Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com
Martin Vasquez and Tab Ramos have been named as two of five assistant coaches appointed by U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the upcoming friendly against Mexico.
Thomas Dooley, Mike Curry and Mark Verstegen were the others chosen to be part of Klinsmann's rotating pool of assistant coaches.
Ramos and Dooley are former U.S. internationals, while Vasquez served under Klinsmann during his stint at Bayern Munich. Curry is a goalkeepers coach and Verstegen currently specializes in athletic training.
What do you think of Klinsmann's selections for assistant coaches? Who do you think has the best chance to stick?
Share your thoughts below.
I’m old enough to remember watching all three of these player in their playing days. They were all great soccer players with skill and game vision. Hope they can bring to coaching the skills and vision they brought to the game when they played.
MUST SEE: reminder.
Like most people, I’ll reserve my judgement but this is interesting group of staff to say the least. Eager to see how they work together.
A USMNT coach demanding that the MLS put a team in a certain market would make him an ex-USMNT coach very quickly.
If you build a team without a lot of preconceived prejudices and give opportunities for all, you will get the Mexican-American players coming to the USMNT.
Yes, It’s great to see Thomas Dooley back with the USMNT. He was the anchor stone in Bora’s defense that, in reflection, played above it’s head when you looked at it’s opponents. Had the US a better attack, I think it could have pulled out one of the biggest World Cup upsets and defeated Brazil in ’94.
Chivas should probably move to San Diego, but having a team named after a Mexican team probably won’t push too much nationalism among the kids trying to decide between Mexico and the US. If another franchise were to move there or they got a new one, I still don’t know if it would work. San Diego has the Chargers, and sometimes supports the Padres if they do well enough. Not a big sports town, probably wouldn’t get the support they need.
They already tried in Miami. Valderramma couldn’t bring in the Latino population in a HUGE latino city with lots of Venezuelans. RIP Fusion.
hopefully he does get a call for the belgium game
dammit, we still have the stink of chivas usa on the national team.
I agree that Pierre is awesome, but check out Mark Verstegen’s credentials. They are pretty awesome. He is one of the top fitness coach in the world for athletes. German National Team, MLS, NFL, NHL, and not to mention the last 5 #1 College football draft picks have used him to get in shape. Again, nothing against Pierre, but this guy is one of the best in the world and I think Klinsi has worked with him before.
Mark Verstegen is the owner of Core Performance and it’s a great program. He performed in the same role for Klinsmann when he was in charge of the German National Team. Core Performance training is a great system.
Pierre Barrieu, yes he should absolutely be kept on.
Campos looked like the Rainbow Warrior he truly is.
the Ramos thing makes sense for the U20’s. Dooley I could definitely see being a scout/assistant coach for Klinsmann. Any good American tacticians?
And remember how much the Mexican team hates Cobi! When he was playing it was worth like 3 yellows/game…
And a non-Latino, DaMarcus Beasley, is playing for Puebla in the Mexican League
the war is on here, and it’s on the middle class. No middle class, no fan support.
Take Kreis, he seems to be a bit burnt out with RSL.
Right, move Chivas to San Diego and rebrand. US Soccer has the money and can find a owner to make Miami succed. If they would play in Miami they could easily average more fans then the crew, rapids, dallas, houston, chivas and New England. A handful? That must be a joke unless you can hold 20+ in your hand. There are alot of mexican/americans in the youth systems of mexican teams. If MLS would increase the cap a bit im pretty sure young players would rather stay in a stable country that doesnt have a cartel wars going on.
Great Dooley goal/celebration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X60KzVhz0ck&feature=player_embedded#at=28
I thought the same thing when I read the story. Vasquez is also a former US Nat.
Was wondering what Dooley’s been up to, hanging out in SoCal it looks like. Wonder if he’ll stick… great player, but can he coach?
Good point.
We have to remember – Castillo, Torres and Orozco are all Americans that happen to pay in Mexico.
Most surprising move on this roster announcement is fact that Barrieu is no longer with the team. He’s been a US Soccer staple for >12years
I like it because the torch is being passed.
It is good to see Ramos and Dooley on his team. It is good to hear that Claudio Reyna will feature. The players will benefit from these guys experience as former professional players.
Gatt scores another golaso today… How long until we see him with the full team? I’d bet we see in Belgium
Due your homework Ives: Vasquez is also a former U.S. international (7 caps) AND has 3 caps for Mexico.
Well I like that Klismann is going to take his time to get his Coach assistant, Like that he brought Tab Ramos in so just in case he doesn’t get to be USNMT assistant he will know how Klismann would like to play the game, formation and tactics so he can pass it to the U20 just in case Tab Ramos stay as a Coach of the U20. I heard that Roberto Donadoni live in Floridad and he been Americanized also maybe he can get him to be his assistant also that will be great Two player that been in the big stage, Coach before and play in the world cup excellent.
It was pretty dirty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30rSHY9aFBI
Bring Sorber back in the fold….you know he was the one whispering in BB ear….”put Borny in…come on BB…I dare you!!”
Seriously though, Klinsy knows how to pick a good staff!!!!
Verstegen ain’t no slouch when it comes to fitness. Don’t worry, he’ll kick butt.
……ya vas carnal!
Right, when Jurgen has the USSF cut a check for $80million to buy 2 franchises and another $200million to buy stadiums and then put them in markets that aren’t exactly clamoring for professional soccer, all so we can maybe uncover a handful of extra international-caliber Americans of Hispanic descent…this ignores the fact that Americans of any ethnicity, if given the chance, would probably choose MFL teams b/c MFL pays way better than MLS, and is generally more competitive (see Damarcus Beasley).
Tabaré!!! Most skilled U.S. player ever. Not sure if he can coach a lick, but he sure had game. He was beating Brazil singlehandedly before they took him out with one of the dirtiest plays I’ve ever seen.
If jurgen really wants to implement more Latinos into the system he should demand MLS put a team in Miami and San Diego instead of calling up latino players that dont merit a call up. We loose too many young players to teams south of the border. They take advantage of the complacency of US Soccer and the Xolos have publically stated plans to recruit Mexican/Americans in So Cal
Klinsmann is already showing his savvy. Vasquez is a has a fascinating background having played internationally for Mexico and USA.
Ramos and Dooley are icons of US Soccer and have solid ground to stand on when demanding of players. Look to Dooley as the USNATS coach specializing in tracking US players in Europe.
Klinsmann is already establishing the CRITICAL competition amongst players that has been lacking for years (even in Arena era).
Publicity stunt until Beckham buys in.
Aside from Sorber,.. I have no clue of who the past coaching staff was under Bradley. good to know this info
I second that. That guy, Pierre Barrieu, is quality. Klinsi does not appear to be cleaning house but time will tell. Perhaps he is just giving everyone a jolt to stir the pot of complacency a little.
Klinsman brought Vasquez in as an assistant when Klinsman was with Bayern Munich. Supposedly, that didin’t go over well but we’ll see….
Mike Curry candidate #1: http://www.uniquelyub.org/overview/stories_full.php?s=27
Jurgen has more favorites then Bradley
the french dude, pierre. forget his last name though.
Awesome that they got Dooley in there! Tab Ramos too! Those guys are legends, and they know their stuff! I would have brought in Cobi Jones too. The Cosmos thing is just a publicity stunt. He can do both…
what Mexican did we call in ? did Gio switch countries cause that would be awesome.
Klinsi is the best!!!!!!!. BB sucks the big one!!!!!!!!
When/where did the Vasquez-Klinsmann connection take place? Did they just start hanging out in California or something?
Also, forgive my ignorance, but who is Mike Curry?
Completely agree. Let him get to know as much players/asst coaches as he wants in the next few games.
Although, I’d like for Jason Kreis to get a shot as a guest coach.
INTERESTING, eh?!
MARTIN is a nice guy and clearly gets on with Jurgen .. .. I wonder if that’s why so may MEX players got called in .. ..
And, I’m doing cartwheels that THOMAS is going to be involved – Still my all-time fave MNT & MLS player .. ..
Fascinating mix of players .. ..
GOOD LUCK KLINSI!!
I really hope he keeps the old fitness coach around. Can’t remember his name off the top of my head, but that guy was doing exactly the stuff that Klinsi imported to Germany and Munich and is so passionate about. The need for superb fitness, measuring players’ fitness constantly, letting them know when they’re peaking, when they have more in the tank, etc. Would be a shame to see him go.
I’m doing my best to not judge anything at this point. Rosters, coaches, etc.
If the end result is what we’re all hoping for, and it takes a cycle or two to get there, I’m pleased.