bruce Arena said did not want to play soccer anymore was only playing for the money. As George Clinton once said, "think, it ain't illegal yet!".
I think the entire spiel is Klinsmann sucks. Also, he didn't take Donovan to the World Cup. Despite both those factors the team did OK in Brazil.
I made my point two pages back but you and your buddy can't accept the most basic and direct point. You guys have such a hard on to love JK that any yielding of the most basic concept of being a coach is unfair. At no point can he be taken to rask. I don't care about either as much as you guys because I have resorted to attacking people but obviously like a kid debating why superman is the most awesome super hero, you love a thing that's not real and created an attachment that is unhealthy. Maybe quote Stormy, it's not that deep.
The your buddy stick is elementary school, grow up. Could LD have made a difference? Exactly where would he have played in the diamond, instead of who? Could LD have been used as the speed attacking sub instead of Yedlin? That was a possibility, if he was up to accepting that role. You know who would have made a huge difference, Eddie Johnson, but hindsight is 20/20 except for those of us at the time who called for EJ to be included in the roster
The what shtick? Thanks for proving my point. Can't acknowledge LD but will acknowledge EJ. It is amazing because it's like it would melt your brain to acknowledge that one of the greatest national team players ever would have been useful. Smh!