Is the USA ready to become a major player in world football?
Article by e-Football Writer Matt TumminiaA look at the USMNT and its recent developments
Finally free from the shackles of a coach who wanted nothing more than to win, regardless of the way it’s done, the national squad has made some real strides towards being a respectable force in international football. Under the guise of former German and Tottenham striker, Jürgen Klinsmann, we have been able to express ourselves in a manner never before seen. Yes, the results have been mixed at times with early losses to Belgium, Costa Rica and Ecuador but as the team began to get settled under the new coach and learn his methods, the shift started happening. The US was no longer a push-over. A wild match in Slovenia where we won by the odd goal was the turning point and from there, we took the scalps of some much bigger fish in Venezuela, Mexico and even this writers motherland, Italy. Needless to say, that match left me with some mixed emotions; joy in seeing the US stepping its game up, shame that Italy, slayer of all major teams, lost at home to a straight smash-and-grab. The football conversations between the family were quite heated from that point on, to say the least. Regardless, the solid play continued even with a few hiccups along the way, a draw in Toronto to our lovable punching bag, Canada, and a loss in Jamaica to some Rasta mons failed to derail the momentum swing which was now becoming like a bullet train travelling at high speeds. A hard fought draw in Krasnodar against Fabio Capello’s Russian squad followed and even though both squads were boasting similar rankings, one must tip their hat to Russia as the US was thoroughly outplayed, but good teams find ways of getting results even when they are bossed around. The US was finally showing some real toughness as well as some lovely play. Which was welcomed with open arms by this writer, as the past regimen loved that long ball BS, but to quote the late Brain Clough, “If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he’d have put grass up there”. How’s that for a history lesson?
Struggle for Identity
After the dismissal of Michael Bradley’s dad, the options for the next coach were plenty. Names such as Marcello Lippi, Fabio Capello, Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat were thrown around with careless abandon but the real candidate established himself into the American culture long before Bobby was given “das boot”. A certain former German National Team coach was already living in sunny California, seemingly waiting for the opportunity to craft the American squad into a respectable beast. His name is Jürgen Klinsmann and he has great hair, which I think must have something to do with the water in Germany as all those players possess impeccable locks, besides lots of skill. Regardless of his awesome mane, he was chosen by Mr. Sunil Gulati on a pure footballing basis (or so we think) to take a squad of solid footballers and turn them into a powerhouse capable of stepping to the big boys of world football. While many intelligent people, such as myself, championed the appointment, others voiced their disappointment in choosing a coach who had little experience and was made out to be a villain by some of his past players (I’m talking to you Phillip Lahm). Yes, he got Germany within 3 minutes of the 2006 World Cup Final only for Fabio Grosso to rip out the hearts of the host nation, but was their success due to Klinsmann and his techniques, or the tactical nous of his #2, Joachim Löw? The critics are still debating this point as “Die Manschaft” have only gotten better under the leadership of Mr. Löw, but even those critics cannot argue with the improvements seen in the USMNT thanks to Jürgen. Of course, to put it into perspective, these same critics were crying out for Bruce Arena to be re-appointed or that Bobby was given a bad rap, to go along with their xenophobic agenda. Just like the way England ran the most successful coach they’ve had in decades, Fabio Capello, out of town, America couldn’t fathom that a foreign coach represented the best option. That is why they are nothing but critics and critics love to criticise and hate as that sells papers and gathers attention.
To get back to the USMNT and their newly appointed coach, the team had to utilise the talent that they had and not just rely on the old trusted methods of winning at all costs. It would not be an easy change but it would be for the good of the future without sacrificing much success in the present. Players such as Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones and Jozy Altidore were given free rein to create on the pitch and express themselves in the same way that they did at club level while younger, non-conventional players were drafted into the squad. Many players who had German roots or played at places such as Norway and Denmark were given chances to impress the new coach. Even a few Mexican-American players were brought in to add something different to the group. No longer was the team taught to “win at all costs”, but instead to “win while playing a more free-flowing attacking game with the American grit”. This change allowed the players to express themselves on the pitch in a way that was never before seen in this great nation. A team full of players who understood a complex system and were able to thrive under the tutelage of a seasoned and well-respected football mind.
Analysis of the Goal
Let’s look at some of the team goals that they have recently scored such as the 1st goal vs. Panama scored by Jozy Altidore; Bradley picks the ball up from Geoff Cameron around the centre circle and strides forward, riding through at least two tackles and then pushes the play out wide for Fabian Johnson, a German-American, to deliver an inch perfect low cross to Jozy for the simplest of tap ins. This type of goal is not practised in the training ground but due to the improvisation of Bradley as he was able to pull the defender from the left side, which then opened up space for Johnson to look up and deliver a peach of a pass to Altidore, who ghosted in at the far post to tap home, something that a target man needs to be doing on a consistent basis. Bradley, while playing under his father, was given strict orders to guard the back line and play primarily as a holding midfielder. Under Klinsmann’s rule, he has been allowed to move around and find pockets of space to play neat little one-two’s to advance play up the pitch, similar to how he is allowed to play at Roma.
How about the first goal in the shock 4-3 win over the aforementioned powerhouse, Germany. Again, a midfielder, Dempsey picks the ball up around the centre circle, pulls a defender away from his assigned man, pushes it wide to Graham Zusi (another revelation under Klinsmann), who then sends in an excellent cross for Jozy to volley home. Jozy didn’t go to the far past this time, he realised that Mertesacker backed off of him and allowed him a yard of space so Jozy, feeling that the defensive midfielder who didn’t follow him into the box, was able to pick his spot with a technically perfect volley from right about the penalty spot. At club level, Deuce has played in almost every attacking position and has shown the ability to create while running at opponents. Under Bradley’s eye, he was played out wide or as a second forward who was basically there to latch onto knockdowns or catch the opposition on the counter. Again, Jürgen has allowed Dempsey the freedom to find space and play his type of game, sometimes scoring goals, sometimes creating them, but the way that he has improved under our new coach has been dramatic. Improvisation again, similar plays and outcomes, but only because these players have had the shackles taken off and have been allowed to play a more attractive game.
Grass Roots Development
Besides re-working the senior squad, Klinsmann has made it clear that he wants the entire youth set up re-done by suggesting that more emphasis should be placed on technical ability and total football, as opposed to winning. Don’t get me wrong, winning is great, but winning in style is something you can take pride in, even losing while playing your game is not all doom and gloom. Calib Porter, the former coach of college powerhouse Akron, and Tab Ramos, former USMNT star, were brought in to coach the U-23 and U-20 squads, respectively, and they have done well, developing the kids into a squad capable of competing with some of the other big boys of youth football. One of the things that Klinsmann has prioritised has been a similar system, the 4-2-3-1/ 4-3-3, so that the players can move through the ranks without being forced to learn a new position or role. Local boy Claudio Reyna was also brought on board as the Youth Technical Director so that at least the kids could learn from someone who played in many major leagues around the world and is well respected in the American football culture. With a country of over 300 million people, we should be able to produce some real great players and although we have a solid squad who can play with anyone, Coach Klinsmann has realised that we are still behind in total youth development. Even his beloved Germany had to re-work its youth set-up after disappointing international campaigns of 1998, 2000 and 2004, which now has revitalised them into one of the best squads in the world. Again, these changes will take some time to see positive results, but they are necessary for long term success of the national team.
One other thing that our new coach has put an emphasis on is the development of the MLS. I agree 100% with this goal as in the past, I have seen some absolutely horrible play in the league where again, the emphasis is on winning. Now this mentality could be understood if there was an actual relegation system, more on this in a moment, but getting a squad to play a certain way takes more than a pre-season. It really takes at least a year but many of these American franchises don’t want to wait for results, therefore the coaches are forced to win at all costs, which then makes the league a crappier version of the English Championship. Even when I was a season ticket holder for the Red Bulls, I would cry out for real football, not launching long balls up and bypassing the midfield. That long ball stuff is for the inbreds over at Stoke, not over here in actual civilisation. Some teams have been able to combine success with style such as Kansas City, Seattle, LA and Montreal while others are still searching for the proper formula. Knowing that there is no risk of relegation, an owner who really understands football should give the new coaching staff at least 3 years to see if their ideas can be translated onto the pitch in the form of attractive, effective play. The relegation thing is probably never going to change as the MLS, NASL and USL cannot all come to some kind of agreement and also the owners of the MLS franchises, which cost a boatload of money to start, don’t want the risk of their team going down and them possibly losing millions due to the relegation. Regardless of the relegation issue, developing the style of play in the MLS will help the national team as the players playing on these club teams will understand proper football tactics and the young, talented players will be given an opportunity to express themselves without being forced to sacrifice style for substance. This will then lead to a deeper talent pool for the USMNT and Coach Klinsmann to pick from.
Final Thoughts
Under the new set-up, we are no longer push-overs, no longer a big fish in a small CONCACAF pond but a real player in the world of international football. We can really match up against anyone in the world now as we boast some great players in Dempsey, Tim Howard, Altidore, Jones, Cameron and Bradley while integrating some younger players such as Terrance Boyd, Fabian Johnson, Timmy Chandler, Omar Gonzalez and Graham Zusi into the first team. The time has come for us to really exert our ability on the football pitch and no longer be considered a dark-horse, it is time that we really become a favourite in tournaments. We have the right players and the right coach, we need to take our chance and dare to brave. Even the great Bill Nicholson once said, “It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low”, we really need to heed these words and take our shot. Thanks for reading!
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