Photo by ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
When Jozy Altidore was left off the U.S. Men's National Team roster for a pair of crucial upcoming World Cup qualifiers, the decision looked to be a serious head scratcher considering Altidore has been one of the best forwards in Europe in the early months of the new club season.
It was no mistake though. It was a decision Jurgen Klinsmann made based, not on Altidore's club form, but rather on his national team form, which has been disappointing during Klinsmann's tenure as head coach.
"I communicated with Jozy that I was not happy about his latest performances with us, maybe even over the last 14 months," Klinsmann told media on Monday during a conference call to discuss the U.S. roster. "I think Jozy can do much, much better and the reason he is not coming in is mainly because of the performances in Jamaica and at home, also in training, also certain things that went on through the May-June camp."
Altidore has scored eight goals for AZ Alkmaar, good for the Dutch Eredivise lead, but his continued struggles to have a similar impact with the national team ultimately led Klinsmann to look at other forward options in San Jose's Alan Gordon and Seattle's Eddie Johnson for Friday's qualifier at Antigua & Barbuda, and the Oct. 16th qualifier vs. Guatemala.
That Klinsmann summoned Johnson and Gordon ahead of Altidore (and fellow missing forwards Terrence Boyd and Chris Wondolowski) for the games against Antigua & Barbuda and Guatemala was even more eye opening, but Klinsmann cited tactical reasons for his forward selections.
"I spoke to both to Wondo and Terrence and we wanted to bring in Eddie and Alan because both are really strong in the air," said Klinsmann. "We expect two difficult games where the opponents will probably play more defensively and kind of get a lot of numbers in their box to play more defensive against us, so we need to force things with crosses coming over the wings and get really strong in the air.
"They don't leave much space probably on the wings behind their back lines, so that's the reason we bring in Eddie and Alan, two guys that are really good in the air, that can lay balls off and that's how I also explained it to Terrence and Wondo."
The omissions of Altidore and Wondolowski seem to go against Klinsmann's previous comments about the importance of club form, but the U.S. coach made it clear that club form is just one factor he considers.
"It's absolutely important," Klinsmann said of his players' club form. "For sure, now it looks kind of a little bit different in Jozy's case because he's doing well with Alkmaar and he's scoring goals. But he hasn't done well with us in the last couple of camps and that is why now I have more trust right in these upcoming two games in Alan Gordon and Eddie Johnson.
"It is important that they have their club rhythm, it's important that they play well, it's important that they have their starting spot there. But it doesn't mean coming back into the national team, things are for granted, so that's as simple as it is."
As for whether Altidore's absence should be seen as a bad sign for his future with the national team, Klinsmann downplayed the long-term ramifications of the snub.
"This is a decision as of today, for these two games," said Klinsmann. "The door is always open and we hope to see a positive reaction from his end and put more effort and commitment into this whole approach and there will be the next calls coming up."
Great leaders know how to balance idealism with pragmatism.
Danny, you are correct about the lack of depth at the time. However, our starting left back did not get hurt. Cherundolo, who was injured, was the starting right back. BB could have simply replaced Cherundolo with Jonathan Spector without reshuffling the entire back line. Spector might not be an elite player, but he played in the 2007 Gold Cup final, where the US beat Mexico. He also played well in the Confederations Cup in 2009 assisting Clint Dempsey on two of his goals (against Egypt and Brazil). One can emphasize with a coach when a starter goes down, but BB decision to put Bornstein in proved to be catastrophic.
Yes of course… every leader knows that the even the slightest amount of adversity provides the perfect excuse to abandon ones ideals….
Sounds like a great recipe for long term success and way to develop a team.
Even if the tweet was directed at Klinsmann, Jozy’s comments are spot on in response to Klinsmann interview where he thru Jozy under the bus. Klinsmann roles out a formation with three Dmids and expects attacking flowing football is ridiculous. Blaming one of our all time best goal scorers (10th all time at 22 yrs old)for being injured then held back by his club team then only playing him less than 90minutes in the last two qualifiers is complete garbage. Jozy called his weak zzz shitt out and rightfully so. It’s Klinsimanns job to deal with player egos and get the most out of our player pool, this is epic fail on Klinsmann part. He should know better than to throw one of our core players under the bus in an interview, instead he should have manned up and taken the responsibility of our teams lack of scoring onto himself rather than deflecting the blame on Jozy when he was asked that question in the ESPN interview.
Thanks Euro, great post. I think the response from Jozy is spot on in attitude and where his play is with the nats at this time. If one ignores some of the hand wringing and drama based purely on blind speculation and merely looks at what is coming from the folks who count most in all of this- Jozy and JK, things will work out just fine. Fact is… even if selected, JA wasn’t likely too see much action anyhow and a different type of player might be better suited for spot duty.
As for the upcoming games, knowing LD will likely play puts me much more at ease. His speed and imagination create space and movement we unfortunately never sem to see without him… are irreplaceable.
There is tension as there well should be…. I like it, hopefully there is a greater sense of urgency from our boys. 6 points later, we’ll all have a much different view. Cheers.
After Klinsmann was quoted on ESPN.com as saying that he needs more effort from Jozy, Jozy tweeted this “Love when people try to blame others for their own short comings and incompetence.” Do you still think that the tweet isn’t the main reason? I can’t think of a coach in any sport anywhere that would put-up with a public coment like this !!!
agreed, was on the fence before
Yawn. So Jozy stays home, good. I’d be pissed if he got called up after he jogged around doing jack sh** the last ten minutes in Columbus. Good on you, Klinnsman.
Yawn. So he calls in EJ/Gordon over Wondo to come off the bench and play ten minutes. Simple tactical advantage.
Look, we will see the same damn lineup minus Altidore. You would think the world’s ending the way people on this site (and SBI apparently) are screaming for pitchforks and fire. Just chill out and save your energy for cheering on the team.
EJ cannot hold Jozy’s jockstrap when it comes to career performances…
Jozy leads Eredivisie in goals after a banner year last year…. Johnson did k that one time in Greece and England’s 2nd tier….
please cut the crap
no if i remember correctly he shot it and someone was in an offside position, didn’t touch it but distracted the goalie, the right call
After Klinsmann was quoted on ESPN.com as saying that he needs more effort from Jozy, Jozy tweeted this “Love when people try to blame others for their own short comings and incompetence.”
You know there are ways to be right without being a jerk… I still think this could create a distraction that did not need to be here for these crucial games, but you are probably right.
Yup, because these guys are not pros or anything. These guys have teammates and friends that have been dropped or in some sort of dog house. Heck, even these guys have tasted the drop.
I am quite sure these grown men, these professionals will find a way to survive.
just started hating jurgen for the first time, right now. what a c@ck. get him outta here.
+1
Discipline all you want, but nobody wants to be sitting at home in 2014. I was the first one calling to bring JK in; I’ll be the first one along for his head if we don’t qualify for Brazil.
That’s a great point, actually, but if this is in fact his escalation or last resort the. There’s more cause for concern…
Did TomG say that Altidore did not need adult supervision or that he shouldn’t be disciplined? TomG may have gone a little over the top, but I think his point is essentially correct. JK needs to put a better filter on what he says, and at times should say very little while handling things in house.
With that being said, I will agree that being tight-lipped in this case may have backfired as the omission of Altidore from the lineup is a bold move and some explanation was probably better than none.
What gives me hope is that both Klinsmann and Jozy went out of their way to downplay the rift in their interviews. Klinsmann said that his decision concerning Jozy is limited to two games, that the door remains open and that Jozy needs to show positive reaction. And here’s what Jozy said in a recent interview to Grant Wahl:
“When I came right out and asked Altidore — are you and Klinsmann on the same page? — he answered straight up. “I’m the student here,” Altidore said. “I’m the player and I’m learning always. It doesn’t matter if I don’t understand. I have to get on the same page as the boss and all the senior players, not the other way around. I’m not a guy who can walk into the team and say, ‘Guys, adjust to me.’ That’s not my mindset. I’m trying to get on the same page as them, and until I do that I’m sure I won’t be playing. I want to try and do that as quickly as possible. I want to score great goals for the national team and be dominant for them. But unfortunately it’s not so easy sometimes when the styles of play are much different.””
He’s suspended for one of them… but ok.
Are you serious? So the asylum should be run by the patients/inmates? Altidore needs adult supervision. What can’t you see about that? Altidore has massive talent but have you seen him? Despite his goals in Holland, he looks fat and out of shape which brings into question his commitment. Both you and TomG are idiots!!!
Poor USMNT form, yet we still get Beckerman… yeah, ok.
All the haters who now hate the Jozy-haters-that-won’t-overlook-poor-performance-and-a-poor-attitude used to be the Jozy-haters-who-hated-on-Jozy-for-being-Lazy-Out-The-Door… haters. So who are the real Jozy haters now, Jozy haters? Yeah yeah, haters.
+1, post of the day!
Of course journalists are suckers for quotes, and Jozy may have a history of being benched for lack of effort (I don’t have an informed opinion on this), but there are a lot of people spreading rumors about Altidore today and I think it is only fair to judge him with all the possible facts at hand. I cited the article as it provides one side of the story that has not been presented on Ives today. Of course it is self serving, but that doesn’t make it completely invalid.
No, he needs the best players to get the job done. Not the likes of Alan Gordon.
JK commented on this. He said he even talk to Wondo about it. He is doing it for a tactical reason. I don’t necessarily agree with it, but at least he has talked to his players about it.
subtle, dude….very subtle.
I’d have a lot more respect if Klinsi just said he was holding Jozy out for disciplinary reasons. His excuse is pure, unadultered BS. I don’t trust a word out of Klinsi’s mouth now. It seems like everything he says is either contradicted by clear reality or by something he said previously. He needs to just shut his mouth, stop starting fires and handle things with his players in-house. How can his players respect him if he’s constantly bashing them in the media? This is basic, basic, basic man management stuff. No wonder he was a laughing stock at Munich. This is a really, really, really serious character flaw with Klinsmann that MUST be addressed. Not to let Jozy off the hook – his behavior is unacceptable, but do we really want Bobby Valentine as our national team manager? This is going to become Bayern Munich II really quickly unless Sunil grabs Klinsi’s ear and tells him to stop handling his man management in the media and start communicating clearly and directly in house. This is ridiculous. Jozy is a 22 year old player who occasionally loses his cool. Klinsi is a 50ish national team manager who should know better, especially considering his embarassing stint at Bayern. Just shut the heck up, stop lying, and tell everyone that it’s an issue being handled in house. He’s the figurehead of our national program and needs to stop acting like a jackass.
No, that is why it is time for discipline. Klinsi needs players he can trust.
Jozy has always said the right things. He is charming and savvy in interviews, yet he has a history of being benched for lack of effort. Journalists are suckers for a quote.
Are you a member of the higher coaching circles in the US? How do you know Jozy is a borderline lazy player and/or poor professional?
This comment isn’t directed towards you per se, but I have seen a lot of unsubstantiated statement made about Jozy today. I wish people would provide evidence for their opinions rather than overstating their positions.
Johnson is a perfect example of immaturity and attitude.
Perhaps Jozy will get the memo that being called up to the National Team is a privilege, not a right.
I imagine once he discovers this, I foresee his performance changing.
I don’t recall us dominating in qualifying under Bradley. As a matter of fact I usually recall us going down a goal before we would finally muster a comeback.
And didn’t Beasley or someone actually score a goal that was mistakenly called back for an offside?
Bornstein had, has and will never have again…a place on the national team roster.
It’s really that simple.
On the other hand, Bob actually rated his ability..hence is routine call ups. So, let’s “remember” that too.
lame? That is your “mature” criticism? his excuse is lame? Are you 12? He has a player he feels that he cannot rely upon, so he isn’t including him, end of story.
Please explain to me how Klinsmann is acting immature.
Did he call Jozy a bad name? Did he tweet something rude in response? Did he say anything untrue about Jozy?
He’s the manager. He’s managing. You simply don’t agree with how’s he’s managing but managing attitudes is certainly a part of the job.
As of right now, Jozy has more attitude than goals with the Nats. Hence, he wasn’t called up.
As one who was extremely skeptical about the Sounders signing Eddie Johnson due to his ineptness since 2007. I think he’ll surprise if given a chance. He was a “can’t miss” during 2006 WC qualifiers (or maybe earlier?) who fell off the face of the soccer earth. Right now, he’s in better shape and better in the air than Altidore ever has been. He’s also far more mature and grown up than he was in 2004/5. I’m still a bit skeptical but certainly wouldn’t be surprised if he flourished for the NATS and (even better) light a fire under Jozy Altidores rear end!!
maybe so, but then its also the truth that Jozy lets that affect his effort in games, which is another point Klinsi has made.
Thank you.
Whatever one thinks of Bradley, I have no doubts he is a classy guy and only wants to see the MNT have success.
TOUCHÉ!
I’m with Thomas. What in the world gives you any reason to believe Bob Bradley is anywhere nearly as petty as most of the people who post on this forum?
+1
The Mexican league is very good, just ask Mexico. You need to educate yourself about football.
His reasons for omitting Jozy are pretty lame. I doubt most people believe it’s the real reason. JK should grow up and be a man and tell us why he really didn’t bring him in.
A mature person would never hide behind a lame excuse.
These games matter. This is not the time for discipline.
We all act like Jozy Altidore has been this prolific goal scorer. I seem to remember everyone complaining that all he does is get fouled?
Moreover, it has been well known among the higher coaching circles in the US that Jozy a borderline lazy player in training and a poor professional.
Yeah so horrible, yet the Mexican NT seems to be doing just find.
+1