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Klinsmann gives updates on current USMNT standing of Dempsey, Altidore, Green

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Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Clint Dempsey’s form may not be where it was a year ago, but Jurgen Klinsmann is seeing progress nonetheless.

The U.S. Men’s National Team head coach recently sat down with ussoccer.com to touch on the current standing of several players and said that he saw improvement from Dempsey during the recent three-day camp ahead of the Ukraine friendly earlier this month. Dempsey was not an overwhelming force as the Americans lost that match, 2-0, but Klinsmann said there were positives to take away from how the 31-year-old veteran performed in camp after a two-month loan stint at Fulham that was not as productive as many had expected.

“Clint is on the right path,” said Klinsmann, who looked and sounded relieved at the tail end of his Dempsey comments. “Clint is looking a lot sharper, a lot better than at the end of last year. He struggled with injuries, the whole transition back from Europe into MLS, different type of a game, turf field in Seattle. All those things you can see now are left behind.

“He prepared very professionally these two (months) in Fulham. It didn’t work out on the field the way everybody hoped because the team is in a different stage right now than it was maybe 2-3 years ago when he was at Fulham. But for him personally, it was very, very important these two months at Fulham, getting back into a rhythm, getting back into shape and he looks a lot, lot better than at the end of the last year. We are very positive on Clint’s path and it makes us feel a lot better towards the World Cup.”

Jozy Altidore was another player Klinsmann discussed in depth. Klinsmann acknowledged that the 24-year-old forward is still going through some tough times at Sunderland, but added that Altidore has evolved as a result of these struggles.

Altidore has not scored for the relegation-threatened and offensively inconsistent Black Cats since December and has recently been in and out of the lineup, missing the past two weeks’ cup matches.

“Going now also through stretches of kind of a bit of negative moments is maturing, is understanding more and more what this job is about, to be a professional soccer player, it’s a real 24/7 job,” said Klinsmann. “You can see it in his way how he deals in training sessions, how he articulates himself off the field, how he lives this profession now is very, very different than 2-3 years ago. He went through this big learning curve and you want now to see him get rewarded for that as well because he knows now what it is, he’s putting the work in there, but at the end of the day obviously it’s his club coach who decides if he’s playing or not.

“Making the jump from Holland to the Premier League is a huge jump, and he knew that and he took that risk and it is a risk when you move from one club where you feel like, ‘I’m in my nest,’ to a big Premier League team that you leave your comfort zone basically and now he has to fight his way back into their way of doing it. He has to convince that coach and that team – which is a new coach since he came in actually – and go through that period and it’s just part of professional life. We are sure that he’s going to go through that difficult moment and he’s going to win that battle, and we’re going to have a very, very strong Jozy Altidore going to Brazil.”

Klinsmann also spoke about what he saw from young phenom Julian Green. The 18-year-old forward has been garnering lots of attention this season after making his way through to reigning German Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League winners Bayern Munich’s first team.

Green took part in his first U.S. camp ahead of the friendly with Ukraine, but did not play in the match so as to not cap-tie himself. Green, a German-American, is currently provisionally tied to Germany after playing its Under-19 team last year, but has not decided on where his long-term future lies just yet.

Klinsmann, however, is hoping the recent camp and American camaraderie left enough of a lasting impression on Green to the point he winds up choosing the U.S. in the not too distant future.

“We learned definitely about Julian Green, I mean we knew it kind of already, but we got it confirmed in these two days training with us that this is a very, very special talent,” said Klinsmann. “This is a player that has a tremendous potential going forward. He’s very skillful, both-footed, he’s very calm on the ball, technically, very, very gifted, has tremendous pace, he’s calm in front of the goal, so we did a lot of specific exercies because we had those two days to work with him in certain areas and he’s a good character, too.

“We have this big hope that he will down the road chose his path with the United States instead of with Germany. We explained to him how things work with us. I think he had a good feel for all his teammates, future teammates hopefully. They welcomed him with open arms, and so we’re building a strong case. He has to make the decision, he and his family, and we hope that he makes it pro the United States, but he has tremendous potential.”

Comments

  1. Ryan mentioned the USA never having a quality field player… Look up Claudio Reyna’s stats! We will struggle to have a player of his quality for many years. He had an amazing club career, I think he captained 3 European clubs and was named to the 2002 World Cup Starting 11.

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  2. Thanks Amphibious One, R-NYC, Expat, et all.
    I often feel, some people do not put things in the right context, and fail to glean a thorough or well rounded perspective.
    I know I may seem a little critical at times (tough love), but I assure you my hearts in the right place.
    computing a cross section of analysis on things based on facts as well as analytics/metrics type statistics, along with applying fundamental evaluation and logic techniques which can be helpful in gaining a clear, honest and decipherable opinion.
    one example, all these people who complain about what is American, who is American enough etc. Ad nauseam.
    have either failed to see the landscape of the very country they profess to know and support so well or are completely blinded by their own prejudices and immaterial, non factual, agenda driven opinion.

    P.S Fact or logical conclusion either way?, JG can already play at a level as high or higher than anyone currently on the USMNT roster. And if you cannot see this regarding this situation and others. You are adding to the problem and not the solution.

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    • The Garrincha, Very thoughtful and informative comment, +10

      But of course, you realize that “some people” will get their panties all in a twist over it.

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  3. Quick analogy regarding recruiting and talent depth etc.
    Andrew Wiggins and Tyler Ennis, good young NBA prospects.
    conceivably two of the best that happen to be Canadian.
    Based on the level and depth of talent the US has in hoops.
    Do you think for one second that the National team cares one bit whether or not
    (if even they could) retain their services.
    No, because they have players as talented as John Wall not even on the squad.
    The point is, one can think much the same way about the
    German National Soccer team, losing a player here or there should have no real baring on them.
    However for the US a developing and emerging market it would be invaluable.
    For all parties involved nationally and globally speaking.

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    • They are different types of players. AJ has 16 goals in 27 Eredivisie games (rate is .59 goals/game) while Altidore had 23 goals in 34 Eredivisie games (rate is .68 goals/game) and won the Dutch Cup at 23. He is definitely having a hard time at Sunderland, but he accomplished slightly more at AZ than AJ at the same age – he is one year older.

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  4. Please JK, give it up on Jozy. He is terrible! A slow, plodding forward. Start Aron Johansson instead. Jozy should be the least option. I think Eddie Johnson, Terrance Boyd, or Wondo is even better than Jozy. Leave Jozy “out the door”! If you play him, USMNT will for sure be 3 and out. And call in everyone from Europe for Mexico game. Timmy Candler, Brek Shea, Jermaine Jones and others. So they miss one league game. So what! Big deal. The World Cup prparations are more important. And we are getting down to crunch time now.

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      • Well, I wouldn’t go so far to say I can’t stand them, that would take up too much energy and I would feel stupid. But I can say that I find them illogical and annoying. And also sometimes quite entertaining if I can keep them at a distance.

  5. I say that klinsi calls up Yarbrough ( you know the goalie who won the liga mx cup with leon last year and who is probably better than Johnson, Hall, and Hamid). Also, Arriola!

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  6. Not a chance.

    Do you think Green would have accepted Kninsi’s invitation and gone to training in Frankfurt without the express permission (encouragement?) of Bayern’s Management?

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    • Club football is not a hostage situation. You seem to have confused the bayern front office with the villains from die hard.

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      • What!

        Then you also believe that some representative from another team (in this case, Andreas Herzog) could simply walk onto Bayern’s training grounds and not only speak with one of their young super prospects, but to also issue him an invitation to spend some time training with his team.

        LOL

      • wow…that is a VERY poor analogy and ignorant! Frankly, your rants are getting annoying on this thread. Stop talking!

  7. The second Green files for that switch, if he does, he will get benched and eventually transferred to Hannover or Hoffenheim.

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    • If he’s good enough for Bayern they’re not going to get rid of him for being on the USMNT. It’s poor business. They might sell him, because youth players get sold from top academies all the time. However, Green choosing the USMNT won’t be why?

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      • dont respond to Brett, he’s shown his low level of intelligence many times before…. Bayern could care less where Green plays internationally. For a club its just a business. If the national team were their only concern they wouldn’t help players from other countries (Robben, Ribery….) but they do because it helps their business….. Green choosing USMNT would NOT affect them keeping Green. silly….

      • Fair Observer: While you are correct that for a club like Bayern, national team *loyalties* should not matter in terms of business, you are incorrect that national teams do not factor into business decisions.

        If I could choose where my players trained and played, I would hope for two factors: the quality of their training and the amount of travel (which is just dead time—neither training nor resting). Bayern could see Green train with the world’s best for der Mannschaft, or with mid-level USMNT. (As a bonus, playing for Germany actually means just that much more time training with many of his Bayern teammates.) Bayern could see Green play qualifiers and friendlies mostly all over Europe, or mostly all the other side of the world.

        Bringing up Robben and Ribery only strengthens this point: they play for two of the very best national teams, and are in Europe.

        (Now, don’t anyone over-read what I just wrote: national team quality or distance are not deal-breakers—or we wouldn’t see any Brazilians or Japanese on top teams. The point is how and why a team might try to influence its players’ national team choices.)

  8. Consider this … Altidore, Dempsey, Bradley, and Donovan … have not play ONE match together under JK. Not a single, solitary one. How good is this team? No one knows.

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      • No chemistry? Those guys all played in the loss to Ghana in 2010 and all know each other very well.. They should have at least the three game send off series together.

        In terms of chemistry between those guys it should not be an issue..

      • While agreeing with both Since 82 and Brett regarding lack of team chemistry, I do agree with you GW. The 3 send-off games will, or should, take care of that issue.

    • Let Klinsmann do the math. I guess whatever discussion or criticize on Demps’ performances, he will be in JK formula. No doubt, with Demps USA will play 3 beautiful games then watch others.

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    • Since 82…you’re making sense and using logic.

      Many of the people on here aren’t going to like that!!!

      Your point is salient and needed.

      How good can this team really be?

      Reply
  9. JK : Dempsey should not have gone to Fulham, it was a waste of time.
    Me : Thanks for agreeing with me, but it is too late and a mor on could have figured this out before hand.

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    • “Clint is on the right path. Clint is looking a lot sharper, a lot better than at the end of last year. He struggled with injuries, the whole transition back from Europe into MLS, different type of a game, turf field in Seattle. All those things you can see now are left behind.

      “He prepared very professionally these two (months) in Fulham. It didn’t work out on the field the way everybody hoped because the team is in a different stage right now than it was maybe 2-3 years ago when he was at Fulham. But for him personally, it was very, very important these two months at Fulham, getting back into a rhythm, getting back into shape and he looks a lot, lot better than at the end of the last year. We are very positive on Clint’s path and it makes us feel a lot better towards the World Cup.”

      it’s weird that you read those words and get that klinsmann thinks dempsey’s loan at fulham was ‘a waste of time’.

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      • What else was Klinnsmsn going to say? That his mantra of go to Europe on loan is not always a good idea?

      • as i’ve said on other posts, i don’t necessarily believe a word of what klinsmann says. i was merely taking issue with Quit Whining’s reading skills.

  10. Honestly, I think this is a great thing for the team. he US always plays better when the players have chips on their shoulders, and feel they have something to prove.

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  11. Looking at this logically, wouldn’t the first true American superstar have far more income potential then the next German star? I would imagine Nike/Adidas/etc. would be paying endorsement deals through the roof for this kid if he were to be on Bayern and the USMNT. Bayern as well, they’d have a whole new market to appeal to if he goes to the USMNT. They already have plenty of ‘Germans’.

    To me, the dollar signs point to the USMNT. Not to mention he’ll have one more World Cup with the USA than he would with Germany.

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    • Excellent point. If Green is as good as everyone is thinking–AND if he decides to go with the US–he will shortly be the face of not just Nike or Adidas but McDonalds, Coke, Sprite, Wheaties, e-surance, not to mention the Hasbro action figures, ninja death swords, etc. The US market for soccer has already surpassed most of the other major sports here. But our kids (of all ages) have nothing to hang their hat on. No local hero. Landon Donovan? Clint Dempsey? Not a chance. It’s the internet age. We’ve all seen Messi, CR7, et al. We know what amazing skill looks like. Give us a “US” player who can pull amazing and we’ll buy anything he sells. In the past that wasn’t the case. Maybe even just a few years ago when Rossi made his decision. But today, if Green follows the $$, no matter how “big” the Bundesliga is, he’ll go USMNT.
      But maybe that’s all just wishful thinking.

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    • That’s may seem like a good point from an American sports fan’s perspective, but (while I don’t question Green’s “Americannes” in general) he didn’t grow up here. So, I’m not sure he will look at things this way.

      First, if he’s as good as projected, he won’t need to be “American” to enjoy millions in endorsements. I don’t think playing for Portugal has hurt Ronaldo’s wallet. Same for Ozil and Germany, or any top player. Beckham makes as much if not more money outside of England. True, those guys bank on celebrity as much as anything. But the point is that, as soccer is a truly international sport, endorsements are not necessarily tied to nationality.

      Second, Green, like any player, might prefer to join a national team for more than monetary reasons. He may join for pride, based on which country he feels like representing, or for playing time if his club form dips. If as good as projected, he won’t need to worry about either of these, so it’s basically about where he feels like playing.

      Let the chips fall, and keep pressuring our domestic league to build up youth development here.

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    • The key thing is that he has to be at *superstar* level to break through in the US advertising market. He could certainly do well, but an NT player in Germany does well too, because there are so many more of the entertainment dollars focused on football across Europe.

      Monetarily, it’s a wash.

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    • Are you guys kidding me? More potential for off the field money in the US – as a soccer player – than in Germany? Hmmm.

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      • You didn’t know? Non American stars player for the love of the game , food coupons an one free pair of shoes a year.

      • No one is kidding you slowleft. Thomas and Dr. V are spot-on. Julian Green would make much more in endorsements as a Bayern star playing for the USMNT than playing for Germany’s Nat. Team.

      • I think the question was comparing being a superstar for the USMNT vs just-one-of-many stars for the Mannschaft—and being a Bayern Munich star either way.

        Argument for: by playing for USMNT and Bayern, he features in two markets instead of only one.

        Argument against: soccer is more popular in Germany so endorsements should be more lucrative…? (I don’t know enough about the size of endorsements players get in either country to make a guess.)

        I am, of course, ignoring compounding factors such as, “Would being ‘Germerican’ hurt his chance for endorsements (from either country)?”

      • If he’s that good starting for Bayern, he’ll get German endorsements no matter what, perhaps more if he’s on US MNT. That’s a non issue. At his age he probably cares more about what his dad thinks and Green the elder wants his son to play for us.

      • I almost never agree with with Slowleftarm on the topic of dual nationals, but I find myself agreeing with him throughout this thread. He is making complete sense. Green has POTENTIAL, GREAT potential. However, he is not playing consistent Bundesliga minutes, he is playing reserve squad games.

        Second, if he is as good as his potential suggests, he will be a star. If he is better and ends up being the next great wing: Bale or Figo or (gasp Ronaldo), he will make boat loads of money everywhere through advertising and salary as a global star. Is there a chance that he will make more if he was a USMNT player, yes, but that never hurt Beckham or Ronaldo, did it? Some people act like foreign/global markets don’t exist or pale in comparison to the US advertising market. Is the US market bigger, yes, but don’t ignore the rest of the global market. Federer, Woods, Jordan, and Beckham make the advertising money they do because they are global stars.

      • Paul,

        Good post but like so many SBI posters you ignore the much more likely middle ground.

        Maybe Green will be a very good forward, better than any other US forward but not necessarily at the Bale/Aguero/Suarez level and certainly not in the CRonaldo/ Messi level.

        Is he worth recruiting then? Of course. If he just got to be a good as a Sturridge or a healthy G. Rossi, who, when he can run, is an upgrade over any current US forward, he’d be worth it.

        The US can’t afford the luxury of grooming forwards. This is the deepest most accomplished group of forwards ( classifying Landon and Deuce as midfielders) I’ve ever seen the USMNT have with a few months to go in a World Cup year. But I could see them getting shut out in this World Cup. So, if he declares for the US,the risk of taking an untried Green to Brazil is fairly low and the rewards could be great.

      • slowleftarm, Julian Green aside, let’s just look at a generic soccer star, not a superstar who will transcend all and make money regardless of where he’s from.

        A star playing for Germany/Bayern will make money, no doubt. But it will be minimized by the other Germany/Bayern stars also on the squad like Gotze, Lahm, Muller, Kroos.

        A star playing for USA/Bayern will separate himself and help establish the Bayern brand in the USA. It’s really not that hard to understand.

  12. One of the Bayern board members is on record saying Green will be playing first team minutes during the second part of the season now. At 18… incredible. He’s a world class talent.

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    • At 18 with ANY team is pretty good. But 18 at BAYERN MUNICH!? Especially with where they are at this point. Probably the best team in the world for the last year or two and into the foreseeable future. That’s incredible.

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      • Calm down. Bayern has a colossal 20 point lead 10 fixtures left. They will wrap up the title with probably 6-7 remaining. Pretty much every single player in their non-reserve roster squad is going to be participating in the WC as a first-choice player. The first team won’t be playing much after the title is sewn up, other than in the Champions League (where Green won’t be involved). Nobody is going to get burned out or injured for the sake of a glorified series of friendlies in the Bundesliga.

        Julian Green won’t be slotted in alongside 10 of the world’s finest and hungriest players — at best they are playing to stay undefeated and he gets some looks with a partial “A” group.. More likely, he will be playing alongside a bunch of other reserves and players who are on the transfer list. Is this good? Maybe… he could pop off and be the star of the group… Score a couple hat tricks. Maybe not… Which would you prefer? Be careful before you answer.

        Here is the unpleasant reality that nobody seems to want to discuss… While its great that he has had a good experience being in camp for a few days with us, and seems to have a good relationship with Klinsi — Germany can still claim him if he gets hot and might very well do so (their forward line hardly contains 4 “locks”… midfield, defense, and GK they are stacked to the roof, but among Klose, Gomez, Schurrle, etc… there is room for a prospect if your are Joachim Low). And while we might have spent a nice 48 hours with him, there is a solid group of Germany players who know him better and have access to him EVERY DAY. The Germans will have a much more attractive recruiting position from here up until June. All we have is JK and his cell phone.

        Be careful what you wish for. A relatively unknown Julian Green, who perhaps doesn’t make the squad list for either team for the World Cup, may just be a better bet to be part of the USMNT group in the future..

      • Mr. stop please,

        If Green does well in the last 7 Bayern games with playing what amounts to a bunch of friendlies alongside the other reserves in mop up Bundesliga action, why would that change his status with Loew before the roster selections for Brazil? Do you really think Loew and his guys don’t already know everything worth knowing about Green?

        By the way, not everyone on the Bayern squad is German. I’d say not all of their players are interested in seeing Germany get stronger. Certainly Robben and Ribery don’t think much of the USMNT but they aren’t interested in a stronger German squad.
        It should be clear to you that after his workout in Frankfurt that JK will bring Green to Brazil if he declares for the US in time. And I’m pretty sure Green knows that if he declares for Germany and he does well, he will get a call from them sooner or later.

        I’m a USMNT fan and hope he plays for the US but I want him to play well for the Bayern first team these next two months to put an end to these silly debates over how good he is.

        What will matter between now and the roster selection date is not how Green plays with Bayern, though if he fails miserably that would be bad for him, but rather, how well the current German forwards are doing. If Loew’s choices are doing poorly and they think they need Green then they will call him in.

        The thing about Germany is that they are on a two year cycle so even if he misses the 2014 World Cup, Green would have a shot at the 2016 Euros, the 2018 World Cup, the 2020 Euros and the 2022 World Cup and possibly the 2024 Euros, assuming Green remains a star until he is 28.

        That’s five major trophies; some people think the Euros are tougher to win than the World Cup, while the US can only offer him at most three World Cups in the same time frame.

        Green already knows all this.
        Green is in a good position; he should do well either way.

      • Euros, is not the world cup.
        Granted It’s level of difficulty is high.
        However it’s not the same,
        and last one checked no European side has won the WC outside of Europe.
        Go figure?.

      • No European team has won in the Americas. Italy failed twice (1970, 1994). The Netherlands (1978), Germany (1986) and Czechoslovakia (1962) are the other European nations that even made the final. OTOH, only Brazil (1958) has ever won on European soil.

    • That was Bayern’s Sporting Director, Stammer, at his winter break interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung. He also said: Despite the many world national stars (attackers) at Bayern (Mandzukic, Ribery, Müller, Götze, Kroos, Robben) Julian can hold his own.

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    • It is incredible. It also makes sense for Bayern to start to groom the kid now for a full time starting job. If he can compete at 18 for a starting spot then they have the luxury of selling a Mandzukic, Ribery, Müller, Götze, Kroos, or Robben and cashing in on their brand name.

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  13. I think Green should look at how it went for G. Rossi (I know I usually hate talking about him). Does Green want to perpetually be on the outside looking in for Germany, fighting with tons of good talent for a spot, maybe getting on the roster for regional relatively unimportant tourneys, or does he want to be a 3 time world cup starter for the US?

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      • If my memory serves, I think he wasn’t included on the first WC he was considered for, although he was healthy. Even with his injuries, I think my overall point still stands…

      • Rossi got hurt in the run up to the 2010 WC and by the time he got back he missed the cut. Prior to injury it was looking like he was going to play a lot if not start.

        And of course 2014 is looking endangered again because of his knee issues.

        If he misses 2014 it would not be at all unfair to say he would have had a good shot at being an important part of Italy’s WC 2010 and 2014 teams.

        For Green’s sake I hope he is luckier with injuries.

      • Italy plays with 1 forward right? So its pretty much him and Mario.

        Hmm, depends on which Mario shows up if Rossi is a “lock” or not. Balotelli has really shown up for the Italian team sometimes.

        But Balotelli might have stolen a 777 so that might reflect badly on his position on the Italian team.(Seriously though, how did Balotelli look like those 2 Iranian guys at all.)

      • You know I was wondering that when I saw a picture of the two guys.

        – On a more sincere note, wishing nothing but the best to the families involved in this tragedy.

      • It is horrible. Doubly so in that some pretend they might not be dead. They almost certainly are. False hope is not a kindness.

    • If Green stays with Germany I do not believe he will be perpetually on the outside looking in. He should be in Bayern’s starting rotation soon and should also make the German National Team for the 2018 World Cup. He is that good.

      However, I hope he makes the one-time switch and goes to Brazil as part of the USMNT.

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      • He has to beat out Goetze, Reus, Muller, Schurrle, Timo Werner, Jullian Draxler, and Maximilian Arnold. He has plenty of competition. Germany is rolling in young wingers right now.

      • Just to put it another way: Green could go to camps with the likes of Goetze, Reus, Muller, Schurrle, Timo Werner, Jullian Draxler, and Maximilian Arnold!!!

        (or Joe Corona, Eddie Johnson, Josh Gatt, and…Brek Shea. Yeah, I’d choose Germany.)

      • We have no idea how good he really is or how good he can become. He is playing in the German 4th division and has similar goal number to Terrance Boyd and Andrew Wooten when they played in that league. We know he’s very good for his age however but he still has room to go. There’s been many great talents that never made it to the top level. He may become a great Bundesliga player or just an average one. We won’t know until it happens.

      • He’s got to be at least as good as Boyd and he’s younger. At minimum I would want him even if he’s not good enough to make the plane to Brazil. I want him to file the switch. He may make Germany 2018 but 2022 is probably more realistic. If he switches, he probably plays in the next 3 WCs for us. He plays out wide on the left? I’d rather use a very young Julian Green than an immature 23 YO hipster doofus clod like Brek Shea. We don’t have any skillful players w/ pace on that side. We really haven’t had a guy w/ pace start since the Charlie Davies of the summer of ’09. Had he not broken curfew…

      • I agree with you, I would give him a World Cup spot if he filed a one time switch. He’s probably good enough now to be a bench player for us. However, I disagree with those that already know he will be a top scorer in the Bundesliga in the future. It remains to be seen whether he can reach Donovan or Dempsey’s level. I unlike others cannot predict the future.

    • It might depend on who among his friends and managers influences him. Maybe he like to stay in germany. Maybe he doesn’t want to switch because Guardiola or Loew promised him something. He is a great player. But sometimes things change. Look at Brek Shea. He was great when he played in Dallas at first. Then the coach started to not like him. Things happen. There are a lot of things that might influence a player.

      Reply
      • He is a “great player”??? How can you make that statement when he hasn’t played in one professional league match. His whole professional career is two minutes in a champions league match. Doesn’t someone have to do something before they’re considered “great?”

        People get insane about these dual-national guys. Six months ago, John Brooks was going to be USMNT’s best center-back for the next decade if he chose us, now he can’t get a game at his club and his recent performance against Ukraine made Omar Gonzalez look like Franco Baresi.

        To this point, Green has done nothing to merit going to world cup with the US, leaving aside the fact that he’s not even committed at this point.

      • I beg to differ with you slowleft, At this point time, from what he has already shown to date, Julian Green is better that any attacker on the U.S. Men’s National Team.

      • A few goals in the fourth level of German football and he’s better than anyone we have? Wow, if that’s true, we are in big trouble. Fortunately, it isn’t. Don’t get me wrong, he may eventually be better than anyone on the USMNT, but we can’t say that right now.

      • That’s hardly evidence of anything…. Donovan if no one else even at his age is better than a him.

        Experience counts for a lot sometimes….

      • Green has great potential, but to say that he has proven more than any US attacker up to this point (that includes Jozy, Johannson, Dempsey, LD) is a bit on the ludicrous side to say the least. He plays for the Bayern Reserve side and does well…but take it for what it is

      • I will take it two ways. No US player at that age has ever been on Bayerns books.
        When Brek Shea a cast off on his club team is getting called. It is fair to say Green would immediately be in the conversation.

      • People who know and can judge talent far better than any of us sitting in front of a keyboard think Green is very talented. He would not be training with the first team of the UCL titleholders and possible repeat winners if he wasn’t very good. There is a reason why Bayern has always been among the top clubs in Europe. They have people who can recognize talent both in their youth ranks and at other clubs. To play for Bayern and the German U-19 side already is evidence to me that Green is already a good player. I’m curious if the ANTI Green faction on SBI is also the PRO Adu faction. I would rather have a young athletic body like Green than a pigmy like Adu. He’s like the black Peter Dinklage. Not ripping little people, but Adu looks like one next to a normal sized M or D.

      • +10 Dirk. So many here saying he only plays in the 4th division, with no starts in Bundesliga I, so he can’t be very good.

        It doesn’t matter what evidence is presented to them, it does’n matter. Like, for instance, before the season started Bayern were considering loaning Green to Hamburg for the season where he would have been a sure starter. However, in pre-season training with the 1st team, and playing in first team friendlies (scoring 2 hat-tricks) he so impressed Pep that the loan deal to Hamburg was nixed. This information means nothing to them.

      • Your history of hate for dual nationals is noted and has been for some time now! We get it, you don’t like them!

      • True, I’m not a fan of trying to find every foreign guy with a US connection and then calling that our national team. I think it’s silly and devalues international soccer. I think part of the reason some US fans are so gung-ho about it is because, deep down, they don’t think US players are any good. They’re still insecure about the game here.

        But this is a separate question. Whether Julian Green can be called a great player right now. It’s got nothing to do with what country he ultimately plays for.

      • Slowleftarm brought up an excellent point, and using Brooks is an excellent example. He is right, a few months ago everyone was putting Brooks on a pedestal. Instead of countering his argument, you attacked his reputation of “hating dual-nationals”. As my speech and debate professor would have said, “When you attack the debater and not his argument, you know you are beat”.

      • Well then Ucla..Great, we have one party in a debate saying to the other: “Your history of hate for duel nationals is noted” and then the other party replies: “True”.

        Tell me, what would your speech and debate professor have said about that?

      • Don’t try to be clever. He said “True, I’m not a fan of trying to find every foreign guy with a US connection … but this is a separate question.” Nice job including only the part that you feel benefits your point (save that for the cable news networks).

        Either way though, none of that would have any affect on my original point, “you’ve already lost when you attack the debater instead of his argument.”

      • I think I’m going to chime in now.
        Regarding Brooks he does have a lot of promise and potential. However he has not been in great form recently and as we can see he still has a lot to learn.
        A rash of minor injuries has hampered his development and limited his playing time more than anything else.
        Now about JG. If you really get a chance to watch him play you would understand what JK, Pep, and Sammer and all see.
        (Mix has this in little doses and that’s what I was always excited about with Mix).
        Now JG can control the run of play, he can handle the ball, pass effectively, and has good touch and control, field vision and awareness. He can finish and set people up as I witnessed him do playing alongside Mueller and Kroos and many other 1st team players.
        Money is the genuine article, no doubt.

      • depends on how you define “great player”. he’s in bayern munich’s (arguably the best team in the world right now) 1st team plans at the age of 18. to me, that means he’s already a great player.

      • Wow, we have some pretty low standards here for “great player.” How can a guy with 2 minutes of professional experience be “great”? The only reason any of you guys know who Green is is because his dad happens to be American. Can you name youth team players on the fringes of the first team at other big teams in Europe? If so, kudos to you, but I expect the answer is no. Are those players also great?

        I guess my standards for greatness are a little higher.

      • i guess they are, because, yes, i would call anyone on the fringes of teams as big as bayern “great players”.

      • Nate, shall we tell slowleft that, at the age of 18, Julian Green is not only in the starting plans of Pep Guardiola, he also has a professional football contract paying him $700,000.00/yr. and is given a new Audi to drive?

        Or with slowleft, do you think it would make a difference?

      • How can you say he is in the starting plans of Pep, if Green never starts? Also, salary is not a goo indicator of greatness. Bayern is a rich team and they pay their players a lot. Donovan, Dempsey, and Bradley all get paid more than Green and get paid more than a lot of international stars. I guess that means they are all better than anyone paid less than them. Green is obviously a highly touted prospect (same as Freddy Adu was), but you can’t call him great yet, until he proves it consistently on the field as a starter.

      • If you would read the comments and do just a little research, instead of giving your opinions rather that knowledge you would know how I could say Julian is in Pep’s starting plans.

        But knowing you, you do like your opinions, I will tell you. That was from Bayern’s Director of Sporting, Matthias Sammer interview with Süddeutsche Zeitung. That’s what he told one of the most respected newspapers in Germany.

        Also, I do believe you should give your old speech and debate professor a call. You were a great debated at UCLA, weren’t you?

      • ::Sigh:: Expat, you seem very new to this. Hold the presses everyone!! An executive/coach is praising a young player in their system, this has never happened before. Surely, this guarantees he will be great and world class right? You seem too dense to comprehend the simple point I am making: Julian Green is a good young prospect, but at this point that is all he is. He may or may not end up being a great player. You can’t crown him until he earns it. I don’t care what Pep or Sammer said, point is he isn’t playing for Bayern right now. Actions speak louder than words.

        By the way, you need to look up the definition of opinion, because you seem to think that I am the only one giving opinions. You think Green is already great, I don’t. That’s our opinions, not as you call it “knowledge”. I’m done schooling you.

      • Note – He is more than on the fringes. He is in their bear term plans. A team like Bayern does not push their future into the fire. If Green is at a smaller bundesliga club he’s probably getting good minutes. And no one here questions he’s immediately in the conversation.

        I say to you get some true perspective.

  14. Many have complained about the artificial turf in Seattle, focusing on what it does to the players’ health and what it does to the quality of play. JK’s allusion to it makes me wonder whether there is yet another issue: what it does to the players’ form, especially that of the Seattle players who play half their games on it. Maybe all the current and former soccer players out there can offer comments: does playing on a slick and bouncy artificial turf field cause you to develop habits, etc. that make it hard to adjust when you play on grass?

    Reply
    • It really shouldn’t make that much of a difference at their level, especially for a guy like Dempsey, who’s class should shine through even if he’s playing on a dirt field. Sure, playing on grass for the last 6 years then changing to a faster, bouncier turf will take some adjusting, but the game hasn’t changed at all. After a couple training sessions, you should be calibrated to the surface.

      Reply
    • Honestly, I feel like it’s a different game. The ball acts in a completely different manner on artificial surfaces. When you’re trying to get the pace exactly right on a 30 yard through-ball, the timing and weight of the pass is drastically different. These guys are honing their skills down to precise timing and I can’t imagine it isn’t affected in a negative way.

      And then you look at the SSvSKC game on Sat. That ball was bouncing all over the place – it was pretty ugly to watch. Both of those teams have much more technical skill than what they could apply during that game. After watching the DCvCrew game, I have to think the game in Seattle could have been a much better game on natural grass.

      Reply
      • Seattle New England Portland and Vancouver should just play all thier lgames away on grass fields to appease the whiners

      • This is so true.

        It’s like a pinball game. I’ve always thought it was a ridiculous homefield advantage.

      • Dry grass vs Wet turf is not the best comparison of all time. You can play on wet turf, wet grass is soon a mud pit even at EPL fields.

        Turf varies from field to field as well.

      • SilverRey: “These guys are honing their skills down to precise timing and I can’t imagine it isn’t affected in a negative way.”

        Then these guys have a major problem: if they hone their skills to precisely match their home practice pitch, they will never find those same conditions on other grass fields. Grass, length, density, smoothness of surface, wet/dry—all will significantly change ball movement. Players have to learn how to *adjust* the timing and weight of their passes to meet the turf they play on.

        As for the bouncy ball in the SSvSKC match: 90% of that was due to poor technique, not the surface. Players striking under the ball on passes instead of just-over-center, poor trapping, etc. The real difference is that FieldTurf punishes—and therefore, reveals—those mistakes more than grass.

      • I’ve played on FieldTurf and the field is pretty consistent. Other than the seams and getting raspberries on your thighs and calfs from slide tackling, I have no problem w/ it. It plays better than Astro Turf, and lots of grass fields. Not everyone has a beautifully groomed, perfectly level, and the right texture pitch to play on. It’s short studs and turf shoes on FieldTurf which is fine because you don’t often need long studs anyone. That is unless you are playing on a very soft or very muddy field. Maybe old versus new turf is a bigger issue or the height of the crown in the middle of the field might be too high. I think those things matter more than just FieldTurf v. grass.

      • and, as Sigi said a couple days ago, they try very hard NOT to practice on the fake turf, usually practicing and training on grass.

    • Brain Guy: First, I think you read an important point in JK’s comment: the concern he expressed about the artificial turf was how it affected play, not about injury.

      Second: is it different to play on turf than on grass? Yes. Absolutely. Follow-up question: Are all grass fields the same? No. Not remotely. Some teams cut it short and water it down so the ball moves fast (e.g., Barcelona), some let it grow long and dry to reduce passing and force running (e.g., Bolivia), some teams can afford laser-smooth fields and others have lumpy ankle-breakers. Some fields grow lush, immaculate grass, while others are soggy mud pits where players slip and slide and the ball bogs down in puddles.

      Leading up to the World Cup, some playing time on artificial turf could actually improve player form. Note the similarity in what everyone says: the ball moves really fast on artificial turf, and the biggest challenge in the international game is the speed of play. In terms of the habits that develop on artificial turf: Passing on artificial turf has to be more precise and smooth (i.e., on the ground, no bouncing) than on grass—I see that as a good thing.

      Reply
      • I haven’t had the good fortune to gain playing or coaching experience in the adult game, but in terms of youth development the turf/grass difference is huge.

        Generally I prefer grass, though turf does offer its own developmental advantages. I think grass has more advantages, though. A big thing is the youth players who primarily play on turf can get lazy – you’ll see it with their first touch especially. They stand higher, because they are more confident they know where the ball is going. The grass player bends his knees more, because he’s more often adjusting to odd bounces. And straight-leggedness is a sign of a laziness – the player might not go as far as he might otherwise have gone.

      • Paul Miller: I agree with much of what you say. I would point out, however, my somewhat different experience from coaching youth. When the youth play on really poor fields—as they are in my area—it’s impossible to learn proper passing because a rolling ball just gets deflected by all the bumps and holes. When the youth in my area reach U12 they switch over to the artificial turf where they can finally learn to pass on the ground. So there are certainly trade-offs either way. The best development will include time on multiple surfaces.

      • That doesn’t mean there is something wrong with the turf, just something wrong with Henry.

      • Logically this is possible, but I’m going to give the benefit of doubt to an all time great as opposed to a crap pitch.

      • Shyam: Except that Henry won’t play in Seattle because he wrongly believes that it increases the chance that he’ll get hurt, not because the pitch is below his elite standards.

        (Also, note that I never said there was nothing wrong with Seattle’s turf.)

    • 1. Is it different? Absolutely
      2. Is there a difference between the “good” turf & “bad”? From what everyone says there is a difference and Seattle is bad getting worse
      3. Does it affect your touch? Absolutely, but it’s not just the touch on the ball and passing, but the type of cleats you wear and how well you adjust

      Does any of this matter?
      It shouldn’t. They play both home and away games, practice on different fields, and each has its own traits. Professionals are used to this.
      Plus there will be plenty of training leading to Brazil on grass
      If it was a scenario where all the games were played on turf, it may matter… but everyone in our pool is ready to go from the beginning(not just Deuce) so there should be no excuses or impact.

      Reply
      • There is actually a surface out there that combines turf and grass that seems to be pretty good! Some NFL stadiums have it(Texans, Eagles), so I’d be interested to know if that was something MLS teams with “synthetic” turf fields would invest in for the overall betterment of the players health and fluidity of play on the pitch?!

      • The World Cup in South Africa used a blend. It’s expensive and does not solve the major issues of trying to maintain grass fields in wet areas, but certainly some MLS clubs could implement it.

        A far better solution for Seattle would be something like the Matrix SoftTop rollout surface. It can be swapped out so that the Sounders and Seahawks could each choose their own field surface to fit their needs.

      • That would be sweet.. what other stadiums have it? I know I’ve seen it but don’t recall off the top of my head

      • People really need to chill about Seattle’s turf. People keep preparing it to a nicely manicured, smooth grass field. Instead you should be comparing it to a really torn up, uneven surface–because that’s what you’re gonna get for about half of the MLS season in Seattle. They share with a football team that will devastate a wet grass field. I’m sorry, but you won’t convince me that a torn up soccer field is safer for the players than the turf. Especially in the kind of one game scenario that Thierry Henry playing at the Clink is. But Red Bull, more power to you if you want to pay this guy millions of dollars to not play road matches… In the meantime, the Sounders need to work on getting them to install a more soccer friendly turf–that’s the only reasonable way forward for them and the league. BTW, it’s not nearly as bad in person as it is on TV. Seriously…

      • That field is poor for soccer. It’s not the only poor field in MLS but it does not excuse that the field is poor. Wish folks would stop trying to explain the situation in Seattle. We understand but the firld is still yuck for soccer

      • Folks will stop trying to explain the situation in Seattle when people stop making unreasonable or uninformed demands and statements about the field.

      • Seattle’s turf is a disaster. Games there r truly difficult to watch.
        If their fans would put as much energy into petitioning its replacement as they do defending it. We’d all be better off.

      • “If their fans would put as much energy into petitioning its replacement….” But that energy has to be directed intelligently. Too many people gripe and complain about Seattle’s turf and only offer impossible alternatives: build a new stadium, plant grass, etc.

      • Let Klinsmann do the math. I guess whatever discussion or criticize on Demps’ performances, he will be in JK formula. No doubt, with Demps USA will play 3 beautiful games then watch others.

  15. Worrying about poor from from Dempsey and Altidore is simply wasted energy. Regardless of whether or not they are playing well going into the WC, they are two of the top five (or close to it) talents in the US player pool. I’m confident that they will both turn it around by June, but even if they don’t, US fans should be able to recognize that they will both see significant playing time in Brazil and most likely start all 3 games.

    Reply
    • Dempsey has been awful recently. If his current form continues, I don’t see him starting out wide or under the striker over Donovan, Zusi, AJ, Bedoya, or potentially Fabian Johnson. Whose spot would he steal?

      Reply
      • Hopefully Fabian Johnson is at LB where he belongs, and then Dempsey can start right in front of him (where he belongs).

      • AMEN!!!

        I remember when FJ came on and took that spot. I thought, “Well, at least THAT spot is covered.”

        He owned it for that time and then BOOM JK changes it.

        I don’t get playing him in the midfield when he is so good at that fullback spot. And since fullbacks are expected to get forward in the modern game, he is still going to be in the attack. Just like against Brazil, where we lost 4-1. He and Bradley got that ball in place for Gomez.

    • Because he’s already played for Germany’s U-19s, he’d have to file for the one-time switch, so that would effectively cap-tie him to the US.

      Reply
      • Think about how many future stars we have had flame out, then ask yourself if leaving a contributor off the team in favor of a potential future star is worth it.

      • We have NEVER had a player getting first team minutes at the best club in the world under the world’s top coach. Never. Not even close.

        To even compare the true is ludicrous. This kid isn’t going to flame out. He can’t flame out. He’s already made it.

      • If I’m not mistaken I believe green has played less than 5 mins for Bayern. I don’t think that qualifies as “making it”. If he decides to make the switch and then is added great if not than he will be next time.

      • His point was there aren’t many (any) outfield players in U.S. history that have sniffed even 5 minutes from one of the top 3 teams in the world. This kid is 18 and has done it. He scored 5 straight for their 2nd team in one stretch.

      • Whether leaving a contributor in favor of a potential future star is worth it is for the coach to decide. However, Brazil does it quite a bit. In 1994, for example, they took a youngster, who did not play a single minute. His name? Ronaldo. There is a benefit in bringing a potential future star as it would give him an invaluable experience of what the world cup is, so when they are ready to contribute it would not be their first WC. It’s not like the entire squad ends up playing in the WC so giving one spot to a potential future star is a good investment.

      • When the US has a squad that is as deep as that 1994 Brazil team, which went on to win the Cup, then they can afford that sort of maneuver.
        But the US does not have that luxury in 2014. If JK thinks Green can make a contribution then he should go otherwise he has no business there since there is no guarantee that Green will be a relevant player in four years.

      • That’s just a really terrible, terrible idea.

        First, let’s use the example of Ronaldo. Before Ronaldo was chosen for the Brasilian WC team, he had led his club (Cruzeiro) to the Copa de Brasil championship. He scored 12 goals in 14 games. Green has played 5 freaking minutes. These situations aren’t even analogous.

        Second, the message it sends to the other 22 players on the team is: I Klinsi am not choosing the best team, I am not seeking to be as competitive as possible in this WC, that what you do in practice and games doesn’t determine if you make the team and may not even explain if you start.

        Third–what a terrible message to give a young player. It says “we want you so much we’ll lean over backwards to get you, we’ll give you things you haven’t earned. Worst possible thing you can do to a young player who’s work habits and professional values are still being formed. Superb way to produce a guy who doesn’t work 100% or isn’t committed to being a great teammate.

      • I inherenetly agree, but lets specifically talk about the opportunity cost, and the implicit ceiling of the young stud. What is the US attacking depth situation. Making claims towards the psychological detrimental of such a move are valid, but what if, what if Green is a better squad option for today, not simply a hope for 2018. Has this been considered? A level of respect for top club scouting should be taken in to consideration. Would you be happier if he had netted 45 goals in the MLS this season? He is playing alongside top talent and with the influence of top management. It is not as simple as you deem it. There is risk, you pointed that out, but what is the reward? Especially for a team that can hardly sniff a round of 16 berth in the current group as far as odds maker deem.

      • Don’t worry LeaveA, . Herzog let Julian know he will go to Brazil when he visited with him in Feb.

    • Friendlies don’t cap-tie, but in order to play in a friendly you have to be declared with your country. Had Julian not played for a German youth NT team, he could have played against Ukraine, w/o being permanently tied to the US. Since he has played in an official youth tournament, he’s with Germany (and can’t play in a US friendly) unless he filed a one time switch to the US to play in a friendly, which he can’t rescind.

      Reply
    • It does cap tie him if he has already provisionally tied to another country. He would have to file a one time switch to play in a friendly for the US and would then be tied to the US.

      Reply
      • Hypothetically, he could file for the switch and not get capped, but still be permanently tied to the US… I think we should coin a new term here: Switch-tied

    • since he’s provisionally tied to germany, i believe that he’d have to file his one-time switch to even appear for us in a friendly. can anyone confirm?

      Reply
    • Cap-tying is irrelevant with Julian Green.
      If he wants to play for the US, he files a one time switch and from that point forward can ONLY play for the US.
      Otherwise he plays for Germany.

      Reply

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