USMNT: To Rüssia With Love
- Thread starter Titans Bastard
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Klinsmann and Herzog are meeting with the USSF brass today.
http://www.empireofsoccer.com/decision-day-klinsmann-to-meet-heads-of-u-s-soccer-today-55729/
http://www.empireofsoccer.com/decision-day-klinsmann-to-meet-heads-of-u-s-soccer-today-55729/
Or maybe not, if this report is true. Klinsmann is having dinner with Obama and Merkel. Amazing.
Thanks, Obama.
U.S. Soccer has weighed replacements for Jurgen Klinsmann for year - sources
And this, also from Jeff Carlisle. @Cellar-Door
And this, also from Jeff Carlisle. @Cellar-Door
Oh man, the only thing better than Bielsa as manager would be Bielsa as TD. Say what you want about the man, but he has very clear ideas about football philosophy and would implement it at all levels. The fact that it focuses on press and requires a ton of stamina, a trait the US excels at, would probably work well.
It is sort of funny that the Global Wheel of Tactics has spun around to emphasizing a few traditional strengths of the USMNT--counterattacking, conditioning, general try-hard-ness--just as the USMNT is going backwards in those categories.
I doubt they'd be calling him a genius, but if your point is that many would have a different POV if the results were different, I mean, of course.
I see Arena's name in every article--didn't he have a quote about not liking dual-nationals?
Honestly, who cares if it's mid-cycle? If the players have checked out on JK, then new blood should "re-inspire" them and they're through 2 of the 3 toughest games in the Hex and they should be able to recover.
Let's not waste what's likely to be 1 of the 3 World Cups that Pulisic can be a top player in.
I was laughing maniacally to myself about this during the CR game. "Where the hell is the USMNT that was unskilled but was at the very least relentless and fast as f***?" Sure, some of it was on the bench and/or injured, but the Jones/Bradley pairing is just killing us there. Watching Bobby Wood it's hard not to wish upon a star for 9 more guys just like him. He is the archetype, except that he's also skilled to boot.
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I'm not sure I understand this. The preference for aggressive pressing systems has been in style since 2008 with Pep at Barca, if not earlier. Sampaoli, Pochettino, and others have continued its spread. Obviously, 2008 predates Jurgen in the US.
At first quick glance I read this as it being a dream to think Bielsa is possible but then OH SHIT NO TILDE.
You have to feel for Bobby Wood, a guy who plays for both the US and Hamburg. The suffering must be exquisite.
I thought the same thing about 10. I was just imagining he was thinking out there "Wowww, these guys suck"
I don't ever remember anything like that. About the only thing in the ballpark would be whatever his quote was about not being about to beg Joe Red to pick the U.S.
It's a tweet in Spanish from Pablo Marino of bein sports that it sounds like Bielsa is a possibility for USMNT.
He'd probably take it over last year, kicking ass on behalf of a second-division club team and struggling to get minutes for the USA. All he's doing is showcasing himself to bigger clubs, who of course understand the difference between individual and team performance.
This is what I think the article was referencing.
“I’m a big believer in the American player and producing them out of our system. I think that ultimately is what will develop the sport in our country, not on the field but with the consumer,” Arena said. “When they can recognize our players and who they are and where they came from, they’ll be more supportive of the sport, and that’s a big plus in terms of marketing. When we do it with randomly selecting people from all over that really have no connection, I don’t think it hits home with people we want supporting our sport and our national team.”
I'll be contrarian and say keep Klinsi. He's shown that when back is against wall his teams come through.
I get that he usually puts them in a position to be up against said wall.
I get that he usually puts them in a position to be up against said wall.
Not sure if this belongs here or not but I felt like pointing out that Bruce Arena is a fucking idiot:
Normalization, indeed.
I agree with Arena to the extent that a heavy reliance on foreign-born (read: foreign-developed) players highlights the failings of our domestic developmental capacity.
However, his remarks about the American-ness of various foreign-born players were over the line. If he is given the opportunity to coach the US team again, it is definitely something that he would need to address.
However, his remarks about the American-ness of various foreign-born players were over the line. If he is given the opportunity to coach the US team again, it is definitely something that he would need to address.
For shits and giggles, it's Friday so I took a quick stab at an "All-American" XI:
**Subject to extreme vetting
Altidore** - Wood**
Bedoya** - Stanko* - Kljestan** - Pulisic**
Whoever** - Besler - Cameron - Yedlin**
Howard
*Bradley's accent is disqualifyingBedoya** - Stanko* - Kljestan** - Pulisic**
Whoever** - Besler - Cameron - Yedlin**
Howard
**Subject to extreme vetting
I agree with that as well (I even joked during the USA-Mexico moment of solidarity that it's in their best interest to not deport all Mexicans because then the team would suck) but he shat all over his point by displaying his ignorance. That's why stupid people should speak in simple terms, since it's harder for them to trip over their lack of intelligence.
That's still not a very 'Murican-sounding team.
True:
Clint Dempsey, Jordan Morris, Chris Wondolowski
Josh Gatt, Kyle Beckerman, Michael Bradley
Brad Evans, Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, Tim Ream
Brad Guzan
MURICA FIRST
So for scenarios we have:
Most Likely: Jurgen stays
Worst case: Tab Fucking Ramos
Best Case: BIELSA
Funniest: Big Sam comes in, we knock England out in WC group stage.
Most Likely: Jurgen stays
Worst case: Tab Fucking Ramos
Best Case: BIELSA
Funniest: Big Sam comes in, we knock England out in WC group stage.
Too lazy to Google this, but isn't Wondo the only recent Native American USMNT player of note? The true American team would be just him, if you want to go to the logical extremes.
Klinsmann lineup. Pretty sure he is playing out of position. I always thought he was midfielder for his club.
I guess in this scenario Bruce is the arbiter of what's the proper amount of patriotism? I don't know much about him, to be honest, but he doesn't sound very bright to me.More Arena on dual nationals, this time from a podcast he did earlier this year:
A true American would send Wondo a small pox infected blanket for Christmas.
Honestly I'm hoping for some sort of shakeup with the national team. One frustrating thing to me has been the words of Klinsman regarding playing abroad versus his decisions. He says he wants players playing in Europe but keeps trotting older MLS players out there.
Klinsmann remains certain U.S. will qualify for Russia
Interview with Erik Kirschbaum, who is a friend/hagiographer of Klinsmann.
Still no leaks/rumors whatsoever about what is going on in Chicago at USSF headquarters.
Interview with Erik Kirschbaum, who is a friend/hagiographer of Klinsmann.
Still no leaks/rumors whatsoever about what is going on in Chicago at USSF headquarters.
Grant Wahl calls for Klinsi's head.
He's among the more calm and rational reporters out there, as well as the most connected.
He's among the more calm and rational reporters out there, as well as the most connected.
Another interview, this time with the NY Times.
He hasn't met with Gulati yet:
And lastly, he's preaching the values of consistency (lol):
He hasn't met with Gulati yet:
He's still an insufferable, arrogant douchebag:
So much for the Klinsmann values of (a) going outside one's "comfort zone" and (b) defining a strong soccer culture by the criticism/pressure placed on the team.
And lastly, he's preaching the values of consistency (lol):
"...which is why I've told Tim Howard and Brad Guzan they'll be starting in the midfield against Honduras."
Arena won't feel like a step toward the future. It won't take a superstar manager to qualify for Russia, regardless.
After those last comments by Klinsi even I wanted him fired. If this leads to Arena I don't get it. Now is not the time to look to the past.
Do y'all think they are better off with Arena if they publicly announce it is just through Russia? Or still better off with their vision for the future?
I understand Arena if it's just an experienced hand to push the USMNT through the Hex and WC. I don't love it, but USSoccer is risk averse, just realizing that Klinsmann wasn't ever going to produce what he promised is a big step. I worry though that Arena shows a reluctance to take a risk on someone transformative (Bielsa) and he'll either get an extension post-Russia or be replaced by some milquetoast MLS manager in the "English" style hire.
I don't think it matters whether he's in just through Russia or not. They have plenty of time to figure that out. The managerial maturity suggested by this decision makes me hopeful that they'll consider risk-taking managers going forward. For the purposes of qualification, and lacking a lengthy time to get up to speed with his charges, Arena is the best available choice. Failure to qualify for Russia (even if they go 0-3 there) is about the only thing that could threaten Gulati's tenure; qualify, and he then has the flexibility to take another risk. Plus he can ease a Bielsa in by appointing him TD before he's appointed HC.
I hope this raises Gulati up in your esteem, TB. He gave his guy plenty of rope, plenty of time to institute a coherent system that could show progress, and only took action when the man's choices veered from the banal into the bizarre.
I hope this raises Gulati up in your esteem, TB. He gave his guy plenty of rope, plenty of time to institute a coherent system that could show progress, and only took action when the man's choices veered from the banal into the bizarre.
I liked Klinsmann but understand letting him go. But if they bring in Arena i will be so disappointed. Especially after his recent comments, he should not be brought in.
He is a step away from all the good the Klinsmann did, he may not have been a good manager but he has the program looking in a much better direction.
He is a step away from all the good the Klinsmann did, he may not have been a good manager but he has the program looking in a much better direction.
Bielsa as TD would be a very good thing IMO. A philosophical type like him might be interested in that.