By Ryan Kozlowski, Der-Jurgen
Jurgen Klinsmann let the cat out of the bag yesterday by telling the New York Times, "The United States cannot win the World Cup."
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| Someone woke up on the wrong side of Das Wasserbett |
Klinsmann must of (finally) seen Timmy Chandler play fall over and "here's the ball other team" too many times.
Or perhaps realized his wing play consists of snail-like pace, MLS stars Brad Davis and Graham Zusi, or his most experienced center back is Sporting Kansas City's Matt Besler.
Besler, in arguably the most important position on a soccer team at a World Cup, only has 16 National Team Caps and 0 World Cups.
But Besler has played Mexico in Azteca.
Besler, in arguably the most important position on a soccer team at a World Cup, only has 16 National Team Caps and 0 World Cups.
But Besler has played Mexico in Azteca.
Which is like saying for the World Cup, I may not be Ronaldo but I have slept at a Holiday Inn.
Whether it was a look at his players or something else that prompted Klinsmann to say "that the US has no chance," why put it out there right now?
Why say it to an entire public that on the whole doesn't get soccer. A public that only checks in every four years? Even if it's true, even if all U.S. Soccer fans secretly know it, is it a message to be putting out there now to those who don't get futebol?
The answer is yes; because it's unheard of by any American coach in any sport to admit defeat before playing.
Der Jurgen wants to stir up some controversy (Landon anyone), so that all Americans tune into his World Cup master stroke, where 19 year old Julian Green (2 former US National Team appearances) scores five goals in the group stage.
There really cannot be any other conclusion, there can't be any other reason to go all defeatist a week before the official start of battle. Right?
Why say it to an entire public that on the whole doesn't get soccer. A public that only checks in every four years? Even if it's true, even if all U.S. Soccer fans secretly know it, is it a message to be putting out there now to those who don't get futebol?
The answer is yes; because it's unheard of by any American coach in any sport to admit defeat before playing.
Der Jurgen wants to stir up some controversy (Landon anyone), so that all Americans tune into his World Cup master stroke, where 19 year old Julian Green (2 former US National Team appearances) scores five goals in the group stage.
There really cannot be any other conclusion, there can't be any other reason to go all defeatist a week before the official start of battle. Right?
Most U.S. Soccer fans are aware of this. But, isn't that what your supposed to do at a World Cup?
Play the game of your life.
Leave it all on the field.
Every game?
Other than Brazil or Spain in a Group Stage game, most teams in this tournament need at least 6 out of 7 games of their lives or pretty darn close to hoist the trophy.
Even USA really only needs 6.
If the stars and stripes get blown out in one group game no big deal. The United States can still win the other two and they'll get to the knockout round with 6 points.
If the stars and stripes get blown out in one group game no big deal. The United States can still win the other two and they'll get to the knockout round with 6 points.
Or sometimes they don't need any game of their life performances to get out of their group; as in the 2010 World Cup the United States played 0 games of their lives but made it to the final 16.
Think about it. I wouldn't consider any of the US performances against England, Slovenia, or Algeria in 2010 to be game of their life inspiring.
Really the only World Cup game I would put the Game of Their Lives tag on was USA vs. Germany in the Quarterfinal of the 2002 World Cup, and the US lost.
But, either way, I digress.
The real problem with this message isn't with U.S. Soccer fans. It's the message Jurgen is giving to American sports fans that just check in during World Cup time.
A perfect example being PTI's Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon.
America likes a winner, they don't have the attention span for losers in soccer, or anything else they can bandwagon ride for a few months.
So for Klinsmann to put out the message that the United States has no chance to win the tournament, normal Americans might say well then why watch?
I think a better approach would've been for Klinsmann to come out to the press like this:
Maybe in a way he is?
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