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Dempsey and Klinsmann discuss the crucial Costa Rica CONCACAF qualifier

Clint Dempsey

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-CGi1t5_YU]

Comments

  1. Not a huge scandal in the least. This stuff goes on daily w/ club teams. In a sense, Gomez and Klinsman have it right, it has less to do with what is going on with the team than the fact that they are under greater scrutiny.

    Honestly, I’ve never been a part of a team where players didn’t complain about the coach every which way. For real, it is an ancient, rich tradition in sports and everyday part of locker room culture… and a huge part of the bonding process. I think most coaches get that, especially ones who played. Honestly, long run, I think this whole thing will only help air some things out and help bring these boys and maybe even their coach closer.

    As an aside, this dynamic is also why I always thought Bradley Jr and the team were put into an awkward, thankless position. Seems they dealt with it well as could be expected, but there is no way there could have been the same sense of ease w/ the coaches son in the room. I’m sure the coaching change was awkward and difficult for Jr, but in the long run, very freeing. Let him be his own man sans the hyphen.

    Here’s to a nice victory and celebratory suds today!

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  2. Very awkward at times to say the least…which is expected based on the questions that were asked….

    And yeah I think we win too…especially with Sabo doubtful for CR…but the questions about Klinsmann will not go away…..its a repeat of the mess at B. Munich….and that in itself gives credence to what the players said about him….

    Even klinsmann’s charm offensive looks awkward In the video….

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      • I hope it has had an effect on him. I think he’s a talented person in many aspects, but I do wonder if he learns from his mistakes and takes note of his shortcomings (which we all have). To me, the way he talks and the fact that he’s had the same criticisms at each stop makes it seem as if he does not acknowledge his mistakes and evolve from them, but rather insist that he’s misunderstood and that everyone else must do better. Is he the Freddy Adu of managers? Only time will tell, I suppose.

    • I agree. His answers always sound like a politician. Can’t wait to see the line up. If beasley is at left back and the midfield consists of edu, jones, bradley then it seems clear to me that he hasn’t learned anything.
      I realize it takes time, but he wasn’t hired yesterday. It has been a year and a half and I don’t think anyone would say we have improved since then.

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    • Truce for two days. CR should really be on the players, but if they go 0-fer the 5 day weekend I don’t think this charm offensive lasts.

      Not that I want that. I’m just saying IMO the upshot is this is not France, people are not going to embarrass themselves to make a point about the coach, they’re going to show up and perform and the results will be what they are. Hopefully good, at which point the still-real question of Klinsi Fit to the US team will go backburner. Personally I think as long as we are on pace to make it, Klinsi is safe because of millenialist buy-in to the sales pitch. Ironically, I think he could be worse than recent coaches on paper and keep his job as long as we qualify because he’s sold himself as a change agent.

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  3. I can just see it, if the US loses both matches: Klinsmann’s head on a platter, mouth moving, saying “This is totally cool. It shows how much the United States has grown as a footballing nation.”

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  4. As far as scandals go, this doesn’t seem like much of a big deal to me. Some players described what they felt was going on and Klinsi pretty much agreed but said the players have to overcome. Hopefully they will bounce back. I don’t have a ton of faith in JK and haven’t been a big fan in what I’ve seen so far, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until we don’t qualify, though I would like Sunil to push for a different assistant, maybe someone to push back against Klinsi a bit more.

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    • If the USMNT team fails to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, is it really Klinsmann’s fault? Or is it the fault of the ~20 players the USA has who are clearly better than the majority of the players on Honduras, Costa Rica, Jamaica, or Panama?

      The coach doesn’t play the games. Blame the tactics if you want, but if the USMNT failed to qualify, that says a lot about the quality of the players and less about the quality of the coach. So what if the locker room is “divided” or if some players hate doing yoga. They are professionals who play soccer at the highest levels nearly every day of their lives.

      Will these guys let a few personal issues get in the way of their quality? Or will they let their quality decide the outcome? Surely it’s the latter, simply because it has to be.

      I can say for sure that if the USMNT fails to qualify for 2014, I won’t be blaming Klinsmann.

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      • Whoa, there. You really have to be drinking some serious Klinsmann Kool-Ade if you are willing to give him a free pass in advance for not qualifying for the world cup.

      • I disagree. If the players are clearly better than their competition, but they lose, then it’s clearly the manager’s fault. What else is the manager’s job but to put the best possible team available on the field and do everything he can to make sure they play to the upper limits of their ability. You seem to be saying that the manager has no responsibilities at all whereas everyone knows that a great manager consistently gets the best performances out of his players. Otherwise, give me the $2.5M/ year and I will manage them as long as there’s nothing I can do to make them play better or worse.

  5. How about the weather forecast for the game tonight: pregame: rain, game time: low 30s, NE wind 10 mph, and a couple of inches of snow…..this will be an ugly game and a defender slipping or a keeper not handling the ball will decide the game…..hope the US brought thier snow shoes!!!! Jozy, Clint and MB hit it low and hard from outside the penalty area and watch it skip past the keeper.

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    • This might be the game for the “gamers” and “mudders.”

      My all time favorite is playing on an ice sheet where the ball just ……. slides. But this is going to be wet cold muddy mush.

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      • Dempsey loves the slop. His motha was a mudder. His motha was a mudder? His fatha was a mudder. His fatha was a mudder? Yeah, what’d I say. Any Seinfeld fans?

  6. Reports of the USMNT’s death are greatly exaggerated. Pretty sure we’ll win tonight, and I’m pretty sure Klinsy knows what he’s doing.

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    • I’m also pretty sure we’ll win. I’m not as confident that Klinsi knows what he’s doing, but I’m not willing to call for his head until we’ve completely failed to qualify. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith. He makes me nervous and it seems like he is definitely lacking in some areas, as demonstrated by his failure at Bayern, but if some of his big picture ideas do wind up panning out, it could be a plus for the program in the long term. I feel like he’s a bit scatterbrained and chaotic, but sometimes a little chaos can be a good thing and breathe new life into a program. I think he’ll probably wear out his welcome unless he gets a strong assistant who can stand up to him and focus him, but I think some of his ideas will stick around and help the program.

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  7. Any recommendations for a good soccer bar in the Sarasota/Bradenton area? I’m visiting family down here and would appreciate any advice on where to catch the game.

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  8. Doh. At work, can’t hear audio.

    Like many, I feel Michael Bradley has the tools to be our Captain, and that very may well happen after this current cycle. However, I love having Dempsey’s attitude, fight and determination wearing the armband.

    I actually believe this *could* help elevate his focus and performance, which is a win/win.

    …just wish I could hear the audio. (first world problems)

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  9. I have scandal fatigue about the Nats at the moment. I think i’m entering a news and commentary blackout. Just the games, thank you. Of course, anything less than 3 points from these two games…oh, I’ll be back…

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