By TATE STEINLAGE
Jonathan Klinsmann has had a taste of German soccer.
The 17-year-old goalkeeper recently trained with the Stuttgart youth academy in Germany in preparations for a trip to the Czech Republic with the U-18 U.S. Men’s National Team to compete in the 21st International Tournament of Vaclav Jezek.
The short stint with Stuttgart ended Thursday, according to the club. Klinsmann was just one of eight U-18 National Team players training in Europe, including FC Dallas forward Coy Craft, who joined Klinsmann at Stuttgart.
“I relished my time in Stuttgart,” Klinsmann told German newspaper BILD. “Of course, playing in the Bundesliga someday would be a dream.”
Klinsmann’s father — Jurgen — played at Stuttgart from 1984 to 1989. He told BILD the training was a positive experience: “The kids should train at the highest level — that’s a huge experience for them. I received only positive feedback.
“I am very thankful that Stuttgart enabled them to train with them,” Jurgen Klinsmann added.
The U-18 tournament in the Czech Republic runs from Aug. 14-24. The U.S. team includes Klinsmann and Coy, along with Real Salt Lake homegrown midfielder Sebastian Saucedo among others.
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What do you make of Jonathan Klinsmann’s time in Germany? Do you see the U-18 National Team benefitting from the experience?
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