Jurgen Klinsmann isn't one to mince words, so when he was asked about Tim Chandler's decision to turn down his latest U.S. national team call-up, Klinsmann didn't hold back.
In an exclusive interview with Fox Soccer on Monday, Klinsmann expressed his unhappiness with Chandler's decision and cited the player's immaturity as a likely factor in his unwillingness to commit to the national team.
“Down the road, when he gets little older and a bit more mature, there will be this decision to make on what you want to do with your life and with your career,” Klinsmann told Fox Soccer. “That moment gets closer and closer for him and we’ll see what direction he wants to go."
Klinsmann also discussed his decision to call in youngsters Terrence Boyd and Joe Corona, as well as the deep collection of forwards he has in camp. Give the story a read and let us know what you think.
Surprised to hear Klinsmann be so vocal about Chandler's decision not to come, or are you happy to hear the U.S. head coach telling it like it is?
Share your thoughts below.
By the way, I agree with your assessment of Boyd and Corona. I am very excited that they were called up.
Wondo/Agudelo is a toss-up!
what makes it a toss up?
Wondo works hard,good in the air etc.
I just have never seen any magic from Agudelo and that’s why I want to know from Red Bull fans what they have seen that makes him so promising other then he very fast. I have only seen play a few times and his work ratio is a bit slack.
I don’t believe that Klinsmann is a kind of manipulative guy who says positive things about a player publicly and then backstabs him. Adu’s absence is due to his performances with Union (including the red card he got in his last game – I question whether it was a dive for his second yellow, but his first tackle merited a red card) and the depth of the current USMNT squad. Klinsmann was pleased with Adu’s performance with the U23 team, but it was not enough to make the squad without showing more in the league games for his club.
haha yes, yes she did
why do you thinkig cameron id fighting for gooch/goodson backup role? he may be fighting to be Boca’s backup.
Less than his passport or anything else so shocking, I think this is a strategic non-call; the best thing for Freddy Adu right now is to break through the glass ceiling he’s been chipping away at on the club level and that can n;y happen with club time.
He was having a breakout game against NY before the BS red card and I for one think he needs to build that momentum–to diappear for 4 weeks would let that iron go cold.
So I think a non-call now that allows for a really strong club run will, in the long run, be much better for the nats side and for Freddy as a player..
It’s a coach’s job to call folks out now and again. Sometimes privately, sometimes publicly. I’d bet this is not the first time JK and TimmyChanchan have had a heart to heart. Sooner or later you need to speak louder when the buc isn’t hearing you.
Even for this site that was one of the quickest jumps to a false conclusion I have ever seen. Not that I in any way was making such a suggestion but you kind sir have perfectly summed me up. Bravo, sir. Bravo indeed!!
I agree except for Wondo. I think Aguedelo gets cut seeing as he just switched teams and has to prove he is a starting player.
That’s what she said?
Sorry, sarcasm doesn’t always show up correctly.
As JS stated, that was a completely sarcastic comment on my part.
Whoops, I cut Cameron, not Morales. Last minute change.
Any predictions on final 23 after the cuts?
Here’s mine:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Edgar Castillo (Club Tijuana), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Alfredo Morales (Hertha Berlin), Oguchi Onyewu (Sporting Lisbon), Michael Parkhurst (Nordsjaelland)
MIDFIELDERS (8): Michael Bradley (Chievo Verona), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Jose Torres (Pachuca), Danny Williams (Hoffenheim), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
FORWARDS (6): Juan Agudelo (Chivas USA), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Terrence Boyd (Borussia Dortmund), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Herculez Gomez (Santos)
I cut: Rimando, Morales, Beckerman, and Wondo
Reasoning:
– Rimando is in season, Guzan isn’t
– Cameron is behind Gooch and Goodson in the pecking order. Morales stays in case there is an opportunity to cap-tie him in the WCQ
– Beckerman is not better than Edu, Jones, Williams or MB90. Corona stays for the same reason as Morales.
– Wondo/Agudelo is a toss-up! I think Gomez stays based on his late arrival date. Boyd needs to be cap-tied too.
Thoughts?
Yawn, everybody’s opinion is stupid except yours.
Agreed.
We asked early on and Germany hadn’t so far. Chandler has continued to improve and perhaps the young man didn’t realize he would continue to ascend.
Chandler grew up in Germany. I would think it would be natural for him to want to play for Germany. I get that it feels like a bit of a tease for us USMNT supporters but I also get that Chandler’s childhood dream probably wasn’t to represent the US.
I don’t ever recall hearing the story that Chandler sought out the US. I believe it was the other way around. So it’s really hard for me to hold any kind of grudge against the young man.
Talented defenders don’t ever get beat by talented forwards (and Welbeck is a very talented forward)?
That’s kind of an abolutist statement to say you aren’t convinced because a defender got beat.
Lichaj had some very good performance for AV since he came back from injury.
“Nevin Subotic would be playing for us right now if it weren’t for Rongen publicly criticizing him. ”
Not that anyone can prove it one way or another but that is very, very debateable.
If you notice, Klinsmann is pretty open about his players, especially in comparison to Bob Bradley.
However, he won’t say anything negative about them. Which makes me think the guys who he says nothing at all about like DMB, Sacha and Lichaj may have to wait a while before they get back in the picture.
I did watch all of them and Adu had a couple of bright moments. The rest of the time I felt like throwing the remote at the TV when Adu had the ball.
Despite your claims to the contrary regarding Klinsmann’s praise of Adu, the simple fact remains that the CAPTAIN of the U23’s did not get called into camp while some of his teammates did. Klinsmann’s actions speak far louder than his words.
Red Bull fans I have a question for you:
Have you seen on any consistent basis what Klinsmann sees in Juan Agudelo? (yes – I know he has been with Chivas now for a couple of weeks so no need to correct me )
Thanks in advance.
OMG it has nothing to do with how your team is playing and everything to do with what Klinsmann wants. If he wants you, you don’t have to even make the bench for your team. If he doesnt like you, it wont matter what you do, you’re not coming. The only exceptions are people that at least get a look based on individual performance but probably have no chance of making the cut (Herc, Wondo)
I think he’s missing the boat on two players… Adu and Benny. Both are very skilled but both need to be COACHED to become a factor. Both have played great games in the past and they should have been called based on that. Adu was good at the failed U23 tournament and the Gold Cup. Benny was a force in last WC runup. However both need work to do it all the time and frankly, I dont think Klinsmann likes Adu’s size and Benny’s attitude. Klinsmann should be working with them, not shunning them as both could be useful if he could turn them around
Adu’s national team career mirrors his club career, moments of brilliance followed by long periods of anonymity.
Since he moved to Europe in 2007 to date he has averaged 11 appearances, not full games but appearances,a season, for his clubs, including the Union.
I don’t care if the guy is the second coming he won’t be able to sustain his sharpness and reach his full potential until he plays more games on a regular basis.
It’s really that simple. I think that is why Klinsmann won’t call him up.
i believe JK stated he wanted Dempsey in the “hole”
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Agree, often the headlines and or pictures do not match or are incorrect. A recent headline had a Europe based player selected for the USA Olympic side going to London.
The “Peter Principle” says he should get promoted.
Corona played right wing exclusively when he started for TJ, but has since played other positions.
While I agree that Adu is a work in progress, you are a bit unfair to him. He played quite well in the Gold Cup final with the senior team. If you look at the tape, he played his heart out and had no problem dribbling around Mexican defenders and midfielders.
Dude, did you even watch the games? Sloppy defending and goalkeeping mistakes were the primary reason that the team did not quality. As the right forward in 4-3-3, Adu’s primary responsibilities were offensive and the team averaged 3 goals per game. And Klinsmann actually praised Adu for his play during the tournament.
Agreed, but it’s a fine line. Not to say that Klinsmann was overly critical, or that Chandler didn’t deserve to be rebuked a little, but he should tread lightly. Remember: Nevin Subotic would be playing for us right now if it weren’t for Rongen publicly criticizing him.
I am amazed at how people think their favorite player “deserves” a call-up because of their own criteria. Klinsi has a plan and he picks the players that will build the team that he thinks will earn him the result. His team, his creiteria, his rating system and his picks. You don’t like it then apply for the job when he quits or gets fired.
Playing first team ball is nice and winning club titles are even better but that does not necessaily translate into what a country’s national team will look like.
My take? Eric is coming off of a major injury could need rest, or maybe a big deal is the works and JK does not want to foul it up, or mybe Eric is not needed for the likes of Antigua. Only JK knows and guess what? To quote “A Few Good Men” I don’t think he gives a damn about what you (or I) think we are entitled to. He’ll call the guys that he rates and use as backups the guys he think fit that title. It’s the way of the coaching world.
These guys are pros and I am sure Klinsi talks to pool players who don’t make the cut. He’s not scared of them. I trust they know where they stand.
So while the constant speculation and “personal criteria are nice – blog stuff – JK and his staff have their system and it is what it is, and if deserve has anything to do with it you can bet that honor is bestowed an a small elite few, if any.
Like I said, playing time is nice, but when baby Bradley wasn’t playing Papa Bardley started him and fans with their illusions of justice and fairness somplained and Bob couldn’t have cared less. Why because he had a plan and knew very well that Mikey was a big part of it – and more times than not, Mikey came through.
It seems to me that Klinsmann is taking this about right. He was maybe a bit more negative than he could have been, but a lot more circumspect than most posters on Ives. Klinsmann pretty much summed it up by saying that Chandler needed to make a mature decision and he is waiting (perhaps, impatiently) for that maturity to come.
Possible but doubt JK sees LD as that. He’s obviously one of our greatest ever and the best combination guy we have working with others, but Deuce is more of a playmaker 1 v 1.
I’m really steamed that Bornstein keeps getting snubbed, you guys.
Not really, Adu disappeared for long stretches. He still cannot figure out how to get involved when the game does not come to him and he still makes some decisions to take risks when he would be better to play safe (though, at least that has improved). I don’t think anyone questions Adu’s ability to come up with moments of brilliance, it is just that when he is not doing that, he is less than average. I swear, so many players can show for the ball so much more frequently than Adu, if only they had his brilliance, sigh!
The risk to me is that Dolo’s recent appearances at US RB have been uneven, and he’s shown signs of losing a step. I preferred Chandler as a natural RB who could defend and truly get upfield (worked wall passes at speed, etc.), and thought we should have been grooming him there. I hope part of this isn’t Klinsi’s penchant for deploying him at an unnatural LB, where his ability to get upfield was limited by his right-footedness.
I also really hope this is not a Reyna/E. Lewis situation developing with Dolo and perhaps Boca.
But bottom line we play with the cards we’re dealt, Johnson at LB might be interesting, Boca could be solid, I pray that Castillo is not a sincere option. I’d have liked to see Lichaj in the fold because when “on” he’s truly an EPL-level player, and better than Boca for instance.
Adu’s like our version (albeit less talented at this point) of Riquelme for Argentina, just hard to find a spot for him. We play a more physical, direct style that’s not well suited to his skills and lack of speed.
He needs to improve his two-way game to stand any shot of making a major impact for the Nats.
I didn’t feel like Klinsi was that open with Ives, and I think people like chatty coaches when they are doing well but tend to start to dislike them as publicity hounds or merely opinionated (but not necessarily right) when the honeymoon’s over.
When The Special One is on a roll he’s a great coach, when his teams falter it’s unnecessary drama, etc.
couldn’t say it better myself
corona plays as a cam in his club. i would not rate adu higher than corona since he has not had one single good game with the union.
Lichaj needs to maintain fitness and keep the match-practice experience from slipping during the May-June off-season. He should be in camp.
Klinsmann’s comments suggest that Chandler still believes he has a shot at die Mannschaft. His ‘immaturity’ that Klinsi argues, would be the fact that Klinsmann with Low in charge knows exactly his standing with the German team.
My guess, Chandler and his agent decided that right now, 4th or 5th RB for Germany is better than 2nd RB for the USA. Chandler is not good at LB, and his value goes down when he plays there. Klinsmann and Low have Chandler in a box, does he know it?
The LB needs to be Johnson. He manhandled the Italians, so I don’t see the need to mess around with that spot. Sure we lose some of his technical offensive ability, but overall the tradeoff is positive for the team. Boca needs to stay in the middle. He hasn’t played LB in a while and his pace is an issue for the overlapping game.
Dolo, Gooch, Boca, Johnson
would make a pretty tough and talented defensive line. Lichaj, Castillo, Morales, etc… would all be fighting for the backup fullback spots at this point
He won’t be in camp til the 28th. The staggering of player arrivals like this is part of the reason I was wondering aloud how much we worked with Chandler, eg, “show up for the last friendly and the qualis and that’s fine.” Not saying Klinsi didn’t offer or Chandler didn’t turn them down still, or insist on rest or keeping his German options open. Just saying not everyone had to show up already.
Lichaj had the hip problem and I think people assumed that he had met the performance standard when he was called up, but was out of the loop merely because he was injured. This suggests either a critical (not good enough) or medical (rest his hip) perspective was used instead.
I’ve witnessed Lichaj getting beat backpost by Welbeck so I’m not one of the Lichaj absolutists, but Castillo looked awful when called in, and I’m not sure Boca would be better than Lichaj.
Boyd in particular looks like he will grow into a senior player, and Corona’s flashes on the ball and in finishing could suggest the same. But Freddy has been developed and developed and he’s still basically a youth team-type not quite ready for prime time…..no senior team worth their snuff will let him dribble around like he did to dish out his passes, and when he tries to speed up his game we see he’s slow and sloppy. He’s maxed his growth curve out and at not high enough a level.
It is a breath of fresh air that the coach says what he thinks. Coach Bradley was like a politican with marbles in his mouth. He never said what he thought in public
I’m pretty sure he wasn’t serious. Relax
I’m very excited to see who replaces Altidore for the Scotland game. Looking at our pool I believe we will be plating a 4-3-2-1 with a head striker and donovan and dempsey behind him. Wondo is a poacher and works better with a second striker. Gomez didn’t start against Monterrey. I believe he might still have a few knocks on him from the season. Agudelo looks to be out of shape and has recently moved to Chivas so I think he will be sent back on Friday. This leaves Boyd as our most likely starter. I hope he does well because I liked what I saw in the El Salvador game. Boyd is a clinical striker.