When it was announced that Jurgen Klinsmann would be the next head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, I was excited. Although I had not watched him play when I was growing up, he was enough of a legend that I immediately recognized the name. Fast-forward to now, and constant USMNT struggles have people wondering whether or not hiring him was the worst decision U.S. Soccer has made in decades.
Some criticisms are a part of fan overreaction. For example, the USMNT lost to Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup when at least six players who were part of every US starting lineup played in leagues that were then out of season while the vast majority of opponents’ leagues were in season. Form plays just as much of a role in soccer as talent – just look at some of the early Champions League games.
The same can be said of the decision to leave Landon Donovan at home during the World Cup. Donovan’s time with the USMNT was coming to an end, and someone had to rip the Band-Aid off. I’m not entirely sure any other coach would have had what it takes to do something as bold as that, knowing how angry a portion of the fanbase would be.
However, losses to multiple perceived weaker teams, refusing to call up in-form U.S. players in favor of favored players and a distinct inability to see that players are playing out of position among other things are all legitimate problems that are not fan overreactions. These are legitimate problems that hinder our national team now and in the future.
That being said, I believe that Klinsmann’s ideas are revolutionary. They would work great – on a national team with a deep and elite talented player pool that the Unites States just does not possess.
And it pains me to say this, but it is time for a change. It has been time for a change. Because Klinsmann is a great coach, but he’s not a great coach for the U.S.