Saturday, August 13, 2011

Change With A Smile

German soccer legend Jurgen Klinsmann has just taken over as the newest United States men's soccer coach. Klinsmann has been named coach in attempt to re-energize this team. And in his debut against Mexico he did not dissapoint. Although the US did not win the friendly, there were signs of mass improvement. A late goal by Robbie Rodgers held Mexico to a draw, and Klinsmann made his mark on his debut as head coach.
Klinsmann has already had huge success as a coach. He lead Germany to a third place finish in the 2006 World Cup. His success as a player and international manager is what has an impact on the players and coaching staff. The US is hinting that they don’t want to just make a run in the World Cup, but to win one. To do so the style of play needed a change, and Klnsmann has brough a positive one.
The timing of the coaching switch was convenient due to the fact the Mexico match up was upcoming, and World Cup qualifying is on the horizon. Klinsmann has plenty of time to implement his new style of play, a 4-2-3-1 as opposed to Bob Bradley’s 4-4-3.
Klinsmann has also shown that he is going to feel out the team to make his new starting lineup. He showed us this as he started Eddie Buddle against Mexico, which was Buddle’s first time playing in an international match since the World Cup. Another thing that was a great move by the German was letting Landon Donavon have more freedom and create plays. Once Clint Dempsy and Jozy Altidore rejoin the squad, That attack has the potential to be very lethal.
The United States’s next match will be against Costa Rica on September 2nd, which will be yet another test for Klinsmann and his squad. A sense of urgency surrounds the US team, but Klinsmann seems very relaxed and is telling his guys just to go out and have fun with it. Not only are the US players going to have fun, but watching them play is going to be fun. This 4-2-3-1 is a fast paced, ball pressuring system.  It will be interesting to see how they do against teams that thrive off of their speed.
The United States knew it was time for a change, and it looks like the change to Klinsmann was the right one. And the fans agree. Klinsmann walked off Lincoln Financial Field on Wednsday night hearing his name being chanted very loudly by the red white and blue faithful.-Hugo Thaxter

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