Fire Jurgen Klinsmann?

           Jurgen Klinsmann has been wrongfully receiving  abundant negative criticism for results as the U.S. men's soccer coach. By wrongfully I mean that Klinsmann should be criticized, but is being scorched by the media for the wrong reasons. As a head coach on any high level competitive soccer team criticism is expected and Klinsmann is no exception. After the 2-0 lost in Guatemala I read articles from the media on a few of Klinsman's faults as a coach. One of them was that he plays players out of position and isn't consistent with his line up. I read that in the last 82 games Klinsmann has put out 80 different line-ups. The issue I have with this particular criticism is that it reveals how low our soccer IQ is as a nation. Now I agree that Klinsmann is a terrible coach tactically, which is nothing new from his quick stint as Bayern Munich's coach. The captain Philipp Lahm publicly criticized his fellow countrymen for not emphasizing soccer tactics enough. The great Pep Gurdiola who is held as one of the best coaches in the world right now is no stranger to switching players from their comfortable positions. In the champions league final as FC Barcelona's coach versus  Manchester United he played Carles Puyol, the captain, a dominant center back played as a right back the whole game. On a more permanent bases Pep Guardiola moved an Argentine center defensive midfielder into the center back position. In Bayern Guardiola moved Philipp Lahm, a right back, into the deep center midfield position. The same player and club Klinsmann coached years before. This idea is nothing new nor specific to Guardiloa. Arsene Wenger acquired Thierry Henry from Juventus to Arsenal in 1999. At the time Henry was a winger for Juventus, but at Arsenal Wenger used him as a striker. Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid's solid center back started his career as a right back for Spanish club Sevilla. In Europe, and the rest of the world players change position or play multiple of positions. It is not uncommon act from coaches to do so. Yet, for Jurgen Klinsmann to be criticized for something common is ridiculous. Now it is not to say players should always be moved or that a soccer player had to change his position throughout their career. Some players have always been a winger or defender and dominate because they excel at that position. I agree that the U.S. men's soccer team lacks consistency and it is true Klinsmann isn't a great coach. As I see he reads the game very poorly. Great choice as the director of USSF, but the coaching position may not suit him well. But as I mentioned before in a previous blog, the lack of individual talent is what hurts the U.S. the most. The way the U.S. soccer plays with extreme emphasis as a team unit players need more time to gel together. For example, at the moment the U.S. is not sure which two center backs solidify the defense the best. Most  national teams play the best two center backs they have or the best two available. At the moment some would say it is frightening that the there is no solidity in the back. Maybe it's a good thing for the men's team that it's still up for grabs. It allows for a good decent coach to play multiple players in those positions to see who can compete. Only if that terrible Klinsmann could do that....oh wait.            

The men's United States soccer team is in need of a miracle. I am not talking about a miracle to beat Guatemala on Tuesday. I strongly predict that the men's team will pull off a great result. What I am more concerned with is the fact that the men's team has no true individual talent. Now when I mean individual talent I am speaking based on player being able to go 1 on 1. The United States soccer team is a great team. Emphasis on team. When the team wins or plays well it is mainly as a whole or collectively. That is not to say the US has never had a great individual performances here and there. How can one forget Tim Howard producing save after save against Belgium at the 2014 world cup? The US lost the game 2-1 in overtime. Great team effort, but all around on the field no true individual stood out. Matt Besler stood out in a way that proves my point. At the time the best center back in form. Close to the halfway line USA's best defender loses out one on one to a 17 year old Belgium forward who received a pass from their own half who out positions and out muscles Besler and sprints down the wide lane and sets up the play that gives Belgium the lead in overtime. The US men's team did not lose just because Matt Besler was beat out 40 something yards out from the goal. If Matt Hummels, Giorgio Chiellini, or Sergio Ramos was in that position one can trust that they will not get beat in that position. Not stating that those defenders can't or haven't been beaten in a similar case, I am just having a difficult time recalling a moment when it did occur that led to a goal. One could argue that the US team was out of place especially on a fast break counter. Which is true, I agree that fast break counters are dangerous to any side even to the most organized defenses in world. Yet, in those moments is where I argue that the US needs to have individuals produce. In basketball, Jordan has taken last shot buzzer beaters to win his team the game. Yes, if the Chicago Bulls would have made all their free throws and limit just one foul the whole scenario with Michael Jordan taking the last shot to win the game could have been avoided. But it's sports, things don't go as planned or as smooth as one might want it to go. Soccer and basketball are completely different sports, I see that, but what I want to prove is the individualism that the rest of the big 4 sports league (MLS is catching up to NHL) that make for great spectacles. I am not asking for a miracle that the US will produce a Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. I am asking for a miracle not selling my soul. One of the reasons why the US men's team produces great team effort is because that's its best asset, a one trick pony in a way. Many are arguing over what is wrong with the US men's team and what should be done. Some say it's the players pool others want Klinsmann's head. I would say it is a bit of both. I will go into the latter on a following post. Until the US can find a defender that can shut down opposing forwards one on one, produce a winger that can speed down the line and smoke defenders over and over, or call-up a forward who is a dangerous threat that can score any time he receives the ball in the box. One of those would be a nice, a miracle if all three of those happen. But at the moment the US men's Soccer team needs a miracle if they ever really want to be relevant.  

Hello to all my soon to be fellow readers. My name is Saul and the blogger for Saul Says Sports Stuff. As a sports major there is hardly anything that does not interest me that involves sports. From the history, philosophy, economics, politics and the game itself. My vast interest includes all the sports in the States, unlike the common belief the sport of preference for me is soccer (football). I do talk about the state of MLS, leagues in Europe, international match ups and FIFA. Yet, I enjoy spring training and american football just as the next guy. The best part about being a sports major who enjoys all the sports makes it a great year every year!